Chongqing

Chongqing, China

Chongqing is one of China's major municipalities; a cultural and historical city with many unique traits. Besides its unique geographical conditions – is is surrounded by rivers and mountains – it has been filled with skyscrapers, making for a mesmerising landscape, both during the day and at nighttime.

Population:

30.48 million (2016)

Currency:

Chinese Yuan (CNY)

Emergency Numbers:

Police: 110
Ambulance: 120
Fire: 119

Opening Hours:

Office hours are 9am–5:30pm or 6pm on weekdays. Banks are open from 9am–4om weekends. The opening hours of most malls and supermarkets are from 10am–10pm every day.

Newspapers:

Chongqing News
Chongqing Globe

The City

Chongqing is situated in the upper reaches of China's longest river, the Yangtze, at its confluence with the Jialing River. Most of its roads meander around the rivers or through the mountains, and old houses still remain among the skyscraper jungle. The major tourist attractions gather in Yuzhong, Shapinba and Nan'an Districts. At night, the city lights take over the sky. The climate is mild with warm winters, hot summer days and rainy nights.

Do & See

A few of the city's major scenic spots include the Jiefangbei and Chaotian Gate Plaza, the Three Gorges Museum and the Ciqikou ancient town. The highlight of the touring section of the Three Gorges is also located in Chongqing.

Dining

As a branch of Sichuan cuisine, the one of Chongqing is known to have chili pepper and bean paste as two of its key dish ingredients. There are many different types of flavors, but the predominant one is the numbingly spicy. Chongqing is the hometown of hotpot, a continuously simmering spicy broth, in which the diners cook an assortment of meat and vegetables themselves. Restaurants are usually open until 10:00pm.

Cafes

Most of Chongqing's cafes are located in busy central areas such as Jiefangbei, and serve both Chinese and western style drinks and foods. The usually cozy environments make them appealing to a young crowd. They generally open at 9am and many keep going till 1am, just in time for a late night drink.