With two big rivers cutting across the city it’s only natural that there are many bridges. Currently there are eight major bridges (a ninth is under construction) scattered throughout the city. According to one source there are 6,000 bridges in the municipality. Evidently the city wants to maintain its status as the “City of Bridges” in China. And not unlike the bridges criss-crossing New York or San Francisco, the bridges here each have their own character and story. After sunset the light from the bridges reflecting off the rivers are definitely worth snapping a photo or two. Here are a few worth noting…
• Shanhu Yangtze River Bridge 珊瑚长江大桥 Between Caiyuanba (菜园坝) and Nan’an district (Completed!)
• E Gong Yan Bridge 鹅公岩大桥 Between Xiejiawan (谢家湾) and Zhaojiaba (赵家坝)
• Jialing River Bridge 嘉陵江大桥 Between Niujiaotou (牛角头) and Jiangbei district
Zhou Gong Guan 周公馆 lit. Zhou’s Palace
• Admission 2 RMB
• Another historical site along the “Red China” tour. During the war against the Japanese, Zhou Enlai stayed here and handled official Communist business.
Guiyuan 桂园
• Admission 2 RMB
• Located about 200 meters from Zhou Gong Guan, this was another one of the Communist Party Committee’s headquarters. Chongqing negotiations were held here and important documents signed. Both Zhou Gong Guan and Guiyuan are protected by the State as Historical and Cultural sites.
Bus Tip: 上请寺 or 牛角头 (address: 曾家岩50号)
Light Rail Tip: 曾家岩 (Zengjiayan) Exit A
Hong Yan Ge Ming Ji Nian Guan 红岩革命纪念馆
• Admission 50 RMB
This site was the former headquarters for the Communist Party Central Committee. The museum commemorates the historical events of the revolutionary war between the KMT and the Communists, and records the Communist rise to power. If you have ever wanted a photo with Mao, there’s a 
life-sized wax sculpture here that should do the trick. The exhibits here are closely related to the Revolutionary War sites located on Ge Le Mountain. There are two separate buildings at this site, one newer looking red marble building and a much older stone building (possibly has separate admission fee of 18 RMB).
Note: There is a separate museum with a very similar Chinese name located just west of Jiefangbei. Both are shown on the Daping Area map to help you avoid confusion.
Bus Tip: 红岩村
Zhong Guo Min Jian Yi Yao Bo Wu Guan 中国民间医药博物馆
• Admission 10 RMB
Located on top of Pipa Hill, this museum boasts the 5,000-year history of Chinese traditional medicine. Its nine exhibition halls feature statues of famous Chinese doctors, famous articles, recipes, herbs and production tools. In addition, it shows how Buddhist and Taoist culture played a role in Chinese medicine. A traditional Chinese medicine doctor is also available for consultation.
Bus Tip: 观音岩 (stop is near back entrance to Pipa Park)
Zi Ran Bo Wu Guan 自然博物馆
• Admission 10 RMB
Located at the base of Pipa Hill (on the Pipa Shan Road side), this small museum holds exhibits about the natural history of the region, dinosaur bones from the Sichuan area, more than 100,000 cultural artifacts, and various rotating exhibits (for example in 2006 there was a special exhibit about snakes in the region).
Bus Tip: 文化宫 + 5 RMB taxi
Pi Pa Shan Gong Yuan 枇杷山公园
• Admission 2 RMB; open late
Once a private garden of the chairman of Sichuan, this area was converted into a park after the new government came into power in 1949. The locals come here to sip tea and play cards, but there are a few sites around the park for those who prefer walking around. During the day you can visit the two museums (the Nature Museum and the Chinese Medicine Museum) And at night trek up to the Hongxing pavilion at the top of the hill and take in the surrounding city.
Bus Tip: 观音岩 or 文化宫 + 5 RMB taxi
Ren Min Da Hui Tang 人民大会堂
• Admission 5 RMB
The architecture of this government building is a throwback to the temples in Beijing. The traditional architecture is a sharp contrast to the modern design of the Three Gorges Museum across the square. The enormous central auditorium is primarily used to hold large government meetings or for concerts and performances. It is particularly photo worthy at night when the sun is down and the lights go up.
Bus Tip: 大礼堂[三峡博物馆] or 上请寺
Light Rail Tip: 曾家岩 (Zengjiayan) Exit A.
San Xia Bo Wu Guan 三峡博物馆
• Free! Admission
As the name indicates, this museum relates to the Three Gorges. This encompasses quite a large spectrum including the history (natural and human) of the region, the construction of the dam, and the preservation of cultural artifacts. This museum is massive; it may take several hours to take in all the exhibits. On the highest level are rotating collections. There you may see galleries of porcelain, traditional Chinese painting, and ancient jade relics, to name a few.
Bus Tip: 大礼堂[三峡博物馆] or 上请寺
Light Rail Tip: 曾家岩 (Zengjiayan) Exit A. Across from People’s Hall
E Ling Gong Yuan 鹅岭公园
• Free Admission
This sprawling park has a few different sections including a courtyard with goldfish streams running around and beneath it, a perennial garden, and a viewing platform that you can go to the top of (for 5 RMB) and take in the view of the Jialing River on one side and a glimpse of the Yangtze on the other. Locals often come here in small groups to play traditional Chinese instruments in the park and others gather around to listen or sometimes even sing and dance.
Bus Tip: 鹅岭 walk up the small side street (E Ling Zheng Jie-鹅岭正街) and eventually the park entrance will be on the left
Light Rail Tip: 佛图关 (Fotuguan) About a 15 minute walk from here. Follow the road past Stilwell Museum until you come to a side street on the right that seems to hook back (E Ling Zheng Jie-鹅岭正街). Follow that street for a short time and the park entrance will be on the right.
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