The City of Banyan Trees—Chongqing

Banyan trees thrive on cliffs, evergreen all year round, resilient to high temperatures and humidity, much like the personality of Chongqing locals. "The landscape shapes its people"—how true these words are! As a Chengdu native, Chongqing was always close by, yet as a child, I never felt any curiosity about this neighboring city, never had the urge to visit. It wasn't until high school when I read Han Suyin's novel *The Mountain Is Young* that a burning desire to explore Chongqing was ignited in me! But life kept getting in the way, delaying the trip year after year—until today, when the dream finally came true! My first impression of Chongqing was awe-inspiring! The mountainous terrain creates dramatic elevation changes, making buildings that are actually far apart appear startlingly close. No matter where you stand, the city looms like a colossal entity, with everything stretching upward in height or plunging downward in depth. Visiting Chongqing is sure to impress, but living here might feel overwhelmingly crowded and oppressive—perhaps explaining the locals' fiery temper, with little room for ease! Chengdu, in contrast, is flat and open, fostering a more laid-back attitude. Many Chengdu folks love saying, "Take it slow, no rush." A Chongqing local meeting a Chengdu native might just feel like dying of impatience!