Shapingba District (沙坪坝)
Formerly known as Shaci Qu ( 沙磁区 pinyin: Shācí Qù) during the Sino-Japanese War. It is one of the most important parts of Chongqing, which covers around 396 square kilometers, 13 Jiedao, 11 towns, and it is also a famous sci-edu-culture district.
Shapingba is one of the most densely populated areas in Chongqing, with a population around one million.
History
Before Shapingba District had become a part of Chongqing, it belonged to Baxian(Now Banan District). In the early 1930s, Shapingba District belonged to Baxian First District, the government located at the Ciqikou (Longyin Town), the famous ancient town. During the period of the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Chiang Kai-shek’s government had moved to Chongqing, as a result of this a great number of schools, factories and medical institutions settled in Shapingba. From then on Shapingba turned into a place full of talent. In February 6, 1938, the Chongqing University, the Sichuan College of Education, the Chongqing Nankai Middle School, the Chongqing Electrical Steel Works and several other institutions settled in Shapingba from Beijing, Shanghai or Nanjing.
Districts within Shapingba
Huilongba (回龙坝镇)
Fenghuang (凤凰镇)
Qingmuguan (青木关镇)
Zhongliang (中梁镇)
Tuzhu (土主镇)
Chenjiaqiao (陈家桥镇)
Huxi (虎溪镇)
Xiyong (西永镇)
Gele Shan (歌乐山镇)
Zengjia (曾家镇)
Qinjiagang (覃家岗镇)
Education
Shapingba District is famous for its educational and technical environments. It is also known as the cultural center of Chongqing. There are 7 colleges and unverisities included Chongqing University and Southwest University of Political Science and Law, over 60 research institutes, as well as 173 primary and secondary school. In addition, Chongqing College City has been under way since 2003.
Colleges and universities
- Chongqing University (重庆大学) (founded in 1929)
- Southwest University (西南大学) (built from a merger of the former Southwest China Normal University and Southwest Agricultural University, which founded in 1906 and 1950 respectively, in 2005)
- Third Military Medical University (第三军医大学)
- Chongqing Normal University (重庆师范大学)
- Southwest University of Political Science and Law (西南政法大学)
- Sichuan International Studies University (四川外语学院)
- Western Chongqing University (渝西学院)
Note: Institutions without full-time bachelor programs are not listed
Transportation
Transportation to and from Shapingba has improved over the years. There are buses that run directly to most other districts including Jiangbei, Yuzhong and Jiulongpo.Three highways, Chengdu-Chongqing, Chongqing-Changshou and Shangqiao-Jieshi come across here. Within only half an hour, you would be possible to reach the Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport. Along the “Old Road” it is possible to reach Beibei, the farthest of the original nine districts within about one and a half hours. In addition, Chongqing’s West Railway Station is located in Shapingba. Though departures and arrivals are somewhat limited at this station, it is quite useful for trips to nearby destations such as Guiyang or Dazhou.
Industry
The industry of Shapingba mainly consists of motorcycle and car manufacturers, electrical equipment manufacturers, biologic-chemical industry and tertiary occupation. The state owned corporations include Jialing Group, Southwest Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd and Chongqing Pesticide Chemical Group, while private owned corporations include Chongqing HuiLi Ltd, Lifan Group, Yuan Group and Huayang Group.
Things to see
Sanxia Square (三峡广场), the center of Shapingba was completed in November 8, 2003, served the citizens with its shopping, entertainment and leisure functions. Covering 80 thousand square meters it is the perfect place in Shapingba to shop for clothes, go eat or just take a walk on the square. Because it is a walking street you have a park with waterfalls and rivers embedded into the road. The whole area is meant to symbolize the Three Gorges and its beauty.
Underneath the square you will find one of the biggest underground shopping centers of Chongqing. Although the clothes are fairly bad in quality but it is worth taking a look to try your luck with bargaining.
Furthermore there are a number of tourist attractions, monuments of Anti-Japanese War and Red Crag spirit. The Gele Shan several hundred years old town of Ciqikou and Lin’s Garden are the most famous places among Shapingba’s attractions.
