Chongqing
INTRO
To visit China is a unique experience in itself, but to visit a Chinese metropolis is even much more memorable. The city of Chongqing is a representative sample of the taste of Chinese culture, history and modern life. With a prolific past and even more prosperous present, Chongqing is worth a visit for it is surely an oriental place with a western appearance.
City Profile
City: Chongqing
Country: China
Area: 82,400 km2
Population: 30.9 million
Districts:40
Governor:Wang Hongju
Language: Mandarin
Rating: #1 / 126 at Asian-Cities
LOCATION
Strategically located at the cross-section of Yangtze and Jialing Rivers, Chongqing is the fourth municipality in China after Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai and a rapidly developing port city. Water, land and air transportation conveniently connect Chongqing to other parts of China and the world. Neighboring five other Chinese provinces, including Shaanxi and Sichuan provinces, Chongqing area encompasses an abundant amount of natural resources that contribute to its successful economy and tourism.
TIME TO VISIT
Chongqing has a sub-tropical monsoon climate that is characterised by humid days and evening rainfalls throughout the whole year. The highest temperatures during the summers reach 40 degrees Celsius while those in winters are usually a little above zero. Summers are generally really hot and foggy, making it unbearable if you are out without a fan or a hat. The best time to visit the city excludes the months between June and September. Spring and autumn are generally preferred for a trip to Chongqing as those are the seasons when two of the famous Chinese festivals take place - the Spring and the Mid-autumn Day Festivals.
POPULATION
According to the official records, the number of inhabitants in Chongqing outnumbers thirty million, of which almost two million belong to various cultures. The majority of the population is Han but the city homes round 20 minority groups, of which Tujia and Miao are the largest. The official language in the area is Mandarin but the natives speak a Southern dialect. English might be not so perfectly spoken at the major tourist sites and better in the business environment.
DISTRICTS
The city of Chongqing is administratively divided into forty county-levels, comprising of nineteen districts, seventeen counties and four autonomous ones. The main central districts are the following:
- Yuzhong is the very central district where most the government offices are located. It is also the administrative, political and economical hub of the city. This is the most populated region where the heart of the social life is concentrated.
- Nan'an, as its name implies, is the region located south of the Yangtze River.
- Shapingba is the main educational district where most of the city's academic life flourishes. The district also houses some of the landmarks of Chongqing, including the old town of Ciqikou and Lin's Garden.
SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS
If you are going to Chongqing for tourism, you have definitely made the right decision. Depending on your personal interests, you can choose from various places, from Buddhist temples and hot springs to hiking in the mountains and historical remains. There are several city landmarks, however, that should not be ignored.
- The Three Gorges is probably the major attraction that lures visitor from all over the world. The Three Gorges is a famous Chinese canyon along the waters of Yangtze River, the most visited in the country. The river goes further east and reaches Shanghai and thus its name, meaning "Long River". The nature along the river is purely magnificent! If you have enough time while in China, you should definitely go on one of those river cruises that are offered in Chongqing.
- Dazu Rock Carvings belong to the UNESCO World Heritage. The carvings are a series of Confucian, Buddhist and Taoist sculptures, inscriptions and epigraphs dating from the 7th century, during the Tang Dynasty. There are around 75 protected sites that comprise the whole complex with thousands of statues. This is a definitely must-see attraction spot that you will most certainly appreciate. More info on the admission fee and how to get there: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/chongqing/dazu.htm
- The Great Hall of the People is situated in the central district of the city and is one of the largest public buildings in China. Its architecture is in traditional Chinese style even though it was built in present the centuries. At night, the hall is lit up by thousands of lights and the view is truly romantic. This is undoubtedly the symbol of Chongqing city and is still used today for concerts, ceremonies and other social events, apart from it being open for the public every day.
