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Chengdu Facts
Phone Code: 028
Postal Code: 610000
Area: 12,390 Sq km (4,783.8 Sq miles)
Population: 14.047 million (in 2010)
Nationalities: Han, Hui, Tibetan, Manchu, Mongolian and Yi
Neighboring Areas: Qinghai, Gansu, Shaanxi, Hubei, Hunan, Guizhou and Yunnan Provinces; Tibet Autonomous Region
Location: Chengdu is situated in the west of Sichuan basin and the central part of Chengdu Plain
Physical Features: Chengdu terrain is mainly divided into three parts - the western part is Longmen and Qionglai mountains whose peaks are mostly 3000 m (9,842.5 feet) above sea level, the middle part is the productive Chengdu Plain, while the eastern part is the low Longquan Mountain.
History: Chengdu was the capital of the Shu State in the 4th century BC. Then in the Western Han Dynasty (206BC - 24AD), Chengdu was also named 'Jin Guan Cheng' (Brocade Official's City) or 'Jin Cheng' (Brocade City) because of its developed brocade industry. Coming to the Sui (581 - 618) and Tang (618 - 907) dynasties, Chengdu became the third most prominent city in China, just under Changan and Yangzhou. From the time of the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279), Chengdu had been the political, economic, military and cultural center of the entire southwestern area for years. Even now, Chengdu is still the technology, business and financial center as well as communication hub of southwest China.
Chengdu Attractions: Chengdu's tourism has three major characteristics – 'Paradise scenery', 'Panda Home' and 'Shu Culture'. Xiling Snow Mountain, Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong Scenic Area, Qingcheng Mountain and Huanglongxi Ancient Town constitute picturesque landscape; about 80% of the world's pandas are living in the three natural reserves in Chengdu that are located in Congzhou City Anzihe, Dayi County Heishuihe and Dujiangyan City Longxi and Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center, where tourists can not only visit the childlike giant panda, but they can also learn about the newest scientific achievements regarding pandas. With the Wuhou Memorial Temple of the Shu culture as the representative, Chengdu has over 170 historical and cultural sites, including Thatched Cottage of Du Fu, Baoguang Temple, Qingyang Temple (Gray Goat Palace), Wenshu Monastery and Sanxingdui (Three-Star Piles) Museum. In addition, Dujiangyan Irrigation Project is also a famous scenic spot in Chengdu.
Chengdu Transportation: Chengdu is the largest land and air transportation hub in southwest China, having an advanced transportation system.
Air: Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport has opened air routes to international cities including Bangkok, Tokyo, Sydney and Singapore and over 60 domestic cities.
Train: There are over 70 pairs of regular trains running to and from Chengdu Railway Station and Chengdu East Railway Station to the country's large and medium-sized cities and the tourist cities within Sichuan Province.
Subway: Chengdu, the first city to built subway in west China, brough subway line 1 into use since Sep. 27, 2010. Subway line 2 is under construction.
Bus: There are some 11 bus stations in Chengdu, including the two tourism distribution centers at Xinnanmen Bus Station and Chazidian Bus Station. Buses from these stations can take you to the cities, areas and tourist attractions within Sichuan Province and the neighboring cities like Lhasa, shigatse, Lanzhou, Urumqi and Ili. City buses in Chengdu are mostly clean, self-serviced and air-conditioned, charging CNY2 per person.
Taxi: The starting fare of the taxis in Chengdu is either CNY8 for the first 2 km (1.2 miles) with additional CNY1.9 per km for the left journey, or NY9 for the first 2 km with additional CNY2 per km for the left journey.
Chengdu Weather: Chengdu is a city of early spring, hot summer, cool autumn and warm winter. The best visiting time is March to June and September to November.
Dining and Shopping
Famed as a 'Gourmet Capital' in the world, Chengdu has many famous dishes, including Kong Pao Chicken, Fish-Flavored Shredded Pork, Stewed Thin Beef Slices, Twice Cooked Pork and Mapo Tofu. In addition, Chengdu also boasts many renowned snacks such as hotpot, Chuan Chuan Xiang (vegetables, sausages and anything edible threaded onto a bamboo stick and cooked in the hot pot), Lai Tang Yuan (Lai's Glutinous Rice Ball), Long Chao Shou (Long Wonton) and (Three Big Cannons). Chunxi Road is the gathering zrea of traditional Chengdu food, while Jinli Street is for the quintessence of Chengdu people's life, having tea houses, hostels, restaurants, bars, handicrafts and local products.
Chengdu produces rice, wheat, chili peppers and all kinds of beans, so the wisdom Chengdu people invented broad bean paste with lima bean and chili pepper. The most famous Pixian Broad Bean Paste has enjoyed a history of over 300 years. Besides, Quanxing Wine, Shu Embroidery and Brocade, Qingcheng Carpet and Bamboo Over Porcelain are also representative products of Chengdu. Places to shop for Chengdu local specialties are Shudu Avenue, Hongxing Road Pedestrian Street and Chunxi Road.
