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Chongqing: the story on HearLore | HearLore
Chongqing
Chongqing is the only city in the world where the urban core is built entirely on a mountainous peninsula, forcing its streets to twist and turn like a maze of concrete and steel. This unique geography, where the Yangtze and Jialing rivers converge to form a natural fortress, has shaped the city's identity for over two thousand years. The terrain is so rugged that the city is often called the 'Mountain City,' with buildings stacked vertically and roads that seem to defy gravity. The central urban area, known as Chongqing proper, spans approximately 547 square kilometers, yet it is crisscrossed by rivers and mountains, creating a landscape of steep slopes and deep valleys. The Daba Mountains stand in the north, the Wu Gorge in the east, the Wuling Mountains in the southeast, and the Dalou Mountains in the south, all contributing to the city's dramatic topography. This natural setting has not only influenced the city's architecture but also its culture, with residents adapting to the challenging environment by developing a unique way of life that emphasizes resilience and ingenuity. The city's nickname, 'Fog City,' is a testament to its climate, which features frequent monsoon conditions and high humidity, often shrouding the city in a thick layer of fog for 68 days per year. This fog, combined with the city's mountainous terrain, has historically provided a natural defense against invaders, playing a crucial role in the city's history as a wartime capital.
The Wartime Capital of Heroes
During the Second Sino-Japanese War, from 1937 to 1945, Chongqing served as the provisional capital of the Republic of China, a role that transformed it from an inland port into a heavily industrialized city. General Chiang Kai-shek and the remaining army lived there for a time following their retreat in 1938 from the previous capital of Wuhan, and the city was formally declared the wartime capital on the 6th of September 1940. The city suffered from continuous massive bombing campaigns by the Imperial Japanese Navy and Army Air Forces, with battles fought entirely by the Chinese Air Force squadrons and anti-aircraft artillery units. Many lives were saved by the air-raid shelters which took advantage of the mountainous terrain, and the city was acclaimed to be the 'City of Heroes' due to the indomitable spirits of its people as well as their contributions and sacrifices during the war. The city was also visited by Lord Louis Mountbatten, the Supreme Commander of the Southeast Asia Command, and Joseph Stilwell, one of the Allies' deputy commanders of operations in Southeast Asia. Chiang Kai-shek worked closely with Stilwell, and the city became a strategic center for many other wars throughout China's history. The city's role as a wartime capital was not just a military necessity but also a cultural and political one, as many factories and universities were relocated from eastern China and ultimately to Chongqing during years of setbacks in the war. The city's resilience during this period has left a lasting legacy, with many historic war-time buildings and sites still standing today, including the People's Liberation Monument, the General Joseph W. Stilwell Museum, and the Red Rock Village Museum, a diplomatic site for the Communist Party in Chongqing led by Zhou Enlai during World War II.
What is the official name of the municipality in southwestern China that became independent from Sichuan in 1997?
The official name is Chongqing Municipality. It was established on the 18th of June 1997 after the Eighth National People's Congress decided to merge the sub-provincial city with adjacent prefectures on the 14th of March 1997.
When did Chongqing serve as the provisional capital of the Republic of China during the Second Sino-Japanese War?
Chongqing served as the provisional capital from 1937 to 1945. The city was formally declared the wartime capital on the 6th of September 1940 after General Chiang Kai-shek and the army retreated from Wuhan in 1938.
How many days per year does Chongqing experience fog according to the script text?
Chongqing experiences fog for 68 days per year. The city is known as the Fog City due to its frequent monsoon conditions and high humidity that often shroud the area in a thick layer of fog.
Which monorail system in Chongqing is the world's longest and busiest?
The Chongqing Rail Transit Line 2 and Line 3 form the world's longest and busiest monorail system. This network includes 70 stations and connects the airport to the southern part of downtown.
What is the population of Chongqing Municipality as described in the text?
Chongqing Municipality contains 30,020,000 people in forty-three former counties. The urban population surpassed Shanghai as China's largest municipality by urban population in 2020 with 23.01 million residents.
