Chongqing. A Hotpot Journey.

Our journey began at Jiefangbei. This is the city center of Chongqing and one of its landmarks. The area around Jiefangbei is filled with skyscrapers, various shopping malls, and restaurants, creating a bustling atmosphere that is hard to leave. In the evening, the lights on both sides of the street shine brightly, making the whole city seem illuminated. Next, we headed to Hongya Cave. This stilted building complex built along the mountain is another famous attraction in Chongqing. At night, Hongya Cave is brightly lit, and the ancient-style buildings look particularly charming under the lights. Walking through the alleys of Hongya Cave, we felt the rich Bayu culture and tasted authentic Chongqing snacks like spicy hot pot and sour and spicy noodles, which left a lasting impression. In addition, we visited the Yangtze River Cableway in Chongqing. This cableway crossing the Yangtze River is known as the 'Air Corridor.' While riding the cableway, we could overlook the magnificent scenery on both sides of the Yangtze River. The surging river and the towering buildings on both sides provided a unique perspective that was refreshing. We also toured Ciqikou Ancient Town. This ancient town retains a large number of Ming and Qing dynasty buildings, with crisscrossing alleys and an ancient charm. The handicraft shops, teahouses, and snack stalls here gave us a sense of a simple lifestyle. Walking through the ancient town felt like traveling back in time, offering a unique flavor. Chongqing's cuisine is also an indispensable part of the journey. Hotpot is Chongqing's signature dish. We went to a local hotpot restaurant (Pipa Garden) - it takes 40 minutes to drive up the mountain, but the scenery is pleasant and the night view is fantastic - and experienced authentic spicy hotpot. The strong spicy flavor left a lingering taste that was unforgettable. This trip to Chongqing not only showed me the city's prosperity and modernization but also allowed me to experience its historical and cultural heritage. Chongqing's unique charm made me fall deeply in love with this city, and I look forward to returning one day to explore more unknown wonders.