The plan was to go to Langzhong but all the train tickets were snapped out within minutes. We improvised and went to Chongqing instead. As we travelled from Jiuzhaigou, it needed a change of train at Chengdu. On hindsight, maybe it was a good idea not to carry all our luggage as it was a little hectic to navigate an unfamiliar train station with so many people in limited timeframe. 

We arrived in Chongqing around noon time and left the next day passed 3 pm. On arrival in Chongqing, we had lunch at Rongliji in the shopping center next Shapingba station.

We stayed in Jiefangbei and walked everywhere except to and fro train station on arrival and departure. We are not as efficient as those Instagram influencers, we didn't do that many things in a day. 

The hotel was at many storeys high. After checking in and taking a short respite from the hot weather, we went out. 

Jiefangbei is the CBD and located in the center of downtown Chongqing, In the center of this huge pedestrian area of Jiefangbei is the People's Liberation Monument. We stayed in Jiefangbei so naturally we crossed or passed this area many times.  

Over the other side but nearby is this cat wall. 

And further down the road is this chopstick building, i.e. Chongqing Art Museum. We walked passed again later at night. 

 

We had an early-ish hotpot dinner to avoid long queue. We went to Chun Hong Hot Pot (Hongyadong Branch). There was a online queueing system but didn't work for us so the staff gave us a paper number ticket. We selected the ingredients and broth base that we wanted while waiting. Yes, I was well again and in time to have mala hotpot. 

And another turn to get to hotpot place. 

We were not so brave, so we didn't order the 9 grid hotpot. We got the usual yin yang pot with mala and mushroom stock. 

Cold desserts to extinguish spiciness. 

After dinner, more walks to aid with digestion. Crossing the Qiansimen Bridge to see Hongyadong. 

We walked back on the other side... and here's a picture to show you how crowded it was. My feet were stepped on many times even though it was less people when we first crossed. 

The only paid entrance we went to was the Luohan Temple. The Luohan (Arhat) Temple was initially built in the Zhiping period of the Northern Song Dynasty around 1064-1067. The original name was Zhiping Temple. The temple was remodelled in 1752. In a 1885 year rebuilt, the temple was renamed to Luohan Temple. It was restored in 1945 after the second world war. 

Lunch was at a Chongqing street noodles shop on the walk back to the hotel. We read that wan za mian is popular and wanted to try. I'm not too keen over the mushy yellow peas toppings. As for wontons or dumplings, all variations we had were good.