Chongqing's new foreigner street becomes a cultural and tourism hotspot

During China's recent seven-day National Day holiday, the newly opened Meixin No 2 Foreigner Street in Chongqing attracted over 700,000 visitors, establishing itself as a burgeoning cultural and tourism hotspot in the region.

Located in Jieshi township, Chongqing's Ba'nan district, this free-entry urban amusement park is the largest industrial tourism complex in Chongqing's urban area, according to its developer, Chongqing Meixin Group.

The group said the park sets itself apart by departing from traditional development models of scenic spots and industrial parks, pioneering an innovative integration model of industrial and cultural tourism.

The original Foreigner Street, which opened in 2006 in the city's Nan'an district, gained both domestic and international attention with its comical and exotic architecture. It boasts the world's largest toilet, which can accommodate 2,000 people at the same time, Venetian canals, a crooked pedestrian street reminiscent of San Francisco's famed Lombard Street, a tree house and toilets in the shape of an Egyptian pyramid. It drew significant attention, boosting the local economy through increased tourism spending.

Symbolizing a shift toward more open-minded attitudes, the original Foreigner Street also challenged traditional Chinese norms. In 2009, it built China's first sex-themed display, but authorities shut it down shortly after it opened, believing the nude sculptures and paintings were too explicit. In 2016, it made headlines again with the introduction of an outdoor street urinal, allowing eight men to urinate in public simultaneously, shielded only by an arc-shaped plastic section covering the men's waist area — a bold move at the time in China.

Despite its success, the original park ceased operations in early 2019 due to the expiration of its lease, leaving many with fond memories of its entertainment, avant-garde offerings, and affordable prices.

Now, even with only 20 percent of the new project open during its initial phase, Meixin No 2 Foreigner Street has captivated the city with its nostalgic charm and a fresh blend of industrial tourism, leisure, and cultural experiences.

The park launched an exceptional value package, providing unlimited access to over 40 amusement activities, including classic rides such as the Ferris wheel, roller coaster, and steam train, for five days during the National Day holiday at just 19.9 yuan ($2.97). This high-value deal quickly went viral on social media and short video platforms over the past week.