After alighting the Yangzi river vessel, we met up with our transport (and driver) to brave a rough ride to Chonquing station. There were many twists and turns and lumps and bumps on the way there, as well as someone 'passing wind' (ie farting) on the bus (I wouldn't be surprised if the driver was the culprit). However, Chonquing was a 'thriving metropolis' and there was no shortage of shops (to buy groceries) and restaurants while waiting for the train. Between there and Chengdu is a three-hour train journey.

Chongqing is really unique cos it's 3-dimensional. the whole city is divided into several levels due to its hilly landscape. Chongqing is a very commercial and prosperous city, it never sleeps. at night, colorful neon lights decorate this city so beautiful, though I've been to shanghai before, i don't think the night in shanghai is more beautiful than that in Chongqing, fantastic, incredible, spectacular! however, i don't like the weather here, very changeable, wet, cloudy, foggy, and the sun seldom comes out in winter, but in summer, the scorching sunlight will make you dizzy. all in all, it's very worthy taking a trip here, very different city

Chongqing is quite different to your typical Chinese city (if there is such a thing): It is very hilly, so there are no bicycles (!). Due to the constant fog, it can be quite dark and mirky - and it's incredibly humid. But I still loved the genuine feel of the whole place. The people are very nice, the food is hot and divine and there is so much to discover in the little backstreets. Ciqikou is a little Ming dynasty village in the outskirts. If you speak a little Chinese you can go there with the normal bus which takes about an hour, is really cheap - and you just have to make the experience of traveling right between skyscrapers squeezed into a rattling old monster of a bus filled to the brim with people, animals and sacks of rice and furniture. Anyway, if you love big Chinese cities, love breathing the soul of them but want a place where you're not over rolled by European and American tourist groups with obnoxious tour guides, Chongqing is a cool place to go.