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Chongqing

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Chongqing is a huge city in southwestern China.

Chongqing Map
Chongqing Map

It is a special kind of place called a direct-administered municipality. This means it is run directly by the central government. It is one of only four such places in China. The others are Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin. Chongqing is unique because it sits deep inland.

Chongqing Map
Chongqing Map

The area is very large, almost the size of Austria. It includes many different urban areas and rural lands. Because it is so big, it has over 30 million people.

A View of Chongqing Central Business District
A View of Chongqing Central Business District

This makes it the largest city proper in the world by population.

The land in Chongqing is full of movement and shape.

Chongqing Map
Chongqing Map

It sits between the Sichuan Basin and the Yangtze River plains. The ground is not flat at all. Instead, it is filled with mountains, hills, and steep slopes.

重慶城市景觀
重慶城市景觀

You might see stone forests or deep limestone caves. This type of rocky land is called a karst landscape.

Wulongtianshengsanqiao
Wulongtianshengsanqiao

One famous spot is the Wulong Karst with its Three Natural Bridges.

Wulongtianshengsanqiao
Wulongtianshengsanqiao

Rivers are also everywhere in this region. The Yangtze River flows from west to east through the whole area.

Dusk on the Yangtze River
Dusk on the Yangtze River

The Jialing River also flows into the Yangtze here.

Dusk on the Yangtze River
Dusk on the Yangtze River

Chongqing has a very long and busy history.

重慶城市景觀
重慶城市景觀

Long ago, it was the capital of the Wuzai Kingdom. Later, it was known as Jiangzhou during the Qin dynasty. The name Chongqing was given in 1189. This was to celebrate a "double celebration" for an emperor.

重慶城市景觀
重慶城市景觀

During the Second Sino-Japanese War, the city was very important. It served as the wartime capital for the Republic of China.

China from the Eyes of the Flying Tigers 1944-1945 57
China from the Eyes of the Flying Tigers 1944-1945 57

Many people lived in air-raid shelters to stay safe. Because of the brave people who lived there, it is called the "City of Heroes."

重慶城內的教堂
重慶城內的教堂

Today, Chongqing is a very modern and busy place.

A Sunset View of Chongqing Central Business District
A Sunset View of Chongqing Central Business District

It is a major center for science and research. The city is also home to many big universities.

重慶大学3
重慶大学3

One of its most famous features is the monorail system.

A train of Chongqing Rail Transit Line 2 coming through a residential building at Liziba
A train of Chongqing Rail Transit Line 2 coming through a residential building at Liziba

This system is the longest and busiest in the world. It has 70 stations in total.

A train of Chongqing Rail Transit Line 2 coming through a residential building at Liziba
A train of Chongqing Rail Transit Line 2 coming through a residential building at Liziba

The city also has a very large airport.

B-2343 - Chongqing Airlines - Airbus A320-233 - CKG (9616378536)
B-2343 - Chongqing Airlines - Airbus A320-233 - CKG (9616378536)

It is the second-busiest airport in all of China.

Chongqing connects many parts of the country together.

Chongqing Map
Chongqing Map

It is a key part of the Yangtze River Economic Belt. It also helps with the Belt and Road Initiative.

Chaotianmen Yangtze River Bridge
Chaotianmen Yangtze River Bridge

The city is a major hub for making cars, too. Changan Automobile is based right here.

A View of Chongqing Central Business District
A View of Chongqing Central Business District

Many people visit to see the beautiful views. They might see the sunset over the central business district.

A Sunset View of Chongqing Central Business District
A Sunset View of Chongqing Central Business District

Or they might watch the fog roll in over the city.

Chongqing in fog 20140822
Chongqing in fog 20140822

It is a place where nature and big cities meet.

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🖼️ Images & Media (33)
File:China from the Eyes of the Flying Tigers 1944-1945 57.jpg
China from the Eyes of the Flying Tigers...
File:重慶城市景觀.jpg
重慶城市景觀.jpg
File:重慶城內的教堂.jpg
重慶城內的教堂.jpg
File:A Sunset View of Chongqing Central Business District.jpg
A Sunset View of Chongqing Central...
File:Chongqing Map Alt2.png
Chongqing Map Alt2.png
File:Txu-oclc-10552568-nh48-12.jpg
Txu-oclc-10552568-nh48-12.jpg
File:Chongqing Map.png
Chongqing Map.png
File:Three Gorges Fengjie - Mapillary (mkhHcHvG67RUe3kO72ZRq4).jpg
Three Gorges Fengjie - Mapillary...
File:Baidicheng view Fengjie - Mapillary (ZsSRPZW9wVqEzptb5peJrY).jpg
Baidicheng view Fengjie - Mapillary...
File:Wulongtianshengsanqiao.JPG
Wulongtianshengsanqiao.JPG
File:Chongqing in fog 20140822.jpg
Chongqing in fog 20140822.jpg
File:Chongqing Great Hall of the People 2017.jpg
Chongqing Great Hall of the People 2017.jpg

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