Chongqing Travelogue: 800-word Essay

Chongqing is a city that is incredibly fiery. Everything here seems well-organized, but the busy people of Chongqing start their day early. The streets are full of human energy and bustle. The food in Chongqing is so flavorful that it touches the very core of your soul. Let me share with you an 800-word essay about my trip to Chongqing.

Many years from now, when we reminisce about a city or a place, it’s not just because of its beauty or uniqueness. It’s because of the people, the experiences, the things that leave a lasting impression. It’s like a river of time carrying countless memories, flowing through our hearts.

Chongqing, a city located in the southwest of our motherland, has etched itself into my mind, and it will remain there for a lifetime. Years from now, when I stand at the railing and gaze into the distance, this city will be the direction my thoughts wander towards.

Yes, many years from now, I will cherish this place, filled with vitality and kindness. It’s because of Chongqing that I’ve changed many things about myself, including my thoughts and aspirations.

The south, for me, was once just a scenic backdrop on my journey, maybe a stone bridge and flowing water, maybe blue skies and white clouds, maybe bamboo rafts in a forest, or smiling faces in a village… I never imagined that one day I would become part of this land, living here for four years or even longer.

In that moment, I realized I was no longer just a spectator of the scenery. This place felt like my second home.

I know that one day I’ll have to leave, return to where I came from, and perhaps never return to this place again. After all, there are only a few four-year periods in life where you get to experience this kind of feeling. So, I really want to leave something for myself to look back on.

Chongqing is a city I’ve grown to love, even its grass, trees, flowers, and plants, they all pulsate with passion and life force. Just by looking up, you can almost smell the fragrance of spring.

As everyone knows, the climate and water of Chongqing are very nourishing. Soon after I arrived, the pimples on my face quickly disappeared. I owe it to the humid climate here and the abundant rain that nourished my skin. The food in Chongqing is also very tempting. For someone like me who can’t live without spicy food, this city is a foodie’s paradise. But what I want to talk about most is the people of Chongqing.

The people of Chongqing are so adorable, to what degree? Just walk around any corner in this city, and you’ll find that every stranger’s face is adorned with a smile. They’re incredibly friendly, treating you like an old friend, their eyes filled with warmth, and their conversations devoid of any sense of distance.

This is something I rarely saw in my hometown… It’s as if I had forgotten that human interaction was supposed to be like this.

This friendliness here is like every leaf on a tree, every ripple in a stream, a pure current flowing together in the innocent laughter of children, etched in the fine lines of the elderly… Everywhere I look, it brings me tranquility.

I remember when I first arrived in Chongqing, I was truly a lonely and helpless soul. At that time, I deeply understood the meaning of the phrase “Alone in a foreign land, a stranger; every festive season, thoughts turn to family.”

It was the warm-hearted friends I made here who helped me, making me feel less alone, less disheartened, and less homesick for my distant family. Everyone here naturally treats you like family, without rejection or isolation. What you find instead is a heart full of warmth and a smile of understanding. I love this amazing feeling, I cherish and enjoy it.

One day, I’ll have to say goodbye to this city completely. One day, I’ll have to leave these friends I consider so precious. Then, perhaps, we’ll be separated by distance, only occasionally connecting through phone calls to share our life stories.

At that time, I’m sure I’ll miss this place dearly. I’ll miss the hotpot, the night views, the colorful clothing, and the beautiful, generous girls. I’ll miss the first time I set foot on this land, the first time I met kind friends, the first time I learned to do my own laundry, the first time I celebrated my 20th birthday…

I can still remember how I first wandered through the carved beams and tiled roofs, how I first immersed myself in the local dialect, which I still don’t fully understand, and how I listened to countless stories and songs passed down through generations in the streets and alleys. So many experiences have contributed to my growth and deepened my memories.

Here, it feels like there’s an invisible door. Open it, and you’re out of it all, allowing your emotions to be released, finding your truest self.

Here, it feels like there’s a river flowing against the current. Following the river upstream, memories of the past come flooding back, and your heart feels cleansed, taking on a new form.

Chongqing, I’m here waiting, for the me from many years later to come back and seek out these memories.

I remember when I first arrived in Chongqing, I was truly a lonely and helpless soul. At that time, I deeply understood the meaning of the phrase “Alone in a foreign land, a stranger; every festive season, thoughts turn to family.”

It was the warm-hearted friends I made here who helped me, making me feel less alone, less disheartened, and less homesick for my distant family. Everyone here naturally treats you like family, without rejection or isolation. What you find instead is a heart full of warmth and a smile of understanding. I love this amazing feeling, I cherish and enjoy it.

One day, I’ll have to say goodbye to this city completely. One day, I’ll have to leave these friends I consider so precious. Then, perhaps, we’ll be separated by distance, only occasionally connecting through phone calls to share our life stories.

At that time, I’m sure I’ll miss this place dearly. I’ll miss the hotpot, the night views, the colorful clothing, and the beautiful, generous girls. I’ll miss the first time I set foot on this land, the first time I met kind friends, the first time I learned to do my own laundry, the first time I celebrated my 20th birthday…

I can still remember how I first wandered through the carved beams and tiled roofs, how I first immersed myself in the local dialect, which I still don’t fully understand, and how I listened to countless stories and songs passed down through generations in the streets and alleys. So many experiences have contributed to my growth and deepened my memories.

Here, it feels like there’s an invisible door. Open it, and you’re out of it all, allowing your emotions to be released, finding your truest self.

Here, it feels like there’s a river flowing against the current. Following the river upstream, memories of the past come flooding back, and your heart feels cleansed, taking on a new form.

Chongqing, I’m here waiting, for the me from many years later to come back and seek out these memories.

Here, it feels like there’s an invisible door. Open it, and you’re out of it all, allowing your emotions to be released, finding your truest self.

Here, it feels like there’s a river flowing against the current. Following the river upstream, memories of the past come flooding back, and your heart feels cleansed, taking on a new form.

Chongqing, I’m here waiting, for the me from many years later to come back and seek out these memories.