Chongqing (重庆市) is located in the southwestern part of China’s inland, bordering Hubei and Hunan in the east, Guizhou in the south, Sichuan in the west, and Shaanxi in the north. The total area of 82,400 square kilometers, jurisdiction over 38 districts (counties) with a resident population of 31,017,900 and a GDP 2.036319 trillion yuan.
It is located in the eastern basin, the terrain sloping from north to south of the Yangtze River valley with mountainous landscape accounting for 76% of the land area. The Yangtze River itself runs from west to east across the territory for 691 kilometers.
It is a national historical and cultural city. Chongqing is the birthplace of the “Hongyan Spirit” and the birthplace of Bayu culture. The city was also a capital during some short-lived ancient dynasties and from Nov 1937 to May 1946 it was the capital of the National Government under the KMT.
Today, Chongqing is a municipality directly under the Central Government (one of four) and classified as a national central city, a megacity, an international metropolis, and economic, financial, scientific and technological innovation, shipping and commerce and logistics center. That’s quite a mouthful and as you can probably gather, it’s a very import city in southwest China.
Chongqing is also an important strategic fulcrum of the western development, the important connection point of the “Belt and Road” and the Yangtze River Economic Belt, and the inland open highlands.
It is also a comprehensive transportation hub in the southwest of China that integrates east and west and connects North and South. Its Jiangbei Airport is one of the “top ten” airports in China’s inland, and the Port of Chongqing is the largest river-rail public water port area in China.
Chongqing is the largest industrial and commercial city in the southwestern region, the country’s important modern manufacturing base. There are eight national key laboratories, 10 national engineering research centers, 67 colleges and universities, as well as featuring many strategic projects such as China (Chongqing) Experimental free trade area, the new (Chongqing) Strategic Internet Interoperability demonstration projects, Liangjiang New District, Yuxinou International Railway and others.
Attractions
AAAAA Attractions
Black Valley Scenic Area (黑山谷风景区)
Jinfo Mountain (金佛山)
Youyang Taohuayuan Scenic Area (酉阳土家族苗族自治县桃花源景区)
Small Three Gorges (小三峡)
Dazu Rock Carvings (大足石刻旅游景区)
Longgang Geological Park (重庆云阳龙缸国家地质公园)
Simian Mountain (四面山)
Wulong Karst (武隆喀斯特旅游区)
AAAA Attractions
| Attraction name | Chinese name |
|---|---|
| Chongqing Fengdu Mingshan Scenic Area | |
| Chongqing Fengjie Baidi City -Qutang Gorge | |
| Shibaozhai, Zhongxian County, Chongqing | 重庆忠县石宝寨 |
| Chongqing Marshal Nie Rongzhen Exhibition Hall | |
| Chongqing Geleshan National Forest Park | |
| Chongqing People’s Auditorium and People’s Square | |
| Chongqing Jinyun Mountain National Nature Reserve | |
| Chongqing Beiquan Scenic Area | |
| Chongqing Wild Animal World | |
| Chongqing Wansheng Black Valley Ecological Tourist Area | |
| Chongqing Geleshan Martyrs Cemetery | |
| Chongqing Nanshan Botanical Garden | |
| Chongqing Red Rock Revolution Memorial | |
| Chongqing Fengdu Xueyu Cave | 重庆丰都雪玉洞 |
| Chongqing Yunyang Zhangfei Temple | 重庆云阳张飞庙 |
| Chongqing Qianjiang Xiaonanhai | 重庆黔江小南海 |
| Chongqing Planning Exhibition Hall | |
| Chongqing Huguang Guild Hall | 重庆湖广会馆 |
| Chongqing Simian Mountain National Scenic Area | |
| Chongqing Tongjing Hot Spring Scenic Area | |
| Chongqing Ciqikou Ancient Town | 重庆磁器口古镇 |
| Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum | |
| Chongqing Hongyadong Folk Custom District | |
| Chongqing Hailan Yuntian Hot Spring Resort | |
| Chongqing Jinyuan Fangte Science Fiction Park | |
| Chongqing Zoo | 重庆动物园 |
| Chongqing Bedy Summer Palace Hot Spring |
重庆贝迪颐园温泉
|
| Chongqing Yishang Hot Spring | 重庆颐尚温泉 |
| Chongqing Puyang Gongtan Ancient Town | |
| Chongqing Science and Technology Museum | 重庆科技馆 |
| Chongqing Guanyinqiao Business District Metropolitan Tourist Area | |
| Chongqing Huayan- Longmenzhen Tourist Area | |
| Chongqing Baguo City | 重庆巴国城 |
| Daning River Ecological Culture Promenade in Wuxi, Chongqing | |
| Chongqing Caribbean Sea World Scenic Area | |
| Chongqing Nanchuan Shenlongxia Scenic Area | |
