|
Chongqing China Travel Guide
Chongqing (simplified Chinese: 重庆; traditional Chinese: 重慶; pinyin: Chóngqìng; Postal map spelling: Chungking; Wade-Giles: Ch'ung-ch'ing) is the largest and most populous of the People's Republic of China's four provincial-level municipalities, and the only one in the less densely populated western half of China. Formerly (until 14 March 1997) a sub-provincial city within Sichuan Province, the municipality of Chongqing has a registered population of 31,442,300 (2005). The boundaries of Chongqing municipality reach much further into the city's hinterland than the boundaries of the other three provincial level municipalities (Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin), and much of the municipality, which is roughly the size of Austria, is rural. The population of the urban area of Chongqing proper was 4.1 million in 2005.
The municipal abbreviation, 渝 (Yú), was approved by the State Council on 18 April 1997. Chongqing was also a municipality of the old Republic of China. Its abbreviated name is derived from the old name of a part of the Jialing River that runs through Chongqing and feeds the Yangtze River.
History
Chongqing is said to be the semi-mythical State of Ba that the Ba people supposedly established during the eleventh century BCE. By 316 BCE, however, it had been overrun by the State of Qin. The Qin emperor ordered a new city to be constructed, which was called Jiang (江州) and Chu Prefecture (楚州).
Chongqing was subsequently renamed in 581 CE (Sui Dynasty) and 1102, to Yu Prefecture (渝州) and then Gong Prefecture (). It received its current name in 1189, after Prince Zhao Dun of the Southern Song Dynasty described his crowning as king and then Emperor Guangzong as a "double/repeated happy celebration" (simplified Chinese: 双重喜庆; traditional Chinese: 雙重喜慶; pinyin: shuāngchóng xǐqìng). Hence, Yu Prefecture became Chongqing subprefecture to mark the occasion.[citation needed]
In 1362, (Yuan Dynasty), Ming Yuzhen, a peasant rebel leader, established the Daxia Kingdom at Chongqing for a short time.
In 1621, another short-lived kingdom of Daliang was established there.
Between 1627-1645, with the fall of the Ming Dynasty, Chongqing, together with Sichuan, were captured by the Revolts who overthrew the Ming Dynasty across the nation. Later during the Qing Dynasty, immigration to Chongqing and Sichuan took place with the support of Qing emperor.
In 1891, Chongqing became the first inland commerce port open to foreigners.
From 1929, Chongqing became a municipality of the Republic of China. During the Second Chinese-Japanese War (1937-1945), it was Chiang Kai-shek's provisional capital and was heavily bombed by the Japanese Air Force. Luckily, due to its montainous environment, many people were saved from the bombing. Many factories and universities were moved from eastern China to Chongqing during WWII, transforming this city from inland port to a heavily industrialized city.
In 1954, the municipality was reduced to a provincial city within the Sichuan Province of the People's Republic of China.
On 14 March 1997, the Eighth National People's Congress decided to merge the city with the neighbouring Fuling, Wanxian, and Qianjiang prefecture-level districts that it had governed on behalf of the province since September 1996. The resulting single division was the Chongqing Municipality, containing 30,020,000 people in forty-three former counties (without intermediate political levels). The municipality became the spearhead of China's effort to develop its western regions and coordinate the resettlement of refugees from the Three Gorges Dam project. Its first official ceremony took place on 18 June 1997.
Administrative divisions
People's Liberation Monument (World War II victory monument).
Commercial high-rise buildings around the People's Liberation Monument.
Chongqing's Skyline.
The confluence of the Jialing River and Yangtze River, as seen from Chongqing.
Hydrofoil on the Yangtze, within the Chongqing municipality.
See also: List of administrative divisions of Chongqing
Chongqing Municipality is divided into forty county-level subdivisions (three abolished in 1997), consisting of nineteen districts, seventeen counties, and four autonomous counties.
