A Tale of Two Cities: Chongqing and Chengdu – China Travel
www.chengduliving.com — Chongqing and Chengdu are "sister cities," but they are as dissimilar as apples and beefsteak. The two cities have different histories, different personalities and wildly different trajectories and through it all they manage to be such opposites that, eventually, they come together over a steaming vat of hot pot.
I couldn't think of two cities more different. I loved Chengdu and hated Chongqing. The people in Chengdu were so friendly and the food great. Pretty laidback city. Chongqings taxi drivers are the worlds rudest and most dishonest. The pollution is incredible.
All of the things you mention are absolutely true. Compared to Chongqing, Chengdu is like a peaceful garden. Chongqing has a lot of character though, as grimy and hastily erected as it is. It certainly lacks the historical foundation of Chengdu, but we think it's an interesting place to check out. Not as great to live though (I spent 3 months working in a music studio in Jiefang Bei before returning to Chengdu!).
I have been to both cities several times and its kinda like sitting in a sauna until you are about to pass out and then jumping under a cold shower. You can't have one without the other lol