Chongqing People's Auditorium is located at No. 173 Renmin Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing. Adjacent to the Jialing River and Renmin Square, it is one of Chongqing's landmark buildings, as well as a national 4A-level tourist attraction and a major national historical and cultural site under protection. The building integrates traditional Chinese palace architectural styles with modern architectural elements, boasting a magnificent and grand overall appearance. It not only possesses the dignity and elegance of classical architecture but also features the practical functions of a public building, serving as an important window to showcase Chongqing's urban culture and historical heritage. The main building of the auditorium is 65 meters high, and its internal main hall has a span of 46.33 meters and a height of 55 meters, capable of accommodating over 4,200 people. The entire scenic area covers an area of approximately 66,000 square meters, including the main auditorium, Renmin Square and surrounding supporting facilities. The square and the auditorium complement each other, jointly forming an important public activity space and tourist area in the core urban area of Chongqing. With its unique architectural art and profound cultural value, the scenic area attracts a large number of tourists all year round and also serves as a venue for numerous large-scale political, cultural and celebration activities.
Historical Culture
The construction of Chongqing People's Auditorium has a profound historical background. In the early days after the founding of the People's Republic of China, as the political, economic and cultural center of Southwest China, Chongqing was in urgent need of a venue capable of hosting large-scale meetings and mass activities. In June 1951, the construction of the auditorium officially started, designed by the renowned Chinese architect Mr. Zhang Jiade. During the design process, he fully drew on the artistic characteristics of traditional imperial buildings such as the Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace in Beijing, while integrating the structural requirements of modern architecture, striving to achieve the unity of beauty and practicality.
In April 1954, Chongqing People's Auditorium was completed and put into use. Its completion not only filled the gap of large-scale public buildings in Southwest China but also became an architectural benchmark in Chongqing and even the whole Southwest China at that time. Over the decades since its completion, the auditorium has witnessed countless important historical moments, hosting various important meetings in Southwest China, national art performances and international exchange activities. In 1987, the Royal Institute of British Architects included Chongqing People's Auditorium in "A History of World Architecture", recognizing its international value in architectural art. On June 25, 2001, it was announced by the State Council as a major national historical and cultural site under the fifth batch of protection, further establishing its important position in the field of history and culture, and becoming a key carrier for inheriting Chongqing's urban memory and displaying the innovative achievements of modern Chinese architecture.
Major Attractions
The Main Building of the Auditorium
The main building is the core scenic spot of the area, adopting a symmetrical layout along the central axis. Its architectural style is based on traditional Chinese palace architecture, with elaborate craftsmanship reflected in every detail. The roof is a circular pointed top covered with emerald green glazed tiles, and the ridge is decorated with exquisite mythical beast ornaments. The eaves are adorned with complex brackets and colorful paintings, featuring bright colors and intricate patterns that showcase the essence of traditional architectural decorative art. The front of the building is equipped with a tall gateway, flanked by symmetrical auxiliary buildings, forming an architectural pattern with clear primary and secondary structures. The internal hall adopts a column-free design, achieving an ultra-large-span space through advanced architectural structures. The hall is furnished with neatly arranged seats and complete stage facilities, and a huge crystal chandelier hangs from the ceiling, which not only creates a solemn atmosphere but also meets the needs of hosting large-scale activities. In addition, the exterior walls of the building are light beige, forming a striking contrast with the green glazed tiles, presenting a unique visual effect under different light conditions. It is a model of the perfect combination of traditional architecture and modern engineering technology.
Renmin Square
Adjacent to Chongqing People's Auditorium, Renmin Square covers an area of about 30,000 square meters and is an important part of the auditorium scenic area. The square is paved with flat stone slabs, offering a broad view. A large-scale musical fountain is located in the center, surrounded by neat green plants and landscape flower beds, providing appealing scenery throughout the four seasons. The north side of the square is connected to the main building of the auditorium, the south side is close to the Chongqing Municipal People's Government, and the east side is adjacent to the Three Gorges Museum, forming an urban public space integrating culture, politics and leisure. As an important venue for Chongqing citizens' daily leisure, fitness and mass cultural activities, a large number of citizens come here every day for walking, dancing and various cultural and sports activities. Meanwhile, the square serves as a resting place for tourists after visiting the auditorium. Standing on the square, visitors can enjoy a full view of the auditorium, making it one of the best spots to take photos of the auditorium's complete architectural appearance.
Internal Exhibition Halls of the Auditorium
There are multiple themed exhibition halls inside the auditorium, distributed in the auxiliary areas of the main building, with a total exhibition area of approximately 800 square meters. Through various forms such as texts, pictures, physical exhibits and multimedia images, the exhibition halls systematically display the construction process, architectural design details, historical events and records of various major activities held at Chongqing People's Auditorium. The exhibits include copies of architectural design drawings from that year, construction tools, precious photos taken upon completion and souvenirs from activities over the years. Among them, the design manuscripts and creative concepts of architect Mr. Zhang Jiade are highlighted, allowing visitors to gain an in-depth understanding of the entire process of the auditorium from conception to completion. In addition, the exhibition halls regularly hold temporary exhibitions related to Chongqing's urban history and traditional architectural art, providing visitors with a richer cultural experience and helping them fully understand the historical value and cultural significance of the auditorium.
