Chongqing is the economic hub of southwest China and the fourth municipality in China (after Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin). Chongqing became the fourth municipality in 1997, when it began to undergo accelerated development. It enjoys an average annual GDP increase of 9.5%, which is higher than the national average.

Chongqing is situated in the east of southwest China, about 2,500km up the Yangtze River from Shanghai. Under its jurisdiction there are 40 districts, cities and counties. It covers an area of 82,000 square kilometres with a total population of 31 million. Nearly 6 million people live in its urban core.

The downtown of Chongqing lies at the point where the Yangtze River and the Jialing River merge. Known as the Mountain City, the whole city is built against a backdrop of hills and water, characterized by zig-zagging roads and overlapping houses.

Chongqing belongs to sub-tropical monsoon climate. The features are warm winter, hot summer, early spring and short autumn. Annual average temperature is around 19.2 degree centigrade. The average lowest temperature is 6-8 degree centigrade in winter. The average highest temperature is 27-38 degree centigrade in summer and the extreme temperature can reach as high as 43.8 degree centigrade. Hence it has been nicknamed the Furnace City.

The three gorges of the Yangtze river

          Dazu rock carving       

Chaotianmen dock 

The great hall of the people     

         Monument for Liberation