, Columnist
10 Chinese Megacities to See Before You Die
Polluted and crowded. Also distinct and completely fascinating. And then there's the food.
Chongqing, across the Yangtze.
Photographer: Qilai ShenThis article is for subscribers only.
As a Chinese friend of mine was helping me buy a plane ticket from Kunming to Chongqing, I read aloud from my guidebook: "... the [city] has little appeal. Overcrowded and fast-paced, the city is plagued by oppressive pollution, winter fogs and summer humidity. Nor is there much to illustrate Chongqing’s history…"
Suddenly we both became excited at the prospect of my visit.