Chongqing

Chongqing is a direct-administered municipality in southwestern China, spreading across mountainous terrain where the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers meet. The densely built neighborhoods climb steep slopes and form multiple levels, linked by staircases, tunnels, and elevated roads.

In 1937, the city became China's wartime capital, shifting from a regional trading port to a national center. The following decades brought rapid industrialization and urban expansion, transforming it into one of the country's largest metropolitan areas.

In traditional teahouses along the waterfront, locals gather over mahjong tables while street vendors prepare hotpot dishes right on the sidewalks. Night markets draw families who wander between food stalls, sampling spicy noodles and steamed dumplings that define the local palate.

The metro system runs multiple lines through the hilly terrain, using bridges and tunnels to connect different districts. Public transport operates from early morning to late evening, with shorter intervals during rush hours.

Escalators and pedestrian bridges weave through the city, helping residents navigate elevation changes exceeding 240 meters (790 feet) between neighborhoods. Some residential towers have entrances on multiple floors, as each side of the building meets a street at a different level.

Location: People's Republic of China

Inception: 1929

Capital city: Yuzhong District

Elevation above the sea: 243 m

Reference: 渝

Part of: South Central China

Shares border with: Sichuan, Shaanxi, Hubei, Hunan, Guizhou

Address: Chongqing, China

Website: https://cq.gov.cn

GPS coordinates: 29.55000,106.50694

Latest update: December 2, 2025 21:31