Visit Chongqing, China

Chongqing is located in Southwest China and is the country’s largest city both in area and population. There are 30.2 million people in Chongqing, the majority of Han descent although there are 40 other ethnic groups such as the Tujia and Miao.

Formerly known as Chungking, the city was opened as a treaty port in 1890 and was the wartime capital for the Kuomintang during the 1930s and 40s. It’s developing rapidly again, now its own municipality, and shiny new buildings tower over dusty old grey ones.

The city sits in the heart of the country, on the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers, and is a convenient transport hub between the historic northern cities and the scenic south of the country.

Its stunning night skyline is best seen from the water as the skyscrapers cling to the mountain sides, and metro trains pass through jungle-vine clad apartment buildings. This city showcases 21st century, urban China like nowhere else. For all its science-fiction modernity, you’ll also find traditional Sichuan opera, steaming hot pot and spicy local cuisine on offer here.