Chongqing Cafe’s 11-Meter-Tall King Kong Sculpture on Rooftop

When a giant black gorilla appeared perched casually on the edge of a low-rise building in Chongqing’s Shiqiaopu district, passersby did a double take. With one leg dangling and a teacup in hand, the statue looked down at the bustling street below like some urban colossus. But this isn’t a scene from a movie—it’s part of a bold branding move by an animal-themed coffee shop.

The 11-meter-tall gorilla sculpture, installed just off the rooftop, is real. It cost over 500,000 RMB, took more than a year to design, and was put up with professional lifting equipment. Its purpose? To embody the cafe’s wild, creative ethos.

What’s Really on That Roof

Located near Shiqiaopu Metro Station, the sculpture depicts a life-sized, glossy black gorilla sitting casually on the roof’s edge. Its right leg is folded beneath it, the left dangling freely. In its right hand, it holds a teacup; its left grips the rooftop’s ledge. Though styled with a stern expression reminiscent of the 1933 film King Kong, the figure is actually a fiberglass sculpture, standing an impressive 11 meters tall.

The installation caused a stir online, with social media users debating its artistic merit, safety, and even whether it was Photoshopped. Some called it “cool and imposing,” while others found it “ugly” or “scary.” Regardless of opinion, it’s hard to deny the sculpture commands attention.

Why the Cafe Built a Giant Ape

The gorilla is the brainchild of the marketing team at an animal-themed café located nearby. “Our company culture revolves around animals,” said Guo Ling, the café’s marketing director. “We wanted something that reflected that spirit, and after more than a year of design iterations—over 10 drafts—we landed on the gorilla.”

The creative process wasn’t quick or simple. The team worked diligently to perfect the sculpture’s look and symbolism. The final version is made from durable fiberglass, built to withstand outdoor conditions. According to Guo, the design required multiple adjustments before achieving the desired visual impact.

More Animals, More Art

The rooftop gorilla isn’t the only animal-themed installation. Inside and around the café, the décor continues the wildlife motif. Just outside, two 10-meter-tall giraffes stand sentinel. But the most eye-catching feature might be the adjacent six-story building, whose wall is completely covered by 32 uniformly sized horses, each 1.8 meters tall and painted in various colors. In another section, over 20 colorful gorillas climb across yet another wall. The café’s commitment to its animal theme is thorough—and visually overwhelming.

“The exterior pieces are all part of our brand expression,” Guo Ling added. “We aim to create a space where customers feel immersed in a world of animals, even as they enjoy specialty coffee.” The installations required careful planning, municipal permissions, and cooperation with building management and property owners to ensure both legality and safety.

How They Put It All Together

Installing an 11-meter fiberglass gorilla on a city rooftop isn’t a DIY job. The gorilla was lifted into place using professional cranes due to its considerable weight. A steel support structure anchors it firmly to the roof, preventing any risk of toppling. The same goes for the wall-mounted horses and additional gorilla figures—each element was carefully engineered for stability.

Despite its eye-catching appearance and massive scale, the gorilla’s installation followed proper municipal procedures, with approvals from both local authorities and building management. Safety and structural integrity were key priorities throughout the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is the gorilla sculpture in Chongqing?

The gorilla sculpture stands 11 meters (approximately 36 feet) tall, making it several stories high and highly visible from the surrounding area.

How much did the gorilla sculpture cost?

The sculpture cost over 500,000 RMB (roughly $70,000 USD) to design and build, reflecting its custom design, material quality, and engineering requirements.

How long did it take to design the gorilla?

The design process spanned more than a year, with the team making over 10 revisions before finalizing the gorilla’s look and posture.

Is the gorilla sculpture safe?

Yes, the gorilla is anchored with a steel support structure fixed to the rooftop using steel pins. The same care was taken with other large installations, including the 32 horses on a nearby building wall.

Are there other animal sculptures at the café?

Yes, the café features a range of animal-themed art, including two 10-meter giraffes, 32 1.8-meter-tall horses on a neighboring wall, and over 20 colorful gorillas on another wall.

Who created the sculptures and why?

The sculptures were commissioned by the café’s in-house marketing team to express the business’s animal-centric brand identity. The creative direction aimed to immerse customers in a whimsical, wildlife-inspired environment.

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