Chongqing is a thriving metropolis situated in the heart of
China. Cranes and skyscrapers are silhouetted against the
surrounding mountains, and the streets are alive with hawkers,
street vendors, and business people.
Known as the Mountain City, it lies in China's South West, at
the confluence of the Jialing and Yangtze Rivers. Hills and valleys
surround it. The Yuzhong District (city centre) is on a peninsula
between the two rivers, and is a hive of crowded street markets and
tiny apartments stacked on top of one another.
With a history dating back 3000 years, Chongqing is an important
river port and has long been of commercial and military importance.
During World War Two, it was the de-facto capital of China. Though
heavily bombed by the Japanese, it was never captured. Its
importance during the war earned it the nickname 'the City of
Heroes'.
Other than being a launch point for a Three Gorges cruise,
Chongqing is not on most tourists' radars. That said, it is
becoming increasingly popular with international business
travellers. More luxury hotels are opening every year, and many
multinational companies are investing in the city.
Regarding local cuisine, Chongqing is famous for its hot pot.
The spicy, tripe broth is served in more than 30,000 hot pot
eateries, with official guidelines given by the government on how
to serve the dish.
Several prominent attractions lie within the city limits.
Ciqikou is an ancient village where visitors can see what Chongqing
was like before World War Two destroyed it, and subsequent
redevelopment shaped it. Chongqing's natural hot springs are well
worth a visit and provide some lovely respite from the busy
metropolis. The Ronghui Hot Springs and Chongqing Bolian Hot
Springs are highly recommended.
One of the biggest challenges for English speakers is that very
few locals speak fluent English. And while the crime rate is
relatively low for a large urban metropolis, petty crime does
occur, especially near train stations and major tourist
destinations.
