Chongqing 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 southwest China. With an area of 82,400 square kilometers (31, 800 square miles), Chongqing shares borders with the provinces of Hubei, Hunan, Guizhou, Sichuan, and Shaanxi. Besides the Han who form the majority of its total population of 30.9 million, numerous ethnic groups reside in Chongqing, including Yi, Tibetan, Miao, Qiang, You and Tujia.
Since its founding 3,000 years ago, Chongqing has been called Jiangzhou, Yuzhou, and Gongzhou, before getting its present name nearly 800 years ago. Since the Qin Dynasty (221 BC-206 BC), many dynasties have set up administrative institutions that have endowed the city with brilliant cultures. Perched beside the Yangtze, the "Golden River," 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.
Chongqing attracts visitors from home and abroad for its cultural heritage and other tourist attractions. The city is the starting point for the Yangtze River Cruise, which explores the stunning scenery of the Three Gorges. Other attractions include the Dazu Rock Carvings , valuable works of art carved during the Ninth Century, Gold Buddhist Mountain, a rich repository of diverse animals and plants; and Fishing Town, one of three ancient battlefields in China. Ancient Ci Qi Kou village lures tourists to linger in its streets to buy handicraft souvenirs.
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.
Servicing western China, Chongqing provides convenient water, land, and air transportation. Hundreds of star-ranked hotels provide excellent facilities and services. Chongqing is ready to be the pilot in the Western China Development to usher in more investors and visitors.
Chongqing City Pictures
Recommended Chongqing Package Tour Itineraries:
Dazu Grottos Tour: 3 Days Chongqing-Dazu-Chongqing
Chongqing Heritage Tour: 6 Days Chongqing-Dazu-Leshan-Buddha-Mt. Emei-Chengdu-Wolong-ChengduRecommended Tour including the visit to Chongqing:
Yangtze Exploration: 4 Days Chongqing-Yangtze River Cruise–YichangMore Chongqing Tour Information:
Golf Tour: Detailed Information about Golf Tour in Chongqing
Hiking Tours: Many hiking itineraries for your reference
Bicycle Tours: Offer information about cycling in and around Chongqing
 |  |
Copyright© 1998-2009 TravelChinaGuide.com, All rights reserved.
Travelers' Voices on Chongqing
1.
Nov. 7,2009 11:06 Reply
Mr.Ho(Singapore) said:
I will be going to Chongqing for the very first time from 18th November to 2nd December 2009. Could anyone be kind enough to give me any piece of sensible advice generally (eg, the weather) please? Thank you.
Nov. 9,2009 21:40
Ms.Xie(China) replied:
it will be a little cool during your vacation.And I suggust you to take an umbrellor with you.Becuase Chongqing's weather is changeable for surounding by many mountains and rivers.In addition,the climate is the driest in winter.If you are on business ,be careful to get up early,for the traffic is rather jam.
Nov. 11,2009 10:34
Mr.Ho(Singapore) replied:
Thank you, Ms Xie, for your kind advice. Oh dear, that is what I have feared:- the cold, wintry weather! Coming from tropical Singapore, where it is always hot and sunny, this may be a bit of a problem for me! Nevertheless, as I have already booked my airplane ticket, I will be there in Chongqing. You have also said that it is surrounded by many mountains. So is Chongqing a very hilly place, please? And no, I am not going to Chongqing for business purposes; purely for leisure. May I further ask you whether it would be too cold, in late November, to go for a trip down the very famous 3 Gorges, please? Many thanks again, Ms Xie.
Nov. 12,2009 02:18
Ms.Xie(China) replied:
Chongqing is called the mountainous city.But all the mountains around the city are not too high.It's average level is about 300m. So you will find that this is a beautiful city with mountains and rivers. And the tempreture seems to go lower from today.It may be less than 10degrees when you come, and colder in the Three Gorges.So bring more coats. In fact ,I am a Chongqing girl,and being a tour guide here. Therefore,please let me know when you need any help here,OK? Wish you a happy tour advance.