Districts
Pinyin name
Hanzi
Previous
associationa
Banan
巴南区
Chongqing
Beibei
北碚区
Changshou
长寿区
Dadukou
大渡口区
Fuling
涪陵区
Fuling
Hechuan
合川区
Chongqing
Jiangbei
江北区
Jiangjin
江津区
Jiulongpo
九龙坡区
Nan'an
南岸区
Nanchuan
南川区
Fuling
Qianjiang
黔江区
Qianjiang
Shapingba
沙坪坝区
Chongqing
Shuangqiao
双桥区
Wansheng
万盛区
Wanzhou
万州区
Wanxian
Yubei
渝北区
Chongqing
Yongchuan
永川区
Yuzhong
渝中区
Counties
Pinyin name
Hanzi
Previous
associationa
Bishan
璧山县
Chongqing
Chengkou
城口县
Wanxian
Dazu
大足县
Chongqing
Dianjiang
垫江县
Fuling
Fengdu
丰都县
Fengjie
奉节县
Wanxian
Kai
开县
Liangping
梁平县
Qijiang
綦江县
Chongqing
Rongchang
荣昌县
Tongliang
铜梁县
Tongnan
潼南县
Wulong
武隆县
Fuling
Wushan
巫山县
Wanxian
Wuxi
巫溪县
Yunyang
云阳县
Zhong
忠县
Autonomous counties
Pinyin name
Hanzi
Previous
associationa
Pengshui Miao and Tujia
彭水苗族土家族自治县
Qianjiang
Shizhu Tujia
石柱土家族自治县
Xiushan Tujia and Miao
秀山土家族苗族自治县
Youyang Tujia and Miao
酉阳土家族苗族自治县
a Indicates with which district the division was associated below prior to the merging of Chongqing, Fuling, Wanxian (now Wanzhou) and Qianjiang in 1997.
The urban area of Chongqing proper (重庆市区) includes the following districts:
Yuzhong (渝中区, or "Central Chongqing District"), the central and most densely populated district, where government offices are located
Nan'an (南岸区, or "Southern Bank District")
Jiangbei (江北区, or "North of the River District")
Shapingba (沙坪坝区)
Jiulongpo (九龙坡区)
Dadukou (大渡口区)
Geography
Chongqing skyscrapers
Geographic coordinates
105°17'-110°11' East, 28°10'－32°13' North
Annual average temperature
18°C (64°F)
Temperature range
0 C - 43 C (32 F - 109 F)
Total annual hours of sunshine
1000 to 1200
Annual precipitation
1000 to 1400 mm (39 in - 47 in)
Neighboring provinces
Hubei (east), Hunan (east), Guizhou (south), Sichuan (west), Shaanxi (north)
Located on the edge of the Yungui Plateau, Chongqing is intersected by the Jialing River and the upper reaches of the Yangtze. It contains Daba Shan in the north, Wu Shan in the east, Wuling Shan in the southeast, and Dalou Mountain to the south. Chongqing has a humid subtropical climate influenced by monsoon. Summers are amongst the hottest in China, with an average high of 95F (35C) in August. Winters are fairly mild, but damp and overcast; average January highs are 48F (9C). Chongqing has one of the lowest sunshine totals annually in China.
The city is very hilly and is the only major metropolitan area in China without significant numbers of bicycles.
Politics
Main article: Politics of Chongqing
The politics of Chongqing is structured in a dual party-government system like all other governing institutions in the People's Republic of China.
The Mayor of Chongqing is the highest ranking official in the People's Government of Chongqing. Since Chongqing is a centrally administered municipality, the mayor occupies the same level in the order of precedence as provincial governors. However, in the city's dual party-government governing system, the mayor has less power than the Chongqing Communist Party of China Municipal Committee Secretary, colloquially termed the "Chongqing CPC Party Chief".
In terms of political status, Chongqing is as important as Beijing, Tianjin, and Shanghai.
Economy
INDUSTRY: Historically, Chongqing has been a major trading inland port, transporting goods from the southwestern provinces to eastern China. During the Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945), Chongqing was transformed into a heavy industrial city, especially the military industry which continued to thrive for decades after 1949. Since the 1980s, many of these military industry enterprises have undergone reforms and turned from producing military goods to mostly civilian products for survival and growth.Today, Chongqing is one of the most significant economic powerhouses of China.
