Introduction
One of the people that I consider most important in my life is my partner, Ji, who comes from China. This lad is my source of inspiration owing to the strong sense of self-drive and the love for hard work that he instills in me and all others around him. Ji is not only important to me because of the value he adds to my life through his handiwork but also the exotic culture that comes along with where he comes from. Ji was born and brought up in the sprawling municipality of Chongqing in southwest China where. Located at the center of several ancient china cultures, Chongqing is a cosmopolitan that thrives in diverse artifacts that makes visiting and living exciting.
Dress and Appearance
The first aspect of culture that a visitor is likely to note the moment they land in Chongqing is the mode of dressing and the general appearance of the people. In Chongqing, traditional clothing is much valued, and it is common to see people in them. The first aspect of dressing in Chongqing is the traditional clothing known as Pienfu. The traditional Chinese clothing, Pien Fu, hails from the Han people ( Garrett, 2012) . It is made of a pair of a pants, knee-high tunic covered by a skirt. While the dress is considered ceremonial, it is often worn by members of the public for people who believe in their culture. Another ordinary traditional clothing that one may see in the streets of Chongqing is the Chanpao. The Changpao is simplistic single-piece clothing that extends from the shoulders all the way to the heels. According to Garrett (2012) , the Changpao is traditionally a dress of the Machu people. Shenyi, which is a blend of Pienfu and Chanpao, is another piece of clothing that one may find in Chongqing. Like the Pein Fu, it has a tunic and skirt or trouser but sewed together like a Changpao. Another standard piece of dressing that is seen in Chongqing is a traditional Chinese hand fan. Often used by women, the hand fan is a beautifully colored piece of cloth that is folded by the user and opened to ensure proper blowing. Ji’s people also unique footwear that is used by people along the streets of the city of Chongqing. Kungfu shoes which are often known as martial arts slippers are worn by different people in the streets of the town. These shoes are gendered to be worn by either men or women. Women's shoes are mostly differentiated from those of men by having flowers and bright colors. The final conspicuous item on dressing that is seen among people in Chongqing is the hairstyles. Chongqing women are often seen with long flowing hair that reaches up to their shoulders. Some women tie their hair with a loop or like a bird building a nest. Men, on the other hand, knot, tie their hair, or shave such styles as Jordan, or different traditional styles.
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Food and Drink
Food and drink is another important aspect of the Chongqing people's culture that makes the place unique from the rest of the world. Chongqing has a variety of delicious traditional foods and drinks that makes a tour of the place delightful. Chongqing is the home of internationally known conventional Chinese foods and cuisine. From raw garlic, dried chilies and tongue-tingling Sichuan peppercorns, to a variety of dishes that are fermented with vinegar, peanuts and soya beans, Chongqing is home to what people in other parts of the world call 'Chinese food.' The list of what might be of interest to a visitor in Chongqing is too big to complete. The most known Chongqing people dish is the hot pot. Originating from the Yangtze river coast, hotpot is related to passion and served in any restaurant in the area. Known as fondue, the hot pot was developed from Chongqing. Another essential cuisine from the people of Chongqing is Gong Bao. Looking as simplistic as a chicken fried with dried chilies, Gong Bao is made of other ingredients, including spring onions, peanuts, on top of diced chicken ( Chen & Huang, 2016) . Unlike other Sichuan dishes, this cuisine lacks a fermented funkiness hence easy to replicate anywhere. Suan La Fen is another vital cuisine that one cannot miss on tour to Chongqing. Suan La Feng is made of sour and hot glass noodles and a stiff dough of sweet potato starch placed inside a large holed bowl ( Chen & Huang, 2016) . Movement of the container determined how thick the mixture and resultant concoction gets. The dish is hence relatively easy to identify especially in the streets of Chongqing. Mapo Doufu is another favorite Sichuan cuisine that is seen in Chongqing. The recipe that translates to 'pock-marked woman's tofu,' is a soulful and tasty staple made of expensive ingredient by a 19 th -century woman to sell from her family tavern ( Chen & Huang, 2016) . Dan Dan Mian or a combination of chili, vinegar, and garlic mixed in noodles and pork is also a Chongqing favorite. The creamy dish is made from almost all the ingredients known in the history of China's food making. Xinjiang Black Beer is a drink that is also vital in China’s cuisine. With a strong flavor and sweetness, Xinjiang Black Beer is a complement for cumin and lamb ( Chen & Huang, 2016) . Other standard drinks in Chongqing include green tea, Pearl milk tea, C100, Teiguanyin, and salt soda water.
