Chongqing Attractions

Landmarks

Za Zi Dong

This is one of two Guomingdang prisons located in Shapingba, the other being Bai Gong Guan. Both are located at the base of Ge Le Mountain in Lie Shi Mu. Za Zi Dong offers a unique look at a 1940's era prison and the horrors that took place there when nearly 300 communist political prisoners were massacred at the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949. The entire area was also once the location of the Sino American Cooperative Organization (SACO), a camp where Jiang Jie Shi's (Chang Kai Shek) elite troops were trained. Unfortunately the attrocities that took place and the American presence are often connected, while it's not universally agreed they are.

Red Crag Village (Hong Yan Cun)

Red Crag Village (Hong Yan Cun) is a very important tourism site in Chongqing. At least that is how the Culture Bureau which is located in Hong Yan Cun and the other government propoganda departments see it. This location is where the Chongqing Negotiations between Mao and Jiang (Chang) took place, and the historic aspect of the place is nice. To get to the history, you will have to go through an exhibition center which is worth going to only because it serves as a good reminder of how powerful the Chinese propoganda machine is.

Joseph Stilwell Residence

Not far from Red Crag Village is the former residence of Joseph Stilwell, who headed American operations in China during the Anti Japanese War. Stilwell is an impressive person, not only for his leadership ability but also for his understanding of China and Chinese culture (he could write in Chinese with a brush) His former residence is a small grey building that is full of interesting old black and white photos of whatnot.

Song Qing Ling's Residence
Another interesting site to visit (especially if your staying at the Hilton Hotel) is Song Qing Ling's former residence, from the period of the Second World War when Japan held much of China and Chongqing was the temporary capital.

There were three Song (also spelled Soong) sisters. The eldest married a businessman. Middle sister Qing Ling married Sun Yat Sen, the founder of modern China. She was herself an important political figure, especially after his death. The youngest married Chiang Kai Shek. A saying about them is "One loved money, one loved power, and one loved China". Qing Ling is the one who loved China. There is an interesting movie [2] with an English soundtrack and a book, "The Soong Dynasty" about the family.

This house wedged in between tall, ugly buildings is a nice German design (the original owner was an engineer who studied in Germany) that is not unlike many of the pre-liberation colonial architecture that can be found here and there in and around Chongqing. The house is located about 100 meters south of the main entrance to the Hilton Hotel.

Chongqing Old Town
Located in ShaPingBa, this is a few streets of Chongqing as it was, (and still is in some places). It is mostly comprised of small shops selling tourist stuff, but does lead down to the river where it is possible to board a restaurant boat. Several buses go there including 808 and 843. Worth a visit for a couple of hours.

Dazu Rock Carvings
Two hours west of Chongqing city in Chongqing Muncipality are the Dazu Rock Carvings. The spectacular Buddhist carvings date from the 9th to the 13th century and are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. The caves by reached by bus from the main bus station in Chongqing. For more information see the main Dazu Rock Carvings article.

 

Colleges and universities

Chongqing University (重庆大学) (founded in 1929)
Southwest University (西南大学)(founded in 1906)
[Chongqing Institute of Technology]] (重庆工学院)
Chongqing Jiaotong University (重庆交通学院)
Chongqing Normal University (重庆师范大学)
Chongqing Technology and Business University (重庆工商大学)
Chongqing Three Gorges University (重庆三峡学院)
Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications (重庆邮电学院)
Fuling Teachers College (涪陵师范学院)
Sichuan Fine Arts Institute (四川美术学院)
Sichuan International Studies University (四川外语学院)
Southwest University of Political Science and Law (西南政法大学)
Third Military Medical University (第三军医大学)
Western Chongqing University (渝西学院)
Chongqing University of Medical Sciences (重庆医科大学)
Chongqing University of Science and Technology (重庆科技学院)

Note: Institutions without full-time bachelor programs are not listed.