| Hometown of Yang Angong, Junan County, Chongqing | |
| Shuangguitang Scenic Area, Liangping County, Chongqing |
重庆梁平县双桂堂景区
|
| Chongqing Shizhu Dafengbao Scenic Area | |
| Chongqing Shangbang Hot Spring Tourist Area |
重庆上邦温泉旅游区
|
| Chongqing Wanzhou Great Falls Group Tourist Area |
重庆万州大瀑布群旅游区
|
| Chongqing Changshou Lake Scenic Area | |
| Comrade Liu Bocheng Memorial Hall in Kai County, Chongqing | |
| Chongqing Yunyang Dragon Cylinder Scenic Area | |
| Chongqing Wuxi Hongchiba National Forest Park Tourist Scenic Area |
重庆巫溪红池坝国家森林公园旅游景区
|
| Chongqing Jianjiang Ancient Sword Mountain Scenic Area | |
| Chongqing Liyang Longtan Ancient Town Scenic Area | |
| Chongqing Yunyang Three Gorges Tier City |
重庆市云阳三峡梯城
|
| Chongqing Democratic Party History Museum |
重庆民主党派历史陈列馆
|
| Chongqing Tongliang Anju Ancient City |
重庆铜梁安居古城
|
| Chongqing Taonan Great Buddha Temple | 重庆潼南大佛寺 |
| Hanfeng Lake, Kaixian County, Chongqing | 重庆开县汉丰湖 |
| Chongqing Qianjiang Oushui Ancient Town |
重庆黔江濯水古镇
|
| Chongqing Rongchang Wanling Ancient Town |
重庆荣昌万灵古镇
|
| Chongqing Fuling Wuling Mountain Great Rift Valley Scenic Area |
重庆涪陵武陵山大裂谷景区
|
| Chongqing Longevity Bodhi Ancient Town |
重庆长寿·菩提古镇
|
Climate
Chongqing has a subtropical monsoon humid climate with an average annual temperature of 16-18 ° C. The areas of Banan, Yongjiang, Yunyang and other places in the Yangtze River Valley average a little higher at 18.5 ° C, and Qianjiang and Liyang in the southeast average a little lower at 14-16 ° C.
The average of the hottest month is 26 ~ 29 ℃ (July), and the average temperature of the coldest month is 4-8 ℃ (January). The wettest months are from May to September, accounting for about 70% of the total annual precipitation. It is especially rainy at the turn of spring and summer.
Due to the dual effects of terrain and climate, Chongqing is foggy, and is known as the “fog capital”. The annual average foggy day is 104 days. The average annual foggy day in London, England, known as the world ’s foggy city, is only 94 days, and Tokyo, Japan, is only 55 days. The Yunwu Mountain in Laoshan District has as many as 204 days of foggy weather throughout the year, making it the foggiest place in the world.
GDP
Chongqing’s economic construction has basically formed a pattern of coexistence of large agriculture, large industry, large transportation, and large circulation. It is the largest economic center city in the southwest and the upper reaches of the Yangtze River.
In 2018, Chongqing’s GDP was 2.0363.19 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 6.0% at comparable prices. By industry, the added value of the primary industry was 137.827 billion yuan, an increase of 4.4%; the added value of the secondary industry was 832.879 billion yuan, an increase of 3.0%; and the added value of the tertiary industry was 1,056.613 billion yuan, an increase of 9.1%.
The area of cultivated land in Chongqing is 1.622 million hectares, with high development of agricultural arable land and comprehensive development of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and sideline fishing. It is an important food production area, a commercial pork production base, and a nationally renowned high-quality fruit, mustard, tung oil (China wood oil), and tobacco.
Chongqing is one of China’s old industrial bases and an important modern manufacturing base in the country. It has formed the world’s largest electronics and information industry cluster and China’s largest domestic automobile industry cluster. It has also formed equipment manufacturing, integrated chemical, materials, energy and consumer goods manufacturing. It is also the world’s largest notebook computer production base and the world’s second-largest mobile phone production base.
Chongqing cuisine
Chongqing food is hot and spicy, and the region is also one of the birthplaces of the much-loved hot pot. In March 2007, Chongqing was awarded the title of “Chinese Hot Pot Capital” by the Chinese Culinary Association. The cuisine of Chongqing draws from one of the eight great Chinese cuisines, Sichuan Cuisine.
Representative of Chongqing food culture: Chongqing hot pot (重庆火锅), Shuizhu (水煮肉片), Twice-cooked pork (回锅肉), Pickled fish (酸菜鱼), Laziji (辣子鸡), Spring chicken (泉水鸡), Hot and sour noodles (酸辣粉), Yuxiang shredded pork (鱼香肉丝), and Chongqing Noodles (重庆小面).
