City Introduction

Called Yu for short, Chongqing is situated in the east of southwest region of China, and in the upper reach of Changjiang River. It is the central municipality with the largest area, widest administrative jurisdiction and the most population. The administrative jurisdiction of Chongqing is mainly distributed along Changjiang River, and is mainly composed of the hills and low mountains. The urban area of Chongqing Municipality is situated in the intersection of Changjiang River and Jialing River, surrounded by the mountains and river water in four sides. Chongqing is nestled between waters and mountains one after another, enjoying the names of “River City” and “Mountain City”. The nightscape of Chongqing is particularly famous. From the high place, the lamps of a myriad families are arranged irregularly; the silvery afterglow comes and goes, and echoes with the sparkling water and the star-studded sky, creating the conspicuous and intoxicating scenes. With the history of three thousand years, Chongqing is rich with tourism resources, integrating beautiful natural landscape of mountain, water, forest, spring, waterfall, valley and cave, and also has the thick cultural landscape integrating Bayu culture, nationality culture, immigrant culture, Three Gorges culture, alternate capital culture and city culture. In Chongqing, there are more than 300 natural and humanistic scenic spots, including 1 world cultural heritage, 1 world natural heritage, 13 National Key Cultural Relics under Government Preservation, and 6 national key scenic spots. Chongqing is one of the main representative regions for Sichuan Cuisine, and the hot pot originating from Chongqing enjoys widespread renown. Magnificent and grand Three Gorges, resplendent and colorful Chongqing nightscape, beautiful and inviting Furong River, and amazing and volcanic Chongqing Hot-Pot have become the important tourist resources in Chongqing.

 

 

 

 

History and Culture

Bayu culture originates in Chongqing, and the written records can trace back to three thousand years ago. In 583, Emperor Wen of Sui Yang Jian set Yu Prefecture. Thus, the name “Yu” of Chongqing got its source. In 1189, Emperor Guangzong of Song Zhao Dun set “Chongqing Province” here, thus Chongqing got its name with the meaning of Double Celebration. Chongqing opened the port on March 31 of the Sixteenth Year of Guangxu Period of Qing Dynasty (1890), when “Additional Articles to Chefoo Convention” was signed between China and United Kingdom, Chongqing became the commercial port. On October 30, 1937, the Nationalist government decided to move the capital to Chongqing and take Chongqing as the capital during the war period. In 1939, Chongqing was changed into the municipality, and in 1940, Chongqing was fixed as “Alternate Capital”, with the expansion of the urban area into 164km2. In 1992, Chongqing was determined as one of the open cities along the Changjiang River. In September 1996, the central government approved Chongqing to take over Wanxiang City (now Wanzhou City), Fuling City and Qianjiang Region. On March 14, 1997, after the approval through the review on the Fifth Session of the Eighth National People's Congress, Chongqing recovered its status as the municipality directly under the central government, and was officially launched on June 18, 1997. Chongqing became the fourth municipality under the central government after Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai. It is also the only municipality in the west of China under the central government, thus turning a new page in the history of construction and development of Chongqing.    

 

 

 

 

Natural Environment

Chongqing is situated in the southwest of China, in the upper reach of Changjiang River, and is surrounded by Daba Mountain, Wushan Mountain, Wuling Mountain and Dalou Mountain on the north, south and east. With hills and mountainous as the main topographical features and with a large slope area, Chongqing enjoys the name of “Mountain City”. The terrain of Chongqing decreases from north-south to Changjiang River valley, mainly has hills and low mountains in the northwest and middle part, has Daba Mountain on the northeast and Wuling Mountain on the southeast.

 

 

 

 

Climate

Main climatic characteristics in Chongqing City can be summarized as: warm in winter, early in spring, hot in summer and cool in autumn, long frost-free period; humid air, abundant precipitation; weak solar radiation, short sunlight time; much cloud and fog, little frost and snow; light, temperature and water being in the same climate, outstanding vertical climate, rich climatic resources and frequent meteorological disasters.

 

 

 

 

Useful Information

The plateau region in the northwest of Sichuan Province has high altitude, so it is required to take the rain gear and common drugs. Because of big temperature difference between morning and evening, it is required to prepare the clothes against the cold. In the region with high altitude, it is not proper to make fierce movement, walk quickly, run, or make any physical labor. It is proper to drink little liquor and have more vegetables and fruits, so as to prevent the altitude effect. For the aged and the weak, it is required to prepare the common drugs, and it is better to prepare small-sized oxygen bottle (which may be purchased in Chengdu). There is large temperature difference in the nighttime in the scenic spots. So it is required to prepare enough clothes against the cold, and prepare the common drugs. Please respect the life and beliefs of the local nationalities, avoid the conflict with local residents; and it is better to listen to the suggestions of the tour guide during the shopping, so as to avoid unnecessary disputes.

