Luohan Si
The "Luohan Temple" is the most beautiful Buddhist temple in the center of Chongqing. Hundreds of buddhist Saints await you in the "Hall of Luohans", also called "Arhats". The figures are standing very close together. The "Luohan Temple" offers many beautiful details and decorative elements.
Chao Tian Men
The "Chao Tian Men" Square is located at the confluence of the "Changjiang" (Yangtze) and the "Jialing" River. Stairs lead down to the jetties of the riverboats, that cruise on the Changjiang (Long River). Therefore this square is what most visitors see first of Chongqing. However, the skyscrapers on this photo have already been demolished and replaced by much taller towers in 2020. In Chongqing there is an incredible amount of construction going on at a breathtaking speed.
Chongqing Grand Theatre
The German architects of Gerkan, Marg and Partner have designed the Great Theater of the City of Chongqing. The "Chongqing Grand Theater" was opened in 2009. From Chao Tian Men Square you can see the building on the other side of the river.
Jiefangbei
The 27m high People's Liberation Monument stands at the crossroads of the two pedestrian zones in the center of Chongqing and commemorates the war against Japan. The "Jiefangbei square" is the meeting point in the center of Chongqing.
Huguang Guild Hall
The Huguang Guild Hall was the representation building of the provinces of Hunan, Hubei, Guangdong and Guangxi in Chongqing. In the lovingly restored complex there are many beautiful rooms, a theater and a tea house. The guild hall impresses with remarkable details of classic Chinese architecture. The Huguang Huiguan is one of the top sights of Chongqing.
Renmin Dalitang
The "Great Hall of the People" was built in 1954. The round roof is a reminiscent of the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. The "Renmin Dalitang" is built in a socialist historistic style. The "Great Hall" is considered one of the landmarks of Chongqing.
Pipa Shan
At 345 m, the Pipa Shan is the highest mountain in the center of Chongqing. From here you can see on clear days to the "Gele Mountains" in the west. The best place to get an overview and escape the hustle and bustle of the city is the Hongxing Pavilion on top of the Pipa Shan.
Yangtze Ropeway
The "Changjiang Suodao" Yangtze Ropeway connects the city center of Chongqing with the opposite river bank of the Changjiang (Yangtze). The ride with the Yangtze Ropeway is the top attraction of Chongqing, the view on the city is absolutely spectacular.
Yanjiaping
"Yanjiaping" is one of several urban centers in Chongqing. The shopping street is just under the elevated railway line south-west of the historic center. Another city center is "Shapingba", in the west of the Chongqing peninsula.
Ciqikou
In the old town of "Ciqikou" there are many small shops, there is always something going on. The beautiful town at Jialing Jiang was formerly a porcelain port and was put under monument protection in 1998. The main street is a pedestrian zone with many shops and restaurants.
Baolun Si
On a hill above the Jialing River rises the Buddhist "Baolun Temple". The main hall of the temple is over 1,000 years old. From the red pagoda you will have a nice view over the river and the old town of "Ciqikou". Even though some buildings have been newly built of concrete, the temple has retained its historic charm.
Map of Chongqing sights
ads
Travel Guide Chongqing
Welcome to Chongqing
The city of Chongqing is situated on a peninsula at the confluence of the "Chang Jiang" (Jangtze River) and the "Jialing Jiang" Jialing River. Because two important rivers meet at this place, the city was called "Chongqing". Chong = double and qing = celebrate. So the name of Chongqing means something like "Double Celebration". The narrow penisula, on which the center is located, has many hills, that make the skyscrapers look even higher. Chongqing is a port city on the Yangtze River and many river Cruises start or end here.
ads
Chongqing, the biggest city in the world
Chongqing is with about 30 million inhabitants the biggest city in the world. Shanghai has only 23 million and Beijing 21 million inhabitants. Tokyo has officially 9 million and Mexico City has also only to 9 million inhabitants. However, these figures can not be compared, since Chongqing has an total area of 82,000 km² and Tokyo only 622 km². The Netherlands with 41,000 km² is about half the size of Chongqing. However, with a population of about 16 million, they have a higher population density than the city of Chongqing. Chongqing is more like a province than a city. The city itself has about 10 million inhabitants. Cities can be compared only if they have the same area, otherwise the numbers have almost no meaning at all.
"What is the biggest city in the world?"
This question can only be answered if you draw a circle with an always equal radius around every city centre in the world and then count the inhabitants within the circle. I did this once with a circle of 50 km radius and calculated different cities. The result was that Frankfurt am Main, with 4.2 million inhabitants, was as big as Berlin. But Berlin is still feeling bigger? There is no clear answer to this question. If you have a solution, please feel free to contact me.
ads