Important industries in Chongqing:[2]
Mining
Military
Auto, motorcycle
Chemical
Textiles
Machinery
Electronics
Food processing
Retail
Tourism [3]
AGRICULTURE: Chongqing's agricultural sector still employs a significant portion of the population. Other than rice, fruits especially oranges are important sources of income for the farmers. In the past twenty-five years, surplus labor resulted a huge number of farmers to migrate to the relatively more developed industrial centers of southern and eastern China for employment opportunities, thus making Chongqing one of the biggest labor export areas in China.
Close-up view of the People's Liberation Monument.
MINING: Chongqing is rich in natural resources, with more than forty kinds of minerals. Its coal reserves are estimated to be 4.8 billion tonnes. The Chuandong Natural Gas Field in Chongqing is China's largest inland production base of natural gas, with deposits of 270 billion m³, accounting for more than one-fifth of China's total. Chongqing contains China’s largest reserve of strontium, and China has the second largest reserve of the mineral in the world.
Chongqing is home to Asia's largest aluminum plant, South West Aluminium, which rolled out 213,000 tonnes of finished products in 2004 for companies engaged in building materials, printing, electrical appliances, aerospace, packaging, and vehicle production [4]. Manganese mining is the most important industry in the Xiushan area, but has been criticised for wasting resources, ruining the local environment and causing industrial accidents. A survey in 2005 by China’s State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) found 13 firms in the manganese triangle had breached targets on the release of hexavalent chromium and ammonia-nitrogen – in the worst case, by a factor of 180. The clean-up ordered by SEPA resulted in firms closing and the expenditure of 280 million yuan.
ECONOMIC STRATEGIES AND DEVELOPMENTS: The central government has recently embarked on an economic policy that is aimed to develop western China: the China Western Development strategy. As part of this new plan, the central government has heavily invested in Chongqing's infrastructure and has made a plan for Chongqing to become the "Gateway to the West"!
Located at the head of the reservoir behind the Three Gorges Dam, Chongqing is planned to be the beachhead for the development of the western part of the country.
With the completion of the Three Gorges Project, its reservoir will bring ocean going ships to the quays of Chongqing. The hope is to make this megalopolis a "Chinese Chicago", opening up the interior, shifting the country's centre of gravity west, and kick-starting the economy – as did Chicago in the United States of the nineteenth century.
Massive public works are currently under way in the city, including overhead and surface commuter rail lines connecting the many districts of the city. Foreign investment in the city is growing at a fast pace. Chongqing is enlarging its commercial sector and will become the financial centre of the West and Central China.
New development zones such as the Chongqing New North Zone (CNNZ) located north of the downtown district have been established to form Chongqing's modern twenty-first century industrial base. [5]
ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE:
In 2006, the nominal GDP of Chongqing Municipality was 348.62 billion yuan (US$45.2 billion), a rise of 11.5%. Its per capita GDP was 12,437 yuan (US$1,610).In 2006, Chongqing was the world's fastest growing metropolis. In a single day new construction added approximately 137,000 square meters of usable floor space to satisfy demands for residential, commercial and factory space. Every day the local population grew by more than 1,300 people and the local economy grew by almost ¥100 million ($12 million USD).[1]
In 2007, the nominal GDP of Chongqing Municipality was 411.18 billion yuan (US$56.3 billion), a rise of 15.3%. Its per capita GDP was 14,339 yuan (US$ 1,964). Among all cities, the economic growth of Chongqing is ranked as the third fastest in China.
Media
This short section requires expansion.
Chongqing is served by the Chongqing People's Broadcast Station as the largest radio station. The only municipal-level TV network is Chongqing TV station, claimed to be the 4th largest television station. Chongqing Daily is the largest newspaper group, controlling more than 10 newspapers and one website.
Transportation
Chongqing is the biggest inland river port in western China. Historically, most of its transportation, especially to eastern China, is via the Yangtze River.
