Mention China's south-western city of Chongqing, and nearly every Chinese person will immediately think of hotpot. This unique eating style has become a distinctive feature that could even be said to characterise the locals. Want to know more about this fascinating food? Let's follow our reporter Shen Ting to take a closer look.

As a hilly waterside city at the junction of the Yangtze River and the Jialing River, Chongqing is known for its hot and wet climate. To get accustomed to such a natural condition, Chongqing people favor hot food very much, which can help them drive away illness or being uncomfortable brought by the unique climate.

There are countless hotpot restaurants in Chongqing, which could be seen nearly at every corner of the city. In some places there even emerged hotpot groups or hotpot streets, with great popularity among the citizens. Statistics show by the end of last year, there were in excess of 80,000 restaurants in the city, among which more than 50,000 were hotpot restaurants, accounting for 60% of the total. No matter the scale, the flavor or the culture, Chongqing's hotpot industry definitely claims No.1 in the country. It has become a representative of the local food, and Chongqing is honored as the Hotpot Capital of China.

What on earth does the hotpot Chongqing people favor so much look like? Well, it consists of a simmering pot of stock at the center of the dining table. While the hot pot is kept simmering, ingredients are placed into the pot and are cooked at the table. Typical hot pot dishes include thinly sliced meat, leafy vegetables, mushrooms, wontons, egg dumplings, and seafood. The cooked food is usually eaten with a dipping sauce. In Chongqing, however, the water in the pot is always mixed with hot pepper oil to cater for local people's flavor.

Some believe the hotpot has helped form the enthusiastic characteristic of Chongqing people. Walking in the street of the city and asking some senior citizens about the direction, they would all give you warm reply and instruction without exception. Even more, they would make a discussion and figure out a most convenient path for you. Actually, due to the land form of Chongqing which has many slopes, the shortcut could probably means a lot of ascents, while a detouring path means more plain and energy-saving.

Another characteristic of Chongqing people is their straightforwardness. Usually, this word is regarded as the best comment to a Chongqing native, especially a man. Talking about such a characteristic, we've got a story to tell.

There is an ancient battle field named Diaoyu Fortress in Hechuan of Chongqing. In the 13th century when the Mongolian troops swept southward, the army of the Song Dynasty built Diaoyu Fortress to the hill slope. Some 170 thousand soldiers and civilians defended the Mongolian troops for 36 years, which created a miracle in the military history of the world.
"Chongqing and Shanghai are both municipalities in China, and about their economies, Chongqing has a wider space to develop. This is just what I need. I will grow up together with the city, and accumulate richer life experiences."

Enthusiasm, straightforwardness and optimism ¨C all these characteristics of Chongqing people can be tasted when you are having hotpot food in the city. So next time when you get an opportunity to visit Chongqing, never forget to try the hotpot and make some friends, which will undoubtedly leave a deep impression on you.