"Chongqing" Chongqing by xiquinho

Chongqing municipality, situated at the junction of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers, is the lively commercial and cultural centre of the entire upper Yangtze region. With a recorded history that stretches back more than three thousand years, Chongqing is home to a wealth of attractions for visitors.

Chongqing's strategic location has made the city one of the busiest parts in China. Traditional junks and sampans mingle with modern river transport at Chaotianmen Dock. Impressive views of the city are available from the Jialing Bridge and Eling Park. Other sights include the historically significant Red Crag Village, former residence of Zhou Enlai and the wartime headquarters of the Communist Party. There is a fascinating collection of artifacts and memorabilia, which is extended at the Chongqing City Museum. The exhibits in this museum span an amazing three millennia. One of China's most photographed buildings, the People's Assembly Hall, is a popular sightseeing spot along with the famous Three Gorges, just south of the city.

Sichuan cuisine is a popular regional fare worldwide. The food is often highly spiced, but there are still choices of plainer foods, such as a variety of special dumplings.

Shops in Chongqing offer local handicrafts as gold and silver, filigree jewelry, masks, bamboo ware and ceramics. There is a terrace market in the ladder street which climbs the mountainside in the older part of the city. Modern department stores can be found in the centre of the city.