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Home > Yangtze Cruises > Chongqing
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Chongqing is known as a "Mountain City". It is a port city situated in the Southeast of the Sichuan Basin between the Yangtze, and Jialing River. It is the largest and most densely populated municipality directly under the Chinese Central Government. It was constructed on mountain slopes. It has a long history with numerous scenic spots and historic sites. Due to the hilly terrain Chongqing is the only major metropolis in china without significant numbers of bicycles. Servicing Western China, Chongqing provides convenient water, land, and air transportation. Hundreds of star-ranked hotels provide excellent facilities and services.
Chongqing has a history of over 3,000 years and is the birthplace of Bayu culture. The oldest known artifacts discovered in the Chongqing area date back to approximately 20,000 years ago. In the Shang Dynasty (1600-1027 BC) and Zhou Dynasty (1027-221 BC) Ba people founded the Kingdom of Ba, and made Chongqing their capitol. In 1891 Chongqing became an open port, and in 1929 Chongqing was officially declared a city. During World War II, Chongqing was made an alternate capitol after the fall of Nanjing, which was then the capitol of the Kuomintang government. During this period Chongqing developed into the center of politics, economy, and culture in China. In 1954 Chongqing became a city under the jurisdiction of the Sichuan Provincial Government. Chongqing is home to numerous ethnic minority groups including: Yi, Tibetan, Miao, Qian, You, and Tujia.
Chongqing is famous for its shopping. In Chongqing there are 4 main shopping regions. Jiefangbei is the heart of the city. Its pedestrian street contains clusters of modern shopping malls and exclusive shops. Banks, theatres, bookstores, hotels, and bars are quite easy to find. Chaotian Market is the largest market in Chongqing. It deals mainly with garment wholesale. Here shoppers can find clothing and accessories at very reasonable prices. Paradise Street in JiangBei district has developed into another shopping and entertainment center. Nan Bin Road hosts a newly opened flower market that has become a leisure hotspot for locals and tourists alike. Over 100 flower shops, tea houses, and shops selling traditional arts and crafts like the street. It is a fantastic place to unwind day or night.
Chongqing is famous for its hot and spicy Sichuan cuisine and world famous hotpot dishes. Chongqing hotpot is not only famous throughout China, but also the world. It is a delicious, but mouth numbing adventure that is not for the weak of heart. Be warned: it is spicy, but extremely delicious. Street venders, as well as restaurant feature these exciting spicy dishes. Chongqing hosts some of the most unforgettable sites found anywhere in China. With a history of over 3,000 years it is little wonder that there are dozens of ancient sites to visit.
Dazu Grottos:
Originally started in the first year of Emperor Yonghui of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the Dazu Grottos had been enlarged and rebuilt up through the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The stone carvings of Dazu consist mainly of Buddhist images. More than 50,000 figures I over 75 locations have been carved out of the rock. In 1961 they appeared on the first group of important cultural relics under state protection ad in 1999 they were added to UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage List. The carvings were carved out of the cliff face using only primitive tools and man-power. The Dazu Grottos are world famous for their richness in content and the large variety of subject matter. They mix Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. Buddhism theology was combined with folklore which made them easy to understand for laypeople.
People's Great Hall:
The People's Great hall is one of the symbols of Chongqing. It was built in 1954. The entire complex is a cluster of attached buildings. They cover over 66 thousand square meters. The main hall has a 4,000 seat capacity. The architecture of the People's Great Hall mimics that of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) Dynasties. At first glance the People's Great Hall looks like Beijing's Temple of Heaven. It is topped with a green glazed tile dome, and the building's pillars are ornately sculptured. The entire structure is nestled amidst lush trees and ornamental landscape. At night the entire structure is lit making it a wonderful photo opportunity. In front of the People's Great Hall is the Chongqing People's Square. In the early Morning the square is bustling with people. You can witness elderly people practicing their Taiji, or martial arts. Many people go the square to dance, or just to people watch. It can give visitors a glimpse into Chongqing's resident's daily lives.
Hot Springs:
Chongqing has been famous for its hot spring. There are dozens of them located throughout the city. The water temperatures at them are kept at 35-37 degrees Celsius (95-98 degrees Fahrenheit). People have been coming to Chongqing for centuries to visit the local hot springs due to the high mineral content of the waters. It is said that the alkali minerals found in the waters have beneficial medicinal properties, which are said to be effective in curing arthritis, and skin diseases.
Ci Qi Kou (Porcelain Village):
Located 14 Kilometers West of Chongqing Municipality is the ancient village of Ci Qi Kou. While Chongqing itself has undergone many changes over the centuries, Ci Qi Kou seems to be a place that time has forgotten. It can give visitors a glimpse into what Chongqing might have longed like in the distant past. In 1998 Ci Qi Kou became a protected cultural site. Ci Qi Kou's history can be traced back over 1700 years. During the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) Dynasties it was famous for porcelain production. Archaeologists have discovered over twenty ancient kiln sites there. It is because of the porcelain manufacturing that the village received its name which translates literally into Porcelain Village. The majority of the houses in Ci Qi Kou date from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Most of the two and three storey buildings are constructed of timber, and bamboo. The three most popular destinations are the tea houses, the artists' studios, and the Shu Embroidery workshops.
The General Joseph W. Stilwell Museum:
The General Stilwell museum was founded in the memory of General Joseph W. Stilwell, an American general who made great contributions to the Chinese people. During WWII General Stilwell came to Chongqing. He worked as Chief of Staff in the China Burma India Theatre of Operations. The museum is located in General Stilwell's headquarters. The main building is a three-storied house. It includes General Stilwell's office, an adjutant room, two meeting rooms, bedrooms, and a basement. Simple furniture on display was used by the General when he lived there. More than 100 artifacts are on display in the museum. In the courtyard a monument to General Stillwell is engraved with an epigraph written by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on May 17, 1944.
Chongqing Zoo:
The Chongqing Zoo is located in the western suburbs of Chongqing. It occupies more than 60 hectares of land. There are more than 230 kinds of rare wild animals on display in the zoo. Among all of the residents of the Chongqing Zoo, the pandas are the most popular.
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