Sichuan Attractions: Sichuan Province, Shu for short, is located in China's western hinterland with its capital at Chengdu. As one of the largest provinces, Sichuan covers an area of 207,337 square miles. The majority of population is Han, who can be found scattered throughout the province. More than 15 minority groups reside in the western portion, with significant minorities of Tibetan, Yi, Qiang and Naxi. Each of them has its own charm, ethnic style and folk custom.
The area is surrounded by mountains, lofty or low. The west is plateaus and mountainous land while the east features basin and hilly regions. The climate is highly variable between its eastern and western parts. The Sichuan Basin experiences subtropical monsoon climate with mild winters, hot summers, and less sunshine. The western plateau has lower temperature and less rainfall.
Known as the 'Land of Abundance', Sichuan is one of the major agricultural production contributors of China. Sichuan, generally classified as a rice region, abounds in agricultural products, including grain and wheat. Its main famous traditional specialties are brocade and embroidery, bamboo wares, wines and liquors such as Wuliangye, Jiannanchun and Luzhoulaojiao.
Sichuan Cuisine, one of the four great cuisines in China, is famous all over the world. The saying goes that Sichuan cuisine is of 'one dish, one shape, hundreds of dishes, hundreds of tastes'. Sichuan Cuisine emphasizes the use of chili, red hot peppers and garlic, so the most prominent traits of the cuisine are spicy, hot, fresh and fragrant. Typical dishes are: Hot Pot, Smoked Duck, Gongbao Chicken, Twice Cooked Pork, Mapo Tofu, Steamed Beef with a variety of seasonings and spices, Roast Pork Cooked with bamboo shoots), Zhangcha Salted and Smoked Duck.
Sichuan abounds in lush mountains and exquisite waters, and houses historical and cultural sites. Here offers a wide variety of beautiful landscapes including plateaus, mountains, hills, ravines, limestone caves, basins, plains, rivers, lakes, hot springs and waterfalls. It has three sites included as the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, namely the Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area (Nine-Village Valley), the Huanglong Scenic Area, and Emei Mountain including the Leshan Giant Buddha. The Wolong Nature Reserve is home to the Chengdu Giant Panda Research Base, which is one of the most important centers in the world for the conservation of pandas.
Useful Resources:
About Sichuan: A westerner's experience of Sichuan after living there for two years and return visits.
