Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province, is located in the center of the plain in west Sichuan, known as the 'land of heavenly kingdom'. With an elevation of 500 meters, the city is slightly larger than Paris. For nearly 2500 years, it has been the economic and cultural center of the province. Long noted for its brocade industry, Chengdu was named Jincheng or the Brocade City in the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220A.D.).
Chengdu has a history of over 2,300 years. In 311 B.C., the State of Qin, during the Warring States period, established a county here. During 221-263, Chengdu was the capital of Shu, one of the three rival kingdoms. The 43 years of rule left many relics. In 1644, Zhang Xianzhong, leader of a peasant uprising, conquered the city, and established his capital here. There are at least 14 imperial mausoleums, but so far only seven have been excavated.
There are many historical spots in Chengdu. Among them, the Thatched Cottage of Du Fu, the Tomb of Wang Jian, the Dujiangyan Dam Water Conservancy Project and etc. are very famous places.
Area Code: 028
Zip Code: 610000
Location:It is located in the west of Sichuan Basin and in the middle of the Chengdu Plain, bordered by Neijiang, Leshan, Ya’an, Aba and Deyang on the east, south, west and north. The average elevation of Chengdu is 500 meters, the highest point being 5,364 meters and the lowest 387 meters
Climate: Chengdu enjoys a subtropical monsoon climate. It is warm and humid all year round and has four distinct seasons. The average annual temperature is 16 ℃. The annual frost-free period is over 300 days, and the average annual sunshine time is 1,238.6 hours, with a sunshine rate of 28%.
Area: 12,389.6 square kilometers (100 square kilometers are urban area)
Population: Permanent population is 12.21 million (7.31 million in urban area)
Ethnic Groups: nearly all the 54 minority ethic groups, except De’ang and Luoba, could be found in Chengdu, which occupy 0.61% of the total population.
dining
The dining in Chengdu mainly divided into three categories: Sichuan cuisine, hotpot and local snacks.
Sichuan cuisine, which consists of Chengdu, Chongqing and vegetarian dishes, is perhaps the most popular one among all the eight major schools of culinary art in China. As a branch of it, Chengdu cuisine is special for its flavor. Usually it has a main flavor, which is supplemented by several other flavors. You can taste salty, sweet, spicy, and tingling. Food thus made is soft, crisp, fragrant and delicious.
The most famous cuisines in Chengdu are: Fuqi Feipian (Braised Cow Lungs), Mapo Bean Curd, Gongbao Jiding (Spiced chicken with peanuts), etc.
Hotpot is also one of the highlights of Chengdu’s food. Introduced from Chongqing, Chengdu hotpot is known for their spicy and hot flavors which can make the tasters tongue go numb! Hotpot once was only served up at home to the family but is now hugely popular throughout Chengdu on the street and in restaurants. Chengdu hotpot has its own style ranging from simple spicy to moderate, three or four kinds of spices, as well as fish head hotpot, medical herbs hotpot, etc.
Chengdu snacks also enjoy a high reputation both at home and abroad with their unique colors, aromas, shapes and tastes. Chengdu snacks not only have a long history but also boast a wide variety. They are all carefully prepared with meticulously selected materials and are varied in taste. The most famous snacks include:, Chuan Chuan Xiang, Laitangyuan (Lai's Glutinous Rice Ball), Longchaoshou (Wonton), Dandan Noodles (pole noodle) and etc.
shopping
Chengdu is shopper's paradise like all major cities in China. It has a good selection of souvenirs and plenty of things to buy, likelacquerware, silk tapestry, bamboo products, Shu brocade, silverware and etc.
Chunxi Road, located in the center of Chengdu, has a history of 70 years. It features the most typical and prosperous commercial pedestrian street in Chengdu as well as one of the most beautiful shopping streets in China. Many famous department stores such as Pacific Department Store, Wangfujing Department Store and Parkson Department Store are all located in this street, which makes Chunxi Road the business center of Chengdu. In the daytime, shoppers and pedestrians fill up the road, while in the evening, numerous lights brilliantly illuminate the night market. It is indeed a good place for shopping.
Zongfu Road is the most reputed commercial center in Chengdu. It is the first walking street in Chengdu, and also the biggest walking street in southwest China. Nearly all major banks and department stores such as Hongqi, Parkson, Pacific and Dongfeng have their branches in this road. No vehicles, even bicycles, are allowed there.