According to Chongqing Municipal Government's ambitious plan in May 2007, Chongqing is going to invest 150 billion RMB in 13 years to finish 513 km of underground/light track system. A transportation network will consist of 9 straight and 1 circular line. However, only one light track line of 19km (Chongqing lightrail line 2 project 1) was finished (2005).
Chongqing is linked to other provinces and cities through several railways and highways, including:
RAILWAYS:
Chongqing-Chengdu (Sichuan province) railway
Chongqing-Guiyang (Guizhou province) railway
Chongqing-Xiangfan (Hubei province) railway
Chongqing-Huaihua (Hunan province) railway
Chongqing-Suining (Sichuan province) express railway
Chongqing Wanzhou-Yichang (Hubei province) railway (under construction)
Chongqing-Lanzhou (Gansu province) railway (under construction)
HIGHWAYS:
Chongqing-Chengdu highway
Chongqing-Wanxian highway
Chongqing-Guiyang highway
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, located north of Chongqing, provides links to most parts of China and to other countries.
Climate
Magnolia street lights in Chongqing.
The climate is semi-tropical, with the two-season monsoonal variations typical of South Asia.
It has hot summers, and the temperature can be as high as 43°C (109°F). Luckily, wind is often cold and this makes people comfortale during those days.
In the winter, it is a bit wet, but warm.
Chongqing can get foggy sometimes.
The best seasons to visit this city is spring and fall.
Tourism & Landmarks
Chongqing and surrounding areas are full of tourism resources.
The Three Gorges Dam, a scenic area along Yangtze river, the 200-km long area is the most visited canyon in China. Besides its gorgeous natural scene, it is also a culturally rich area.
The Dazu Rock Carvings, mainly Buddhist themes, was carved from the Tang Dynasty, now is recorded as one of the UNESCO World Heritages.
Outside the city, the Fishing Town marks where the Mongol prince Mongke Khan was defeated in 1243, stopping the Mongol expansion toward Europe and Africa.
City sightseeing is part of Chongqing tourism, with historical sites and mordern skyscrapers in contrast. The Fort of Spirit is a monument for all the Chinese people who were killed in WWII. Chongqing is ranked fourth the City of the Most Skyscrapers in China.
The industrialized city is famous for its bridges. Chongqing, so far, has more than three thousand bridges. It is the City of Bridges. The Chaotianmen Bridge is renowned for its arch. It has been suggested that the Chaotianmen Bridge is more sophisticated than the Sydney Harbor Bridge.
In 2005 Chinese tourism authorities started a project to build the "Ladies’ Town" in the Shuangqiao District as a tourist attraction. The motto of Longshuihu Village is "Ladies Can Never Be Wrong, and Gentlemen Should Never Refuse Ladies’ Requests." The project is expected to be completed in 2008-2010.[2]
In terms of food, this city is well-known for hotpot. It is suggested that the hotpot was created in Chongqing. Compared to all the different hotpot in the world, Chongqing hotpot is the most addictively delicious. The Chongqing people cannot live without hotpot. Hotpot Festival is celebrated every year. During these days, hotpot banquets are shaped into a "Chinese dragon" and thousands of people participate.
Chongqing is distinguished for good-looking people; the most refined Chinese people appear in Chongqing. Pop stars, famous athletes, world-class pianists such as the movie star Kun Chen, the Diving Prince Liang Tian, and the pianist Yundi Li are applauded by their fine appearance and extraordinary talent. Chongqing is especially famous for beautiful women. The Chongqing ladies have won many Miss Chinese titles, including the Miss Universe. Every year, Miss Tourism Queen International stops by Chongqing.
One of the slogans of Chongqing is, " Chongqing is not Shanghai and does not want to be the second Shanghai; Chongqing is not Hong Kong and does not want to be the next Hong Kong; Chongqing is not Tokyo and does not want to be a Tokyo copy; Chongqing is not New York City and does not want to be the twin of New York City. Chongqing is Chongqing. Its uniqueness will eventually shine all over the world!"
The Great Hall of the People in Chongqing.
