Girl, That’s So... Chongqing, China!

Half way through our mammoth day tour in Chongqing we were, it had been a really busy morning! After lunch we fancied a little beverage to toast life, that we made happen at an exceptional venue! An opera show? We did see! As evening fell, it was time for a Yangtze River cruise! '洪崖洞/Hongya Caves' became the final point of the day, we were truly exhausted, 重庆! 

The company we went with for our day tour had two itineraries, we chose the itinerary that featured an opera show! Something more of a Chinese 'variety show' with a healthy serving of period theatre thrown in for good measure! Another cup of tea, please? Come on girl, wobble your head! We were at Chongqing's '湖广会馆/Huguang Guild Hall?' Yes, we were and we had a show to see! Entering this 200 year old complex was something else, of course we wanted to see the show but this complex was giving us a show before we could take our seats! The crowds were crowding but we kept on moving forward with our eyes peeled, clocking every detail of this multi-purpose facility. Built by migrants from Hunan and Guangdong provinces, this former community centre and space for life had been something of a labour of love for those people. Of course, we kept on learning more about Chongqing's never-ending history, we were invested! Pour me another, that drink was tea because we were being culturally appropriate! Let us start! 

The seating was not to my liking at first but I got over myself, still no kick in the chest for me! I knew better than that! Served up a fragrant cup of Chinese tea was a nice touch, the guild hall theatre space was impressive and it was positively packed to the rafters! At least we weren't standing! Ashley saw that our tea was continuously poured, that was nice! A changing face? We saw a swift succession of performances, the costumes were elaborate and most definitely Chinese! Elements of the show served twirls, tricks and splits! I did manage to take some photos but in that moment I wasn't happy with the heads that littered my view, I am now at peace with those intruders! A tea pouring act? Yes, it was quite bizarre but we appreciated it! I had heard that the 'Sichuan Opera' performed in the city, that didn't end up being the show we saw but difference is everything! We saw something unexpected and that added to our already packed schedule and swift succession of experiences! Turn back on those lights, I wanted an encore, C! 

The crowds were heaving, we had time to kill before our evening river cruise, we needed a break! Now, Chaotianmen Dock had gone under a massive project because the 'Raffles City' complex was literally a blueprint when I was last in town. I remember the chaotic nature within that area, the buzz was completely different but 2025 served its own revved up chaos. Agreeing to meet Ashley in just under one hour, we took the lift up to the main restaurant and bar area at the InterContinental Chongqing (Raffles City) with no time to lose! Taking up space we did, we ordered a bottle of bubbles to raise a toast to the trials and tribulations of life. We cheers to still being in China even though both of our journeys featured chaos in equal measure. Did we care that we ordered the cheapest bottle on the menu? Frankly, we didn't care because the buzz feels the same, onlookers were just jealous of our never-ending laughter and conversation! The city below did the most, we clinked our glasses with the best view in the house! Don't be jealous, C! 

Myself and Chanel had a feeling that the InterContinental would be seeing us once more, unfinished business we had! Our bottle of fizz was sipped, savoured and strong because we were on something different when we met Ashley a little bit later on. Before we took the lift down to the entrance we had something to check out, we fancied returning for dinner before our departure to our realities. Making those reservations, myself and Chanel had bagged a 80o Yuan 'unlimited' food and drink promotion, in familiar currency that's £80 with the best view in the house! Did we need a glass of water? No, our buzzed state helped us wade through those riverside crowds because the holiday had brought the whole world to Chongqing, it was a lot! People were being pulled in by individuals with iPads who were providing a 'cosplay' service, a Chinese traditional makeover of some sorts? Yes! We headed towards the ferry docks to board our vessel for the evening! That 'Raffles City' break had given us the final bit of energy! Let's go! 

We were representing ourselves, those drinks at the top of the city had prepared us for the walk to the ferry wharf! Chanel and I knew how to act, we weaved in and out of those crowds, people were waiting for the lights to be switched on outside '洪崖洞/Hongya Caves' with much anticipation. Reaching the wharf wasn't plain-sailing by any means, the lines were manic and we needed to stay close to each other because it was hectic! Ashley was able to join us on the boat, we told her to just make excuses and with our boldness she didn't even need to do that! No, I didn't need another drink but I had a 'Carlsberg', it was a choice but Chanel knew a bottle of water was the right choice. There was no reason for us to be sat down, we did though for the first part of that river cruise because we wanted to survey where people were going to head for. We stayed on the central lower deck, we migrated to the outdoor section with space to watch those amazing features pass us by! Big wheel keeps on turning, Chongqing's Yangtze kept on rolling! 

Let's rewind a little, I remember seeing the opposite side of the river, the tide was super low and people had descended upon that part. It was great that their party had not been shutdown, they partied on! The nights sky was clear, the lights were bright and Chongqing's skyline was positively shimmering! Myself and Chanel were amazed by the lights, the bridges all served something different with their own lights shining bright. I loved every minute, it was a treat to finally be aboard such a vessel because my host friends had tried to organise a boat cruise along the river but for some reason it didn't happen. Clocking the Raffles really had us gooped and gagged, those redder than red lights gave the building a whole new personality. With the Grand Theatre in view, that landmark part of the skyline as giving a Chinese version of Sydney Harbour in Australia! Had someone been snooping around Sydney for some inspiration? Heading back to the wharf was bittersweet, we had had the best time on that vessel, it was great! 

Chongqing's '洪崖洞/Hongya Caves' had very much been a part of my first trip to the city, although through that former drunken behaviour I don't remember much. I remembered enough in that moment and was thankful for the gift of reinvention, to not engage in any debaucherous behaviour because plans had been solidified for the following day. I remember being at an all-you-ca-drink bar for a set fee, it was carnage from the jump and with that 2015 hangover feeling like actual death, I was sure that fake alcohol had been consumed. We live and we have these experiences but we must learn from them, in that 2025 moment, I knew that appreciating the lights would be more than enough. The crowds were getting a bit much and we had been on the go since the early morning, with eight or more elements bossed, those city lights were our final port of call. Heading back to our hotel was the one, we chose to make a swift exit from that scene of pandemonium. No shade, we loved the lights but we needed peace and quiet. 

It was a relief to reach where our day had started, we thanked Ashley for her time and I pledged to write a blog narrating our experience with her tour company. Myself and Chanel were hungry, we decided that getting some barbecue was a good idea. We picked our skewers and things, they were cooked by a rather cheerful guy, it was good to have some interaction. It was another throwback moment because Michaela had suggested we eat BBQ during my 2015 visit, that was where I learned the word '串/skewer'. Myself and Chanel parted ways, retiring to our own rooms, we had had a full day of activity and we needed to eat and sleep. We agreed that our day tour had been beyond our expectations, the crowds had been maddening but we forged ahead. A new level of Chongqing had been unlocked, I knew that a third visit wouldn't be necessary but never say never! Hands down, the river cruise impressed me the most! At the end of the day, I had clocked more second time around in one day than I done in two! Chongqing was a lot! Yes!

I Love This Title!

Desperately Seeking Adventure