Chongqing is a sprawling municipality in southwest China built on hills and cliffs at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers. Often called a '3D city' for its stacked roads, sky bridges, and buildings that appear to grow directly out of cliffsides, Chongqing is famous for its spicy hotpot, dramatic river views, and a public transit network that runs through the middle of an apartment tower at Liziba Station. As one of China's four direct-administered municipalities, it functions as both a city and a province-level region covering a vast, mostly mountainous territory.
Chongqing's history runs from the Ba Kingdom capital conquered by Qin in 316 BC, through its 1189 renaming under the Southern Song, its 1891 opening as a Yangtze treaty port, its years as China's wartime capital under bombardment from 1937 to 1946, and its 1997 establishment as the fourth municipality placed under direct central-government administration.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Chongqing.
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1
Qin Conquest of Ba
The State of Qin conquers the Ba Kingdom, whose capital sat at the site of present-day Chongqing, bringing the region under centralized Chinese administration
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2
City Named Chongqing
Emperor Guangzong of the Southern Song dynasty, who had been enfeoffed as both Prince of Gong and Emperor in the same year, renames the city Chongqing, meaning 'Double Celebration'
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3
Opened as a Treaty Port
Under the terms of the 1876 Chefoo (Yantai) Convention, Chongqing opens to foreign trade, and Britain establishes a consulate, drawing Western commercial interests up the Yangtze
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4
Wartime Capital of the Republic of China
After the fall of Nanjing, the Nationalist government relocates to Chongqing, which serves as China's wartime capital through the Second Sino-Japanese War
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5
Bombing of Chongqing
Japanese air raids target the wartime capital for years, killing thousands of civilians and driving the construction of an extensive network of air-raid shelters and tunnels across the hillside city
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6
Eighth Route Army Office at Hongyan Village
The Chinese Communist Party maintains a liaison office at Hongyan Village under Zhou Enlai during the Second United Front with the Nationalists against Japan
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7
Liberation of Chongqing
The People's Liberation Army takes Chongqing near the end of the Chinese Civil War
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8
Completion of the People's Great Hall
The Chongqing People's Great Hall (Renmin Auditorium) is completed after three years of construction, becoming the city's architectural emblem
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9
Dazu Rock Carvings Inscribed by UNESCO
The Tang- and Song-dynasty Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian rock carvings at Dazu, in Chongqing's western outskirts, are added to the UNESCO World Heritage List
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10
Chongqing Becomes a Direct-Administered Municipality
The National People's Congress separates Chongqing from Sichuan province, establishing it as the fourth municipality under direct central government administration, alongside Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin
Historical sites
Places where Chongqing's past comes alive.
Huguang Guild Hall
Where: Yuzhong District, Chongqing
Admission: ¥30 (approx $4.20); seniors 60-64 and students half price ¥15 (approx $2.10); free under 1.2m tall, for seniors over 65 and active military with ID
Stilwell Museum
Where: Yuzhong District, Chongqing
Admission: ¥15 (approx $2.10); discounted rate available
Ciqikou Ancient Town
Where: Shapingba District, Chongqing
Admission: Free to enter the town; Zhong's Courtyard ¥10 (approx $1.40); Baolun Temple ¥5 (approx $0.70)
Zhongshan Fourth Road
Where: Yuzhong District, Chongqing
Admission: Free
Chongqing People's Great Hall (Renmin Auditorium)
Where: Yuzhong District, Chongqing
Admission: ¥10 (approx $1.40); online reservation required in advance
Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum
Where: Yuzhong District, Chongqing
Admission: Free; online reservation via WeChat mini-program required 1-7 days in advance
Shibaozhai
Where: Zhong County, Chongqing
Admission: ¥50 (approx $7); seniors 60+ half price; free under 1.3m tall
Dazu Rock Carvings (Baodingshan and Beishan)
Where: Dazu District, Chongqing
Admission: Baodingshan ¥115 Mar-Nov / ¥110 Dec-Feb (approx $16 / $15.50); Beishan ¥70 Mar-Nov / ¥50 Dec-Feb (approx $9.80 / $7); free under 1.2m tall
Hongyan Revolutionary History Museum (Red Crag Village)
Where: Yuzhong District, Chongqing
Admission: Free
Eling Park
Where: Yuzhong District, Chongqing
Admission: Free; small attractions inside may charge a separate fee