A Guide to Visiting Chongqing, China

Chongqing is an enormous municipality located at the conflunce of two major rivers: The Yangtze and Jialing. The city center is home to various public buildings and structures, including the Great Hall of the People and the pedestrian People’s Square.

Chongqing has a long history as a major urban center in Sichuan, China. It is one of the three largest cities in China and once stood as the de facto capital during Japan’s WWII invasion.

Chongqing has an extremely potent public transportation system, making navigating the city easy. Though smog is a problem in the winter months, the summer is usually filled with clear skies and truly stunning views of the intersecting rivers. The Yangtze and Jialing rivers, which are different colors, churn together to make unique colors and patters, especially in the light of dawn.

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Advice Upon Arriving in Chongqing

It takes a considerable amount of money to move to China.  A new expat needs least three months of rent, plus a security deposit and apartment finder fee (equal to one month of rent). This is required almost everywhere in China.  My company pays for my lodging while I’m here in China, but for people moving without company support, this is important information.

Navigating Chinese Culture

Waiting in lines in grocery stores is an odd experience.  Elderly people are used to cutting in line, since China has a culture of deference towards the elderly.  If I’m not in a hurry, I allow it.  But if I’m in a rush, I need to stand with my feet planted with and hands on my hips with my elbows out to prevent people from continuously getting in front of me.

People in Western China don’t really see many foreigners.  They’re a bit of a spectacle here, so expect to be stopped for photos somewhat frequently.  Saying “Bàoqiàn, méiyǒu zhàopiàn” (Sorry, no photos)  or “Bàoqiàn wǒ méiyǒu shíjiān” (Sorry, I don’t have time) will help speed things along.  For people not accustomed to pinyin tones, it sounds a bit like “Bao-shien mayau zaopien” or “Bao-shien mayau shi-jeen.”

There are several expat locations near language centers which help a lot with navigation resources. Expat locations are a good place to meet the relatively small foreigner population in Chongqing.

Working in Asia

Contracts in Chongqing for work are usually written entirely in Chinese.  Be sure to be fluent or receive an English equivalent for this work.

Many of the underground tunnels of Chongqing are incorporated into the architecture of the city.  However, other portions, especially close to the river, are closed off and are generally not allowed for exploration.

Chongqing does not speak standard Mandarin Chinese.  They have a specific dialect which stresses words much more strongly, making it seem almost passionate or angry to a person listening for the first time.

Chongqing has a wealth of transportation.  A person can take a taxi, the subway, tuk-tuks or simply follow the city’s sidewalks on foot.

Chongqing has people sweeping the streets free of leaves and litter.  It’s polite to give them a bit of extra space when walking by.

The housing situation in China makes breaking leases very difficult.  Even the most relaxed payment plan for rent in China usually requires a person to pay three months of rent at one time. 

Chinese phone plans are dependent on each region of China.  Moving locations doesn’t necessarily force a person to get a new phone plan, but it makes the moving process somewhat easier.

Interesting Advice for Chongqing

Chongqing is famous for stick men, or bang bang or dan dan or Stick Army Men.  These are men who are the unofficial labor force and porter army of the city.  They carry goods around using a one-meter bamboo rod.  They can be hired to help move luggage or purchased goods into an apartment.  Since Chongqing is mountainous and very steep, these men are often the best way to move things around.

Pollution in Chongqing in the winter is somewhat harsh.  

Sichuan Spice is a type of pepper used in a lot of Chongqing cooking, most famously Hot Pot.  This spice increases in intensity as more is eaten, especially along the lips.  Eating a little of this spice is mild, but nonstop consumption can increase intensity a lot.

When drinking alcohol in China, beer in large bottles is poured into a small glass.  People say “Gānbēi” which translates as “Cheers” but has a secondary meaning of  “Drink all.”  During a toast, it’s expected to completely drain the glass.

During toasts, people tap glasses together in China. The level of a person’s glass to the person they’re drinking with is important.  When drinking with a coworker of equal standing or a friend, the glass lips should be level.  When drinking with a boss, the boss should have his drink’s lip higher than the subordinate.  Allowances are made for foreigners, and this rule isn’t very strict.

Most Chinese people may call a foreigner “Lǎowài” which is a somewhat informal and loose term for a expat.  It’s not rude, exactly, but it’s not considered polite in most contexts either.  

