Chengdu Tourist Attractions

Chengdu is the capital city of Sichuan province in China and has a history of over 2,300 years. It was created by the then King of Shu in the 4th century B.C. The name is said to have been created by the King when he moved the capital to here. "Chengdu" means "become a capital" in Chinese. Situated on the western side of the Sichuan basin, the city generally has a mild humid climate with hot summers and temperate winters.

Chengdu is one of the largest cities in China with a population of over 11 million and is high on the list of most desirable cities in China to live in. The area has always been a place where wealth could be created because of its extremely fertile land. The basin area where Chengdu sits has the name "TianFuZhiGuo" which translates roughly to "the land of abundance". This originated from the Dujiangyan Irrigation Project which was constructed in 256 B.C. The land is rich with minerals and the Min and Tuo Rivers supply an area of more than 700 square kilometers with water.

Sichuan is known worldwide for its unique cuisine. Its spicy recipes have traveled to all corners of the globe. Any trip to Chengdu demands sampling some local dishes. The most famous is hotpot (huoguo) which usually has a lot of Sichuan pepper (huajiao) and has a numbing effect on your mouth.

Apart from their food, Chengdu people are most proud of their Giant Pandas which are also famous worldwide. The "Chengdu Panda and Research Centre" is the biggest Panda conservation centre in the world and currently holds 90 Giant Pandas and also Red Pandas.

Chengdu has many sights and attractions for visitors. Another example of local culture can be found in teahouses in the city. These are wonderful places to relax and unwind. The most famous teahouse is in Wenshu temple which is a beautiful old Buddhist temple featuring many ancient statues and relics. Jin Li Ancient Street will give you a glimpse of old Chengdu while providing plenty to do. Catch a Sichuan Opera at night for a fun variety show of many acts.

These are just a few of many activities to enjoy in this vibrant city. As you explore Chengdu, you will surely find more than one thing to entertain or amaze you.

• Air quality: ★★★★☆
• Foreigner-friendly degree: ★★★★☆
• Public security degree: ★★★★☆
• Hygienic degree: ★★★★☆
• Traffic jam degree: ★★★☆☆
• Internationalization level: ★★★★☆
• Consumption level: ★★★★☆

• Language: Mandarin, Southwestern mandarin
• Best traveling season: Mar. to Jun., Sep. to Nov.
• Tourist resources: landscape, culture, historic relics
• Airport to downtown: 16 km
• Demographics: Han (99.46%), minority groups (0.54%)
• Key words: spicy, hot, hotpot, scenic, panda, teahouse, street foods, leisure, poet, dynamic, Chuan opera.

Local Delicacies: Poached Sliced Beef in Hot Chili Oil (Shuizhu Niurou水煮牛肉), Shredded Chicken (Bangbangji棒棒鸡), Mapo Tofu (Mapo Doufu麻婆豆腐), Kung Pao Chicken (Gongbao Jiding宫保鸡丁), Cold Noodles with Chicken Shreds (Jisi Liangmian鸡丝凉面), Spicy Hot Bean Curd Pudding (Mala Douhua麻辣豆花), Sliced Meat with Crispy Rice (Guoba Roupian锅巴肉片), Pork Lungs in Chili Sauce (Fuqi Feipian夫妻肺片), Sichuan Pickle (Sichuan Paocai四川泡菜), Longchaoshou Wonton (Longchaoshou Huntun龙抄手馄饨), Shredded Pork with Garlic Sauce (Yuxiang Rousi鱼香肉丝), Sichuan Noodle (Dandan Mian担担面), Chuanbei Agar-agar Jelly (Chuanbei Liangfen川北凉粉).

Local Specialities: Bamboo over Porcelain (Citai Zhubian瓷胎竹编), Bamboo Woven (Zhubian竹编), Gold and Silver Article (Jinyin Zhipin金银制品), Erjingtiao Chili (Erjingtiao Lajiao二荆条辣椒), Pi County Watercress (Pixian Douban郫县豆瓣), Emei Mountain Tea (Emeishan Cha峨眉山茶), Wu Liang Ye Liquor (Wuliangye五粮液), Luzhou Laojiao Liquor (Luzhou Laojiao泸州老窖), Sichuan Lovage Rhizome (Chuanxiong川芎), Sichuan Fritillary Bulb(Chuanbeimu川贝母), Sichuan Brocade (Shujin蜀锦), Sichuan Embroidery (Shuxiu蜀绣), Qingcheng Silk Rug (Qingcheng Sitan青城丝毯), Old Sichuan Beef Jerky (Laosichuan Dengying Niurougan老四川灯影牛肉干).

Useful lines:

• 成都旅游服务咨询中心 Chengdu Tourist Information Center
• 028-85482323
• 成都旅游投诉电话 Chengdu Tourism Complaints
• 028-969271