Cities
[edit]Chongqing comprising "Central Chongqing" (Yuzhong, Dadukou, Jiangbei, Shapingba, Jiulongpo, and Nan'an Districts) as well as Banan, Yubei, and Beibei Districts. |
Dazu famous for the Dazu Rock Carvings |
Qianjiang enjoy the scenery of mountains and rivers and experience ethnic customs |
Qijiang known for its scenic attractions, particularly Black Mountain Valley and the Longlin Stone Forest |
Tongnan site of the Tongnan Dafo (Big Buddha) Temple |
Wanzhou 2nd largest ‘city’ in Chongqing Municipality, close to Wanzhou Grand Falls |
Fuling it is near a nuclear weapons production facility that is actually open to Chinese and foreign visitors |
Other destinations
[edit]Understand
[edit]Chongqing is one of the four municipalities in China, the largest cities that are not part of a province but report directly to the national government; it is the only municipality not located on the east coast, (the others are Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin).
While administered separately since 1997, it is historically and culturally part of Southeast Sichuan and shares the same love for hot and spicy food dishes.
Neighbouring provinces: Hubei (East), Hunan (East), Guizhou (South), Sichuan (West), Shaanxi (North)
Located on the edge of the Yungui Plateau, and surrounded by small green capped mountains, Chongqing City is intersected by the Jialing River and the upper reaches of the Yangtze. The municipality includes Daba Shan in the North, Wu Shan in the East, Wuling Shan in the Southeast, and Dalou Mountain to the South.
Get in
[edit]Get around
[edit]See
[edit]- 1 Diaoyu Fortress (钓鱼城, Diaoyucheng), Diaoyucheng Avenue, Hechuan District (get a long-distance bus to Hechuan from Chenjiaping Bus Station, then get a taxi or catch bus no 687), ☏ +86 23 42822763. 08:30-17:00. One of the best preserved of the more 80 mountain fortresses built during the Song Dynasty to resist the Mongol invaders. The fortress successfully repelled over 200 Mongol attacks before it was overrun in 1279. Mongol leader Möngke Khan was killed here in 1259 during the Siege of Diaoyucheng. ¥60.
- 2 Fengdu Ghost Town (丰都鬼城), Mingshan Subdistrict, Fengdu County (丰都县名山街道) (Bus service to Fengdu is provided via the Chaotianmen Bus Station, the Sigongli Transport Hub and several other bus stations. Trains depart from the Chongqing North Station. Yangtze River cruise boats also stop here.), ☏ +86 23-70613323. 07:00-17:20. Fengdu's county seat is a river town on the banks of the Yangtze (Chang Jiang) River, about two hours by bus or one hour by train from Chongqing City. Across the river from the town is the Ghost Town which can be reached by ferry. Highlights include the authentic Buddhist Temple on Mt. Ming. April–November: ¥100, December–March: ¥60.
- 3 Jinfo Mountain (Gold Buddha Mountain; Mount Jinfo; JInfoshan; 金佛山), Nancheng Sub-District, Nanchuan District (南川区南城街道) (Direct buses to Jinfo Mountain depart daily at 07:30 from the InterContinental Chongqing. The fare is ¥40 one-way or ¥78 return and the journey time is probably about two hours.), toll-free: +86 400 023-9157. 08:00-17:00. Large scenic mountain that is part of the South China Karst World Heritage Site and also a popular skiing destination. ¥190 (including cable car and sightseeing bus), extra charges apply for use of the ski field.
- 4 Qixia Temple (Qixia Palace, 栖霞宫), Yunyang County (云阳县) (Catch a long distance bus to Yunyang County. The journey will probably take about 4 hours. After arriving at the county seat, you will need to catch a taxi or motorized pedicab to get to the temple), ☏ +86 23 55128228. The original name of this temple was Yunsheng Palace (云升宫). It is 5 km northwest of Yunyang Town. It was built in the Han Dynasty, but repaired many times in the Northern and Southern Dynasties. ¥10.
- 5 [dead link] Three Natural Bridges (天生三桥) (Direct buses to the Xiannüshan Tourist Reception Center (仙女山镇游客接待中心) are available from both the Sigongli Tourist Transportation Center (四公里旅游集散中心) and the Longtou Temple Tourist Transportation Center (龙头寺旅游集散中心). The Xiannüshan Tourist Reception Center is the departure point for buses to the Three Natural Bridges and other destinations within the park.), ☏ +86 23 77721248. 08:00-17:00. A series of natural limestone bridges in Xiannüshan Town (仙女山镇), Wulong County. They lie within the Wulong Karst National Geology Park, itself a part of the South China Karst-Wulong Karst UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Chinese, the bridges are all named after dragons, namely the Tianglong (天龙桥, Sky Dragon), Qinglong (Azure Dragon) and Heilong (黑龙桥, Black Dragon) bridges. Among others attractions, there is an adrenaline via ferrata along a water channel embedded in a rock cliff (nearby "Pulled Rock Village"). ¥95 during low season (November to March), ¥135 during peak season (April to October).