Interesting Things to Do in Chongqing, China

Famous Tourist Attractions

Chongqing People’s Square – A large government building complex with impressive gardens.  Pictures are sometimes not allowed, but the area is very peaceful and photogenic. 

Jiefangbei Downtown Area – A large, famous and bustling shopping area.  This is one of the more popular and accessible shopping centers of the city.

Hongya Cave, or Hongyadong – One of Chongqing’s most famous and frequently photographed buildings is this shopping center.  The building, bathed in hundreds of riverside lights hosts a large, illuminated shopping area built in the traditional Chinese style.  The structure faces the Jiang River, giving stunning views of the Chongqing skyline.

Qiansimen Bridge – One of Chongqing’s many famous bridges, this particular bridge is often lit up against the skyline at night.  The colors are unique and iconic.

Baodingshan– Dazu Rock Carvings– This location West of Chongqing is famous for its overhanging cliffs sheltering Carved Buddha Grotto several centuries old.  Though it takes a day trip to get there, the stonework is incredible with ancient paints still intact on statue surfaces.

Hechuan Fishing Town – Diaoyu Fortress (Diaoyucheng) – A famous fishing tourism village which also hosts the impressive mountain fortifications of Diaoyu.  These fortifications were famously tested during some of the fiercest conflicts between the Mongolian invaders and China’s Southern Song Dynasty. 

Luohan Buddhist Temple – A sacred temple in Chongqing which hosts a giant, seated, gold Buddha.

Outdoor Exploration

Jialing Park – A small, exceptionally pretty park in the middle of several shopping centers.  The park has many sculptures, most of which utilize bright lights.

Black Mountain Valley Scenic Area (Gold Knife Gorge) – Part of Black Valley, this is a series of sheer canyons with thin boardwalks following green and turquoise streams through the mountains.  The unique colors of the water are caused by copper deposits found in the mountain range.

Chongqing Banan Flower Field – Chongqing Flowers World – Slightly to the south of Chongqing, this gorgeous patch of land hosts thousands of flowers blooming during various periods throughout the year.  The site also has numerous tourist villages and strange activities nearby, such as AstroTurf slides and woven Flower Tunnels. 

 Xiao Nan Hai – Created by a man made dam, this large lake area is the intersection point for several valleys.  It is located nearly four hours east of Chongqing.  The area funnels the several valleys into a gorgeous lake area. The site was the zone of a violent earthquake, lending itself to the unusual terrain. It is also a major heritage site for Chinese archeology with dinosaur statues scattered around the hiking trails.

Cultural Points of Interest

Ciqikou City (Porcelain Village) – A quaint walking village and vital part of traditional China.  It has many pottery shops and tourist features.  Climbing to the temples on the top of the hill escapes most of the crowds.  The food shops, sold goods and local histories are compelling.

Sichuan Ramen – Located in a food truck, these are special ramen bowls made in the Sichuan food style.  Keep in mind, Sichuan Spice (used to make local hot pot as well) is a “Building Spice” which gets hotter and stronger as more is consumed.

Russian Castle Restaurant  (俄羅斯城堡) – An excellent Russian restaurant in Chongqing with live singing performances. The food is very rich, but delicious.

Strange Things to Do

Chongqing Chaotianmen Square – A somewhat large and popular plaza-platform area.  This area is unique since it has a view of where the Yangtze and Jiang Rivers intermingle.  It’s easy to see the water colors intermingling and shifting on clear and sunny days.

The River Joint (Or River Merging) – The actual location of the rivers merging.  The point of waters merging changes depending on rainfall and the time of year, but it’s a major point of interest.  The colors often shift in unique ways as vast amounts of water shift into a single waterway.

Upside Down House on Foreigners Street – An amazing tourist attraction where the entire building is attached upside-down in defiance of gravity.  It is a tourism photo attraction.

Chongqing Crocodile Center – A small zoo enclosure with many reptiles.  The main attraction are crocodiles which can be fed chicken by using a long bamboo rod with string. The Chongqing Crocodile Center is a fun place to visit, but the crocodiles are not available in the Winter.  They’re usually pretty active during other seasons.

Want to read about arrivals and explorations around Chongqing? Check out firsthand experiences on the Leftfade Trails Blog Page