It starts with stairs. Lots and lots of stairs. So many stairs that when you think you’ve reached the ground floor, you may be in for a suprise because you might only be halfway to the bottom. This is usually a netizen’s first introduction to Chongqing.

Chongqing spans parts of the Daba, Wuling, and Dalou Mountains, and the Wu Gorge. Flat maps don’t work here, because while they may say two places are, say, 10 km apart, for example, they don’t account for whether that 10 km is horizontal or vertical. This is why it’s known as a 5D City, and this—aside from its numerous attractions and futuristic vibe—is exactly what draws tourists to China’s “Mountain City.”

Despite its claim to fame, Chongqing can actually be quite walkable. And if walking is not your thing, there’s public transportation and ride-sharing apps to help you get around. Like most of China, transactions are done electronically, though you might want to carry some cash just in case. The best times to visit are in spring (March to May) and fall (September to October).

Here are some places to check out when planning your trip. After all, September is only three months away.

Catch a bird’s-eye view of the city at the Raffles City Cloud Walk. Located in Raffles City mall, guests can view the city from under a glass floor 250 meters high, from a large mechanical swing, or harnessed on the highest point of the building.

Join the Two Rivers Night Cruise that traverses the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers at twilight and watch as the Mountain City slowly transforms into a city of lights.

Visit the Huawei Center and see what the brand has developed beyond phones. Computers, cars, you name it. If you ask nicely, the staff may even let you try one of their self-driving cars.

Is it a mall or is it a park? Halo Shopping Mall is a high-end shopping mall that brings the outdoors inside with style (and dinosaurs).

If you’re a history buff, you’ll appreciate Chongqing’s vast 3000-year history that includes becoming the provisional capital of China during the Second Sino-Japanese War.

Jiefangbei is one of Chongqing’s major central business districts. But in the middle of the restaurants, boutiques, and malls stands the Chongqing People’s Liberation Monument, which commemorates the liberation of Chongqing in 1949.

The Great Hall of the People, whose exterior resembles the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, is considered a shining example of classic Chinese architecture. The complex is a government building, cultural center, and public park.

Art lovers can drop by the Chongqing Art Museum, which focuses on traditional Chinese art like paintings, prints, and small sculptures. Also known as the “Chopstick Building” because of its hard-to-miss red and black beams inspired by, well, chopsticks and hotpot, it’s easy to see why this is one of Chongqing’s most iconic buildings.

If you’re all about the ‘gram (and shopping), Chongqing has several old shopping streets, including the internet-famous Kuixinglou, where what looks like a ground-level public square is actually 22 stories above ground.

Historical CDrama enthusiasts will appreciate Xiahaoli, a shopping complex that recreates Chongqing’s old town, where every nook and cranny is photo-worthy.

Folks looking for a more indie vibe may check out Eling Second Factory, a cultural and creative park housed in an old printing factory that showcases local goods made by small businesses.

Chongqing is also known as a cyberpunk city because of its unique architecture that sometimes incorporates transportation. Two of its most popular tourist attractions also happen to be public transport.

The Liziba Light Rail Station gained popularity online because it is a light rail train that passes through an apartment building. There are two ways to see this from the ground. One is in front of the apartment itself, and one is on the Liziba Platform across the river, where many tourists take videos pretending to “eat” the train.

Though the Yangtze River Cableway started as a convenient way to cross the Yangtze, the availability of more modern modes of transportation has turned it into a tourist attraction. Lines can get pretty long, so try to go during slow hours. (Photos by Yvette Tan)