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Introduction to Chengdu
Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, is situated in the hinterland of Chengdu Plain. With its long history of over 2,300 years, Chengdu was proclaimed one of the 24 cultural and historical cities by the State Council. Chengdu has a total population of 10,443,000 with nine districts, four cities and six counties. Due to its location at the western peripheral area of Sichuan Basin, Chengdu has a favorable climate. The annual temperature is around 16.4 ˇć and the average of precipitation volume is 1,124 centimeters in one year. Now, Chengdu has become one of the largest cities of China. Its prosperity, beautiful landscape and delicious food attract plenty of people from all over the world. Indeed, Chengdu is a wonderful city full of vitality coexisted with leisure.
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Chengdu Fig 1. |
Chengdu Fig 2. |
History of Chengdu
In 311 B.C., a protective wall built by people of the Qin Dynasty marked the beginning of Chengdu City. The Dujiangyan Irrigation Project constructed under the lead of Li Bing, prefect of Shu Prefecture, brings the vast Chengdu Plain under irrigation and protects it against droughts and floods for more than 2,000 years. Thus, Chengdu was turned into the Land of Abundance with temperate climate and fertile soil. It was densely covered by rivers and dotted with bridges, while trees grew in profusion and flowers bloomed all year around. Chengdu was also named as Brocade City and City of Hibiscus in the Western Han Dynasty and the Five Kingdoms Period, respectively. Over 2,000 years, Chengdu has remained a city of military importance in Southwest China on politics, economy and military affairs. With prosperous industry and booming business activities, it became the birthplace of paper money first used in China. Besides, this city is also known for its handicrafts, tea culture and Sichuan Opera. In all, through the long history, Chengdu has been constantly learning and absorbing the new and the advanced culturally and intellectually.
Culture of Chengdu
Chengdu people have created many Firsts in China and the world in the fields of economy, science and humanities. Hailed as ˇ°a wonder in the worldˇ±, the Dujiangyan Irrigation Project has operated for more than 2,000 years. Chengdu was one of the earliest centers of the world's silk weaving. The brocade transported from China to the rest of the world through the famous ˇ°Silk Roadˇ± was mainly from here. ˇ°Jiaoziˇ±, issued by the local government in 1,023, was the world's earliest paper money. It reflected the advanced level of Chengdu's economy, papermaking and printing techniques. The ˇ°Stone Chamberˇ± created by Wen Weng, governor of Sichuan in the Western Han Dynasty, was the oldest, government-run school in the world. Well-known poets Li Bai, Du Fu and Lu You had also once settled here and left behind many masterpieces. During the Tang and Song dynasties, Chengdu was famous for its music, songs and operas. Since the Qing Dynasty, Chengdu's tea culture became known throughout the country and grew popular, which brings more teahouses to the city than any other place in the world nowadays.
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Chengdu Fig 3. |
Chengdu Fig 4. |
Sightseeing Tours
Chengdu, which is a paradise for tourists, has plenty of beautiful scenic spots and famous historical spots. Jiuzhaigou and E'mei Mountain, which are noted by the UN as one of the greatest natural legacies in the world, as well as Sanxingdui, Du Fu Thatched Cottage and Wuhou Temple attract a great many of tourists around the world. Various sightseeing tours are available at your own expense. Some best-known tourist attractions we would like to strongly recommend are listed below:
Historic Wonders of Sanxingdui
Sanxingdui is the eldest and largest Shu ancient city relics in China. The site of Sanxingdui, located in the city of Guanghan, 40km from Chengdu, is recognized as one of the most important ancient remains in the world for its vast size, lengthy period and enriched cultural contents. In 1986, two major sacrificial pits were found and thousands of natural treasures were unearthed. Among them, the 395cm high bronze sacred tree with nine branches on the trunk, the bronze large standing man composed of the square base and the figure, the bronze vertical mask and the gold scepter are best known around the world. The scientific discoveries and excavations have unveiled the history of Ancient Shu from a period 5,000 years ago. The remains of Sanxingdui show an ancient culture, ancient city and ancient country. However, no texts have been found, nor is there any mention of this culture in the records of other countries. Thus, the unique culture that produced these artifacts is still a mystery.
Du Fu Thatched Cottage
Du Fu Thatched Cottage is located at the side of the Flower Washing Brook (Huanhuaxi) in the western suburbs of Chengdu. It is the former residence of the celebrated Tang dynasty poet, Du Fu. In 759, he resigned from his official position in the capital, Chang'an (present Xi'an), and fled to Chengdu where he built a humble cottage and stayed for about three years. During those three years, Du Fu wrote about 240 poems reflecting upon the misery of people. After Du Fu's death, the cottage was restored again and again as a memorial to Du Fu. The present one was the restoration of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today the Thatched Cottage, which covers 20 hectares of leafy bamboo and luxuriant vegetation, has become a commemorative museum in the form of a traditional garden. The area contains several interesting structures, including the grand lobby, the Shrine of Gong Bu (Du's official title) and the Memorial Hall of Du Fu.
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Du Fu Thatched Cottage Fig 1. |
Du Fu Fig 2. |
Wuhou Temple
Temple of Marquis Wu, which is located in the south of Chengdu, is a famous historical site dedicated to the memory of both Liu Bei, Emperor of the Kingdom of Shu in the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280), and Zhuge Liang, Prime Minister of the kingdom. The memorial temple, dignified and simple in style, houses 47 statues of Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang and other civil officials as well as senior generals of the kingdom. The temple is also furnished with many inscribed stone tablets, the most famous being the Tablet of Triple Success from the Tang dynasty .
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