Sightseeing in Chongqing

China Travel Services

Chongqing Municipality is the largest industrial and economic center in southwestern China. Meaning "double celebrations" in Chinese, the city is the usual starting point for an exciting trip through the Three Gorges.

When to Go 　　

Known as one of China’s "Three Furnaces" (along with Wuhan and Nanjing), Chongqing gets unbearably hot during the summer, especially July and August (up to 43.8 degrees Celsius). The surrounding mountains seem to just trap the city’s heat. Visiting during any other season is recommended.

If you like the mysterious ambience a thick layer of fog creates, consider a spring or autumn visit. Also known as "Fog City" in addition to "Furnace", Chongqing is covered an average of sixty-eight days a year, usually in spring or autumn.

　　Geography 　　

Spread across a number of low hills (average elevation 400 meters), surrounded by mountains, and straddling the Yangtze River (or Changjiang in Chinese), which cuts through the mountainous land, Chongqing is a natural wonder.

The main feature of the downtown area is the hilly slopes, and travelers soon learn to get used to the feeling of going up and down, up and down. Locals compare the terrain to that of San Francisco.

At night climbing onto one of the less-populated hills affords panoramic views of the city’s night lights, contrasted with the natural lights of a sky full of stars, and moonlight reflected in the sparkling river.

But it is to cruise down China’s longest river, the Yangtze, passing through the famous Three Gorges that most tourists come to Chongqing. With over a hundred cruise ships that begin their itineraries at the city, there is no better place to start a Three Gorges river tour.

The Three Gorges 　　

Located along a 193-km-long stretch of the Yangtze River downstream from Chongqing are the Three Gorges, consisting of the Qutang, Wu, and Xi gorges. Though the most recent completed phase (completed in 2003) of the Three Gorges Dam Project has raised water levels to 135 meters above sea level, the gorges are tall enough that the experience of gazing at the natural landforms remains little changed. Manmade features at their bases, however, have had to be either moved or recreated.

Qutang Gorge: The first gorge visitors come to is Qutang Gorge. Considered the most majestic of the three due to large expanses of cliff side and the backdrops of Chijia and Baiyan mountains, it whets the appetite of gorge goers.

The plank road (how people use to travel along the gorge) has been moved to 175 meters above sea level.

Wu Gorge:The 42-kilometer-long Wu Gorge, considered the most beautiful of the three, starts at the mouth of the Daning River and ends at the Guandu Ferry. It forces the Yangtze to narrow at its entrance; where the river begins to snake between the Wu’s sheer cliffs. The well-known Twelve Peaks of Wushan, resembling 12 fairies, lie on both sides of the river.

The Kong Ming stone stele will have to be re-carved at a higher location.

Xiling Gorge:Zigzaging for 73 kilometers, the Xiling Gorge boasts many dangerous rapids, which is why it is considered the most ferocious of the Three Gorges. It’s incredibly thrilling to boat down this stretch of rushing river, which is why the experience has been the inspiration of numerous poetic works.

The Lesser Three Gorges 　　

Most tourist trips through the Three Gorges include a trip through the Lesser Three Gorges – Longmen, Bawu, and Dicui gorges. (The beauty of the Longmen and Bawu gorges has been lessened with the rising waters; Dicui has not changed.)

Located along a 60-kilometer stretch of the Daning River, which empties into the Yangtze at the entrance to the Wu Gorge, many say the Lesser Gorges are more spectacular than the Three Gorges. The experience is different. Being on the Daning is arguably more enjoyable than seeing the Lesser Gorges. Visitors must switch to smaller boats at the junction of the two rivers to navigate the Daning. Therefore, you can put your hands in the crystal-clear waters while a local boatman pilots a course through the swift rapids. And there are monkeys playing in the trees along the riverbank.