Among the passengers were 35 African journalists, visiting for the first time to explore its vibrancy after successfully covering the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit in Beijing from September 4th to 6th. Stepping off the plane, the domestic flight clearance was swift, and within moments we were on shuttle buses headed to our accommodations.
A defining feature upon arrival in China is the sheer scale of infrastructure development, and Chongqing is no exception. The city’s breathtaking blend of modern development, clean green streets, and impressive architecture against a backdrop of natural beauty makes you feel as if you’ve found the ‘promised land.’
Chongqing is renowned for its spicy food, one of the top descriptors for the area, but its charm goes far beyond cuisine. With a history spanning thousands of years, it is one of China’s four municipalities directly under the central government control, alongside Beijing and Shanghai. Situated at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers, the city is surrounded by mountains, leading to the construction of extensive tunnels to ease transportation.
In the city center, the domed Great Hall of the People stands majestically over People’s Square, while nearby, the Three Gorges Museum showcases ancient artifacts and the history of the Three Gorges Dam construction. Chongqing spans a vast area, with jurisdiction over 38 districts and counties, covering 82,400 square kilometers and housing over 32 million residents, 93.23% of whom are Han Chinese, alongside ethnic groups such as the Tujia and Miao.
Known as the 'Mountain City' and the 'River City,' Chongqing boasts a humid subtropical monsoon climate, with early springs, hot summers, rainy autumns, and mild winters. The Yangtze River, stretching 691 kilometers, winds its way through the city, joined by the Jialing and Wujiang rivers. Chongqing’s landscape is predominantly mountainous, with mountains covering 76% of the terrain.
Chongqing is not just a historical and cultural city; it holds strategic importance for China’s development. It was the first inland city to open to foreign trade in 1981 and was officially established as a city in 1929. The Chengdu-Chongqing Twin-Hub Mega-Region and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor are critical to the city’s role in the Belt and Road Initiative, connecting over 480 ports in 120 countries worldwide.
The city’s rapid industrial development has transformed it into a manufacturing powerhouse. It is among the top automotive production hubs in China and is the world’s largest producer of laptops. Chongqing is striving to build a modern manufacturing system centered around intelligent vehicles, next-gen electronics, and advanced materials. It also leads in innovation hubs in smart technology, life sciences, and green technologies.
Chongqing’s transportation infrastructure is equally impressive, featuring a multimodal network of rail, road, water, and air transport. With over 1,000 kilometers of high-speed rail, 4,000 kilometers of expressways, and an extensive river shipping system, it serves as a comprehensive transportation hub. In 2023, Chongqing’s GDP reached RMB 3.01 trillion (over US$424 bilion), reflecting a 6.1% growth.
Beyond its economic achievements, Chongqing is home to numerous cultural and natural treasures. The Mountain City Alley Traditional Style Area, a historical site in the city center, features preserved traditional buildings like the Catholic Charity Hall and the Changle Yongkang Stone Ancestral Gate.
Another notable landmark is the Liziba Station, China’s first through-building metro station that showcases Chongqing’s architectural ingenuity. Liziba Station is located in Yuzhong District. It is designed to improve the efficiency and convenience of urban transportation but has become a sight to behold.
Applying multiple technologies, the monorail enables trains to run through buildings without causing the structures to shake.
It cleverly achieves its functionality based on the complex terrain, which embodies the wisdom of the Chongqing people and ultimately stands among testaments to Chinese people’s prowess and great zeal to always foster innovations.
For a panoramic view of the city, the Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street and the World Financial Center (WFC) Huixianlou Observation Deck offer breathtaking vistas of Chongqing’s urban landscape, including the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers.
The WFC Observation Deck, unveiled in 2017, offers a stunning view of Chongqing’s iconic landmarks, including the intersection of two rivers, the Grand Theatre (a performing arts venue in central Chongqing), and Nanbin Road’s nightscape.
Located on the 73rd to 75th floors, it is China’s highest open-air observation deck. Nearby, the historic Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street, built in 1947 and transformed into Western China’s first commercial pedestrian street in 1997, remains a vibrant hub with a commercial area of 160,000 m², earning recognition as one of China’s top business centers.
One of Chongqing’s most iconic cultural sites is the Dazu Rock Carvings, a UNESCO World Heritage site with over 50,000 statues carved into rock formations, reflecting over a millennium of Chinese artistry and religious devotion. These carvings stand alongside other famous rock art in China, such as the Mogao Caves and the Yungang Grottoes.
