Chongqing: A Mountain Metropolis Where History and Modernity Collide

Perched at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers, Chongqing rises like a giant sculpture from the rugged landscapes of southwest China, its skyscrapers clinging to steep hillsides and its streets winding through valleys and over cliffs. Known as the “Mountain City” and the “Fog City,” this megalopolis of over 30 million people is a study in contrasts: ancient temples nestle between glass-and-steel towers, spicy street food stalls operate beneath futuristic transit systems, and centuries of history blend seamlessly with a relentless spirit of innovation. More than just a city, Chongqing is an experience—a sensory rush of sights, sounds, and flavors that captures the essence of China’s dynamic west.

Chongqing’s geography is its defining character. Surrounded by mountains and bisected by two mighty rivers, the city’s terrain has shaped its unique urban layout, where roads twist like ribbons around peaks, buildings stack vertically to save space, and elevators and pedestrian bridges serve as vital links between neighborhoods perched at wildly different elevations. This verticality creates a surreal, almost labyrinthine landscape: a street-level entrance in one part of the city might lead to the 10th floor of a building in another, while a short walk uphill can reveal a panoramic view of the river valleys below. The Yangtze and Jialing Rivers, which converge in the heart of the city, have not only sustained Chongqing economically—serving as key waterways for trade—but also add a dramatic natural backdrop, their waters reflecting the city’s lights at night in a glittering display.

The city’s history is as layered as its topography. Originally known as Ba, it was an ancient state during the Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BCE), later evolving into a strategic military and commercial hub due to its location at the crossroads of Sichuan, Hubei, and Guizhou. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, it flourished as a center for salt production and trade, its wealth evident in the ornate courtyard houses and guildhalls that still stand in areas like Ciqikou, a preserved ancient town on the banks of the Jialing River. Chongqing’s modern history is marked by its role as China’s wartime capital during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945), when government offices, universities, and refugees flocked to the city, protected by its mountainous terrain. Remnants of this era include the bomb shelters carved into the cliffs, the Former Site of the Provisional Government, and the Stilwell Museum, which commemorates the American general who aided China during the war.

Chongqing’s cultural identity is deeply tied to its status as a gateway to the Sichuan Basin, with a mix of Ba, Shu, and immigrant cultures creating a vibrant tapestry. Now the economic center of the Liangjiang New Area, it retains a strong sense of local pride, particularly in its culinary heritage. The city is the birthplace of hotpot—a communal feast of spicy broth bubbling with ingredients like beef tripe, duck intestines, and tofu, cooked at the table. The signature Sichuan peppercorns add a numbing heat that is both addictive and iconic, reflecting the city’s bold, unapologetic character. Street food is equally beloved, with vendors serving up xiaomian (small noodles) tossed in chili oil, chaoshou (wontons) in spicy sauce, and luwei (braised snacks) that fill the air with their rich aroma.

Modern Chongqing is a city in rapid transformation, its skyline punctuated by futuristic landmarks like the Chongqing Grand Theatre—shaped like a pair of giant sailing ships—and the Raffles City complex, with its eight interconnected towers and skybridge offering sweeping views. The city’s transit system is a marvel of engineering: monorails glide between buildings, cable cars (like the Yangtze River Cableway) ferry passengers across the rivers, and escalators (such as the Two Rivers Elevator) climb hundreds of meters up hillsides, making the mountainous terrain navigable. Yet amid this modernity, ancient traditions persist: locals gather in parks to practice tai chi at dawn, opera singers perform Sichuan opera with face-changing techniques in historic theaters, and festivals like the Dragon Boat Festival see teams racing on the rivers, their drums echoing through the valleys.

Chongqing’s natural beauty extends beyond its urban core. The nearby Three Gorges—Qutang, Wu, and Xiling—carved by the Yangtze River, are among China’s most spectacular natural wonders, with steep cliffs, mist-shrouded peaks, and historic sites like the White Emperor City. The Dazu Rock Carvings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located just outside the city, feature thousands of Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian statues carved into cliffs between the 7th and 13th centuries, a testament to the region’s religious and artistic legacy.

Chongqing is a city of contradictions and harmonies: it is ancient yet cutting-edge, rugged yet refined, chaotic yet full of warmth. It is the steam rising from a hotpot, the clatter of a monorail passing between apartment buildings, the tranquility of a temple hidden in a mountain valley, and the laughter of locals sharing stories on a riverfront promenade. To visit Chongqing is to embrace its complexity—to navigate its hills, savor its spices, and immerse oneself in a city that defies easy description, yet leaves an indelible impression. It is a mountain metropolis that rises, quite literally, above expectations, a place where every step reveals a new layer of its fascinating story.