Culture of Chingqing as a Temporary Capital

With the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War (1937-1945), on October, 1938,

the Japanese army occupied Guangzhou and Wuhan. Then, the government

 of the Kuomintang (KMT) party withdrew to Chongqing from Nanjing, and 

made Chongqing the temporary wartime capital. As a result, Chongqing 

became the political, military, economic, and diplomatic center of China 

at that time.

Chongqing, together with Washington in America, London in England, and 

Moscow of the former Soviet Union, are recognized as the four famous historical

 cities of the Allies in World War II. In addition, Chongqing played a significant 

political role in the construction of the united line between the KMT and CPC.

During the 7 years of the Anti-Japanese War, many historic people, events, and 

places were pushed onto the historical stage of China, reserving many peculiar 

human cultural scenes for Chongqing.

As the temporary capital during the Anti-Japanese War, many historical places

 were built in Chongqing and over 400 relics have survived, according to 

incomplete statistics. However, due to the fast rate of construction in Chongqing,

 many relics have been lost. Presently, the representative relics include the former 

residences of such important persons as Chiang Kai-shek and Soong May-ling, 

as well as the memorial museum for the second cooperative agreement between

 the KMT and CPC, which held such documents as the Chongqing Negotiation 

and the Double Ten Agreement.

The Huangshan Official Residence for Chiang Kai-shek on the South Mountain

 in Chongqing has been better preserved for its incomparable integrity. During 

the peace negotiation between KMT and CPC, Mao Zedong, the leader of 

the CPC, accompanied by Zhou Enlai and Wang Ruofei, the representatives

 of the CPC, flew to Chongqing and negotiated with the KMT in Hongyancun and 

Guiyuan, etc. Guiyuan, originally the residence of General Zhang Zhizhong (KMT),

 was prepared for Mao Zedong’s stay in Chongqing. On October 10, 1945, the Talk 

Summary for the peace negotiation between KMT and CPC was signed exactly 

at the living room of Guiyuan.

As the temporary capital during the Anti-Japanese War period, many industries 

and schools were marshaled in Chongqing. Many famous enterprises today in Chongqing 

developed from wartime initiatives. At the same time, many young, 

patriotic students flooded into Chongqing to fight against the invasion of Japan.

 Many cultural celebrities like Guo Moruo, Liu Yazi, Ma Yinchu, Tao Xingzhi,

 Liang Shuming, Xu Beihong, and Lao She settled and worked in Chongqing.

 Therefore, the culture in the temporary capital Chongqing was flourishing and 

Chongqing became the cultural and educational center for the Sichuan province. 

The cultural district Shapingba, gathering a lot of schools and universities, 

became the famous “cultural dam” at the southwest and northwest area 

during that time. The former building of the state-run Central University is 

still standing on the campus of Chongqing University today.

First Published by cqnews

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Haozi--Work Song of Chongqing

With many visible and invisible reefs and numerous torrents and dangerous

 shoals, the river-route between Chongqing and Wushan is quite narrow and

winding.

The boats traveling in the river in the old society were mostly pulled by 

manpower and required anywhere from ten to 100 people or more. The 

workers developed a song to unite them under a single rhythm while they 

pulled, and so the Work Song of the Chuanjiang River came into being.

Resounding long in the air, the melody of the Work Song of the Chuanjiang 

River is penetrating, and was created to coordinate the action and emotion of 

the boat pullers. Now, the Work Song of the Chuanjiang River has been 

added into the first national intangible cultural heritage list.

First published by cqnews

http://www.yourmandarin.org

Chongqing Dock Culture

With a lot of docks along the river, busy business boats, and 
throngs of travelers, Chongqing has always been the water 
transportation hub at the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. 
Inter-mingling the city culture of Shuzhong (middle of Sichuan),
 the southwest China, and even the whole Yangtze River area, 
the dock culture has been cultivated based on the unique local 
culture of Chongqing.

The dock culture of Chongqing mainly consists of Paoge culture 
and Teahouse culture. The Paoge culture comes from the influence 
of the Jianghu brotherhood advocated in such secret folk organizations 
as Gelao Society, Tiandi Society, and Paoge Society.

Furthermore, Shu embroidery, Longmenzhen, the Chongqing 
dialect, and Sichuan dishes also represent Bayu culture. Such 
special Bayu culture has fostered the rich civilization for the 
land of Chongqing.

First published by cqnews.net

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Teahouse Culture & Paoge Culture of Chongqing

The dock culture of Chongqing mainly consists of Paoge culture and Teahouse

 culture.  The Paoge culture comes from the influence of the Jianghu brotherhood.

Chongqing has been a water transportation hub at the upper reaches of the 

Yangtze River since the Southern Song Dynasty. About 60% local residents had 

lived on the dock to carryon goods and tow boats, which demanded cooperation. 

Therefore, the Jianghu brotherhood has a greater influence on Chongqing than 

other cities. 

Chongqing has a long history of drinking tea. A writer published a article on 

Hong Kong’s Sing Tao Tourism magazine for his days in Chongqing during the 

War of Resistance Against Japan, saying “a taste of life in the Paris Cafe, a taste

 of life in the house of Chongqing. An article about Chongqing must write the

 teahouse. With a bowl of tea (the bowl is called Gaiwan in China), people laid

 on a bamboo chair and chat with each other as long as they can.” 

Teahouse shows a rich flavor of Bayu life, which is appreciated by tourists at home

 and abroad.

    First published by www.cqnews.net

Sichuan Opera

With a long history, Sichuan opera is one of the representatives of Bayu 
culture,having developed many outstanding traditional plays, variable 
melodies, and excellent acting arts.

The five styles of Kun Tune, High Tune, Huqin Tune (Xipi and Erhuang), 
Tan Tune and Deng Tune were once very popular in Sichuan. 
The five styles often shared the stage and gradually coalesced into a 
single technique. The technique was referred to as "Chuanxi" by the end
 of  the Qing Dynasty and renamed "Sichuan Opera" later.

The unique skills like "face-changing", "fire-spitting", and "long-sleeve fluttering" 
in Sichuan Opera are highly original. Together with the expressive motions, 
Sichuan opera is not only loved by Chinese people but also spread over 
the world. For example, the famous play Baishezhuan & Jinshansi is very
 popular at home and abroad.

First published by www.cqnews.net
http://www.yourmandarin.org

the distinctive Bayu culture

     The Bayu culture is one of the most distinctive cultures at the upper reaches
    of the Yangtze River. It is a regional culture initially developed by the Ba people.

     Having lived around dangerous mountains and rivers for a long time, the Ba
 people have grown very strong, brave, and willful. In Chongqing, for instance, 
 men are zealous and persistent, and women are mild but independent. 

First published by www.cqnews.net

http://www.yourmandarin.org