The Foggy City

Chongqing, the name of this city that literally translates to "Double Jubilation" or "Repeated Celebrations" is entirely unique as far as big cities go in China. Built on the confluence of the Yangtze and another major tributary called the Jialing, it certainly merits the nickname Foggy City. Perhaps no greyer city exists in China as the humidity and moisture from the water, lack of wind, not to mention the dust and pollution, block out the sun for most of the year. Depressing at times yes, but it does have its advantages. The women here have to be some of the most appealing and youthful-looking in the entire country as the humidity and lack of sun damage keeps there skin smooth, blemish-free and wrinkle-less well into their later years. Just do your own comparison with Northern Chinese women where it is so sunny and dry, and you will notice a huge contrast. 
In July and August the sun finally burns off much of the haze, and the picturesque qualities of the hilly topography are revealed. With better city planning and more greenery, this could be an absolutely lovely urban centre. The fog will remain however, and that is an inescapable fact. Locals say that in the winter, dogs bark at the strange yellow glow in the sky because it comes out so rarely. Personally, I don't mind so much. I think I look 10 years younger than what my passport says, and that must have something to do with the local climate. Overall, give me South China over the North any day of the Lunar Calendar!

last modified Jun 13, 2004 at 19:16

[ add a comment ]