The ancient Chinese city appeared before our era – it was founded about three thousand years ago. At that time, it was the center of the Ba Kingdom and was called Jiangzhou, until the city was renamed Chongqing in 1189. There are many historical monuments and beautiful natural places in the city and its surroundings, which thousands of tourists come to see every year. True, mostly Chinese. The city is not yet as popular among foreign tourists as, for example, Shanghai. But local authorities are actively attracting foreigners to the city, because there is something to see here.
What to see in the city and its surroundings
Rock relief in Dazu
A two-hour drive from Chongqing is a complex of rock reliefs. They are located in 75 places, in total about fifty thousand statues, sculptures and images are presented. Around the end of the ninth century, the first reliefs appeared, then the craftsmen began to apply more and more drawings. The most prolific places of interest are the Beishan and Baodingshan highlands.
The most famous sculpture in the Dazu area is the 31-meter “Nirvana Shakyamuni”, which depicts a resting Buddha. And the complex itself is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is carefully protected.
Zoo
In the south of Chongqing there is a zoo with an area of more than 45 hectares. About two hundred species of animals and more than a thousand birds live here. The panda family, which is allocated a separate large territory, is traditionally considered to be especially proud. In addition to the usual white and black pandas, there are also small pandas, which do not at all look like their “older relatives” – they are more like foxes, and are slightly larger in size than cats.
Other rare animals include the South China tiger. The predator is endangered: there are no longer any of them in the wild, and according to various estimates, only 20-30 individuals live in zoos. China is practically the only country where you can still see this noble predator.
The zoo has a cafe, a walking park and an area for roller skating. Photographing animals is allowed, but, of course, without flash – this rule applies to any zoo.
Qiqikou
This is the name of the old city near the Jialing River. The place is small: a couple of streets with restaurants, cafes and shops. Everything here is created for tourists who come to Qiqikou mainly for souvenirs and performances. Tea houses often organize performances by artists who play folk instruments. And when ordering food, it is important to remember that many of them are very spicy due to the chili pepper.
Traditional architecture has survived despite the active development of the city in the 90s and early 2000s. So now this is one of the best places to look at the contrast between China’s past and present. On one side there are giant traffic intersections and skyscrapers, on the other there are narrow streets and small houses that are several hundred years old.
Dinosaur Museum
In the town of Dashanpu, which is located approximately 180 kilometers from Chongqing, there is a huge dinosaur museum. The presented collection is one of the largest in the world. Most of the exhibits are actual dinosaur remains that were found in this area of China.
The museum opened in 1987, with an area of 3,600 square meters on three floors. First, you will be introduced to all types of dinosaurs and their evolution. Then they will talk about the reasons for their extinction, after which you can look at the giant skeletons. Some reach ten meters in height.
Little Three Gorges
This area is ideal for exploring the local nature. Along the Danying River there are three gorges – Bavu, Lonmen and Ditsui. The excursion on a pleasure ship or boat takes place between the mountains in a foggy haze, which greatly enhances the atmosphere of the place. A special variety of tea is also grown here, which is called “Tea of Clouds and Fog.”
In addition to excellent views, you can see a very unusual cemetery here. The spectacle is creepy, but incredibly interesting. For example, hanging coffins. This is a funeral custom of some Chinese peoples. Coffins with the bodies of the dead were placed on ledges near the rocks. Those who like to tickle their nerves will be pleased: slowly sailing on a boat past the coffins in a mountain gorge shrouded in thick fog is an unforgettable experience.
Fengdu Ghost Town
During a tour of the Yangtze along the Small Three Gorges, boats usually stop at Fengdu. There are a lot of temples in this ancient city. After the completion of the construction of the Fengdu Dam, it almost completely went under water, but some of the structures remained on the surface. According to legend, Fengdu is called the place where the devil and evil spirits live.
Nearby is Mount Ming Shan with a temple at the top, which was built for Tianzi – the King of the Dead. It is believed that a person can receive the help of the gods if he enters the temple in an original way: for example, stepping over three steps or backwards.
Shibaozhai Temple
This temple is located on a mountain about two hundred meters high and looks like a conical pagoda. It seems that Shibaozhai is literally built into the mountain, it stands out only in red against the background of dense greenery.
Under the temple there is a twelve-story building where you can buy figurines and figurines made by local craftsmen. You can move between floors using a vertical staircase, but a regular external staircase is also available. Well, from the upper floors there is a magnificent view of the mountains – an ideal place for photographs.
Huguang Guild Hall
Located in Chongqing, this wooden complex of buildings was intended for people who came from neighboring provinces. It was the center of business and social life during the Qing Dynasty (mid-17th – early 20th centuries). The building was built in 1759. And the Huguang Guild Hall became accessible to tourists only in 2005 after the completion of reconstruction.
There are shops, theaters, small prayer rooms, restaurants and cafes. Opera performances and plays are staged regularly. There is a museum that details the history of the complex and the migrations of Chinese peoples.
Which hotel to choose?
Golden View Hotel
The three-star hotel is located almost three kilometers from the center of Chongqing. The hotel has exactly one hundred rooms, which are divided into categories “deluxe”, “executive class” and “executive suite”. Guests will be offered free Wi-Fi and smoking areas.
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The cheapest room costs 3000 rubles, executive – from 3600 to 4200 rubles depending on the area (40 or 50 sq. m),
and a suite with an area of 60 square meters will cost 5,500 rubles per day. Breakfast is included in the price.
Jinjiang Inn – Chongqing Shopping & Entertainment Center
The 3* hotel is located a little further from the city center than Golden View, and breakfast is paid separately. But parking and wireless Internet are available for free.
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You can choose from a standard room and a business class room. In the first case, the price will be 1800 rubles, in the second – 1900.
Grand Metropark Hotel Chongqing
This hotel was built recently, in 2008. It takes 13 kilometers to get to the center. Guests can relax in the Turkish bath, get fit in the fitness room, relax in the spa or play table tennis. There is also an indoor pool and a playroom for children.
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A deluxe room costs 6,200 rubles, an executive class costs at least 8,100 rubles, and a top luxury room costs 14,600. If you want to have breakfast at the hotel, add another thousand rubles to these amounts.
Aurland Hotel
The four-star hotel offers 230 soundproofed rooms. Services include only a massage room and a sauna, but parking is free, unlike many other hotels.
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The most expensive room will be the executive suite – a room with an area of 90 square meters. m. costs 8,700 rubles per night. A standard room is priced at seven thousand rubles, a family room costs 5,800 rubles, as does a deluxe room.
Kempinski Hotel Chongqing
Rooms in this five-star hotel have very affordable prices. For example, “deluxe” will cost 7,300 rubles per night. The hotel has a beauty salon, a swimming pool, a sauna, a solarium and a massage room.
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Rooms of other classes will be more expensive: the “premier” category costs 8,600 rubles, the executive level – from 10,800 rubles, and the deluxe room costs at least 14,700 rubles.
Radisson Blu Plaza Chongqing
And this is one of the newest hotels in the city. It was built in 2012 and is located almost in the center. Prices start from 6,800 rubles for the “superior” class. “Deluxe” will cost 8,000 rubles per night, and business class rooms start at 10,300 rubles. All rooms are very spacious, at least 46 square meters.
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At guests’ disposal are a swimming pool, spa treatments, sauna, fitness and beauty salon. If you are traveling with a child and need to go away for a while, you can leave him with a nanny.
See also:
8 places in Hong Kong that every tourist needs to visit
Terracotta Army of the Chinese Emperor