Recommended Travel Route
A half-day tour route is recommended for Chongqing People's Auditorium, which takes about 2.5 to 3 hours in total with a walking distance of approximately 1.5 kilometers. Visitors can enter the scenic area from the northeast gate and first arrive at Renmin Square. They can enjoy the panoramic view of the auditorium here, take photos of the building's exterior and the square's fountain, which takes about 30 minutes. Then enter the main building of the auditorium and visit the themed exhibition hall on the first floor to learn about the auditorium's history and architectural features through the exhibits, which takes about 40 minutes. Next, go to the main hall of the auditorium to admire the internal column-free structure and traditional decorative art, and feel the grandeur of the space. Visitors can stay here for 30 minutes to take photos as souvenirs. After that, visit the auxiliary building areas on both sides of the main building to explore the supporting facilities and small exhibition areas, which takes about 20 minutes. When the visit is over, exit from the south gate. The exit is close to multiple bus stops, facilitating travel to the next destination. Alternatively, visitors can walk to the nearby Three Gorges Museum to continue their tour and enrich their itinerary.
Travel Tips
- The best seasons for visiting are spring and autumn. During these periods, the temperature in Chongqing is pleasant, around 15 - 25℃, which is suitable for outdoor activities. Meanwhile, the green landscape of Renmin Square is at its best, offering excellent photo opportunities. In summer, it is advisable to avoid the high-temperature period from 10:00 to 16:00. In winter, keep warm as fog may occur at certain times, presenting a unique hazy scenery.
- Free guided tours are available at the scenic area at 10:00 and 15:00 every day, with each tour lasting about 40 minutes. It is recommended to arrive at the auditorium entrance in advance to wait for the tour. Following the guide can help you gain a deeper understanding of the architectural details and historical stories.
- To take a panoramic photo of the auditorium, it is recommended to choose 9 - 10 a.m. or 15 - 16 p.m. on sunny days. The soft light during these times can avoid backlighting, and the central axis of Renmin Square is the best spot for taking panoramic photos.
- It is advisable to carry a lightweight camera and drinking water. Rest seats in the scenic area are mainly concentrated around Renmin Square and the main hall of the auditorium, providing convenient resting places at any time.
- Certain areas of the auditorium may be temporarily closed in case of large-scale meetings or events. It is recommended to check the daily opening status through official channels in advance to avoid making a futile trip.
Notes
- Keep quiet when entering the auditorium. Loud noises and chasing are prohibited to avoid affecting other visitors and disrupting the internal order.
- Do not touch the exhibits in the exhibition halls. Do not use flash when taking photos to prevent damage to cultural relics and exhibits. The use of tripods is forbidden in the main hall of the auditorium.
- Smoking and littering are prohibited in the scenic area. Take good care of public facilities and green plants, and do not climb the external walls and decorative components of the building.
- Group visits need to be reserved one day in advance through official channels, with a maximum of 50 people per group reservation. After successful reservation, enter the venue with the reservation certificate. Individual visitors do not need to make a reservation but must cooperate with security checks.
- The floors inside the auditorium are smooth, and there are many steps in some areas. The elderly and children must be accompanied by others to prevent falls. Wear comfortable flat shoes to reduce discomfort caused by long walks.
Transportation
- Metro: Take Metro Line 2 to Zengjiayan Station, exit from Exit C and walk about 800 meters (10 minutes) to reach the northeast gate of the scenic area. Or take Metro Line 10 to Auditorium Station, exit from Exit B and walk about 500 meters (8 minutes) to the south gate.
- Bus: Take bus No. 112, 145, 152, 262, 322, 421, 829 or 862 and get off at Auditorium Station. It is within 300 meters' walk from the station to the scenic area entrance. You can also take bus No. 465 or 601 to Renmin Road Station and walk about 400 meters to arrive.
- Self-driving: There are an underground parking lot and temporary ground parking lots around the scenic area, with a total of about 300 parking spaces. The parking fee is 5 yuan per 30 minutes, with a maximum charge of 50 yuan per 24 hours. Parking spaces are in short supply during holidays. It is recommended to travel during off-peak hours and give priority to public transport.
Opening Hours
Renmin Square is open 24 hours a day. Chongqing People's Auditorium is open from 8:00 to 18:00, and ticket sales stop at 17:30.
Ticket Information
Renmin Square is open to the public free of charge.
The ticket price for Chongqing People's Auditorium is 8 yuan per person. You can search for the official WeChat service account "重庆市人民大礼堂" to get the latest updates or make online reservations and purchases.
Online Booking
Click here to jump to the Trip.com ticketing platform for ticket purchase.