No, Chongqing is not in Chengdu; they are two distinct and major cities located in southwestern China. While Chongqing was historically a part of Sichuan Province, of which Chengdu is the capital, it was separated in 1997 to become one of China's four direct-administered municipalities, giving it a political status equal to a province. Geographically, the two cities are approximately 270 kilometers (167 miles) apart and are connected by a highly efficient high-speed rail network. Although they share a similar regional culture and a love for spicy Sichuan cuisine, Chengdu is known for its laid-back, flat basin landscape and giant panda research, while Chongqing is famous for its dramatic "mountain city" topography, sprawling urban hills, and the Yangtze River.