It is a region of many faces. Manufacturing, culture, industry, and trade all meet in Chongqing, creating a nexus for the Chinese economy and a home for an estimated 32 million people across the entire municipality. Keep in mind that includes both the rural and vast urban populations.
Despite this, the region doesn't attract as much outside attention as it should. What separates Chongqing from other major Chinese municipalities like Beijing is the fact that it is a long ways inland. That distance from the coast and other major cities may make it a less desirable tourism choice.
Hopefully, that begins to change. Chongqing municipality has a lot to offer visitors. That includes a rich city life full of incredible food, museums, and history to more rural regions bursting with natural beauty to explore. This is a once in a lifetime destination that few seem to be talking about.
The road to Chongqing
Resting on the banks of the Yangtze River, Chongqing isn't just key to finance and manufacturing in China. It's also plays a central role in its transportation profile. Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport is there, which is the second busiest in China not to mention one of the busiest in the world.
However you get to Chongqing, navigating the megacity a feat in itself. Many major buildings and neighborhoods are borderline hanging off cliffs, connected by roads that are multiple storeys in the air and trains that pass through mountains and buildings alike.
This city seems impossible yet it is extremely real, all at the same time. For the people who live and work in Chongqing, this is just how life is. It's the daily normal. For tourists, it is an awe-inspiring multi-level experience that boggles the mind with so much to see and do.
The Chongqing experience
What is so compelling about Chongqing is how fast your experience can go from urban to nature. There are numerous cruises of the Yangtze not to mention incredible parks and natural preserves such as Wansheng Heishan Valley and Simian Mountain.
In the city, Hongya Cave, Ciqikou, and E'ling Park offer different ways to experience Chongqing. Chaotianmen Square provides one of the best views of the city when lit up at night. There are also numerous temples, including the Fengdu Ghost City which is outside of the city.
Despite all of this, the number of visitors heading to Chongqing numbers in the tens of thousands. This pales in comparison to Beijing which welcomes millions of tourists every year from around the world. Perhaps 2025 is the year that more trips to China include stays in Chongqing.