A Guide to Chongqing, China

A guide to Chongqing, the semi-mythical State of Ba

Chongqing, whose literal meaning is “double happiness,” is a port city with the largest municipal area and population in China. It is situated in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers in southest China. It covers a land area of 82,400 square kilometers(31,800 square miles). Since its founding 3,3000 years ago, Chongqing has been called Jiangzhou, Yuzhou, and Gongzhou, before getting its present name nearly 800 years ago. Chongqing symbolizes Yangtze River civilizations and is the cradle of Bayu culture.

Today, Chongqing is a modern city, China’s fourth municipality after Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin. Within its borders Chongqing encompasses a wealth of water reserves, mineral resources, dense forests, and abundant flora and fauna. The focal point of the unique Yangtze Three Gorges Dam, Chongqing is a tourist attraction as well as a commercial city. Climate(天气)---Chongqing belongs to sub-tropical monsoon climate. The features are warm winter, hot summer, early spring and short autumn. Annual average temperature is around 19.2。c. The extreme temperature can reach as high as 43.8 c. Hence it had got the name of “furnace city”. The annual average rainfall is 1000-1100mm. There is much fog from the end of autumn to early spring. Chongqing is also one of the cities with shortest sunshine time in China. The annual sunshine time is 941.9 hours.

Tourism in Chongqing(游在重庆)---Chongqing attracts visitors from home and abroad for its cultural heritage and other tourist attractions. Chongqing is famous for its hot Sichuan cuisine and world-famous hotpot dishes. Street vendors as well as restaurants feature exciting spicy delicacies for the adventurers. Chongqing Jiefangbei(解放碑)---Jiefangbei stands in the most prosperous downtown of Chongqing. Jiefangbei, or the People’s Liberation Monument, is formerly known as the Monument of Victory in the War of Resistance. Red Cliff Cave (Hong Ya Dong. 洪崖洞) is a huge tour and entertainment complex reproduced based on old-styled Chongqing Diao Jiao Lou (literally Long-footed House traditionally built on hills). Overlooking Jia Ling River, it is featured with many arts and crafts shops, ancient-looking restaurants and exotic pubs.

Great Hall of the People(人民大礼堂)---Chongqing’s Great Hall of the People (and the People’s Square in front of the Hall) is an architectural symbol of Chongqing city. Its construction began in 1951, but its design is traditional and mirrors those of China’s ancient classical dynasties. Foreigner Street (洋人街)---is located in the fairly remote area between Danzishi of Nan An District and the Yangtze River. Remarkably blending the eastern and western culture, the site evokes some sense of nostalgia and refreshment for visitors home or abroad. Going for a stroll through the area will take you past a Japanese village, a Korean neighborhood, a Western style river walk, horse drawn carriages, a cluster of residences epitomizing Chinese traditional architectural style and even what appears to be a Communist Revolution section, complete with song and dance reenactments. It is also a spot of thematic oddities. Creatively revised classical slogans are pretty amusing yet equally enlightening. Crooked houses and world record breaking restroom are very impressive as well. Besides the cost here can be very low without withdrawing your joyfulness. Some shops, restaurants and bars opened by expats can also make solid congregation areas for all expats.

The Dazu Stone Carvings（大足石刻）---The Dazu Stone Carvings contains all the cliffside carvings in Dazu County. The Buddhist statues dominate in this stone carving group, and the Taoist and the Confucian stone figures can also be seen. Three Gorges Plaza(三峡广场)---This massive shopping plaza is located at the heart of Shapingba district. The square has a man-made river running through it and accompanying sculptures meant to represent the Yangtze and all the stops along the way to the Three Gorges. With Chongqing University, Chongqing Normal University, Sichuan International Studies University, and Southwest Politics and Law University all located nearby, this shopping plaza primarily caters to college students. There are hundreds of shops that sell trendy clothes and shoes to the young adults who are still living off mom and dad. Among some of the bigger brand names you can find here are Baleno (Ban Ni Lu-班尼路), Metersbonwe (Bang Wei-邦威), and Yishion (Yi Chun-以纯).

Below are some of the department stores that have branches in Three Gorges Plaza. In general all the department stores have a grocery section in the basement level. People do not bargain at the department stores, so you have to just look out for promotions. Ciqikou(磁器口古镇)---Situated on the bank of the Jia Ling River, not far from its confluence with the mighty Yangtze is the ancient village of Ci Qi Kou, formerly known as Long Yin. Covering an area of some 1.2 square kilometres (291.6 acres) it is 14 kilometres to the west of Chongqing Municipality. Chongqing itself has undergone many changes over the centuries, changes that have not been reflected in Ci Qi Kou with the consequence that the village conveys an impression of what Chongqing would have been like in the distant past. This fact has been recognized by the State Council and in 1998 Ci Qi Kou became a protected cultural site. The history of Ci Qi Kou can be traced back for more than 1700 years. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1911) it was famous for its production of porcelain.

To date, over twenty old kiln sites have been discovered there. It is because of the importance of the porcelain industry that the name has been changed from Long Yin to Ci Qi Kou which being translated means Porcelain Village. However, the village was also an important supply post for shipping on the river, a fact that explains why there are so many shops lining the twelve lanes paved with their large flag stones that form the main routes. Here you will find many outlets for craftwork, groceries and the like as well as a horologist, photography supplies, drugstore and a tempting supply of roasted nuts and seeds. As one would expect there are also many teashops and restaurants to cater for the many visitors who come to see something of a way of life that has existed here for so many centuries. Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum（中国重庆三峡博物馆）---The museum is situated opposite the Chongqing People’s Hall. It is not only the largest monographic museum, but is also a public undertaking for the preservation, education, scientific research in respect of cultural relics and the natural environment of Chongqing and the Three Gorges area. Monorail(轻轨) ---In a hilly city surrounded by water like Chongqing, unconventional transport means have to be utilized, such as cable car and monorail. Chongqing monorail is a high capacity system extending 19 km and designed to carry 30,000 people per hour. The trains are based on a Hitachi design. It has now become not only a major means of transport but also a sightseeing tool for visitors.

Nightview(夜景) ---It may not be that gorgeous viewed in the daytime, however, at night Chongqing is surely one of the most impressive cities in the world. Its famous night view attracts tourists every day, and many lookout spots for night scenes have become popular tourist destinations, such as Eling Park, Yi Ke Shu on South Mountain, Chao Tian Men Dock and on the top of Gele Mountain in Shapingba District.

Dining in Chongqing(吃在重庆)--- Chongqing is a harbor city and with this comes what is called “matou wenhua” or “dockside culture”. Hotpot---Chongqing is the birth place of the hotpot in China. Hotpot, called huoguo, or “firepot” in Chinese, is one of Chongqing’s claims to fame. As one branch of Sichuan cuisine, Chongqing cuisine is noted for its distinctive spicy and pungent flavors. The signature dishes are: Spicy Winkles, Fish with Sour Chili, Crispy Toothpick Rabbit Meat, Steamed Sticky Rice Sparerib, Taoran Chili Chicken with Taro.

Special Products(重庆特产)---Chongqing’s special products, delicious food and featured handicrafts are dazzling. Fuling pickled mustard tuber and Shixiantaibai wine are well sold both at home and abroad. Chongqing Hot Pot, Spicy Fish and Spring Chicken will surely satisfy your appitite. Huatao ceramics and Qijiang peasants’ woodcut are nice gifts to be presented to your friends and relatives.

When in Chongqing, Book Perfect Time International Youth Hostel

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