I live in Chongqing, a mountain city in southwest China. It’s famous for its steep hills, winding rivers, and countless bridges. When the morning fog rises from the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers, the city seems to float in the clouds, mysterious and magical. At night, the sparkling lights along the riverbanks make it look like a shining star in the mist. This is why many people call Chongqing a “magical city.”
However, behind its modern skyline lies another side of Chongqing — a city full of history, culture, and warmth. During the War of Resistance against Japan, Chongqing was the wartime capital of China. People built shelters in the cliffs and continued their lives bravely under air raids. The unyielding spirit of those years still shapes the character of the city today: strong, optimistic, and full of hope.
In daily life, this spirit continues to shine through ordinary people. On Metro Line 4, there is a special group of passengers — farmers carrying bamboo baskets full of vegetables to the city market. Locals call it the “Back-basket Line.” To help them, metro workers added Chongqing dialect announcements and opened the station early in the morning. This small story reflects the city’s kindness and inclusiveness, showing how care and respect connect people from different walks of life.
Chongqing is also a treasure house of intangible cultural heritage. The most famous is Dazu Rock Carvings, a world cultural heritage site that shows the city’s rich history and wisdom. The carvings, made more than one thousand years ago, cover the cliffs with lifelike statues of Buddha, people, and animals. Each carving tells a story about kindness, faith, and daily life. When I stand before those stone figures, I feel the deep spirit of Chinese culture and the peaceful message it sends to the world.
The city’s spirit can also be found in the legendary “Bangbang Army” — the men who carried heavy goods on their shoulders through the city’s steep streets. Though their numbers are fewer today, their hardworking attitude remains a symbol of Chongqing’s strength and honesty.
To me, Chongqing is more than my hometown. It is a place where mountains meet rivers, where tradition meets modernity, and where different cultures meet with open hearts. The people here are simple but full of love, tough but always warm.
I believe Chongqing can become a bridge between cultures and nations, sharing its stories of resilience and friendship with the world. In this city surrounded by rivers and fog, what truly shines is not only the lights at night, but the kindness, courage, and peace in people’s hearts.（赵哲峰）
