南岸 Nan’an
About:
Ask anyone who’s lived here for a year, they won’t know shit. Ask anyone who’s lived here for 10 years and they’ll tell you how far the district south of the Yangtze river has come in just a few years. Wanda Plaza, a snazzy new walking street, replaced the old run-down shopping area and boutiques, top-notch restaurants and a lifestyle market filled it up.
This is also where Nanshan, a huge mountainous area with some of the best views in the city, towers at just about 400 meters. Hugging its slopes are CTBU (Chongqing Technology and Business University) and CQUPT (Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications), which both make for a great walk. Hidden somewhere along its inroads is the Pirates of the Caribbean, Chongqing’s nicest waterpark.
Down the hill on the riverside is Nanbin Lu, a street lined with expensive hotels, giant Chinese banquet halls, cafés and bars. It boasts no less than two hotspring complexes and the Changjianghui Contemporary Art Center, which proves some people in this town aren’t wasting their money on towering monstrosities and bad ideas.
Five Musts:
Real italian food that’s affordable, try to find that anywhere else.
The Changjianghui Contemporary Art Center: Fancy and pretentious in appearance, their occasional exhibitions more than make up for it.
Walk up Nanshan:
“South Mountain” is a city in itself, one day isn’t enough to discover its treasures. Try Yikeshu, Laojundong and Pirates.
The street going down across from the gate of the Chongqing Technology and Business University is hands down the best BBQ/street food area in the city.
Just because it looks like Costco, doesn’t mean you’re buying bulk at a low price. Still, the best selection of foreign food products in town.
Borough Thorough:
See: Nanshan, Hotsprings
Shop: Wanda Square, Metro
Nightlife: Eva's, A26 Loft, Paulaner
Sleep: Le Meridien, Golden Sheraton, Kempinski