Livin’ in The Chonx

Xing Ba Ke 星巴克
• 18-35 RMB

When you’re trying to save money, the packets of instant Maxwell House may be acceptable. But when you’re trying to save your sanity, Starbucks is probably the closest you can get to a genuine Latte (in Chongqing). Complete with familiar options from home like Caramel Macchiato and Mocha Cappuccino, or some rarer choices like Green Tea or Red Bean Frappuccino. Settle into one of the comfy lounge chairs and slowly sip away the afternoon in one of the few non-smoking environment in China. There are currently four locations in Chongqing. All locations offer free wireless internet.

• Jiefangbei (2 locations): First location attached to Wang Fu Jing Department Store. Second location on the uppermost level of Hong Ya Dong
• Shapingba: Attached to Wang Fu Jing Department Store
• Jiangbei: Attached to Paradise Walk

Jie Ke 街客
•    3-6 RMB

This chain specializes in milk tea, fruity beverages, and smoothies.  One big plus is their menu is in Chinese and English, removing the guesswork.  Their signature pearl milk tea is considerably better than what the random street stands sell, perhaps because they use real milk instead of creamer powder.  The coconut milk with sweet honey beans is also worth trying.  Just avoid the coffee drinks.  For about the same price you can get a much better (less watered down) coffee at McDonald’s.  There are locations in all the major walking street districts, just keep an eye out for the big orange sign.

Ka Dun Er 卡顿尔

Located on the corner of the Maison Mode Department Store (美美) in Jiefangbei, this eye-catching bakery is owned and operated by a pastry chef from America. Inside the store are towering cake displays like the ones found in bridal magazines. Just about anything you select here will be slightly different from the typical desserts found at local bakeries–it must be the Western touch. The cookies come highly recommended.

Bus Tip: 临江门
Light Rail Tip: 临江门 (Linjiangmen) Exit D (the Liberation Monument exit).

Chinese cakes are different from your standard cakes back home in a couple of ways. First the inside of the cake is usually a spongy, light cake like Angel’s food cake. Usually this part of the cake is not flavored, but there might be a layer of cream in the middle and sometimes fruit. Second, they use a very light whipped frosting and decorate with fruit and delicate flower shapes or fanciful animals. A lovely change from the heavy butter frostings and marzipan they use to decorate in the West. Here are the three most popular bakeries in Chongqing, each has dozens of locations throughout the city.

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