Chengdu city (People's Republic of China). Attractions and interesting places of Chengdu: photos and descriptions of Chengdu in the southwestern province of Sichuan

CHENGDU- a city of sub-provincial significance in southwestern China, in the valley of the Minjiang River, the administrative center of Sichuan Province.

Population - 14.0 million people (2010), the 5th most populous city in China.

The emblem of the city is the ancient golden disk “Birds of the Golden Sun”, found in 2001 during excavations of the Jinsha culture within the city.

Chengdu originated in the 4th century BC. e. When people came to these places during the founding of the kingdom of Shu, they were told: “In the first year, establish a region, in the second year, establish a city” (一年成邑, 二年成都); From the words “to establish a city” (成都) the name “Chengdu” appeared. In the ancient kingdom of Shu, Chengdu, Xindu and Guangdu (modern Shuangliu), together called the “three Dus” (三都), were famous, but later it was Chengdu that rose to prominence, and Xindu and Guangdu have now become its constituent parts.

At the beginning of our era, Chengdu was famous for the production of brocade and was also called Jincheng (“brocade city”). Until 316 BC. e. Chengdu was the capital of the kingdom of Shu, in the era of the Three Kingdoms from 221 to 263 - the capital of the kingdom of Shu-Han, in the first half of the 4th century - the capital of the state of Cheng, at the beginning of the 5th century - the capital of the state of Western Shu, and in the period of the five dynasties - the capital of the states of Early Shu and Later Shu. In 994, Chengdu was briefly the capital of the rebel state of Li Shu.

In 1644-46, Chengdu was occupied by the rebel army of Zhang Xianzhong, becoming the capital of the Great Western State he created. During the years of the Great Peasant War, the Manchu conquest of China and the War of the Three Tributary Princes, the city suffered greatly and was practically depopulated. After the establishment of the Qing Dynasty, the government had to take special measures to repopulate the devastated Sichuan province, and the city gradually recovered. The province of Sichuan was separated into a separate military governorship, and since 1731, Chengdu became the residence of the governor of Sichuan.

Until the 20th century, Chengdu was a county city that did not have its own government bodies. In 1928, Chengdu and Huayang counties were officially merged into the city of Chengdu, with their own governments.

On December 27, 1949, the People's Liberation Army of China entered Chengdu, and Chengdu became part of the People's Republic of China. In 1952, Sichuan Province was restored, and Chengdu became a city under direct provincial jurisdiction and housed the provincial government.

Geography and climate

The city is located at the western tip of the Sichuan Basin, on the Chengdu Plain. The urban district stretches for 192 km from west to east and 166 km from north to south with an area of 12,390 km². It borders on the urban districts of Deyang, Ziyang, Meishan and Ya'an, as well as the Ngawa Tibetan-Qiang Autonomous Region. The urban area is located at an altitude of about 500 m above sea level. The lowest point in Chengdu urban area is 378 m; outside the city, the terrain is more varied.

Chengdu's climate is characterized as humid subtropical. Comfortable for both human habitation and farming. The Qinling Mountains protect the city from the penetration of northern air masses from Siberia, so winter in Chengdu is milder than in the lower part of the Yangtze. The average January temperature is 5.6 °C; snow falls extremely rarely, although short-term frosts are sometimes possible. Summer is humid and quite hot, but not as hot as in cities lower along the Yangtze. Average temperatures in July and August are around 25°C, although during the day they can reach 33°C and above. Sustained periods of heat are also quite rare. The greatest amount of precipitation falls from June to September.

Administrative-territorial division[edit | edit wiki text]
The sub-provincial city of Chengdu is divided into 9 districts, 4 city counties, 6 counties.

Economy

Chengdu is a major center of economics, trade, finance, science and technology, as well as an important center of transport and communications. According to the World Bank's 2007 report on the global investment climate, Chengdu was declared the benchmark for the investment climate in China. Also, according to a study conducted by Nobel laureate in economics Robert Mundell and famous Chinese economist Li Yining, published by the State Information Center in 2010, Chengdu has become the engine of the Western development program and the standard of China's investment climate, as well as the main center of new urbanization.

In 2010 alone, 12 Fortune 500 companies including ANZ Bank, Nippon Steel Corporation and Electricite De France opened offices, branches or operation centers in Chengdu. In total, at the end of 2010, more than 200 companies from this list had their offices in Chengdu, which is the highest figure among cities in western and central China. The city has become the largest center for attracting investment in the western part of the country.

Manufacturing plays an important role in the economy. The main industries in Chengdu include the production of appliances, equipment, food, medicine and IT. The largest enterprises in these industries include Chengdu Sugar and Wine Co. Ltd., Chengdu Food Group, Sichuan Medicine Co. Ltd., Chengdu Automobile Co. Ltd. and others.

A high-tech industrial park has been deployed and is expanding in Chengdu, where one of the country's largest aerospace production facilities is located. Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation produces military and other aircraft equipment, including the modern Chengdu J-10 Swift Dragon fighter and the first copies of one of the few fifth-generation fighters in the world, the Chengdu J-20 Black Eagle.

The city is one of the country's most important automotive and auto parts production centers. The city produces several hundred thousand cars a year and plans to increase production to 1.25 million in 2020. Automakers such as Volvo, FAW Volkswagen, FAW Toyota and Sinotruk Wangpai are represented in Chengdu. There are also about 200 major manufacturers of car components from German, Japanese and other lines.

