The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 27, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Politics & World›City›Chongqing
Politics & World • City

Chongqing

Chongqing is a direct-administered municipality in southwest China and one of the country’s four municipalities at provincial level.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Chongqing is a direct-administered municipality in southwest China and one of the country’s four municipalities at provincial level. It is a major transport, industrial, and commercial centre on the upper Yangtze River, located at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers.

Geography

Chongqing is located in southwest-central China and is known for its hilly, river-bound terrain. Its urban core lies at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers, which has shaped its role as a transport and trade centre.

Administrative status

Chongqing is a municipality directly under the central government, giving it provincial-level status. It is one of China’s four such municipalities and is the only one located inland.

Economy and transport

The city has long been an important inland port and industrial centre. Sources describe it as a major hub for commerce, manufacturing, shipping, and transportation in southwest and interior China.

Population and scale

The municipality has a very large population, with several sources placing it at around 30 million or more, depending on the definition and year used. Figures vary between the urban core and the wider municipal area.

Key facts

  • Chongqing is one of China’s four direct-administered municipalities and is the only one located inland.
  • It sits on the upper Yangtze River at the meeting point of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers.
  • The municipality is a major river port and transportation hub for southwest China.
  • It is an important industrial and commercial centre in the upper Yangtze basin.
  • Modern Chongqing was separated from Sichuan Province as a municipality in 1997.

Frequently asked questions

What type of city is Chongqing?
Chongqing is a direct-administered municipality in China with provincial-level status.
Where is Chongqing located?
It is in southwest-central China, on the upper Yangtze River at the confluence with the Jialing River.
Why is Chongqing important?
It is a major inland river port, transport hub, and industrial centre for southwest China and the upper Yangtze basin.
Is Chongqing a province?
No. It is a municipality directly under China’s central government, not a province, though it has provincial-level status.
When did Chongqing become a municipality?
Chongqing became a centrally administered municipality in 1997, when it was separated from Sichuan Province.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Chongqing
    Supports: Chongqing’s status as a provincial-level municipality, its location, and its role as a river port and industrial centre.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chongqing
    Supports: Chongqing as one of China’s four direct-administered municipalities and the only inland one.
  3. China Today — https://www.chinatoday.com/city/chongqing.htm
    Supports: 1997 municipal status, location at the Yangtze-Jialing confluence, and general economic role.
  4. City of Hiroshima — https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/english/overview/1029883/1009806.html
    Supports: Population and geographic description of Chongqing.
  5. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/summary/Chongqing
    Supports: Area, border region, and summary description of Chongqing’s location and function.
  6. French Wikipedia — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chongqing
    Supports: 1997 creation of the municipality by detachment from Sichuan.