Chongqing is a major city in Southwest China and one of the five national central cities in China. Administratively, it is one of China’s four direct-controlled municipalities, and the only such municipality in inland China. Chongqing is the largest direct-controlled municipality in China, and comprises 21 districts, 13 counties, and 4 autonomous counties. Chongqing has a significant history and culture and serves as the economic center of the upstream Yangtze basin. It is a major manufacturing center and transportation hub; a July 2012 report by the Economist Intelligence Unit described it as one of China’s “13 emerging megacities”.
History
Chongqing’s history extends back at least 3,000 years, endowing it with much historical and cultural significance and is the birthplace of Bayu culture. In 1891 Chongqing became an open port, and in 1929 Chongqing was officially declared a city. In 1954 Chongqing became a city under the jurisdiction of the Sichuan Provincial Government. In 1992, Chongqing became a riparian open city. On March 14, 1997, Chongqing became China’s fourth municipality directly under the central government, the only one in west China, opening a new chapter in the history of Chongqing.
Economy, Finance, Trade and Industry
The economy of Chongqing, China, has developed rapidly during the 21st century. The West Triangle Economic Zone is an economic zone designated by the Chinese government comprising Chengdu, Chongqing, and Xi’an. Created as part of the China Western Development strategy, the zone contributes nearly 40% of Western China’s GDP. In addition, Chongqing is one of China’s five National Central Cities. A large central business district is being constructed in the center of the city of Chongqing, in Jiangbeizui CBD, with high-rise skyscrapers, due to be completed in 2018. The Zhongxian–Wuhan Pipeline is a natural gas pipeline, connecting Chongqing and Sichuan gas fields with consumers in Hubei and Hunan provinces. The Three Gorges Dam is a major source of hydroelectric power in the region.
Chongqing has diverse and competitive industrial sectors as well as a good supplier network. Chongqing was one of China’s industrial bases and now is strengthening its five backbone industries: automobile & motorcycle, chemical & pharmaceutical, construction & building material, food, and tourism. Chongqing is also expediting the development of the high-tech industries: IT, bioengineering and environmental protection.
Infrastructure
Chongqing is the only transportation hub in West China that integrates water, land, and air transportation. Several trunk railways and artery expressways meet in Chongqing. Fleets of three thousand-ton ships can reach Chongqing port along the Yangtze. Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport is one of China’s major airports. Chongqing is one of the load centers of the State Grid in West China. Chongqing has a highly reliable energy supply thanks to the abundant local output of coal and natural gas.
Geographical Location and Pleasant Climate
Known as the Mountain City, Chongqing is distinguished from other cities with the prominent feature that it is a city in three dimensions. The central skyline from Chaotianmen in the east runs west along Pipa Mountain, Eling Park, Fotuguan Pass, Hutouyan Mountain, The city, crisscrossed with gullies, is surrounded by mountains on three sides. The average altitude of the city is 400 meters above sea level.
Climatic features of Chongqing can be summarized like this: spring comes early, but the temperature is changeable; summer is very hot and often dry; autumn is cool but often wet, and winter is mild, foggy and without snow.
Excellent Education
Chongqing has a large pool of R&D talents in 1,000 more institutions and 34 universities and colleges. Over 600,000 people are engaged in R&D or technical work.
Population: 30 million
Temperature: average 18°C (64.4°F)
Tourist Attractions:
The largest business centre of the city, Jiefangbei, or the People’s Liberation Monument, formerly known as the Monument of Victory in the War of Resistance, a 27.5 meter high structure, was renamed and had its new name inscribed by Liu Bocheng on October 1, 1950. More than 300,000 people visit this area every day on the average, and on holidays the figure may exceed 900,000. This is the busiest part of downtown Chongqing.
The ancient town of Ciqikou in Shapingba district has a history of over a thousand years. As it was noted for its products of blue porcelain and colored porcelain, the town was named Ciqikou, “a river port of porcelain”.
Hongyadong is located in the downtown of Chongqing by the riverside of Jialing River. It used to be one of the top eight ancient sceneries. Hongyadong has a very special construction feature which is built on hillside and by riverside, with one side of the house resting on rocks while the other three sides supported by wooden or bamboo poles.