No visit to Chongqing would be complete without experiencing its famous hot pot cuisine, a spicy culinary tradition that involves dipping fresh ingredients into a boiling broth.
Accompanied by local fruits and juices, the hot pot experience is a sensory delight. The city’s markets offer an abundance of local produce, including pumpkins, taro, maize, sea food and fresh vegetables among others.
As night falls, Chongqing’s streets come alive. Along the Jialing River, locals and tourists alike gather to enjoy the glittering lights of the city, the illuminated bridges, and the relaxing atmosphere that invites you to extend your stay.
Chongqing’s beauty, history, and vibrancy offer a truly unique experience for anyone fortunate enough to visit. This city, with its rich blend of culture, industry, and nature, is a testament to China’s development and a gateway to understanding its past, present, and future.
At night, people gather along the Jialing River to enjoy the city’s beautiful scenery and glittering lights of the magnificent bridges over the river.
Watching houses perched on cliffs and the relaxed atmosphere invites a sense of comfort, enticing visitors to stay longer.
Stunning infrastructure
The expressways in operation exceed 4,000 kilometers, connecting every county to the highway system.
The Chongqing Great Hall of the People was built between 1951-1954. With its huge dome that is modeled after the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, it is a prominent landmark in Chongqing.
Chongqing is a province central to China’s development and is among four municipalities directly controlled by the central government including Beijing and Shanghai.
The landscape is mainly hilly and mountainous, with mountains making up 76% of the terrain.
Chongqing is known as the 'Mountain City' and 'River City,' characterized by its subtropical humid monsoon climate, featuring early springs, hot summers, rainy autumns, and mild winters.
In 2023, the city enjoyed 325 days of good or excellent air quality, and its forest coverage rate ranks among the top ten in China.
With a large area covered by mountains, the construction of tunnels became a must to ease mobility.
The World Financial Center in Chongqing has 75th floors.
The Yangtze River runs through Chongqing, extending 691 kilometers and is joined by rivers like the Jialing River and Wujiang River.
Chongqing is a sprawling municipality at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers in southwestern China.
Chongqing is a renowned historical and cultural city in China with a recorded history of over 3000 years.
Nestled among mountains and rivers, Chongqing is one of China’s 35 priority areas for biodiversity conservation.
Baidu has a fleet of autonomous cars in Chongqing.
Monorail traversing buildings
Named Liziba Station, China’s first through-building metro station, is located in Yuzhong District, Chongqing.
The through building metro station is designed to improve the efficiency and convenience of urban transportation.
A train traversing buildings in Chongqing at the Liziba Station.
The monorail cleverly achieves its functionality based on the complex terrain, which embodies the wisdom of the Chongqing people and ultimately stands among testaments to Chinese people’s prowess and great zeal to always foster innovations.
The Mountain City Alley Traditional Style Area
The Mountain City Alley Traditional Style Area located in the central part of Yuzhong Peninsula, is one of key features worth visiting in Chongqing.
Visitors of the Mountain City Alley Traditional Style Area stand chance to experience Chongqing culture.
Statues at Dazu Rock carvings
Over 70 rock carvings and more than 50,000 statues have been listed as cultural heritage sites under protection.
Dazu Rock Carvings thrived in the Northern and Southern Song Dynasties, and continued in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
Dazu Rock Carvings is a collection of rock carvings and statues located in Dazu District, Chongqing Municipality.
With a recorded history of over a millennium, the rock carvings were first built in the early Tang Dynasty.
Dazu Rock Carvings comprise the complete history of Chinese rock carving architecture, writing the most magnificent chapter in the annals of world rock art.
The night view of Chongqing
The World Financial Center in Chongqing has 75th floors.
Chongqing WFC Observation Deck offers a clear view of the city’s magnificence.
Located in Southwestern inland China and on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, Chongqing has jurisdiction over 38 districts and counties
The Chongqing WFC Observation Deck provides a stunning, unobstructed view of the city’s grandeur.
The WFC Observation Deck, unveiled in 2017, offers a stunning view of Chongqing’s iconic landmarks, including the intersection of two rivers and the Grand Theatre (a performing arts venue in central Chongqing).
Local food
Spicy food is popular in Chongqing.
The hot pot gives you a great experience of Chinese cuisine.
Chongqinghas a diverse array of produce, including pumpkins, noodles, salads, cucumbers, corn, watermelons, potatoes, sweet potatoes, taro roots, tomatoes, and a variety of cereals, among others.
