On my way walking to popular Hongyadong, I saw this Chopstick Building
If you read my write-up of Hongyadong, then you know how much I raved about that place. Well, just before I got there, I actually came across a truly peculiar and interesting sight. I’m talking about the Chopstick Building that I think can only be found in Chongqing.
Chongqing’s Chopstick Building: An Iconic Landmark in the Middle of Hongyadong
I mean just look at this thing. When I first saw it, I genuinely thought that it was an unfinished building because of the extruding beams that actually extend over to the sidewalk in some places. It was only when I looked closely (because it’s just really begging for attention) that I realized that this was actually a bona fide completed building.
So upon further research, I found out that the building is actually the Chongqing Art Museum and is also known as the Chopstick Tower. After finding out that this is an art museum, the peculiar design kind of made sense to me.
Another tidbit of information that I also learned from researching about this building is that all the red beams here are actually orientated along the south-north axis. Conversely, the black beams point to the east-west directions. As for the meaning behind the use of these colors and the beams’ orientation, I’m not entirely sure.
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Considering how this is an art museum, I guess they made the design as well as color choices ambiguous so that whoever might be observing gets to formulate their own ideas of what these mean (unlike the Three Gorges Museum which looks more conventional)? Whatever the case may be, I think the design does a really good job of drawing attention and sparking conversation (which a lot of great art does as well).
Intrigued, I actually moved closer to take this picture of these extruding beams. Now upon further research, I found out that the art on display here are mostly paintings, sculptures, and prints of the traditional kind which contrast from this very modern exterior.
There were some articles online that described the design to be hot pot inspired but I just don’t think that’s the case. Maybe it’s the red and black color that reminded them of hotpot (and not Hong Kong style dim sum)? I know that the soup for Sichuan and Chongqing style hotpot has this distinctive bright red color to it so that might be what they think it’s referencing which again seems a little too far fetched to me.
Chongqing Hotel Recommendations Based on My Own Stay
🔹 Ascott Raffles City Chongqing
🔹 Westin Chongqing Liberation Square
Top Activities in Chongqing
Wulong Tiansheng Three Bridges
Banquet in Ba Kingdom Royal Feast
This might sound silly but what this really reminds me of the most is Jenga. If I remember correctly, there is a Jenga tower in New York though the ‘blocks’ didn’t extrude like the chopstick beams here. Kidding aside, there is something alien to the building that I can’t quite put my finger on.
Here’s a much closer look at the front of the building. It’s definitely a lot more imposing the closer you get. I was actually thinking of dropping by but then that would have meant that I’d shave off time for my Hongyadong Folk Custom Scene Area visit which I was really looking forward to.
After taking this picture, I finally realized what made this building look so alien. It wasn’t really the building itself but rather what it was surrounded with. Much like the People’s Liberation monument in the Chongqing Liberation Square, the building cuts through the concrete and glass with its striking silhouette and is really a welcome sight for the eyes.
In the end, I contented myself with this one last picture of this iconic landmark (and if you’d like to see other great landmarks here, check out Qiansimen Bridge, the Yellow Zip Building in Testbed 2, or the Liziba Station). Perhaps the next time I get back to Chongqing I can then regale you with stories of what’s inside this Chopstick Building. Anyway, do you have any stories of the Chongqing Chopstick Building? What were your impressions of it and its interiors? Share your experiences with us down in the comments!
