Chonquing

Chongqing is called "The Mountain City". The metropolitan population is 32 million, making it the world's largest metropolitan region. I have to say that I don't remember ever hearing of it, even in my time in China. It is an industrial area where buses, taxi's, some ships and cars are made. Our guide also referred to it as one of the "ovens" of China. Apparently it is sweltering hot in the summer time. It had just rained for the first time in months when we were there and the temperatures were quite pleasant. There is another river that joins the Yangtze in that city and most of the activity refered to as "Yangtze River" is from this point east to the Three Gorges and dam and then on to Shanghi and the ocean.

The Three Georges are famous the world over for the spectacular scenery. We were unable to get to the third george because of the flight schedules of some in the group but what we did see was magnificient. They are called the Qutang Gorge which is magnificent and precipitious, tthe Wu Gorge is deep and beautiful and Xiing Gorge has rapids and many rocks. Our sampan boat ride was up one of the gorges.

These pictures are of old town Chongqing. The dragon wound clear around a corner.. Grandparents are often carrying grandchildren. The colored things are a type of apple and the men are making candy with nut.