Chongqing is the largest and most populous of China's four provincial-level municipalities (Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin). Because of its hot summer weather, Chongqing is known as one of the Three Furnaces of China (Nanjing, Wuhan).

Chongqing is intersected by the Jialing River and the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. The city is very hilly and is the only major metropolitan area in China without significant numbers of bicycles. Chongqing is the biggest inland river port in western China, transporting goods from the southwestern provinces to eastern China. The municipality is the spearhead of China's effort to develop its western regions and coordinate the resettlement of refugees from the Three Gorges Dam project. Chongqing is rich in natural resources, with more than 40 kinds of minerals. It is home to Asia's largest aluminum plant, South West Aluminium.

Chongqing and the surrounding areas are full of tourism resources such as the Three Gorges Dam and the Dazu Rock Carvings. With more than 3000 bridges, Chongqing is known as the City of Bridges. In terms of food, this city is well-known for its spicy hot pot which is almost the daily dish for the local people.