On the 14th of March 1997, the Eighth National People's Congress decided to merge the sub-provincial city with adjacent Fuling, Wanxian, and Qianjiang prefectures that it had governed on behalf of the province since September 1996, and grant it independence from Sichuan. The resulting single entity became Chongqing Municipality, containing 30,020,000 people in forty-three former counties without intermediate political levels. The municipality became the spearhead of China's effort to develop its western regions and to coordinate the resettlement of residents from the reservoir areas of the Three Gorges Dam project. Its first official ceremony took place on the 18th of June 1997. This separation was a strategic move to accelerate development in the western parts of the country, and Chongqing was designated as one of China's national central cities. The city's status as a direct-administered municipality made it a provincial-level division with commensurate political importance, and its leader, the Secretary of the Municipal Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, has held a seat on the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party since 2007. The municipality's population, which includes its large rural population, is over 30 million, making it the largest city proper in the world by population, though it is not the most populous urban area. The city's urban population, which surpassed Shanghai as China's largest municipality by urban population in 2020, is 23.01 million, and the city contains 26 districts, 8 counties, and 4 autonomous counties. The separation from Sichuan was a significant event in China's modern history, and it has had a profound impact on the city's development and its role in the country's economic and political landscape.
The Monorail and the Bridges
Chongqing's transportation infrastructure is a marvel of modern engineering, with the city's monorail system being the world's longest and busiest, with 70 stations, the most of any system. The city is also known as the 'Bridge Capital of China,' with 31 bridges across the Yangtze River, including over a dozen in the city's urban core. The first important bridge in urban Chongqing was the Niujiaotuo Jialing River Bridge, built in 1958, and the first bridge over the Yangtze was the Shibanpo Yangtze River Bridge, built in 1977. The city's bridges exhibit a variety of shapes and structures, and the construction of many expressways have connected Chongqing to its neighbors. The city's public transport consists of metro, intercity railway, a ubiquitous bus system, and the world's largest monorail network. The Chongqing Rail Transit Line 2, a heavy monorail, connects the airport and the southern part of downtown, and Line 3, another heavy monorail, connects the airport and the southern part of downtown. The city's transportation infrastructure has been a key factor in its economic development, and the city's unique geography has required innovative solutions to its transportation challenges. The city's bridges and monorail system are not just functional but also iconic, with the Huangguan Escalator, the second longest escalator in Asia, being a popular tourist attraction. The city's transportation network has also been a key factor in its role as a major transportation hub in southwestern China, with the city's rail and road networks connecting it to the rest of China and beyond.
The Spicy Heart of Sichuan
Chongqing's cuisine is a vibrant and spicy reflection of its culture, with the city known for its numbing food that uses Sichuan pepper, also known as Sichuan peppercorn, containing hydroxy-alpha-sanshool. The city's food is normally considered numbing because of the use of Sichuan pepper, and Chongqing's city center has many restaurants and food stalls where meals often cost less than RMB10. Local specialties include dumplings and pickled vegetables, and Chongqing dishes are suitable for the solo diner as they are often served in small individually-sized portions. Among the local specialties are Chongqing hot pot, Chongqing xiao mian, Jiangtuan fish, Suan la fen, Laziji, Quanshui ji, Pork leg cooked with rock sugar, and Qianzhang. The city's cuisine is a testament to its history and culture, with many dishes originating from the city's unique geography and climate. The city's food culture is also a reflection of its resilience and adaptability, with many dishes being designed to be enjoyed by individuals, reflecting the city's history of survival and independence. The city's cuisine is also a key part of its tourism industry, with many visitors coming to experience the city's unique food culture. The city's food is not just a source of sustenance but also a source of pride and identity, with many locals taking great pride in their culinary traditions.
The City of Fog and Faith
Chongqing's climate and culture are deeply intertwined, with the city's frequent fog and high humidity shaping its history and identity. The city is known as the 'Fog City,' with over 100 days of fog per year, and this special weather possibly played a role in protecting the city from being overrun by the Imperial Japanese Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War. The city's climate features frequent monsoon conditions, often raining at night in late spring and early summer, and the city's 'night rain in the Ba Mountains' features in poems throughout Chinese history, including 'Written on a Rainy Night, A Letter to the North' by Li Shangyin. The city's culture is also deeply rooted in its religious traditions, with the predominant religions in Chongqing being Chinese folk religions, Taoist traditions, and Chinese Buddhism. According to surveys conducted in 2007 and 2009, 26.63% of the population practices Chinese ancestral religion, while 1.05% of the population identifies as Christian. The city's culture is also reflected in its many historic sites, including the Dazu Rock Carvings, a series of Chinese religious sculptures and carvings, dating back as far as the 7th century A.D., depicting and influenced by Buddhist, Confucian and Taoist beliefs. The city's culture is also reflected in its many tourist attractions, including the Three Natural Bridges and Furong Cave in Wulong Karst National Geology Park, the Fengdu Ghost City, and the Baidi Cheng, a peninsula in Yangtze River, known in a poem by Li Bai. The city's culture is a testament to its history and resilience, with many locals taking great pride in their cultural traditions and heritage.