Nov. 12,2009 13:41
Mr.Jerry(USA) replied:
I just returned from a business trip to ChongQing on Nov 4th. People are friendly. Food is spicy to very spicy. Weather was very good, a little cool, a little foggy but overall pleasant. Scenary is very enticing from the mountains to the Yangze River. Ms. Xie mentioned traffic jams, she is absolutely correct. Also, be extremely careful and 'alert' when walking or crossing streets as traffic is rather hectic and pedestrians seem not to have a right of way.
Nov. 12,2009 22:44
Mr.Ho(Singapore) replied:
Thank you very much, Mr Jerry and Ms Xie, for both of your inputs. I am quite fascinated by what both of you have said, and look forward to experiencing it very soon. The chaotic traffic condition is in fact present everywhere in China, Mr Jerry. It is actually the weather that worries me more; for example, I heard that Beijing and some other parts of China are already getting snow now! Must be something to do with global warming. Anyway, I will be leaving Singapore for Sichuan in just a few days' time (first to Chengdu and then to Chongqing). If both of you have got any more inputs for me, then please email to me at hmh9288@yahoo.com.sg Please email to the correct address, and thanks again!
2.
Oct. 30,2009 11:23 Reply
Mrs.becky(usa) said:
Hi I was wondering if anyone has been to the chongqing zoo? I would love to hold a panda and did not know if this was allowed at this zoo? If so do you know what it cost and the best time to do this? We are thinking about taking a yangtze river cruise as well as see the tourist sites in beijing, xian, and shanghai and possibly hong kong. We would love to be able to hold a panda and wondered if this was possible at any place in this itinerary. Thank you in advance for your help
Oct. 31,2009 11:19
Mr.lee(China ) replied:
it is not allowed to hold a panda in the chongqing zoo. all you can do is standing outside and may be you can feed the animals there. here is the website , you can know more information about it , www.cqzoo.com .i think taking a yangtze river cruise is a good idea. i'm local. if you have some question , Email me. westlifelwj@live.cn
Oct. 31,2009 21:22
Mrs.becky(usa) replied:
Mr. lee thank you for your information. I think we will try and go to the chengdu panda breeding and research center.
Nov. 12,2009 13:45
Mr.Jerry (USA) replied:
I was in Chengdu in early November. Visited the Panda farm. You can hold a Panda (about 1 year old) if you offer a domation to the Farm in protection of Panda's, generally 1,000 Yuan. Bring your camera.
3.
Oct. 6,2009 05:47 Reply
Mr.Saleem (Saudi Arabia) said:
I am travelling to Chongqing on 10 Oct and i will be staying for 20 days there. I would like to know how much I have to take cash with me to be enough for 20 Days .The purpose of the vist is busnis .
Thanks alot
Oct. 10,2009 01:48
Mr.Jason replied:
It also depends on where do you stay. Eating and daily expenses in Chongqing is not moderate. 5000RMB for 20days exclude hotel is enough if you do not have more plans to sighseeing places around the city.
4.
Sep. 28,2009 04:57 Reply
Ms.Linh(Vietnam) said:
I still remember the days I joined The international Summer Camp in 2007 in Chongqing University! Today I by chance catch the information of this beautiful mountainous city on the Internet and all of memories come back! I have missed a chance to study Chinese in Chongqing with my friends but I still nurture a dream to study university postgraduate program with Chinese Government Scholarship! Hope to see you in near future, Chongqing and my friends in China!
5.
Sep. 19,2009 09:46 Reply
Ms.Ang(Singapore) said:
Hi I am flying to chongqing from singapore n then travel to kunming lijiang. May I know how long is the flight? btw how's the weather from end sep to mid oct in chongqing?
Sep. 22,2009 07:25
Mr.Yip(Singapore) replied:
Hi Ms.Ang, flight from Singapore to Chongqing takes 4hrs 30mins and from Chongqing to Kunming, it takes 1hr. Weather from end Sept to mid Oct is cool. Day time temperature hovers around 24 to 27C, not much sunlight and can get foggy and at nite, it is abt 20 to 22C. It can be quite chilly at times.
6.
