Laowai@Chongqing Exploring China’s “Ghost City”

Chongqing - "Nantian Lake National Tourism Resort is picturesque. There are exciting and fun projects, fresh air, suitable temperature and rich history & culture," said Natasha from Russia.

On July 4, 18 international students from Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications traveled to Fendu County Chongqing, joining with Laowai@Chongqing, where they visited Nantian Lake National Tourism Resort and "Ghost City".

The 5-square-kilometer lake surface is rippling with green waves, reflecting sunshine like a mirror. (iChongqing/ Deng Yan)

Fengdu Nantian Lake National Tourism Resort is located in Xiannyuhu Town, Fengdu County, Chongqing, with an average altitude of 1,800 meters and an average temperature of 20 ° C in summer. Within the resort, there are rarely-seen mountain lakes, vast virgin forests and precious high mountain wetlands & grasslands in the Wuling Mountain area. It is a resort for ecological leisure tourism and winter sports. In 2016, it won the "Top Ten Summer Resorts in Chongqing" title and was selected as a national tourist resort in 2020.

Along with the mountain breeze, overseas students took a thrilling rail trolley to the top and enjoyed the panoramic view of  Nantian Lake. Silently, the blue water was embraced by green mountains like a jewel. Down at the lake, students watched the "Poetry and Painting of Fengdu" performance on the platform while some of them experienced Chinese painting, Chinese calligraphy, and Chinese dance.

Overseas friends experienced Chinese calligraphy. (Photo provided to iChongqing)

In addition to the beautiful scenery, Fengdu is also famous for its cultural accumulation since ancient times. Overseas students visited Mingshan Scenic Area on July 5. Its long history and unique cultural connotation unveil its mysterious oriental charm to Chinese and foreign tourists.

As early as 100,000 years ago, Fengdu ancestors had created a brilliant prehistoric culture here. Three thousand years ago, the State of Ba established its capital here, and Fengdu was formally established as a county in 90 A.D.

 "The greatest feature of the scenic area is the folklore of the"Ghost City". In the past 2,000 years, ancient people built the "Ghost City" with imagination, which can be best reflected in the sculptures, buildings, stone carvings and couplets scattered around the scenic area. 

Tianzi Temple is the oldest building in Ghost City, which features black pillars rarely used in temples. (iChongqing/Deng Yan)

The existence of the "Ghost City" is to serve as a ruler in people's hearts and measure the standards of being human from time to time so that generations of people can live on with reverence in their hearts.

At Xiaoguanshan Ancient Residences, international students marveled at the unique charm of the residential complex. And they watched the performances of Sichuan Opera, face-changing, stick and mallet opera, and tried paper-cutting.