A night view of People's Grand Hall in Chongqing
The city is home to one of the largest public assembly buildings in China, the Great Hall of the People, built in modern times but emulating traditional architectural styles. This is adjacent to the densely populated and hilly central district, with narrow streets and pedestrian only walkways.
There is a museum at the World War II headquarters of General "Vinegar Joe" Stilwell.
A giant ferris wheel offers spectacular views of the metropolitan area, although it is currently out of action.
A modern and well stocked zoo exhibits many national and regional animals, including the Giant Panda and the extremely rare South China Tiger.
The People's Liberation Monument is located in the center of ChongQing city, and it attracts a lot of tourists, and also it is surrounded by a few shopping centers.
Red Rock Village Museum is a place to attract a lot of people, it is the home of Communist Party Leaders Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai stayed there for negotiation with Kuomintang on coalition between two parties.
In July 2007, the city built a bathroom with 1,000 toilets spread out over 32,290 square feet. Some urinals are uniquely shaped, including ones inside open crocodile mouths and several that are topped by the bust of a woman resembling the Virgin Mary. Officials submitted an application to Guinness World Records to have the free four-story public bathroom listed as the world's largest.[3]
Astronomical phenomena
The previous total solar eclipse as seen from downtown Chongqing was the solar eclipse of 26 June 1824. The next will be the solar eclipse of 22 July 2009.
Sister cities
Washington, D.C., USA
Düsseldorf, Germany
Seattle, USA
Hiroshima, Japan
Mito, Ibaraki, Japan
Toronto, Canada
Brisbane, Australia
Toulouse, France
Leicester, England
Detroit, Michigan, USA
Shiraz, Iran
Chongqing Municipality also has a Memorandum of Understanding (a form of twinning arrangement) with Wales, UK and will become a 'sister region' of Wales in March 2008.[4]
City tree
The city's tree is the evergreen magnolia (magnolia delavayi) abundant in street plantings, with the tulip-like shape of its mature unopened blooms repeated in street lights.
Colleges and universities
Chongqing University
重庆大学
founded in 1929
Southwest University
西南大学
founded in 1906
Chongqing Institute of Technology
重庆工学院
Chongqing Jiaotong University
重庆交通学院
Chongqing Normal University
重庆师范大学
Chongqing Technology and Business University
重庆工商大学
Chongqing Three Gorges University
重庆三峡学院
Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications
重庆邮电学院
Yangtze Nomal University
长江师范学院
founded in 1931
Sichuan Fine Arts Institute
四川美术学院
Sichuan International Studies University
四川外语学院
Southwest University of Political Science and Law
西南政法大学
Third Military Medical University
第三军医大学
Western Chongqing University
渝西学院
Chongqing University of Medical Sciences
重庆医科大学
Chongqing University of Science and Technology
重庆科技学院
Institutions without full-time bachelor programs are not listed.
Sports
Professional sports teams in Chongqing include:
Chinese Football Association Super League Chongqing Lifan
Chinese Basketball Association None
Travel Guide:
Chongqing (重庆), also spelled Chungking, is one of the most famous cities in China and capital of a provincial "muncipality" by the same name. Chongqing city is the launching point for boat trips down the Yangtze River through the Three Gorges Dam. Two hours west of the city in Chongqing municipality are located the spectacular Buddhist Dazu Rock Carvings.
Chongqing (105°17'-110°11' East, 28°10'-32°13' North) is humid yearround, cold December - February and hot June - September.
Chongqing is one of four municipalities in China, large cities that are not part of a province but report directly to the national government; it is the only one not on the east coast.
Neighbours: Hubei (east), Hunan (east), Guizhou (south), Sichuan (west), Shaanxi (north)
Located on the edge of the Yungui Plateau, Chongqing is intersected by the Jialing River and the upper reaches of the Yangtze. It contains Daba Shan in the north, Wu Shan in the east, Wuling Shan in the southeast, and Dalou Mountain to the south.
