Chongqing (China)

Chongqing, which lies bordered by mountains at the point where the Yangtze and one of its main tributaries, the Jialing, meet, has long been referred to as the "mountain city", and today, with a population of more than 30 million (is that all!), it is the largest and most populous of China's four direct-controlled municipalities : Chongqing, Shanghai, Beijing and Tianjin. Both a large river port and a major industrial and commercial center, the municipality has one of the strongest growing economies and fastest growing populations in the country.

Chongqing is distinguished from all other Chinese towns and cities by its unique topography characterized by steep, craggy hills. Though sprawling and disproportionately large, it nevertheless has some interesting cultural sites and remnants of its past to offer, especially in the central urban area, which is built on a peninsular formed by the two rivers.

Chongqing also serves as the departure point for the spectacular Three Gorges cruise, which sails down the Yangtze River as far as Yichang, passing through the Qutang, Wu et Xiling gorges then the gigantic Three Gorges Dam along the way.