Best visiting months for travelers: March, April, May, September, October, November and December Best travel period: Spring and winter. Pleasant temperature. Recommended travel time: 3-7 days

Information of Embassy and Consulate

Japan Consulate General in Chongqing F37, Metropolis Center, No. 68, Zourong Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing City Consulate General of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Chongqing F28, Metropolis Center, No. 68, Zourong Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing City Consulate General of the Kingdom of Cambodia in Chongqing 1902, Block A, No. 9, Yanghe Road, Jiangbei District, Chongqing City Consulate of Canada in Chongqing F17, Metropolis Center, Wuyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing City Consulate of the Kingdom of Denmark in Chongqing No. 1, F31, Metropolis Center, No. 68, Zourong Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing City

 

 

 

 

Visa Information

Foreigners have to apply for a Chinese visa before their visit to China. Unless the exemption of visa provided in related treaties or provisions thereof, foreigners need to obtain a Chinese visa before entering China. Prior to their visit to China, foreigners should check whether the visa is valid. If the visa expires or there is the insufficient number of entry, they should re-apply for a new visa. (I) Validation of Visa (EnterBefore): It means the period of validity of the visa itself, from the date of issuance of the visa to the date of its holder allowed to enter China (subject to Beijing time). If the number of entry is still not used before the expiry date (including the day), the holder may enter the country. (II) ""Entries"": It means how many times the visa holder may be allowed to enter the Chinese borders during the valid period. If entries run out or entries don’t run out but go beyond the valid period, then the visa still becomes invalid. Prior to their visit to China, they shall re-apply for a new visa. If the holder enters China with an invalid visa, he or she will be refused to enter the country. (III) Duration of Each Stay: It means the maximum number of days for which the holder is allowed to stay in China during each entry, which is the longest duration calculated from the date of entry, to allow the holder to stay in China. Foreigners staying in China if exceeds the permitted period of stay without handling the visa extension formalities, will be fined or punished in a violation of ""The Exit and Entry Administration Law for Foreigners of People's Republic of China"" and ""Implementing Rules on the Exit and Entry Administration Law for Foreigners of People's Republic of China"" and other relevant laws and regulations. Therefore, in case the holder stays in China beyond the permitted period of stay in the visa, he or she must apply for an extension by going to a local public security organ at county level or above prior to the expiry date of the visa (for the specific requirements, please refer to the local public security organ website) (but is not necessarily approved). Chinese embassies and consulates abroad are responsible to handle no visa extension.  

 

 

 

 

Currency Exchange

Use the currency of Renmingbi. In case of currency exchange, please check real-time daily RMB foreign exchange rates.   

 

 

 

 

Religion

None  

 

 

 

 

Tourism Service Number

Tourism Complaint Hotline of Chongqing: 96927, 023-63890134; Chongqing Tourism Bureau Tel.: 023-63236006; Chongqing Emergency Medical Center Tel.: 023-63625529 

 

 

 

 

Notes

1. It is very hot in summer in Chongqing. It is recommended to bring some drugs for preventing sunstroke. 2. There are many one-way lanes in many places of Chongqing. The return station might be very far. So it is better to notice the signboards beside the stations. 3. It is easy to take taxi in Chongqing. If you are not familiar with the routes, it is better to take taxi. 4. The foods in Chongqing are mainly hot and spicy. The tourists not accustomed to the hot and spicy taste may bring some drugs for downbearing fire, to prevent getting excessive internal heat. 5. There are many mountainous roads in Chongqing. It will be very toilsome to climb up and walk down the slopes because this needs many physical efforts.

 

 

 

 

Festivals (Important/ Historical/ Folk Ones)

Ciqikou Temple Fair Date: Chinese Spring Festival, Sakyamuni Birthday, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Birthday Chongqing Three Gorges International Tourism Festival Date: About “May 1” every year It was created in 1993, with the aim to “Disseminate the city image of Chongqing, improve the famousness and reputation of the tourism in Chongqing and Three Gorges, and strengthen the tourism exchange and cooperation between Chongqing and other regions at home and abroad”. Chongqing International Beer Festival Date: Every summer It is a cultural festival activity integrating drinking, carnival, cultural appreciation, relieving summer heat and enjoying the cool, and beer brand evaluation; therefore, it is also called as Munich Beer Festival of Chongqing.