China Cities Beijing Chongqing

The implementation of China's Tenth Five-Year Plan (2001-2005) ushered China's economic construction into a new phase. The advance of high-technologies, the development of information industry and the expansion of domestic and foreign trade combined put new requirement for the development of MICE. China's admission into the World Trade Organization and Beijing's successful Olympic Games bidding also injected impetus to MICE segment in the city.

The development of MICE will not only accelerate the construction of urban facilities, telecommunication, transport network and sport venues, but also consolidate Beijing's leading position in China's tourist industry. Moreover, as China speeds up its pace in the opening-up drive and lift more service and trade barriers to overseas investors, MICE economy will score steady growth and go in track with international practice.

Chongqing

Chongqing is located in the southeastern section of the Sichuan Basin where the Yangtze and Jialing rivers meet. It is the largest industrial and commercial city in southwestern China and the economic center of the upper reaches of the

Yangtze River. It is a metropolis under the direct jurisdiction of the Central Government.

Chongqing, also known as Yu, was established some 3,000 years ago. Renowned for its romantic mountains, rivers, and fog, Chongqing is an ideal spot for relaxation. The majority of the buildings in Chongqing are located on the hillsides and mountains surrounding the city. The climate in Chongqing is often cloudy and misty with an average annual precipitation of about l, 000 millimeters. As a consequence, it is also called the "City of Fog."

Chongqing has many places of interest in both its urban and rural regions. Traveling eastward along the Yangtze River, one can enjoy the magnificent Three Gorges. Every year from May through June, the Three Gorges International Travel Festival is held in Chongqing.

Dazu Grottoes
Dazu Grottoes is situated 105 miles west of downtown Chongqing. The Dazu Grottoes are another outstanding example of later Chinese grotto art. There are more than 100 cliff carvings containing 60,000 sculptures spread over 76 different places, all mainly related to Buddhism. The content and craftsmanship of these carvings are best at the Beishan and Baoding hills. The art of Dazu that emerged in the late Tang Dynasty (618- 907) and flourished in the Song Dynasty (960-1127) represents an important chapter in China's cultural and religious history.