Tourists chase high-octane thrill in China’s trending biker capital of Chongqing

Chongqing's neon-lit nightscape and roaring engines are drawing tourists eager for high-octane thrills, transforming the Chinese city into a trending biker capital. Visitors are embracing the city's cyberpunk image, hiring drivers and motorbikes for personalized videos that capture the vibrant atmosphere.

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I flew from Shanghai to Chongqing this morning, and the first priority is this shoot.

Sellers hawk their filming services to passersby, many of whom are inspired by motorbiking videos shared on social media. Liu Changqing, a tourist from Shanghai, prioritized a video shoot upon arriving in Chongqing, highlighting the trend's draw. "They even have make-up artists to help you," she said before embarking on a ride.

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They even have make-up artists to help you.

While many Chinese cities restrict motorcycling, Chongqing has cultivated a biker-friendly environment. This embrace has fueled a surge in tourism, particularly since 2025, with videos tagged to the trend accumulating over 1.3 billion views on Douyin, China's version of TikTok. The city accounts for over a third of China's motorcycle production, a legacy dating back to 1979 when Jialing began manufacturing civilian motorcycles there.

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There is a local saying that if you put a camera at an intersection in Chongqing, every 30 seconds you’ll see a motorcycle pass by.

Local enthusiasts like Zhang Yuanming, a motorbike instructor, see the growing tourism as a business opportunity. The packages, offering choreographed photos and videos, cost upwards of 200 yuan (S$38). Zhang also notes increased interest in learning to ride, partly inspired by local brand ZXMoto's recent success in the WorldSSP class, which he believes is "pushing young people to get in touch with motorcycles."

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It’s pushing young people to get in touch with motorcycles.