Get in
By plane
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG; [1]) is served by flights from Nagoya, Seoul, Tokyo, Singapore, Bangkok, Munich, and and other Chinese cities, as below: Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Tianjin, Shenzhen, Sanya, Xiamen, Wenzhou, Lhasa, Zhuhai, Haikou, Urumqi, Shenyang, Wuhan, Zhengzhou, Xi'an, Jinan, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Taiyuan, Nanning, Kunming, Ningbo, Panzhihua, Guiyang, Changchun, Jinjiang, Hefei, Chengdu, Yichang.
By train
Trains arrive daily at the Chongqing station, including the daily T9/T10 express train from/to Beijing, a 25-hour ride.
There are three train stations in Chongqing: Caiyuanba(in Yuzhong District), Shapingba(in Shapingba District), Chongqingbeizhan(in Jiangbei District)
Get around
The bike is the best choice for people who understand the structure of the city. First timers to Chongqing should be warned it is very easy to get lost. The bus system and monorail are advised as the best forms of transportation.
By monorail
The first part of Chongqing's spanking new monorail system opened in June 2005. The current system (see map) is only somewhat useful for getting around in the city center, but major expansions are under construction.
By Bus
The buses are frequent and cheap, but unless you can read Chinese you have to know where they are going and choose the right number bus going in the right direction. If you are going to one of the city centres, simply ask each bus if they go there. There are five city centres, so be sure you know the name of the place you want to go to.
By Taxi
Taxis are relatively cheap(start by ￥5 and ￥1.2/m) and can be easily found 24 hours a day. Few drivers speak anything but Chinese, so you must know where you are going. Either have your destination written for you in Chinese, learn how to say it, or be able to direct the driver. A good way to use taxis is to gather cards from hotels, then simply show the driver the one you want to go to or is nearest to your destination.
See and Do
While on the surface there may appear to be not much to do, further investigation will uncover a city with its own character and a number of interesting sites worth looking into.
Chongqing served as the capital of China for 7 years during the later 1930's and early 1940's. With this political history comes a number of historic sights which are worth visiting. Chongqing is also the largest city in the West China and is the focus of China's "Go West" strategy to develop the western part of China. As such, it is a very lively and rapidly modernizing city, although it may get a little hectic.
Chongqing Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street (Jiefangbei Shangye Buxingjie)
Jiefangbei stands in the most prosperous downtown of Chongqing. Jiefangbei, or the People’ s Liberation Monument, formerly known as the Monument of Victory in the War of Resistance, is a 27.5 meter highs structure. It is the Center of the city marked as Chongqing’s commercial heart. It is isolated by broad, paved pedestrian square and glassy offices. The shopping square, completed at the end of 1997, is 400 meters from east to west, and 350 meters from north to south, covering an area of 24,400 square meters.
Around the square are more than 3,000 stores and shops of various kinds, with two dozen large malls and shopping centers, a dozen star-grade hotels, and over 300 establishments and offices such as banks, stock markets, postal and telecommunication services and places for entertainment.
Great Hall of the People
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. It somewhat resembles an enlarged version of the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. The People's Square was only completed in 1997 and is decorated with trees and flowers. The ground of the square is paved with smooth marble tiles; there is magic music fountain; at the southern end of the square stands a stage for performances in the open air. You may see thousands of people dancing on the square in the numerous beautiful lights in the evening.
Zha Zi Dong
This is one of two Guomingdang prisons located in Shapingba, the other being Bai Gong Guan. Both are located at the base of Ge Le Mountain in Lie Shi Mu. Za Zi Dong offers a unique look at a 1940's era prison and the horrors that took place there when nearly 300 communist political prisoners were massacred at the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949. The entire area was also once the location of the Sino American Cooperative Organization (SACO), a camp where Jiang Jie Shi's (Chang Kai Shek) elite troops were trained. Unfortunately the attrocities that took place and the American presence are often connected, while it's not universally agreed they are.
Red Rock Village (Hong Ya Dong)
Red Rock Village (Hong Ya Dong) is a very important tourism site in Chongqing. This is the location where the Chongqing Negotiations between Mao Zedong and Jiang Jieshi (Chiang Kai-Shek) took place, and the historic aspect of the place is nice. To get to the history, you will have to go through an exhibition center which is worth going to.