- Ci Qu Kou, or the Porcelain Village, is the perfect place to experience a traditional, authentic village atmosphere. Located some 13 kilometres away from Chongqing, the place had been one of the main suppliers of porcelain along the Yangtze River. Most of the houses date from the Qing and Ming Dynasties and are made mainly out of bamboo and timber. Situated on the banks of Jia Ling River, the village is a protected cultural site, accustomed for the needs of both locals and visitors with many teahouses, handicraft shops, etc. More info on the admission fee and how to get there: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/chongqing/ciqikou.htm
- Chongqing Three Gorges Museum is a newly-opened modern museum that shows everything concerning the Three Gorges Dam. The architecture of the museum resembles the dam itself and there are halls inside the building that exhibit the landscape, flora and fauna around the river. One can also learn about the history of Chongqing as well as see a porcelain collection. The museum is highly recommended, especially if you won't have the chance to take a cruise along the Yangtze River. More info on the admission fee and how to get there: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/chongqing/museum.htm
- Huguang Guild Hall was built 300 years ago by immigrants who were asked by the government to settle in the city and develop the country. People came from Guangdong, Hunan and Hubei provinces and built their own guildhalls. Today, visitors can see all the renovated theatres, opera stages and temple halls. Some of the rooms are turned into migrant museum where people can see and buy local handicrafts.
AIRPORT
One international airport serves the city of Chongqing and connects it to almost all provincial capitals in China as well as to other major destinations in Asia.
- Chongqing Jiang-bei International Airport is located 21 kilometres from the city centre. Airport shuttle buses operate every 30 minutes to the downtown area for 15 RMB per person. Another option is to take a taxi that should cost no more than 100 RMB; make sure to bargain with the driver before getting in. More info at: http://www.muztagh.com/chongqing/airport.htm
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
Transportation in Chongqing is easy, providing several options, depending on your budget:
- Light Rail is one option for getting around. The city plans to build 10 different lines to operate throughout the whole city. Fares: RMB 2 to 4.
- Public buses are the most common means of transport in Chongqing. There are also special tourist route buses. Fares: 1-2 Yuan; Working hours: from 5.30 a.m. till 9 p.m.
- Taxis are metred but rates vary depending on the type of car. Usually, the flag-down rate is RMB 5-10 and another RMB 1.2- 1.6 for the subsequent kilometers. 5 Yuan toll has to be paid when crossing the Yangtze River Bridge or the Jialing River Bridge.
- Cableway can be taken when crossing the river bridges. Fares: 1.5 Yuan per person; the journey takes about 5 minutes one way.
- Escalators are also a part of the transportation system in Chongqing. Prices are low and the routes are convenient.
HISTORY
The region of present-day Chongqing is traced to have been inhabited since the Stone Age some twenty thousand years ago during the Tongliang and Mawangchang cultures. The more recent settlement dates back 3000 years ago when the city used to be the capital of the Ba Kingdom and carried its name. The region was called the same way throughout the Qin and Eastern Han Dynasty as well. The times of the subsequent dynasties brought Ba several new names till, finally, during the Southern Song Dynasty the city was upgraded into a prefecture and renamed to "Chongqing". Later, during the Qing and Ming Dynasties the prefecture flourished into being the connecting point between southwestern China, the other cities along the Yangtze River and hence, the rest of the world. During the Second World War, Chongqing serves as a provisional place for the government and since then it became an important political, economic, financial, transportation and diplomatic centre.
CITY LINKS
- Chongqing Globe, A Daily Newspaper in English: http://www.chongqingglobe.com/
- Interesting Places in Chongqing: http://www.chinatravelkey.com/chongqing/chongqingattractions.htm
- Chongqing Official Website: http://english.cq.gov.cn/
UNIVERSITY LINKS
- Chongqing University: http://international.cqu.edu.cn/index/index.aspx
- Chongqing Institute of Technology: http://english.cqit.edu.cn/
- Sichuan International Studies University: http://en.sisu.edu.cn/
- Chongqing Three Gorges University: http://www.sanxiau.net/english/index.htm