Pure pleasure to be lost in Chongqing!
Yes, it`s a labyrinth of streets & stairs...
Yes, it`s an orienteering nightmare (or dream ;)...
Yes, it`s up & down & up & down all the time...
And yes, map is often useless...
BUT...that`s exactly why it`s so cool!
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It`s fantastic street-life!
Samples of cool modern architecture!
Szechuan pepper (also known as huajiao - flower pepper) scent in the air wherever you go!
One side of Chongqing is developing Chinese city...
...bridges replacing historical cable car over the river (cable car still runs across Yangzi river) ...
...with historical sightseeing spots: People`s square
..old meeting new...
Chongqing Grand Theatre
..and the starting point of legendary Yangzi river cruises (that we were not that interested in)
Hongya cave - fusion of old looks & modern use: bars, restaurants...you name it!
The other side (my favourite) was experiencing street life of Chongqing that seems to flourish amidst all that development and is so very different from other big cities of China!!!
...wondering through the up & down maze of old, narrow streets ...(nowadays squeezed between modern skyscrapers)
...through old city wall gates...
...18 steps lane old area...
...watching local residents going on about their daily routines not disturbed by a random outsider like me...
Life is happening on the street!
Bird market
Another market
Parks are full of life, music and action!
One of the many "Bangbang soldiers": carrying whatever you need on their shoulders up & down those steep hills of Chongqing
Local cinema
TCM - Traditional Chinese medicine
TCM pharmacy: measure your pulse & get your your herbal mix ;)
...and just wonder around & take in all the cool, weird & funny things that China is so full of ;)
And then there is "FOREIGNERS` STREET"...
"Famous for the unique atmosphere blending various styles of cuisines, games, architecture around the world. Some bars and pubs are opened by the expatriates here. Don`t miss the world record breaking toilet"
...we sure did miss that :)))
...the only foreigners there were us ;)
...no signs of anything foreign (except for some imitations of world-famous landmarks)
Extremely loud, somewhat amusing & highly annoying "fun-park" with a very misleading name ;)
A MUST-TRY! The famous Chongqing Hot-Pot!
It is indeed quite hot even if you take a "mildly-hot" version of it - loved it :)
If a couple of years ago you asked me if I liked spicy food I would have said....
- mmm...maybe a little bit spicy is ok...
I you ask me now...
- yes I like it spicy :) (at least for a European I`ve definitely transporfmed into a true "spice girl" - blame it on China ;)
Bon appetit! ;)