Joseph Stilwell Residence
Not far from Red Crag Village is the former residence and office of General Joseph W. Stilwell ("Vinegar Joe" Stilwell), who headed American operations in China during the Anti Japanese War. Stilwell is an impressive person, not only for his leadership ability but also for his understanding of China and Chinese culture (he could write in Chinese with a brush). His former residence is a 1930's modernist house with great views overlooking the Yangtze river. The main level is set up as it was during Stilwell's tenure. The lower level is filled with photos and bilingual descriptions of the Chinese Front of the Second World War. Location: No. 63 Jialingxin Road, Liziba, Yuzhong District, Chongqing. The Museum is also in easy walking distance of a monorail station.
Song Qing Ling's Residence
Another interesting site to visit (especially if your staying at the Hilton Hotel) is Song Qing Ling's former residence, from the period of the Second World War when Japan held much of China and Chongqing was the temporary capital.
There were three Song (also spelled Soong) sisters. The eldest married a businessman. Middle sister Qing Ling married Sun Yat Sen, the founder of modern China. She was herself an important political figure, especially after his death. The youngest married Chiang Kai Shek. A saying about them is "One loved money, one loved power, and one loved China". Qing Ling is the one who loved China. There is an interesting movie [2] with an English soundtrack and a book, "The Soong Dynasty" about the family.
This house wedged in between tall, ugly buildings is a nice German design (the original owner was an engineer who studied in Germany) that is not unlike many of the pre-liberation colonial architecture that can be found here and there in and around Chongqing. The house is located about 100 meters south of the main entrance to the Hilton Hotel.
Tour Boat
A 2 hour 30 mins trip on Jialing and Yangtse (ChangJiang) rivers for ¥20 (or more depending on class) give you a night view of Chongqing's modern skyline. All the boats depart from the Chaotianmen dock, which is located at the north east extremity of the Yuzhong district.
Cable car ride
There are two cable car rides: one over the Yangtze and the other over the Jialing River. ¥4 return for a 5 minutes cable car trip above the Yangtse or the Jialing river - great view of the city.
Chongqing Old Town
Located in ShaPingBa, this is a few streets of Chongqing as it was, (and still is in some places). It is mostly comprised of small shops selling tourist stuff, but does lead down to the river where it is possible to board a restaurant boat. Several buses go there including 808 and 843. Worth a visit for a couple of hours.
Dazu Rock Carvings
Driving for two hours west of Chongqing city, you can find the Dazu Rock Carvings. The spectacular Buddhist carvings date from the 9th to the 13th century and are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. The caves by reached by bus from the main bus station in Chongqing. For more information see the main Dazu Rock Carvings article.
Buy
Food:
Preserved Dried Beef (Niu Rou Gan)
Spicy Fine Beef Threads (Deng Ying Niu Rou ) (highly recommended)
Curiously Flavoured Horsebean (Guai Wei Hu Dou)
Souvenirs:
The local "Tan Mu Jiang" (Carpenter Tan) carpentry shop is worth a visit for its fine wood artwares. (http://www.crpttan.cn/doce/index.html)
Eat
Chongqing is a harbor city and with this comes what is called "matou wenhua" or "dockside culture". This culture is blamed for a lot of things from cursing to...Hot Pot.
Hot Pot, called huoguo, or "firepot" in Chinese is one of Chongqing's claims to fame. In cities across China, one can find hot pot restaurants, but only Chongqing people can really stand a real hot pot, so if you want authenticity, get it while you can in Chongqing.
When ordering Hot Pot you have a a choice between three kinds. First, the spicy version called "hong tang" or "red soup". Then there is one without any spices. This is basically a bone soup, and it is tasty. To get this, simply ask for "yuan wei" or tell them "wo bu yao la" which means "I don't want the spicy stuff!" Finally there is a compromise with Yuan Yang Huo Guo (Yuan Yang Hot Pot), which is basically a pot split down the middle with the spicy stuff on one side and the mild on the other.
