Devising the perfect China tour can certainly be a challenging task. The country is so big and there are so many cities that it may be difficult to go everywhere you want to visit. When deciding where to go, you should make a point to add Chongqing to the list. The centrally-located city has become a popular tourist destination in recent years and should not be missed by anyone taking a tour of China.
In recent years China has grabbed headlines because of its rapid modernization, and that is on display in Chongqing, a city of about 30 million located at the confluence of the Yangzi and Jialing Rivers. There is plenty to do around Chongqing, whether you're interested in taking in its many impressive skyscrapers, touring its museums or learning a thing or two about the city's lengthy history.
With one look at the Chongqing skyline, it's clear that this is a city on the rise, and nowhere is that more evident than with the New York New York Tower. Completed in 2004, this enormous building stands as a testament to the city's commercial importance. The skyscraper is about 748 feet tall and pays tribute to the Big Apple's most famous structures, including the Empire State Building.
The New York New York Tower may represent the modernization of Chongqing, but there are plenty of sights in the city that stand out as evidence of its lengthy history, including the famous Luohan Temple. Originally built around 1,000 years ago, the Buddhist temple has a few areas you should be sure to visit such as the Four Guardians of the World, Depository of Buddhist Texts and the Meditation Room.
You would also be remiss if you left Chongqing without first paying a visit to one of the city's many museums. Whatever destination you choose will surely leave you impressed, but the Three Gorges Museum tends to stand above the rest. Opened in 2005, the expansive museum contains more than 170,000 artifacts that offer a glimpse into the storied history of China.
A trip to China will bring you through one of the most diverse countries in the world, and stopping in Chongqing will certainly leave a lasting impression, whether it's the newly built skyscrapers or the centuries-old relics.
