Welcome to part three of my China diaries — I’m in Chongqing for 4 days after Beijing and Chengdu, and I’m not going to lie… I was fighting a cold the whole time. I still pushed through (mask on, tissues in my bag, little med kit with cough drops, Tiger Balm, and Tylenol) because I really wanted to experience this “vertical” cyberpunk city for myself. We stayed at the Sensene Hotel, which was affordable, in a great location, and literally right by a mall, restaurants, and a Lawson — super convenient when you’re tired or need something quick. Chongqing honestly blew my mind with how layered everything is. I’m talking about standing somewhere that feels like ground level and realizing you’re actually on the 27th floor. We explored malls, ate (a lot), and I even got the cutest little portrait drawing for $8 to remember the city. On my last day, we went to the viral Ring Mall / Halo Shopping Park for the indoor botanical garden — it was beautiful, but I’m also being real: if it’s far from where you’re staying, it might not be worth the trek because after the garden it’s basically just a regular mall. Before heading to the airport, I rated my overall China trip a 7/10: food was a 10/10 and so affordable, but the constant staring as a Black traveler was exhausting and uncomfortable. I’m sharing that honestly so you can be prepared, especially if you’re a foreigner who doesn’t “look like the norm.”