Chongqing- Without the heroic conviction of Hongyan martyrs, it would be impossible to fathom the depth of character in Shapingba. Without the rich history of porcelain culture, it would be challenging to comprehend the Shapingba cultural and educational landscape of today. Without the dust accumulated memories of Bayu in Ciqikou Ancient Town, there would be no possibility to convey the millennia of vicissitudes in Chongqing.

The lofty peaks of Gele Mountain and the winding Jialing River in Shapingba have witnessed the 3,000 years of civilization. Luxuriant trees and vegetation have thrived through the ages, while every brick and tile embodies the warmth and profundity of this district.

Shapingba is a district founded on humanities, open business development, the inheritance of old and the embrace of new, all of which combine to portray a magnificent scene of a natural environment infused with rich humanity, openness, and tolerance.

Today, exploring the claustrophobic cells of White Mansion and Zhazidong Prison, we can imagine the scene of brave and tenacious struggle of revolutionary heroes once confined in unbearable conditions. Although time continues to pass by unabated, the spirit and conviction of heroes are frozen in the eternal river of history.

The Hongyan spirit belongs not only to the heroic city of Chongqing, but also the red blood of millions in Shapingba. In this new modern era, Shapingba District is taking ever more significant strides towards a comprehensive well-off society, and the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation with openness and confidence.

Ciqikou Ancient Town has existed by the Jialing riverbanks for thousands of years. As one walks through the winding bluestone paths, the sites of Huangjueping Archway, Zhongjia Courtyard, Baoshan Palace, Xinji Grocery Store, and Jusenmao come slowly into the field of vision, and each tells its unique and amazing story over history.

In the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty, immigrants from the Huguang Region came to settle, where they opened kilns to make the porcelain that became a hugely influential and brand renowned both near and far. The name of Ciqikou originates from this time of prosperity in ceramics.

Today, Ciqikou Ancient Town is a key historical and traditional site designated by the State Council for protection. It is a national 4A rated tourist attraction that receives over 10 million tourists annually.

Known as Little Chongqing, the streets of Ciqikou brim with profound Bayu culture that radiates in vigor and vitality. The attraction is now undergoing a creative transformation, as the development of Ciqikou Back Street, the Jinbizheng Street Cultural Tourism Project, Chongqing•1949, Citong Pedestrian Street, Ciqikou Wharf, and Phoenix Mountain Park and other cultural tourism projects are gathering pace. Once completed, these are sure to add further brilliance to Ciqikou.

In 1937, after the July 7 Incident, Chongqing became the wartime capital of China. A large number of universities and cultural research institutes moved inland, and many educators, artists, writers, and students of outstanding reputation came to live in the Shapingba and Ciqikou area, known collectively as Shaci.

During this time, the whole Shaci area brimmed with schools, culture, and learning. The 20 colleges and universities received 1/8 of the nation's students. The number of quality schools and pupils ranked first in the country, a fact that pushed Shaci to the forefront of Chinese culture and education.

Due to the violent bombing of Chongqing by Japanese military planes, most of the city fell into complete darkness at night. However, Shaci became special during the war because of the brightly lit schools and was hailed as the Shaping School Lanterns. This spiritual inheritance has become a symbol of the Shapingba educational highland.

Nowadays, there is also the Army Medical University, Southwest University of Political Science and Law, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Normal University, as well as Chongqing No. 1 Middle School, No. 3 Middle School, and No. 8 Middle School. There is also a large number of well-known primary and middle schools that have cultivated generations of outstanding talent.

Each school has become a relevant carrier of cultural inheritance and innovation, continuously providing the motherland with talent and fresh blood for society. May this land prosper with the spirit and memory embodied within this cultural district of Chongqing.

The natural scenery of Gele Mountain integrates mountains, water, forests, springs, caves, cloud, and mist, a beautiful location that become a famous mountain resort as early as the Ming Dynasty. Today, Horseshoe well, Longquan Well, Yunding Temple, Congming Spring, the Ba Sculpture Corridor, and other unique attractions, myths, and legends have bestowed Gele Mountain the venerated titles of Mountain City Emerald and Natural Oxygen Bar.

The cascading mountains form the backdrop to quiet and elegant natural scenery, which attracts people to linger amongst the comfortable and cozy pastoral environment.

Among the vast 500 mu of waters in Yongningsi Village each summer, the lotus ponds bloom in riotous profusion to create a beautiful landscape that merges with the clear skies.

The dreamlike Firefly Valley Farm has rocky paths and bamboo fences with a serene valley as the backdrop. Here, people can relive childhood memories of fireflies as they explore the valley with friends and family.

Taisiya Forest Park, Haishi Park, and Yongning Ecological Park offer natural scenery and pastoral bliss amongst the green background of Shapingba. They provide ease and serenity amidst the bustle of urban life, as well as an opportunity for meditation and contemplation of life.

How refreshing is the experience when 40℃ of outdoor heat meets a freezing minus 6℃? On August 6, the SUNAC Cultural Tourism City attractions of Snow World and Water World opened to the sound of ice hammers as they entered into trial operations. Chongqing has ushered in an unprecedented wave of summer carnivals.

Snow World is the first large-scale indoor arena home to penguins with a total construction area of 25,000 square meters, integrating both entertainment and skiing. There are three main ski slopes, with two further ones for intermediate and beginner levels.

In the future, Snow World will allow enthusiasts the chance to fall in love with winter sports through professional skiing events, fun competitions, and snow carnivals. The hope is for skiing to become a leisure sporting activity for the general public in Chongqing.

The up and coming Chongqing SUNAC Cultural Tourism City has a total construction area of 633,200 square meters and has seen a total investment of approximately 12 billion yuan. There are ten significant attractions are planned, including SUNAC Yule Town, Water World, Sea World, Snow World, luxury hotel groups, a music town, pet city, and bar streets. It is expected this cultural tourism landmark will provide the ultimate experience for residents and visitors alike.

Cultural products of Shapingba

The Ciqikou ceramics brand was founded in 2001 with support from the ancient town. It has developed the high white porcelain series, the Ciqikou landscape hand-painted art porcelain series, the Shaping kiln-fired series, and Bayu Shengjing cultural and creative gift porcelain.

At present, there are also more than 100 Bayu themed culturally innovative products covering tea utensils, tableware, vases, decorations, ornaments, and tourist souvenirs.

Qinlongzhai calligraphy brush

Goat wool, weasel tail, and mountain rabbit hair are selected as the primary production materials for Qinlongzhai brushes. The production method involves over 100 processes such as soaking, plucking, combing, merging, connecting and picking. The appearance is beautiful, there is balance in rigidity and softness, ink absorption is strong, and the product is durable, giving the brush important cultural value that makes it highly collectible.

Qiongyuan embroidery

There are strict and highly skilled technical requirements in Shu embroidery. The unique cross-stitching method exudes ingenuity and vividness in a recreation of traditional ancient town culture. This art form possesses excellent value in terms of craft aesthetics, research, and protection.

Shaci zither

As an essential branch of traditional Chinese crafts is that of producing musical instruments. The Shaci hand-carved zither is made with high-quality materials and involves a complex and intricate series of production steps. As an excellent product with local characteristics, the finished articles are exquisite in craftsmanship and produce a sweet resounding tone.

Embroidered lamps

Creative inspiration comes from the night landscape of Ciqikou Ancient Town. Embroidered lamps come in the shape of upright rectangles and circles, which can be used as bedside lamps or for decorative purposes, and integrate both practicality and appreciation value.