Ciqikou

Sweet buns (Baozi) at Ciqikou Ancient Town, Chongqing (China) [2017]

Background: Ciqikou Ancient Town on the banks of Jialing River just a couple of kilometres west of  the city centre of Chongqing is an interesting place to visit. Still off the tracks of Western tourists it is a combination of an old-style residential district with a central market street. The market street is lined with small shops selling all sorts of local dishes and knickknack. Closer to the river you find some really nice alternative cafés. While most of the stuff offered in the shops is quite repetitive sometimes you discover some unique specialities. Take a metered cab from Chonqing city centre for about 60¥. Make sure to leave the central market street and stroll through the back alleys to catch a glimpse of the typical life. From the hill you get a good overview of the quarter and how nearby construction of new-style residential blocks is getting closer and it feels like it is only a matter of time until the new world swallows this place.