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Chengdu
Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan Province and is located in the west of the Sichuan Basin and in the centre of the Chengdu Plain. Chengdu covers an area of 12.3 thousand square kilometres with a population of a little over 11 million people. The history of Chengdu can be traced back 2400 years to when the first emperor built his capital there and named the city. Through the many years, its original name has been kept and its position as the capital and as the significant centre of politics and trade in the Sichuan area has remained unchanged. Chengdu has been famous for its brocades and embroideries since the Han (206B.C.-220) and Tang (618-907) Dynasties when its handicraft industries flourished. Shu embroidery with its bright colours and delicate designs still enjoys a high reputation, ranking among the four main embroideries in China. Chengdu was the place where the bronze culture, an indispensable part of the ancient Chinese culture, originated, the place where the Southern Silk Road started, and was the place where the earliest paper currency, the Jiaozi, was first printed.
Panda Breeding and Research Centre Located some 10km away from downtown Chengdu, the Panda Breeding and Research Centre has been created and imitates the pandas' natural habitat so that they have the best possible environment for rearing and breeding. The Research Centre covers an area of 92 acres and in addition to the Pandas, the Centre also cares for other rare and endangered wild animals. Giant pandas, lesser pandas, black-necked cranes, white storks as well as over 20 species of rare animals are fed and bred there throughout the year.
Located 150 kilometres from Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan Province, Bifengxia Panda reserve offers the opportunity to get up close and personal with one of China and the worlds cuddliest icons. The Panda reserve is an eco friendly environment designed to most accurately resemble the natural environment of the Giant Panda. Pandas are native to Sichuan Province, and visitors come from far and wide to enjoy this unique and illusive creature. The Panda base has been open since 1999, and is home to many of the Pandas previously housed at Wolong, the Panda reserve badly damaged due to the devastating earthquake which hit Sichuan Province in may 2008.
The Jinsha Site Museum was built over a three-square kilometre excavation site which was discovered some six years ago in the western suburbs of the city. Built at a cost of 400 million yuan, the museum showcases a trove of ancient Chinese treasure of gold human figurines, fish shape belts, copper hoes, jade axes, jewellery and other relicts from the prosperous Shang and Zhou dynasties. The site is one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 21st century in China. Thousands of gold plates, jade articles, stoneware, bronze ware and ivory from the Kingdom of Shu (221-263) were discovered from the site. Among them the Holy Bird is the most famous one that has become the sign of China’s Cultural Heritage.
Wenshu Temple was originally built during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and is the best preserved Buddhist temple in Chengdu. Wenshu Temple offers peace and quiet from the thriving metropolis that is Chengdu. The temple includes more than 500 works of art dating back over 1000 years including the Jade Buddha brought from Burma to China in 1922 by Xing Lin, a Buddhist monk who walked the entire distance.
Du Fu was a famous Chinese poet who inhabited this residence over 1000 years ago during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The Cottage was abandoned for hundreds of years and was restored primarily during the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1911) and the detailing on the inside of the thatched cottage is largely of this period. The area in which the cottage sits is over 50 acres in size.
Peoples Park/Square (Renmin Square) By day or night, Renmin Square is a hub of activity. Early morning, join in and practice your Tai Chi. By day people gather to talk or play cards, or by night to sing and dance. The evening is a wonderful time to visit the Square and join in with the locals as loud music plays and people of all ages enjoy themselves. You will be made welcome!
A real highlight for anyone who enjoys regional gastronomy. A steaming metal bowl of stock (often infused with hot chili – a specialty of the area), your favourite foods are added to the mix including meat and local vegetables and cooked to your liking. Enjoy this treat in a local restaurant and soak up the local culture
Opera in the western world is often denotes tuxedos and ball gowns – this is not the case in Sichuan. A performance of Sichuan Opera is more likely to offer an insight into Sichuan culture including the impressive face changing dance, hand puppetry and physical comedy. Well worth spending a couple hours of your evening.
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