Chongqing - As the Spring Festival unfolds, Chengdu and Chongqing, two prominent southwestern cities, emerge as bustling tourist destinations.

Tourists in front of the entrance of Dujiangyan, a famous scenic area in Chengdu. (Photo/Kenny Dong)

In the heart of the Sichuan Basin, Chengdu and Chongqing share a tapestry of customs and traditions. Yet, their distinct positions at opposite ends of the basin have cultivated unique urban cultures. For instance, while Chongqing locals tend to favor hotpot infused with beef tallow, their counterparts in Chengdu prefer the lighter touch of vegetable oil. Moreover, there's a perceived divergence in mindset, with Chongqing embodying resilience amidst challenges, while Chengdu exudes a spirit of leisure and enjoyment. Culinary preferences further underscore these differences, with Chongqing renowned for its fiery dishes and Chengdu celebrated for its rich, multi-layered flavors. These portrayals, though subjective, encapsulate the cultural identities of the locals.

Nevertheless, both cities offer a captivating tapestry for exploration, providing windows into the history, culture, and local traditions of China's southwestern region.

Chengdu and Chongqing are swiftly advancing towards integrated development, which is evident in their robust transportation networks. The Chengdu-Chongqing high-speed railway has seamlessly connected the two cities, with the quickest journey taking just an hour and ticket prices averaging around 150 yuan.

A reporter from Bridging News recently embarked on a 295km drive from Chongqing's Jiulongpo District to Chengdu, completing the journey in three hours. During peak travel seasons like the Spring Festival and National Day holidays, tolls on China's highways are waived, making road travel even more convenient. For those driving electric vehicles, the cost of travel can be lower than taking the high-speed train.

Despite the old adage that "one should not go to Sichuan in their youth," reflecting the perception of Sichuan as a leisurely land, modern transportation has made frequent travel between Chengdu and Chongqing a reality. As a result, these cities have become each other's top travel destinations throughout the year.

During a recent visit to Chengdu's Qingcheng Mountain and Dujiangyan attractions, our reporter encountered significant crowds, leading to long queues and difficulty accessing certain areas. For instance, upon arriving at Qingcheng Mountain at 2:00 P.M., the reporter waited 50 minutes to board a gate ferry bus. However, due to the hour-long wait for the cable car to the mountaintop, they ultimately decided to forego the excursion.

Tourists waiting in line to take cable to the mountaintop at Qingcheng Mountain. (Photo/Kenny Dong)

According to Shangyou News, on February 13, the Dujiangyan scenic area's reservation volume reached 95% of its maximum capacity, prompting a red alert and halting online ticket sales. Only window and QR code purchases were available offline. Similarly, due to its overwhelming popularity, the Sanxingdui Museum, another highly sought-after destination in Chengdu, now requires reservations a week in advance.

"The Spring Festival travel experience doesn't seem good because it's crowded everywhere," remarked Mr. Wang, a tourist from Guang'an, situated between Chongqing and Chengdu. "But many people consider joining the crowd part of the festive atmosphere. Moreover, the Spring Festival is one of the few times people can spend with their families a year," he added.

Meanwhile, Chongqing's major tourist spots also faced overcrowding. Traditionally, the exodus begins on the fifth and sixth days of the Lunar New Year, leading to another surge in national transportation.