Relationships
In terms of relationships among people, the people of Chongqing show a significant difference from other areas around the world, especially in the west. First, there is a strong interpersonal relationship between members of society. Chongqing culture is built around a spirit of community and value for each other. For example, ii is common to see people share a meal than eat in isolation. Moral obligation, affectionate contribution, and reciprocity are the pillars that support the creation of a community among the people of Chongqing ( Ebrey, 2014) . Based on the indigenous notion of the Chinese culture called Jiangyiqi, the code of conduct among people of Chongqing required the building of a healthy relationship by focusing on interpersonal relationships ( Ebrey, 2014) . Due to the respect for each other and the society, the society in Chongqing is highly organized with everything being in place. For example, even with millions of people in Chongqing, traffic is well organized, and there is minimum traffic. Unlike in Europe and America, where people are often treated equally, the Chongqing people have hierarchy and social order that require different treatment of people according to their social status. Elders are treated with respect and seen as vital pillars of the Chongqing society. Unlike in the west, where most elderly persons are placed in retirement homes, China people take care of their old parents. It is considered dishonor to abandon once parents after they get old ( Ebrey, 2014) . The Chongqing people hold age important with an individual's status in society gets high as they grow older ( Ebrey, 2014) . With the family being the epitome of social order, a patriarchal relationship is maintained in China. Women are expected to guide young girls on the descent way of ling and how to handle men.
Work and Work Habits
While there is freedom of working for all members of the society, most occupations in Chongqing are held by men. A majority of women in Chongqing are housewives responsible for taking care of children and their families ( Qin, 2010) . There are fewer women than men in Chongqing's workforce. Women are even less in such fields as engineering, technology, and medicine. Occupations where women are likely to be more than men include teaching, nursing, and agriculture laborers in Chongqing ( Qin, 2010) . A variety of professions exists in the twenty-first century Chongqing that provides the flow of capital and creation of wealth for the people living in this area. Both local and international companies have offices and departments, especially in the city of Chongqing. Working relationships in Chongqing are determined both by law and traditional ideals. With globalization, expats have come into Chongqing to complement the knowledge and move the area forward. While people of different languages work in Chongqing, proficiency in Chinese is an added advantage for a prospective worker of Chongqing ( Qin, 2010) . However, for people with expat skills that are considered valuable, language is less important. Professionals, in technology, medicine, and engineering are most valued in Chongqing ( Qin, 2010) . Foreigners are expected to get a work permit before starting to work in Chongqing based on the law of China. Just like in most parts of China, a robust hierarchical structure is seen in Chongqing’s organizations ( Qin, 2010) . Based on the efforts and contribution one make in their career, they are raised on the hierarchy. It is, therefore, common to see old experienced workers high up on the organizational ladder.
Religion and Beliefs
Chinese Taoist and Buddhism are the main religions in Chongqing. According to Yang & Hu (2012) , Buddhism was spread in Chongqing during the late Eastern Han Dynasty. Therefore, several national Buddhist temples are located in Ciyun, Arhat, Huayan, Shuanggui Tang, and Chongqing. Also crucial to the Buddhist culture is the Dazu Rocks carvings. Similarly, the Chinese Taoist culture that spread during the late Eastern Dynasty also holds a vital part of Chongqing. The Dingming Mountain Rock Carvings, Fary Temple, Juechen Shrine, and Laojun cave are essential features of the Taoist religion ( Wu-zhou, 2010) . Taoism is based on the belief of the origin of the universe. According to Taoism, people can become deities and through forever by practicing some rituals and austerities ( Yang & Hu, 2012) . Consequently, people in this religion live a life of denial and observe certain rituals that would allow them to reach the epitome of residing as deities. Like the rest of China, the Chongqing government restricts religion and only allows for a few sects. People are encouraged to carry most religious activities at home, especially with members of the family ( Wu-zhou, 2010) . However, unlike other provinces of China, Chongqing also allows participation of non-family members in religious practices. People are, however, encouraged to live spiritual lives even in public by showing virtues promoted by approved religious groups. In Chongqing, the orthodox clergy is expected to be trained to perform activities of such nature and to teach other members of the society patriotism and law of the province.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Chongqing culture is rich in a diverse range of artifacts that make not only the place enjoyable to visit but also lives. It is this culture that may partner, Ji, a vital part of my life and a person worth emulating. Being brought up in this area has instilled both knowledge and wisdom to create a strong sense of community around him to grow himself. As his partner, I look forward to interacting with him to enjoy his company and benefit from the strong personality developed from home, Chongqing.
References
Chen, Q., & Huang, R. (2016). Understanding the importance of food tourism to Chongqing, China. Journal of Vacation Marketing , 22 (1), 42-54.
Ebrey, P. B. (2014). Confucianism and family rituals in imperial China: A social history of writing about rites (Vol. 1222). Princeton University Press.
Garrett, V. (2012). Chinese dress: from the Qing dynasty to the present . Tuttle Publishing.
Qin, H. (2010). Rural-to-urban labor migration, household livelihoods, and the rural environment in Chongqing Municipality, Southwest China. Human Ecology , 38 (5), 675-690.
Wu-zhou, J. I. N. (2010). The Cause Analysis of Contemporary College Students' Religious Beliefs and the Enlightenment [J]. Journal of Zhejiang Ocean University (Humanities Sciences) , 1 .
Yang, F., & Hu, A. (2012). Mapping Chinese folk religion in mainland China and Taiwan. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion , 51 (3), 505-521.
