Exploring Chongqing

Chongqing, located in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River（长江 Chāng Jiāng), this city is foggy all year round, so it is also called the Fog City. And Chongqing is also a mountainous city known as the "Mountain City."

Chongqing is a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural city.  The city's cultural origins can be traced back to the Ba and Yu cultures, which were indigenous to the region.

The Ba(巴 bā)culture emerged in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River valley around 3,000 years ago. It was characterized by its unique pottery, bronze ware, and jade artifacts. The Ba people were skilled in agriculture, fishing, and hunting and developed a unique way of life closely tied to their natural surroundings.

The Yu(渝 yú)culture emerged in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River valley around 2,000 years ago. It was characterized by its advanced irrigation systems, silk production, and bronze casting. The Yu people were skilled in trade and commerce, and they developed a sophisticated system of governance that allowed them to thrive in the region.

Today, Chongqing is known for its rich cultural heritage, which includes traditional arts such as opera, calligraphy, and painting, as well as its famous hotpot cuisine. First things first, forget about your diet because Chongqing is the ultimate foodie paradise! Brace yourself for the fiery and mouth-watering hotpot, where your taste buds will go on an adventure they'll never forget! Eating hot pot is definitely one of the things that people who come to Chongqing must experience. Due to the humid and hazy weather, Chongqing people like spicy food, and the hot pot here is basically very spicy.

Chongqing hot pot is like a spicy party in your mouth!Picture this:a bubbling pot of fiery broth filled with all sorts of goodies like thinly sliced meat,fresh veggies,and other ingredients.You grab your chopsticks dip your ingredients in the broth,and brace yourself for the heat!It’s a fun and interactive dining experience that brings people together to bond over delicious food.And its also the core of the Chinese food culture,it's all about sharing and bonding.

Chongqing is also known for its architecture, including the famous Hongya Cave(洪崖洞 Hóng yá dòng)and Dazu Rock Carvings（大足石刻Dà zú shí kè）.

Hongya Cave is a unique and fascinating architectural site located in Chongqing. Its characteristic is the multi-layer structure of Bayu-style stilted buildings, which is also related to the terrain. Hongya Cave is built on the mountain and is put together like building blocks. Coupled with the design of the open-air pedestrian street, tourists can enter and exit various streets from different floors of the scenic spot. The space here seems to be cut and connected in any way.

Chongqing is the most cyberpunk city in mainland China. Chongqing's complex mountainous terrain makes the urban buildings not distributed on one plane but staggered into several layers, and the height difference is more distinct than that of plain cities. The urban landscape's folds and sense of depth render it challenging to capture a panoramic view of the urban landscape, as there is always another scene beyond what we can observe.

A short trip from Chongqing will take you to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Dazu Rock Carvings. These intricate stone carvings date back to the 9th century and depict Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian beliefs. Marvel at the exquisite craftsmanship and detailed carvings that tell stories of ancient Chinese culture and spirituality.

From fiery hotpots to breathtaking landscapes, this city has it all. So, pack your bags and get ready to embark on an adventure to this vibrant destination that will undoubtedly captivate your senses!