Built on mountains and traversed by the Yangtze and Jialing rivers, Chongqing is known as "mountain city" (山城), and "bridge capital" (桥都). Streets are often steep and arduous to walk through, with frequent stairs. This peculiar orography acted as a catalyst for the emergence of the bangbangjun (棒棒军), a legion of incredibly tough porters always ready to help Chongqingners shoulder burdens through the streets of the city. Equipped only with one-meter-long bamboo poles and thick nylon ropes, they can carry loads of more than 60 kilos, containing different items such as materials for construction, shopping bags, or luggage.
