Some pictures from my weekend sojourn to Chongqing, also known as the Mountain City 山城, as it’s surrounded by mountains.

A visit to Ciqikou 磁器口, the old town which is now completely commercialised. The narrow streets were packed with domestic tourists – not a pleasant and leisurely walk at all. But this is what it is when it’s holiday season in China. The country is on the move; it’s the first and last time I’m travelling when mainland China is having a public holiday. It’s anything but relaxing and certainly not what I would want out of a holiday.

Sadly, Chongqing hotpot is wasted on me as I’m not a fan of the Sichuan peppercorn’s numbing effect on the tongue. So I chose instead to cook my food in the clear broth while my travel companions went all out with the chilli. Can’t run away from my Cantonese palate.

The city centre is where you can see the Liberation Memorial and take boat rides along the Changjiang 长江 or more commonly known as the Yangtze River in English.

Noodles and fried breads are common street food and breakfast staples for locals.