City history
A sprawling metropolis at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers, Chongqing blends ancient Ba culture with rapid modern urban development.
Chapter one
Earliest documented name
"Referring to the ancient state of Ba."
The region was part of the ancient state of Ba during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, long before the formal establishment of the Chongqing prefecture.
The name of the ancient state.
This period represents the ancient cultural and political foundation of the region before it became an integrated part of the Chinese empire.
The administrative division name.
During the Han Dynasty, the area was administered as Yuzhou, serving as a vital strategic location along the upper reaches of the Yangtze.
Double Celebration.
The name was officially adopted during the Song Dynasty to reflect its status as a significant and prosperous administrative prefecture in the region.
Direct-controlled administrative division.
In 1997, the city was elevated to a direct-controlled municipality, significantly increasing its political status and administrative jurisdiction within China.
Chapter two
Following the founding of the People's Republic of China, the nation transitioned to a unified standard time of UTC+8, which Chongqing follows today.
While China experimented with Daylight Saving Time in various regions in the 1980s, Chongqing did not adopt a permanent system and currently observes no daylight saving time.
Chapter three
The prefecture was officially named Chongqing during the Song Dynasty, marking a significant administrative milestone in its long historical evolution.
During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Chongqing served as the provisional capital of the Republic of China, hosting the central government and international diplomats.
Chongqing was elevated to a municipality directly under the central government, significantly expanding its administrative area and economic influence.
The opening of the Chongqing Rail Transit system transformed urban mobility in the complex, mountainous terrain of the city.