The two hour drive northwest of Chongqing is well worth it when you get to explore the Dazu Grottoes, often considered some of the finnest Buddist cave sculptures in China. The term "Dazu Rock Carvings" encompasses over 100 cliff carvings containing 60,000 sculptures spread over 76 different places in Dazu County. Baoding Grotto is the largest and best taken care of site (thus under state protection). The craftsmanship of the carvings is generally best at Baoding and also at Beishan, both are 15 kilometres northeast of the county seat. The Dazu carvings were begun in the late Tang Dynasty (618 to 907) and continued in the Song Dynasty (960 to 1127). Chongqing guide | Chongqing attractions | Chongqing flights | Chongqing hotels | Chongqing tours and activities | Chongqing on the China Travel Blog more >>

Once the headquarters of the Communist party in their struggle against the Japanese in World War II, Red Cliff Village is now one of the finest revolutionary history museums in China. Zhou Enlai resided here for a few years. In August of 1945 the Japanese surrendered, Mao Zedong took part in peace talks here that lasted forty-two days.   more >>

At the base of Jinyun Shan with views of the Jialing River, the Northern Hot Springs are situated amidst a park that is also home to a 5th Buddhist temple. The park sprawls over ten hectares of land with hot springs, caves, man-made rock formations and Buddhist architecture. The spring water heats up to 32ºC (89.6ºF) and is renowned for easing muscle aches, rheumatism and arthritis. You can either bathe in an enormous communal pool or get your own private room. You can also rent swimsuits and bathrobes on site, in case you forgot your swimming trunks.    more >>

While being suspended above the Yangzi and Jialing Rivers or Chongqing's towering skyscrapers may not be everyone's cup of tea, there is a little bit of interesting history attached to the cable cars of Chongqing. They were built during the 1940s right around the time that the Communist Party was in town strategizing on how to overcome the invading Japanese. Only the Chaotianmen Cable Car remains today.  Up until a couple of decades ago these windlass powered cable cars were commonly used as a form of public transportation, but these days they are more of a tourist attraction.   more >>

Like many large Chinese cities, Chongqing looks prettier by night, when the twinkling lights hide the rusty rivers and the grayness of the polluted skies. The mountainous city is best viewed from the water. While the boat trip may lack for a bit of romance, if you pack a few beers, you are unlikely not notice that much.   more >>

High on the hill, looking out over a stretch of the Jialing River, the restored, Ming dynasty buildings of Ciqikou Ancient Town have an authentic feel even if they are not that "authentic" any more. In the area there are some lovely tea houses, restaurants, shops, and if you are lucky you can catch a live performance of traditional music in the area. Although there were once five temples here, now only Baolun Si remains and is in rather good condition, considering it was built over 1,500 years ago.   more >>

Arhat temple's (Luohan Si) location is a bit of a surprise—wedged tightly between skyscrapers and apartment blocks. The thousand-year-old building is still a place of worship and home to 18 monks (although once upon a time, 70 monks were in residence here). The main draw is the impressive entrance to the temple decorated with hundreds of terracotta sculptures. This site is worthwhile even for the non-pious. more >>

Jiefangbei (Liberation Monument) is the acknowledged center of the chaotic, sprawling metropolic of Chongqing. Cars anmd motorcycles are not allowed near the monument, so the whole plaza has turned into one big shopping mall spiced with eatieries and small drinking holes. The monument sits in the center of a circular plaza radiating pedestrian friendly walking streets in all directions. The the outer rim of the circular plaza stand a host of upscale hotels, including the J.W Marriot, the Hilton, Intercontinental and Howard Johnsons. Jiefangbei has many high end shopping areas and malls with all of the latest in fashion and technology as well as fast food and sit down restaurants serving spicy local dishes (and McDonalds is you just need some). The city center here is a good meeting place if you are headed to Chaotianmen Docks, Ciqikou Ancient Town or if you are just w... more >>