For those who like spicy but don't like it too spicy, it is possible to order "wei la hong tang" which is "red soup without the jolt". It's a nice mild experience.
For those who can not speak Chinese, it would be best to grab a Chinese friend to take you, though be warned, you'll have to put up with a lot of drinking, you'll be forced to smoke more than you normally would, and some of the things they go slipping into the pot might not be your cup of tea.
Aside from Hot Pot there are hundreds of dishes worth trying out while you're in the city. Suggested dishes:
At nicer restaurants:
hui guo rou (Twiced cooked spicy pork slices) (highly recommended)
suan cai yu (Fish slices in sour and spicy pickled vegetable soup)(recommended)
tang cu liji (Fried pork fillet slices in sweet and sour sauce)
shao bai (Steamed fatty pork with preserved vegetables)
yu xiang qie zi ("Fish Flavoured" aubergine) (highly recommended)
lao hu cai (Onions and parsleys in spicy mustard)
doufu yu (Fish with tofu)
yuxiang rou si ("Fish flavoured" pork shreads) (recommended)
hong shao rou (Chinese bouilli)
gong pao jiding (Gongpao Chicken)(recommended)
mu er rou pian (Black Agaric and pork slice stir-fries)
shui zhu rou pian (Pork/beef slices in hot and spicy soup) ( very spicy but recommended)
mapo tofu (Numbing and spicy tofu) (spicy but highly recommended)
"Friendship Restaurant" next to the Maison Mode Plaza is highly recommended. You can also find loads of street restaurants around that area.
At noodle shops:
xiao mian (Noodle with no tops)￥3.0
niu rou mian (Beef noodle)￥5.0
liang mian (Cold noodle)￥2.5
liang fen'r (fer) (Rice/soybean pudding slices)￥2.5
hun dun (T'sao sou) ( Szechuan dumplings)￥4
All of the above served in the noodle shops can be either spicy flavoured or plain flavoured, though spicy flavour is preferably recommended for a trial.)
There are many "Western Restaurants", but it is very difficult to find any real western food in them. Many smallish restaurants will have a reasonable stab at spaghetti bolognaise, and some will have menus in "Chinglish" and even pictures of dishes. However as an exception, you can find quite nice fusion dishes (ranging from Japanese Sushi and Tempura to American Sirloin Steak in the "Ali&Ade" on the second floor of the Pacific Dept. Store inside the Metropolitan Plaza (Daduhui) right next to the Harbour View Hotel in the downtown area of Jiefangbei. Another recommneded "Western restaurant" in the downtown area is "Casablanca" in Dekang Dept. Store. For less than ¥50, you can enjoy a decent meal served with a cup of nice drink, salad and dessert. Shapingba also offers some great western choices; 'Why Not' a Belgian style restaurant owned by a Belgian couple. Authentic fries and an ecclectic menu at below the high Jiefagbei prices.
Drink
There are many bars in Chongqing, but most are underpopulated. Several branches of the Newcastle Arms offer the closest thing to proper beer, but be sure they get your beer from the pump and not the slop tray. A pint of McEwan's will cost you ¥25, but during happy hour you can get two for one. The best Bar in Chongqing is Dee Dee's bar located in Nanping south of the Yangtze river near to the Holiday Inn. You will usually find some non Chinese (including me) there most nights. The local bottled beer is Y10, and the variety includes several other local beers and even Guinness on occasions. If you go to one of the small restaurants to eat, you can buy bottles of local beer at ¥3 upwards.
By bus
Long distance buses travel to almost anywhere. To the west Chengdu is 5 hours, (By the time 18 April,2007,it will be reduced to only 2.5 hours)and to the east WanZhou is three hours, both on good roads and good buses. Avoid the "sleeper" buses as they must be the most uncomfortable way to travel ever invented. The main bus / rail station is Cai Yuan Ba (pronounced Tsai Yuan Ba) and is complete mayhem most of the time. Many hotels will sell rail tickets thus avoiding the madness of the station. People in Chongqing do not queue.
|
