Chongqing (Megathread!) - Page 2

Goody · #21 Posted **Apr 9, 2008, 4:29 AM**

^ Good god why is it so big?

Awesome shots.

Urban Zombie · #22 Posted **Apr 9, 2008, 6:03 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMich

Nice!

Chongqing is technically the largest city in the world with its municipal boundaries encompassing 82,300 square kilometers (37,116 square miles) and 31,442,300 residents as of 2005. It's larger in area many small countries, and about the size of the state of Maine.

The urban area, however, contains 4,196,000 as of 2005.

Unfortunately, the population of urban Chongqing is a riddle which won't be solved anytime soon. I know wikipedia puts it at 4 million and some change, but I've seen other recent estimates which put it at around 7-8 million (personally, this seems more accurate than the 4 million). The problem is, however, that no one really knows where Chongqing Proper officially starts and ends, thus, the tally for urban Chongqing can vary by a few million (!). Although the majority of the 31 million inhabitants reside in the countryside/rural villages which are still fairly detatched from the city. Yet the city is rapidly sprawling into the countryside, which, as it is still within Chongqing's municipal boundaries, officially becomes "Chongqing City" once it's been overtaken by urban sprawl (and urban Chongqing's population rises by a few hundred thousand to a few million over night). The same is true for the other three city-states, Shanghai, Beijing and Tianjin. However, the latter three merely show up as a tiny spec on a map of China, while Chongqing is, literally, the size of a small province.

LMich · #23 Posted **Apr 9, 2008, 6:10 AM**

I still don't get why a urban area population can be found for Shanghai, Beijing and Tianjin, but not for Chongqing. Is Chongqing that much difference in its pattern of development that it's that hard to find the urban edges? Are there any good aerials?

Urban Zombie · #24 Posted **Apr 9, 2008, 7:11 AM**

^Well, due to insane growth, it is also near impossible to get an accurate urban population for Shanghai as well (I'm sure the same can be said for Beijing and Tianjin). I've seen current estimates ranging from 18-25 million . However, due to the enormous size of the municipal boundaries, as well as its extreme terrain, Chongqing's urban growth patterns are not as clear cut as the other three (very flat!). Lots of urban settlements in CQ are completely isolated from the city by unbuildable land (mountains, rivers, jungles, etc.)--I think one of the factors is deciding which of those should count as part of CQ proper and which should not. However, this is merely speculation on my part.

Surrealplaces · #25 Posted **Apr 9, 2008, 6:32 PM**

Great thread

mSeattle · #26 Posted **Apr 12, 2008, 4:26 AM**

Wow, that's a lot of people regardless of the city boundary. But not cities of China are listed in the most populous cities of the world list. Are some of the other big skylines actually more than one city merged?

Excellent photography and subjects.

LMich · #27 Posted **Apr 12, 2008, 4:31 AM**

Are you talking about the list on Wiki?

From what I understand, China's four "municipalities" function as a single-tier municipality on par with provinces, but a single-tier, nonetheless. Any divisions within the municipality are like boroughs or wards, not separate functioning cities, and most of Chongqing's urban area is within only one borough, so, no.

mSeattle · #28 Posted **Apr 12, 2008, 4:46 AM**

Yes, the Wiki list.

TinChelseaNYC · #29 Posted **Apr 13, 2008, 3:13 AM**

Gorgeous pics! Thanks!

Pavlov · #30 Posted **Apr 15, 2008, 10:05 AM**

You son of a bitch. This thread was expensive for me. Just made up my mind to go back to China for a visit this summer. First stop: Chongqing.

staff · #31 Posted **Apr 15, 2008, 12:12 PM**

^^
When are you going? I might do a CQ trip this summer as well.
It is going to be unbearably hot though! Consider yourself warned.

Grumpy · #32 Posted **Apr 15, 2008, 12:38 PM**

Weird city but the building illumination at night is breathtaking

maxxam80 · #33 Posted **Apr 16, 2008, 3:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by staff

^^
When are you going? I might do a CQ trip this summer as well.
It is going to be unbearably hot though! Consider yourself warned.

I went to Chongqing last June, it wasn't very hot at all, HK would be far hotter this time of year. The city gives me the creeps at night though

It sure has growing pains

staff · #34 Posted **Apr 16, 2008, 8:39 PM**

^^
Really? Supposedly it is extremely hot in the summer considering it is one of the 三大火炉 (the three furnaces of China), together with Wuhan and Nanjing.

Pavlov · #35 Posted **Apr 16, 2008, 11:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by staff

^^
When are you going? I might do a CQ trip this summer as well.
It is going to be unbearably hot though! Consider yourself warned.

Will be in Korea between June 1 and August 15, so I will probably try to make the trip immediately before or after. I'll let you know when I have firm dates. I can always use a tour guide.

Urban Zombie · #36 Posted **Apr 17, 2008, 12:42 AM**

^
The wife and I are considering a move there--so, who knows, I may be around as well (although doubtful it would be so soon).

Pavlov · #37 Posted **Apr 17, 2008, 2:14 AM**

^ An SSP Old China Hands meet up. Sounds like fun. Hope it works out.

Sekkle · #38 Posted **Apr 17, 2008, 3:23 AM**

Excellent, excellent photos!

Urban Zombie · #39 Posted **Apr 29, 2008, 2:21 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by plinko

What is this?

Sorry, I completely igored your question!

That is called HongYaDong--basically it's just a bunch of shops and restaurants--not unlike a mall--albeit built with a traditional architectural style. As you can see, it gets bright as hell at night. In addition, the city is proposing a supertall next door. Fun stuff!

And to everybody else, thanks for the kind words!

Kingofthehill · #40 Posted **Apr 30, 2008, 1:00 AM**

Love this shot!