Chongqing is a typical self-governed metropolitan city in China just like Beijing, Tianjin, and Shanghai. It is located on the confluence of the Jialing River with the mighty Yangtze. It is a major transport hub and is one of the departure points for the famous Yangtze River Cruise liners. Therefore, Chongqing City is the access point to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the magnificent Three Gorges region.
The area surrounding Chongqing City is a mixed bag of small towns where one can witness dance performances of ethnic minority groups and quaint villages that look like they belong to an era that existed 3,000 years ago! This beautiful juxtaposition of ancient cultures and modern amenities make the city of Chongqing one of the most popular tourist destinations in China. Chongqing City has a 3,000 years old history of battles and conquests. In the 11th century BC, the city was ruled by the State of Ba and by 316 BC it was conquered by the State of Qin. The Southern Song Dynasty ruled in the 11th and 12th centuries AD. During the downfall of the Ming Dynasty in the 17th century, the population of the city was affected in a major way due to a large number of immigrants from the Sichuan Province. Every change in the history of Chongqing has left its mark in the form of beautiful ancient monuments, temples, historical relics, and colorful ethnicities.
Today’s Chongqing City is a sprawling industrial and commercial hub with a well-developed infrastructure and tourist facilities. The city is dotted with skyscrapers, gardens, amusement parks, historical relics, Buddhist temples, museums, recreational centers, shopping malls, as well as old-world marketplaces where one can get the best souvenirs and local snacks. A visit to the Hong Ya Dong, a recreation of the old Chongqing town on the slope of a hill will be a great experience.
| Rank | Booking Site | Price Compared to Average | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Cheapest | Trip.com | -9% | |
| 2. Cheap | Agoda | -7% | |
| 3. Average | Booking.com | -2% | |
| 4. More Expensive | Expedia | 4% | |
| 5. Most Expensive | Hotels.com | 8% |
Every year the number of domestic and overseas visitors to Chongqing City keep increasing. This has led to the establishment of some of the best luxury hotel brands setting base in downtown Chongqing. They are tastefully decorated and offer various amenities to ensure that every visitor to the city has a pleasant and memorable experience. There is a choice of 2, 3, 4, and 5-star hotels, low-priced hotels, inns, guesthouses, youth hostels, service-apartments, etc. The English language may cause a problem if one opts for the lower priced accommodation. But this problem can be easily solved by carrying a suitable dictionary or downloading a voice-based mobile translation app.
Going on the Yangtze River Cruise is the most common reason why overseas tourists visit Chongqing. There are short trips of 3-4 days, some of which go upstream and some go downstream on the Yangtze River. Then there are cruises that last for 10-15 days and cover most of the treasures of the Three Gorges Scenic Area.
Chongqing City also has its own noteworthy tourist attractions. The Residence of Zhou Enlai is a very popular tourist attraction. Zhou Enlai was a proactive member of the Communist Party and was well respected. His residence is now a beautiful museum and is open to the public.
Other memorials and monuments of local celebrities include the Joseph Stilwell Residence (who helped China during the Anti-Japanese War) and the Song Qing Ling's Residence (a home of three sisters, two of whom married Dr. Sun Yat-sen and Chiang Kai Shek respectively).
The Three Gorges Museum is another must-see in Chongqing. It is a treasure-trove of relics dating back to the Ba and Yu Cultures (Stone Age and Bronze Age), relics found in the Three Gorges regions, and artifacts showcasing the city’s participation in the Anti-Japanese War. There are vast collections of chinaware, ancient coins, and items made of jade and silk.
While in the city, one must not miss spending at least a day in the area called Chongqing Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street. This tourist attraction is dominated by a 27.5-meters tall People’s Liberation Monument of Victory. The pedestrian square covers an area of 24,400 square meters and is one of the largest shopping areas and food streets in China. The pedestrian area consists of more than 24 large shopping malls, star-rated hotels, banks, recreational centers, entertainment zones, multiplexes, and more than 3,000 shops.
The Hua Yan Temple Tourist Spot is also a great place to visit. This attraction consists of an artistically designed Ming and Qing-style temple where there are finest examples of Buddhist statues, calligraphy and carvings.
Although Chongqing City is governed independently and is not a part of Sichuan Province anymore, its cuisine has still remained typical Sichuan or Schezwan-style. Their food is spicy because they use red chilies and bell peppers in most of their dishes. Of course, there are a few eateries where one can ask for the spice to be reduced, especially in the food courts on Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street.
Some of the local specialties of Chongqing City are Fuqi Feipian (Sliced Beef Tripe in Chili Oil With Peanuts), Cold Diced Rabbit With Chilies and Peanuts, Dan Dan Mian (Wheat Noodles with Pork, Chili, Garlic, and Vinegar), Lazi Ji (Chongqing-Style Dry-Fried Chicken With Chilies), Chuanbei Liangfen (Mung Bean Jelly With Numbing-Hot Sauce), Shuizhu Yu, etc.