Chongqing is a port city with the largest municipal
area and population in China. It is situated in the upper reaches
of the Yangtze River at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing
Rivers in southwest China. With an area of 82,400 square kilometers
(31, 800 square miles), Chongqing shares borders with the provinces
of Hubei, Hunan, Guizhou, Sichuan, and Shaanxi. Besides the
Han who form the majority of its total population of 30.9 million,
numerous ethnic groups reside in Chongqing, including Yi, Tibetan,
Miao, Qiang, You and Tujia.
Since its founding 3,000 years ago, Chongqing has been called
Jiangzhou, Yuzhou, and Gongzhou, before getting its present
name nearly 800 years ago. Since the Qin Dynasty (221 BC-206
BC), many dynasties have set up administrative institutions
that have endowed the city with brilliant cultures. Perched
beside the Yangtze, the "Golden River," Chongqing
symbolizes Yangtze River civilizations and is the cradle of
Bayu culture.
Today, Chongqing is a modern city, China's fourth municipality
after Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin. Within its borders Chongqing
encompasses a wealth of water reserves, mineral resources, dense
forests, and abundant flora and fauna. The focal point of the
unique Yangtze Three Gorges Dam, Chongqing is a tourist attraction
as well as a commercial city.
Chongqing attracts visitors from home and abroad for its cultural
heritage and other tourist attractions. The city is the starting
point for the Yangtze River Cruise, which explores the stunning
scenery of the Three Gorges. Other attractions include the Dazu
Rock Carvings , valuable works of art carved during the Ninth
Century, Gold Buddhist Mountain, a rich repository of diverse
animals and plants; and Fishing Town, one of three ancient battlefields
in China. Ancient Ci Qi Kou village lures tourists to linger
in its streets to buy handicraft souvenirs.
Chongqing is famous for its hot Sichuan cuisine and world-famous
hotpot dishes. Street vendors as well as restaurants feature
exciting spicy delicacies for the adventurers.
Servicing western China, Chongqing provides convenient water,
land, and air transportation. Hundreds of star-ranked hotels
provide excellent facilities and services. Chongqing is ready
to be the pilot in the Western China Development to usher in
more investors and visitors.