Transport
Airports
- Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG) (重庆江北国际机场) – main airport hub
- Wanzhou Wuqiao Airport (WXN) (万州五桥机场) – domestic plus HK, Macao, Thailand & Cambodia
- Qianjiang Wulingshan Airport (JIQ) (黔江武陵山机场) – small domestic
- Chongqing Wushan Airport (WSK) (重庆巫山机场) – small domestic
- Chongqing Yongchuan General Airport (重庆永川通用机场) – under construction
- Wulong Fairy Mountain Airport (武隆仙女山机场) – under construction
- Chongqing Jiangnan Airport (重庆江南机场) – under construction)
Rail
Chongqing is a national comprehensive railway hub. It is also the main channel for land trade between China and Europe via the Chongqing-Xinjiang-Europe Railway (渝新欧铁路).
The region is well serviced by high speed rail with the main stations being
- Chongqing Railway Station (重庆站)
- Shapingba Railway Station (沙坪坝站)
- Chongqing North Railway Station (Chongiqngbei, 重庆北站)
- Chongqing West Railway Station (Chongqingxi, 重庆西站).
Ports
Chongqing is the largest inland port city in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River and even in western China. It is also a shipping center in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. The Yangtze River and the Jialing River and its tributaries within the region form a water transport network with Chongqing as the center. There are 136 navigable rivers. There are dozens of ports and passenger and cargo terminals along the river, such as Main City, Wanzhou and Fuling all forming Port of Chongqing.
Chongqing Rail Transit
Aka metro or subway, covers the main areas of the urban core and inner suburbs. Click image for a full metro system map.
Current Lines (as 2019)
- Line 0 Loop Line: West Railway Station – North Railway Station – West Railway Station
- Line 1: Xiaoshizi – Shapingba – Jiandingpo
- Line 2: Jiaochangkou – Yudong
- Line 3: Main Line: Yudong – Jiangbei Airport; Branch Line: Bijin – Jurenba
- Line 4: Min’an Avenue – Tangjiatu
- Line 5: Dalongshan – Garden Expo Center
- Line 6: Chayuan – Yuelai/Beibei
- Line 10: Liyuchi – Wangjiazhuang
Lines to be Opened:
- Line 9: Huashigou – Gaotanyan
- Line 7: Shuangfu – Zhuangyuanbei
- Line 8: Jieshi – Renmincun
- Line 11: Tushan – Gongyeyuanqu
- Line 12: Jinfengnan – Lujiao South
- Line 13: Huxi – Yuelia
- Line 14: Shuitu – Yulin
- Line 15: Shuangbei – Fangyuanba
- Line 16: Xiangjiagang – Fuxing
- Line 17: Jiangjin – Xiyong
Chongqing Raffles
Chongqing Raffles is the new riverside construction that is set to define Chongqing and become the cities new landmark.
It will feature metro, bus, and ferry terminal at the podium level, above which are six his rise towers of 250m tall and two towers of 350m in height. The towers are a mixed-use, including residences, offices, Ascott Raffles City Chongqing serviced residences, and InterContinental Raffles City Chongqing hotel.
The unique feature of the development is the Crystal which is a ‘horizontal skyscraper’ spanning four towers. It features gardens, dining, bar, clubhouse, infinity pool, and a glass-bottom observatory looking down onto the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers.
It will also house the mega-mall, Raffles City Chongqing.
Shopping in Chongqing
There are four main shopping areas/streets and several mega-malls.
- Yangjiaping Pedestrian Street (杨家坪商圈) – a major commercial area with malls, cuisine and entertainment. Zhigang Avenue is a popular foodie street. large area centered on Yangjiaping Main St, Juilongpo
- Jiefangbei (解放碑步行街) – great place for souvenirs and grazing with a large snack street. Large shopping area in Yuzhong.
- Nanping pedestrian street (南坪步行街) – modern and upmarket area, it has 20 large and medium-sized shopping malls, supermarkets, chain stores
- Guanyinqiao Walking Street (观音桥步行街) – 400 meters stretch featuring shopping, leisure, food, and entertainment – it is famous nationally
- Shapingba Three Gorges Square (沙坪坝三峡广场) – a commercial area with Three Georges theme
Major Malls
- SML Central Square – Modern mall with major brands including H&M – No.89, Minquan Rd, Yuzhong
- MixC Chongqing (重庆万象城) – modern mall with Apple flagship store – 55 Xiejiawan Main St, Xiejiawan, Jiulongpo
- Raffles City – part of the new Raffles construction, currently the largest mall in Chongqing with over 400 international and local brands
- Metropolitan Plaza (大都会广场) – modern mall with luxury brands, cinema, ice skating rink and bowling alley- 68 Zourong Rd, Yuzhong, China
- Times Square (时代广场) – modern mall in Jiefangbei (解放碑步行街) area.
Markets
- Chaotianmen Market – wholesale clothes, toys etc – 205 Sheng Dao, Tongnan