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 walking around looking for a place to deal with the searing Chongqing heat.

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