Chongqing, China

Posted on Oct 16, 2016 in Places

Being one of only four municipalities in China (reporting directly to the Government rather than being part of a province), you would think there is something special about Chongqing. That could possibly be true but I can’t say I saw it. Surrounded by mountains, it’s located in the southwest of the country at the meeting point of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers.

Massive bridges at dizzying heights span the rivers at many points to aid traffic flow and there are a number more being built at the moment. The commercial/shopping hub is modern China at its best and well worth a walk with the Chongqing Art Gallery a standout amongst the shopping malls. Just beyond the Gallery, perched high above the banks of the Yangtze is the Hongya Cave complex. It’s kitschy, touristy and all those other words that make you cringe but… there are some terrific snacks at the food stalls and a few English speakers in the cafes (occasionally it’s nice not to have to wonder what you’re about to eat!).

The real centre of the city centres around Great Hall of the People which sits at one end of the People’s Square and the at the other end, the Three Gorges Museum. It’s a nice stroll but I don’t recommend a visit just for the museum. Although it has a few artifacts from the construction of the Dam, it’s more Disneyland than Museum – in my opinion!

We were there for a trade fair and we moved around quite a bit so the metro was our friend. English is not widely spoken so taxis are often difficult unless you can make yourself clear with hotel business cards but often the drivers won’t even consider foreigners. Restaurants are the same story. The old standby of menus with pictures is valuable in Chongqing but the great majority don’t have that so unless you strike it lucky, it’s a case of point and pray.

It’s already a big, busy city and with plans for massive growth in the near future, Chongqing is reportedly set to become the most economically important city in West China but the World Bank has also ranked it as one of the most polluted cities in the world. It’s a nice enough place with friendly people and delicious food (this is the home of Sichuan after all!) but unless you’re jumping on a cruise to see the Three Gorges Dam, I don’t really see a reason to make it a primary destination.

Visited: October 2016