Chongqing is called Yu for short. It is situated in the confluence between the Yangtze River and the Jialingjiang River.

The history of Chongqing can be traced up to Tongliang culture and Mawangchang culture twenty thousand years ago. During the closing stage of the Spring and Autumn Period, it was the capita of Ba Kingdom. Ba was the earliest name of this place. When the Qin Kingdom unified China, it established Ba Prefecture here. In the Han Dynasty the name was changed into Jiang Prefecture, because this mountain city closely stood by the Yangtze River. In the Sui Dynasty the name was again changed into Yu Prefecture, because it was near Jialingjiang River which was called Yu River in the ancient time. That is why Chongqing is called Yu for short. This name remained through the Tang Dynasty, Five Dynasties and the Northern Sung Dynasty for 500 odd years. Up to now Chongqing is still called Yu for short.

In the Sung Dynasty (in the year of 1102A.D.) Yu Prefecture was renamed Gong Prefecture and in 1190 the name was changed into Chongqing Prefecture, meaning “Double Celebration or Happiness” in Chinese characters. That was how the name “Chongqing” came which has been used through the dynasties of Yuan, Ming and Qing and up to now.

On 14th of March, 1997, Chongqing was officially proclaimed the fourth municipality directly under the jurisdiction of the Central Government.

To see more information about China history .

To see more information about China .