The evening street market beside the Jinjiang Hotel and the Minshan Hotel are the best place to buy some souvenirs. This is a great atmospheric market selling all kinds of weird and wonderful goods. In the daytime, there is an interesting antiques market on Chaotang Bei Lu, in the west of the city. Don't forget to bargain at both these places as traders and store owners are used to seeing foreign faces and ripping them off!
entertainment
Chengdu people are famous for their leisure and enjoyment. From traditional teahouses, theaters to modern pubs and clubs, every corner in Chengdu offers the warmest welcome. Totally different from the quick rhythm in Beijing and Shanghai, Chengdu shows more easygoing, joyful, and comfortable atmosphere.
The main form of entertainment in Chengdu is Sichuan opera. Its varied performances, such as Bianlian (Changing faces), Gundeng (Rolling lamps) and Tuhuo (Spitting fire) are very popular; Bianlian (Changing faces) is famous even in overseas for its mysterious techniques. You may watch Sichuan opera in Sichuan Opera Theater, Shunxing Old Tea House, Chengdu International Exhibition Center and Shufeng Yayun Garden in the Culture Park.
Chengdu is also famous for its teahouses and tea culture. There is a saying, “China has the best teahouses in the world and Chengdu has the best teahouses in China." In Chengdu, teahouses can be found nearly in all streets and lanes. They not only have a very long history, but also possess some unique styles. Whichever teahouse you go into, you will be overwhelmed by the strong flavor of Chengdu: bamboo chairs, little square tables, particular tea sets, tiger stoves, copper teapots and the special skill of filling water of the waiters.
These teahouses provide the local people a social gathering, entertainment, and chatting place. In the teahouse, one can easily and pleasantly while away an afternoon by chatting, playing mahjong, playing cards, watching opera and etc.
There are also numerous bars and cafe scattered in the city. It is always the paradise of young people to relax themselves.
transportation
Airport
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is located in the central Chuanxi Plain, 16km southwest of the center of Chengdu City. It is an important aviation hinge and distribution center of passengers and cargo in the southwestern China. It is stationed with over 20 civil aviation and port units, including Southwestern Civil Aviation Administration of China, China International Airlines Southwest Division, Sichuan Airlines, etc.
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is the fourth largest international airport in China. It has scheduled flights to over 60 cities in China.
The airport is connected with the urban district via expressway. Bus No. 303 will take you to the China Airlines office on Renmin Nanlu, right in the center of the city. It costs ¥5 per one. You may also take taxies to the city center. Taxi fare from the airport to the city center averages 45 RMB. There is no extra charge for luggage or additional passengers. Going from the city to the airport, add an additional ¥10 to cover the toll on the Airport Expressway.
Railway
Chengdu is the most important railway hinge in Southwest China. Chengdu North Railway Station, as the main train station in Chengdu, is located in the north second ring road. In this station, trains going to the major cities in China as well as tourism trains to various travel cities in Sichuan province depart daily. Ticket windows are on the first floor of the station.
There are many buses go to the train station: No. 2, 9, 11, 16, 24, 27, 28, 34, 36, 44, 52, 54, 55, 64, 65, 70, 85, 303, and 402. Taking a taxi from the city center to the train station will cost you over 15 RMB.
Taxi
In Chengdu, the price of taxies varies with the type of the cars. For Santana, Jetta and Fukang, 5 RMB is charged for the first 1 kilometer and 1.40 for each additional kilometer up to 7km, after that 50% spare return charge for each additional kilometer is required. In the night (10:00 pm to 6:00 am), 6 RMB is spent for first 1km and then 1.70 RMB for each additional kilometer. For those newly-added Sagitar, the starting price is 7 RMB during daytime and 8 RMB in the night, including 1 kilometer.
Bus
Common buses and trolley buses will go from any place. Chengdu has an extensive system of city buses plying the streets. At each bus stop, there is a list of the bus lines coming through on this road, and on some city maps the whole network is displayed. Tickets are 1 RMB for common and 2 RMB for air-conditioned buses respectively. You put the money in the box next to the driver. You can also purchase Bus IC card from all McDonald in town, accepted in all buses city wide.
Welcome to Time in China.
