Chongqing

Chongqing is one of the world's largest cities with a population of around 30 million people. Most people visit at the beginning or end of their Yangtze Cruise, but the city has its own charms with some picturesque parks & temples, and the famous Sichuan cuisine. Now the Three Gorges Dam project is finished, the city sits on the banks of the world’s biggest reservoir. Chongqing is notable for its connection to the Kuomintang in the pre-Communist era and also for the local hotpot which could be one of the hottest dishes you will find in China. Spicy food lovers should take note! Some 100 miles north of Chongqing, you can find the famous Buddhist carvings at Dazu which have been compared to those at Datong, Luoyang & Dunhuang.