About this book:

Nestled in the mist‑shrouded gorges of China’s upper Yangtze, Chongqing has long been a place where geography writes history. In this sweeping account, the city’s story winds from Paleolithic toolmakers and Neolithic farmers to wartime capitals and today’s gleaming megacity, revealing how a remote frontier became one of the nation’s most resilient and influential urban centers.

Each era unfolds through vivid episodes: the rise of the ancient Ba kingdom, medieval trade in tea and salt, the thunder of Mongol conquests, the upheavals of rebellion and invasion, and the astonishing leap from fishing port to industrial powerhouse. Drawing on chronicles, archaeological finds, and personal testimonies, the book traces how Chongqing’s people navigated emperors, warlords, and revolutions while forging a bold, distinctive identity.

More than a catalogue of dates and battles, *Chongqing: A History* invites you to walk its steep streets, hear the river’s roar through the Three Gorges, and feel the city’s tenacious spirit—past and present. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a China scholar, or a curious traveler, this richly layered narrative offers a compelling new lens on the forces that shaped modern China from the mountains outward.