Hotpot treat helps to beat winter blues

Chongqing hotpot uses beef tallow, large quantities of chili and Sichuan pepper.

You can choose mild, medium or heavy soup base. For ordinary diners, mild is enough.

If you want a more upmarket restaurant, Bai Le Tian Hotpot Restaurant boasts the first hotpot shop in Chongqing, dating back to 1921. The newly-renovated restaurant in downtown Jiefangbei features the 1930s retro-style decor, with a local traditional music played by a live band.

Young and posh diners can try a modern eatery called "Spricy" which offers a stylish way of eating the traditional cuisine. The restaurant uses specially-designed cast iron cookware and features lounge music, local craft beers and cocktails. Despite all these fancy elements, the dishes are well prepared and the mix of spicy and mild soups taste good too.

The last but not least, hospitable locals like to invite guests to Nanshan Mountain, south of the Yangtze River to eat hotpot in open air. There is a "hotpot village" in the mountain which can be only reached by car. Dozens of hotpot restaurants are located along the 1 km long road. Some boast views of Lotus Lake and some have hundreds of tables all over the mountain. At night, when the restaurants light up their red lanterns, the view is unforgettable.