Exploring Cultural Traces in Chongqing, Tai’an, and Ürümqi

Chongqing, Tai’an, and Ürümqi are three regions in China known for their wealth of history and cultural heritage. This is evident in the architecture and tourist attractions that showcase the unique cultures and histories of these areas.  If you plan to visit one of these places, read on to find out the cultural tourism highlights of Chongqing, Tai’an, and Ürümqi!

Ba Culture and Ciqikou Ancient Town, Chongqing

Chongqing is one of the four top-level administrative cities in China (or equivalent to a province in Indonesia). It is also the epicenter of the Ba Culture, encompassing the beliefs, traditions and customs, as well as arts of the Ba People from the Ba Kingdom, which emerged in the 11th century B.C.E. You can see traces of the Ba culture in the Ba and Yu Folk Culture Village in Lianglu Town, Yubei District, Chongqing. To reach the location, you can take a bus to Baiyun Culture Square Bus Terminal from various points in Chongqing City.

Many say a trip to Chongqing is not complete without visiting Ciqikou Ancient Town. This location is a vivid microcosm of Chongqing and was once a bustling trade port during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Having long history, this ancient town is rich in cultural landmarks that tourists may find attractive. Apart from specialty food shops and souvenir stores carrying porcelain, this town also offers folk performances, such as the Sichuan Opera, which transport you back to the old days of Chongqing. To get there, you can take Subway Line 1 to Ciqikou Station, a taxi, or drive from downtown Chongqing.

Mount Tai and Dai Temple, Tai’an

Tai’an is a city that lies at the southern base of the sacred Mount Tai (or Mount Taishan). The mountain is regarded as the abode of the gods and was venerated in ancient times by the Chinese. The saying goes that if Mount Tai is stable, so is the entire country. According to TravelChinaGuide.com, Mount Tai is a holy site for both Buddhism and Taoism. 

Dai Temple, also called Dongyue Temple, is the largest and most intact ancient architectural complex in the Mount Tai area. Moreover, it is one of China’s four most renowned ancient sites, alongside the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Confucius Temple and Cemetery and Kong Family Mansion in Qufu, and the Mountain Resort in Chengde. Historically, the temple served as a place where emperors made offerings to the God of Heaven and Earth and worshipped the God of Mount Tai. To reach the temple, you can take a bus to Dai Miao (Dai Temple) Bus Stop from Tai’an city center.

Ürümqi Grand Bazaar and Southern Mosque, Ürümqi

Ürümqi, the capital of the Xinjiang Autonomous Region in northwest China, is the largest city in the west of China. While it is predominantly Uighur, Ürümqi is home to various ethnic groups in China, including Han (the majority ethnic group in China), Hui (Chinese Muslims), Kazakhs, Manchus, Mongols, Xibe, Russians, Kyrgyz, Uzbeks, and Tatars. This blend of Central and East Asian ethnicities creates a fascinating cultural diversity in Ürümqi.

One of the must-visit cultural sites in Ürümqi is the Ürümqi Grand Bazaar. There, you can shop for fruits, clothing, crafts, knives, carpets, and other souvenirs made by the Uighur people. Across the street from the bazaar lies the Southern Mosque, known for its roof designs and Chinese dragon-and-phoenix ornaments, which are hallmarks of Hui architecture dating back hundreds of years. To reach this area, you can take a bus to He Ping Nan Lu Bus Stop or Erdaoqiao Station, then shortly walk 150 meters.

Those are the cultural destinations you may want to check out in Chongqing, Tai’an, and Ürümqi. To visit these cities from Indonesia, you will need to fly. For Chongqing, you can book a flight with a final destination to Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG). For Tai’an, fly to Jinan Yaoqiang Airport (TNA), and for Ürümqi, to Ürümqi Diwopu Airport (URC). Before purchasing your plane tickets, make sure to get your Travel Insurance from MSIG Indonesia!