Sep. 20,2009 18:06 Reply
Mr.Dave(USA) said:
Chongqing is an interesting city but I think the larger cities have more to offer for first time China travel. It has been said the Chongqing women are most beautiful of China. Weather in Chongqing is notoriously foggy. Two times I went it seemed as the sun does not exist over there. I met a single mother from there and she is the most beautiful, warm and loving woman I had ever known. If Spicy food is not your thing, this place could give you trouble. The food is fire extinguisher HOT! Dazu Carvings are interesting place to visit and yes.. Chongqing is a very very large area. Lots of people and very busy. It is growing at an exponetial rate.
7.
Sep. 14,2009 03:25 Reply
Mr.Robert Pineda(USA) said:
I have been trying to find a dear friend in Chongqing, China. Her name is Dr. Xiaojia Guo. She works at The Center for Disease Control in Yuzhong District. I tried to contact this facility by phone but had no luck. The mail I sent to her has been returned. Please, can someone out there help me out in reaching her. I would greatly appreciate any help. Thanks a million.
8.
Aug. 31,2009 07:20 Reply
Mr.Tan(Australia) said:
I am planning to visit Chongqing and Sichuan esp JuiZhaiGuo. Can you pls tell me the best time of the year to visit those places?
Any lady willing to accompany me and travel with me? My command of Putong hua is pretty basic but I think I can get by conversational wise.
Sep. 2,2009 02:31
Mr.Sandy replied:
Spring to October is the favorable time to see Sichuan and Jiuzhaigou, although the rainy season begins in May. October is the most beautiful season of Jiuzhaigou.
Sep. 2,2009 10:39
Ms.Debbie(USA) replied:
I am from the USA. I will be in Chongqing when you visit. If you desire to contact me before you go or after you arrive, I can be found at: deb.atty@yahoo.com
Hope your trip (and mine) is successful! Debbie
9.
Aug. 31,2009 13:52 Reply
Mr.Eastman(US) said:
Just want to mention that Chongqing was the war time capital of China during WII. Lots to see from that angle too. I wonder how could the Guide author have forgot to mention that.
10.
Aug. 9,2009 01:04 Reply
Mr.Art Kart(USA) said:
I just spent one month in CQ in July. I have lived in 7 countries (4 asian) in the world and have felt the best living in chongqing. I stayed in a nice hotel. the zhong you hotel for about 250 yuan a night for a clean room with ac and hot water. Staff was nice. It is within 2 walking blocks from the Hilton Hotel where taxi's can be found to downtown for about 8 RMB each way, many buses pass near by to down town for about 1.5 Rmb. There are many McDonalds in town, one Pizza Hut (american prices) and a Subway at the River Walk. I felt safe walking the streets at night, no one bothered me. People were honest, I tried testing them to see if I could get cheated, No one cheated me. Taxis were the same, if they didn't know where I wanted to go, they would say so. English is not spoken much. Learn some chinese. Do not expect to drink diet drinks, I lived on water which costs 2RMB I met many nice people in my month and plan to go back soon. I would live in Chongqing in a minute. Do not carry a lot of things in suitcase there. Buy local what you need. prices were resonable except of items imported. Buy a chinese english translator before you go, it helps. They write chinese faster than one can write english. If you are single male, the women are beautiful and friendly. I met many there. Many want to get married. If you are nice to them, they are absolutely wonderful to you. If you are american and meet someone you like, take a lot of pictures with her, invite her to america on a Fiance visa, do not marry there. It will take you forever to get her to america with being married. marry and return to CQ for a happy life. Be sure to carry at least two visa cards for atm machine, they do not use american credit cards. Go to a local bank, get a debit card and use it as a credit card. Keep your eggs in two baskets in case you lose one credit card as I did. Anyone may write me for further information.
Aug. 29,2009 05:51
Ms.Debbie Moore(USA) replied:
Hi Art. I found your post while searching for info on Chongqing. Seems you had a great time. I'm going to CQ in 2 wks to teach legal courses at the SW Univ of Politics & Law in CQ the upcoming school year, thus I will be living there for 10 months in a hotel near the univ. I will take your advice & get a translator device & 2 debit cards from a local bank (did you deposit US dollars in a bank there?). Any other thoughts you may have for me? Thx, I appreciate your thoughts and help. Debbie Moore; deb.atty@yahoo.com