Interesting fact: Population of England 56million. Combined population of just two cities, Beijing and Chongqing, 53million! Add Shanghai and it’s about same as whole of UK
These boxes are everywhere. Basically power bank stations. Scan the code, pay about 3yuan (30p) and out pops a charger. Replace in another station
Off to Chongqing today. Expected 5hrs on high speed train, 430 miles with 8 stops
Xi’anbei station is huge, like Heathrow T5? About 1/2km wide
Currently in a tunnel at 150-250km/h. So far 33minutes!!! A couple of ravines flashed by for 1-2seconds in the middle. Eventually out to foothills and the plains after 40minutes
Interestingly as we come south, first time I’ve spotted what look like flooded padi fields
Arrived in Chongqing. First impression is that the central area is older established and urban planning more chaotic. More rubbish noticeable?
Roads are like spaghetti with twists and turns and flyovers etc. Have decided whilst I can and do drive in Malaysia, I couldn’t cope here
Hotel entrance a bit uninspiring, foyer with a guard and lift up to 15th floor hotel reception, which was good and room on 20th floor, with this view
Room nice and clean, simple, but double bed literally 10ft wide!
Off out for supper and a view hopefully
Well that was worth it!
Firstly groups of people playing cards (poker?) in the pedestrian walkways. Then people spontaneously line dancing, and people selling puppies and kittens on the street. Then video billboards 50+ metres long
Picked a random restaurant (on third floor all lit up). The Intensity of Pau
Had essentially a steamboat but with bells and whistles. Two sorts of beef plus beefsteak on dry ice and egg timer to say when cooked, prawns, dumplings, tofu skin, lettuce etc etc. and a DIY dipping sauce. All lovely (except something like dried pork bones)
Filled up nicely for sum total of 138Yuan.. for two!!! (About £15)
Then went on a walkabout, and obviously someone’s been tripping on acid!
Neon lights everywhere, all the stall holders wore microphones, Sunday night crowds. Photos can’t do it justice
Eventually we spotted a subterranean food court so explored. Noise was treble, people packed in hundreds of stalls selling every bit of everything probably
Eventually Ying spotted pudding so she had bean curd in syrup (tofu fa)
Finally left. In the lift to the hotel there were various advert posters, but next to them were Alipay machines, so you can order the “thing” on the spot!
So, roads seem a nightmare. The night life area we happened upon, completely manic and amazing