 Chengdu (Chinese: 成都; Pinyin: Chéngdū; Wade-Giles: Ch'eng-tu), located in southwest China, is the capital of Sichuan province and a sub-provincial city. It is the fifth most populous city in China. Chengdu is also one of the most important economic centers and transportation and communication hubs in China.
More than four thousand years ago, the prehistorical Bronze Age culture of Jinsha (Chinese: 金沙; Pinyin: Jīnshā) established itself in this region. The fertile Chengdu Plain, on which Chengdu is located, is called Tianfuzhi guo (Simplified Chinese: 天府之国) in Chinese, which literally means "the country of heaven", or more often seen translated as "the Land of Abundance".
General Information about Chengdu Jinsha Relic, indicates a long Shu culture; Dujiang Dam, lets us remember water irrigation accomplishments; Wuhou Temple, with a cypress forest, tells us the most splendid period of Shu culture; Dufu Cottage, with clear moon and gentle wind, glorifies itself as residence for poem Saint; Pandas, displays harmonious coexistence of man and nature. From dowtwon to suburb, urban to rural, Chengdu satisfies all yours sense enjoyments. Eye, ear, nose ,tongue , body, everything you touches is a wonder. A street, a brick, a pavallion, a greeting, every little thing can be a reason for you to come again. When you step on the soil of Chengdu, you are stepping on a starting point, maybe your destination is a snow mountain, a lake, a poem, an enjoyful trip, but wherever you go, you will find at last, that Chengdu is the place you remember and long for most.
Geography
Located in Southwest China, Chengdu is the regional capital of Sichuan province. Covering an area of 12.39 square Km, its east longitude extends from 102°54′to 104°53′and its north latitude extends from 30°05′to 31°26′.
The average cultivation index of the city has reached 38.2%. Chengdu enjoys favorable agricultural conditions, and it has long been known as the Storehouse of Heaven. It is the important production base of commercial vegetable oil, vegetables, fruits and Chinese medical herbs.
Chengdu has typical sub-tropical humid climate, with an annual temperature of around 17.5°. The annual rainfall of the city is 1,1246mm, with an annual sunshine of 1042-1412 hours. There are several climatic zones in Chengdu, namely, warm temperate zone, temperate zone, frigid-temperate zone, sub-frigid zone and frigid zone, making the city favorable for agricultural production and tourism development.
Chengdu has 12 rivers such as Ming River and Tuo River, together with numerous tributaries. Apart from the reputed Dujiangyan Irrigation System, reservoirs, pools and weirs crisscross in the city, with an effective irrigating area of 366,000 hectares. It is roughly estimated that there are 11 classes, 200 families, 764 genera and 3000 kinds of animals and plants, in which 2682 are main plants and 237 main animals. Precious plants are gingko tree, dove tree, michelia wilsonii and henryi; national protected endangered animals include panda, red panda, golden monkey and gnu. There are more than 860 Chinese medical herbs, in which hemlock parsley, curcumae, Fructus Mume and Rhizoma Coptidis are renowned worldwide.
Chengdu is rich in mineral resources, proven metal minerals include iron, titanium, vanadium,copper, lead, zincum, aluminium, gold, silver, strontium and REE. There are more than 60 Non-ferrous metals, including glaucocerinite, picrolite, gypsum, calcite,limestone, marble, shale, gravel, coal and natural gas.
Weather Located in the sub-tropical climate zone swept by the moist monsoon, Chengdu attracts many for its lovely weather. With the average annual temperature of 15.2 to 16.6°C, a total annual sunshine time of 1017 to 1345 hours, an annual frost-free period of 270 t0 340 days and an annual rainfall of 900 to 1300mm, the city enjoys steady environment quality and salubrious air. 51 Weeks in one year belongs to class “B” in terms of air pollution.
Transport
Southwest Airlines shall facilitate travel in Sichuan with a multitude of international flights and also a special tourist flight to Jiuzhai Valley. The air stewardess shall impress you with sweet smiles and considerate  cares, and they could also offer you tips about your business trip, sightseeing and holiday-making. Your plane shall land in Shuangliu county, 12km away from Chengdu. If time permits, you may also taste the local rabbit delicacy and acquaint youself with the trip in the land of spice. In addition, it is only a 30-minute drive to enter Chengdu proper and press closer to life in Chengdu if a bus is taken on the airport.
Taking a train to Chengdu, one will be warmly attended by the Chengdu stewardesses, who are typically beautiful Chengdu girls. While enjoying the verdant forest views outside the train window, one could be relieved by the conveniences provided by the train station, such as luggage consignment and whole trunk transportation of cargos. At present, the train station dispatches 46 passenger trains each day, accommodating 33,000 passengers and 50,000 passengers on peak days. It shall usher in more passengers as the first train from Chengdu to Lhasa is put through on July 1 2006.
There are six major long-distance bus stations in Chengdu, namely Wukuaishi bus station, Shiling bus station, Chengdu Bus Center, Beimen Bus Center, Xinnanmen Bus Center and Chadianzi Bus Center.The classification of routes is quite specified, facilitating the passengers with a clear destination. Even new comers will never lose their way here, because in general the passerbys are so warm-hearted that they are simply walking dictionaries about the bus information.
Supported by 366 public buses in every direction, the city of Chengdu is known for easy access to trasportation means. Even lane dwells are never worried about the absence of public buses. Besides, the ticket rate of these buses are by no means expensive: 2 RMB for buses with air conditioners and 1 RMB for general buses. Culture and folklore
The Sichuan cuisine is famous for being very spicy, but in fact only slightly more than 30% of dishes officially labeled "local" rely on chili pepper. The reputation for hot food is, however, much older than the use of  peppers, which became common only in the 17-18th century.
Chengdu's cuisine is considered to be one of China's most outstanding. The many local specialties include Grandma Chen's Bean Curd (Mapo doufu), Chengdu Hot pot, and Carrying Pole Noodles (Dan Dan Noodles).
An article by the Los Angeles Times (2006) called Chengdu "China's party city". Chengdu outnumbers Shanghai in the number of tea houses and bars despite having less than half the population. The inhabitants have a reputation both within Sichuan and in China at large for having a laid back attitude and for knowing how to enjoy life. |
