OK, this was different.
Chongqing broke the mold of the Chinese cities that I’ve come to know. Instead of a flat grid layout, the whole city was unevenly built on steep slopes and ridges; instead of extensive landscaping, you had naturally lush countryside; instead of straight avenues and cross-streets, you got roads winding up and down and up hills; instead of an eye-level river peacefully running through the city center, you had a very deep dissecting valley, tamed only by a really high curving bridge, reminiscent of the one carrying the Hogwarts Express.
(I really gotta read more. These literary references are really lame)
It was just a shame that Chongqing was wrapped in rain and mist while we were there. In fact, there was a scheduled nighttime viewing of the city from a mountaintop platform that had to be cancelled because of poor visibility. I checked the internet, and we missed out on something spectacular. Darn. If only they placed those Chengdu hotel heated bathroom mirrors outdoors.
Some random observations
* They love dem their mah jong in Chongqing. Seemed like every other street shop had a game going.
* One thing Chongqing has in common with other Chinese cities: condos! Lots and lots and lots and lots of not-yet-finished-and-occupied condos! Housing boom? Try housing . . . umm . . . really BIG boom! (must . . . read . . . more)
Chongqing broke the mold of the Chinese cities that I’ve come to know. Instead of a flat grid layout, the whole city was unevenly built on steep slopes and ridges; instead of extensive landscaping, you had naturally lush countryside; instead of straight avenues and cross-streets, you got roads winding up and down and up hills; instead of an eye-level river peacefully running through the city center, you had a very deep dissecting valley, tamed only by a really high curving bridge, reminiscent of the one carrying the Hogwarts Express.
(I really gotta read more. These literary references are really lame)
It was just a shame that Chongqing was wrapped in rain and mist while we were there. In fact, there was a scheduled nighttime viewing of the city from a mountaintop platform that had to be cancelled because of poor visibility. I checked the internet, and we missed out on something spectacular. Darn. If only they placed those Chengdu hotel heated bathroom mirrors outdoors.
Some random observations
* They love dem their mah jong in Chongqing. Seemed like every other street shop had a game going.
* One thing Chongqing has in common with other Chinese cities: condos! Lots and lots and lots and lots of not-yet-finished-and-occupied condos! Housing boom? Try housing . . . umm . . . really BIG boom! (must . . . read . . . more)
*Considering China has one billion plus people, and Chongqing is one of the fastest growing cities in the world, the place – save for the downtown area – seems really roomy. As in there-must-be-one-condo-tower-for-every-person-you-see-on-the-street roomy (or everyone could just be inside playing mah jong).
Kinda looks like Manhattan, doesn't it? It actually reminds me of the scene in the Godzilla remake where the monster first comes out and attacks the New York fishermen.
Condos as far as the eye could see. Condos that lined the highway all the way from the far-flung airport to the city center. Condos so large they don't fit in my camera frame.
On the other hand, there was this strange sight. This skyscraper was on top of the tallest hill, with nothing else anywhere near it. It was like the architect was trying to test the storm gods and the "if-you-build-it-they-will-come" principle at the same time.
About the only building I saw with traditional architecture (well, to be more accurate, about the only building I saw from my hotel with traditional architecture)
Fortune Teller row. I had a bad experience with one once in Hong Kong. She told me I'd become rich someday because I had a big nose, then took out a ratty old book that showed famous rich people with big noses, such as Jimmy Durante.
Three things certain in life: death, taxes, and no matter where or how far you travel, your hotel will have a Filipina band.
Finally, while Chongqing people were very nice, there was this...um..."animated" woman at our hotel lobby. She carried on for more than 30 minutes. In hindsight, it her stamina was pretty impressive.
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