Chongqing lights the way

Largely built on mountains and surrounded by the Yangtze and Jialing rivers, it is often called the mountain or river city. After building more than 4,500 bridges in recent years, the largest number in China, it is also referred to as the "city of bridges."

In October 2018, the local government issued a concrete plan to upgrade its urban landscape lighting, especially along the banks of the two rivers, major bridges and avenues.

This year, the four major business quarters across the rivers will put up grand light shows to showcase the city's natural beauty and history.

"Chongqing's night view will be artistic, attractive and interactive," Zhang said.

In addition to traditional river boat night tours, the city is developing new night bus tours for tourists to explore the city.

Visitors can go to the top of the Nanshan Mountain and Erling Park to have a panoramic view of the Yuzhong Peninsular, go to the Chongqing Opera House on the north bank and Yanyu Park on the south bank to look across the water, or take the Yangtze River Cable Car to enjoy the night view from above.

"Chongqing has very unique landscape and you will have different views from different angles," lighting expert Lin Chiming was quoted as saying by Chongqing Morning Post on the sidelines of the forum.

Lin is a partner and Asia Operations Director of Brandston Partnership Inc, an architectural lighting design firm based in New York.

He has worked on a number of projects in China, including Chongqing's landmark Raffles City which is currently under construction, Wheelock Square in Shanghai, the Summer Palace in Beijing and the RitzCarlton Hotel in Guangzhou.

Though the city has put a lot of effort into decorating the banks along the two rivers in recent years, "It still needs an overall design to better present the city landscape," he added.

In his eyes, Chongqing has more features than just mountains and rivers.

"The Hongya Cave, bridges, light railways and old city walls are also very interesting," he said.

As one of the hosts of the forum, Sichuan Fine Arts Institute in Chongqing has already set up a department for lumia art. Only two Chinese universities offer such a major.

"Now, urban lighting has more functions and it has become a major form of public art," said Han Jing from Sichuan Fine Arts Institute in Chongqing and director of Chongqing Contemporary Art Center.

"Our university will provide more local talent in this field."