Chengdu has been developing as a national base in the field of electronics and IT for quite some time. Chengdu High-Tech Industrial Development Zone attracts at least 30 Fortune 500 companies and about 12,000 Chinese companies, including Intel, IBM, Cisco, NOKIA, Motorola, SAP, Siemens, Canon, HP, Xerox, Microsoft, Tieto, NIIT and Wipro. as well as such a local giant as Lenovo. Dell also plans to open its second major center in China in Chengdu as an expansion of the center in Xiamen. Chengdu is one of the five largest software industry bases in China.

The National Development and Reform Commission has approved a proposal to establish a national bio-industry center in Chengdu. The city government also approved a plan to develop the biopharmaceutical industry.

At the beginning of the 21st century, a large hydroelectric power station was built in the upper reaches of the Minjiang River near the city of Dujiangyan.

Transport

Chengdu Metro was officially opened in Chengdu on October 1, 2010, and includes one 18 km line running north-south from Shengxiang Lake to the city center, and one northwest-southeast line, which opened in September 2012 of the year. Construction and planning of four more lines is underway, including the ring line. There are about 400 bus routes in the city and agglomeration.

Shuangliu International Airport is located approximately 16 km from the city center. It is the 5th busiest airport in mainland China; in 2012, traffic amounted to 31.6 million passengers. Operates flights to most major cities in the country, as well as international flights to cities such as Hong Kong, Osaka, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Phuket, Bangkok, etc. In 2009, an agreement was signed to improve the airport infrastructure, which would allow Shuangliu to increase its traffic to 40 million passengers by 2015. The major airline Chengdu Airlines is based at the airport. There is also a long-term plan to build another airport with five runways. If the plan were implemented, the trip from the new airport to the center of Chengdu would take no more than 30 minutes.

Chengdu is a major railway junction. The Baoji-Chengdu, Chengdu-Chongqing, Chengdu-Kunming and Chengdu-Dazhou branches intersect here. Currently the city has 4 main stations. In addition, the North Marshalling Yard is the largest marshalling yard in all of China. Another station will be built in the coming years. Two high-speed railway lines operate from Chengdu (Chongqing and Dujiangyan) and three more high-speed railway lines are being completed, with the line to Chongqing being transformed into part of the main latitudinal national high-speed railway (up to speeds of 350 km/h).

Many national highways coming from the provinces of Shaanxi, Yunnan and the Tibet Autonomous Region intersect in Chengdu. The Chengdu-Chongqing highway became one of the first highways in the country and the first in its western part.

Attractions

complex of the Ukhoutsy temple (XVI-XVIII centuries)
Green Goat Temple - Taoist temple
Baoguansi Monastery
house-museum of the poet Du Fu
Sichuan Provincial Museum
China Giant Panda Nature Reserve
Tianfu Square
The 339-meter West Pearl Tower, the tallest in western China
more than 20 high-rise buildings with 30-45 floors; in 2012-2013, the construction of three 48-60-story skyscrapers will be completed; in the number of such buildings, Chengdu is second only to Chongqing in western China
Chengdu Sports Center
The world's largest building. The opening took place on July 1, 2013. 1.7 million square meters, equivalent to three Pentagon buildings or 20 Sydney Opera House buildings

Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan province, a major economic center of China and at the same time one of the oldest cities in the country. Modernity and history are intricately intertwined here, creating a unique flavor of the city. In Chengdu and its surroundings, many monuments of bygone eras have been preserved, including temples of various religions, Buddhist sculpture and the house of the great poet Du Fu, who deposited more than two hundred of his masterpieces there. In addition, in the vicinity of Chengdu there is a panda breeding center open to tourists. Chengdu is also famous as a place where you can try Sichuan cuisine, whose delicious dishes are becoming more and more popular in China.
Geography. The city of Chengdu is located in the southwestern part of China, in the valley of the Minjiang River and is the administrative center of Sichuan Province. It is a major transport hub and engineering center with a population of four million people, and including the suburbs - more than eleven million

Climate

Chengdu has a subtropical humid climate with short winters and long summers. Summer here is hot and humid; during the daytime the air temperature averages +29 C (sometimes it can rise to +33 C). In winter, the air sometimes cools to zero, but snowfalls are quite rare in Chengdu. The greatest amount of rain falls in July - August. In addition, Chengdu is characterized by cloudy weather and fog often occurs. The warm, pleasant spring lasts from March to April, and the equally short but cooler autumn lasts from October to November.

Story

Chengdu originated in the 4th century BC. e. Until 316 BC. e. Chengdu was the capital of the kingdom of Shu, during the Three Kingdoms era from 221 to 263 - the capital of the kingdom of Shu-Han, and during the period of the Five Dynasties in 908-965 - the capital of the kingdom of Later Shu (Later Shu). At the beginning of the century e. Chengdu was famous for its brocade production and was also called Jincheng (“brocade city”).
In 1644-46. Chengdu was occupied by Zhang Xianzhong's rebel army. From the second half of the 17th century, after the conquest of China by the Manchus, it became the administrative center of Sichuan province. In September 1911, the Sichuan Uprising of 1911 took place here. Until December 27, 1949, Chengdu was under the rule of the Kuomintang.
As a result of its own history, Chengdu is still known as the city of lace (Jin Chen) or the city of hibiscus (Rong Chen). After 14 colleges were built in the city, including Sichuan University (1927), the city received the status of a cultural center .
After the Cultural Revolution, the tradition of Chengdu tea houses was revived.

What to see

Giant Panda Sanctuary. Panda Center is located 18 km from the center of Chengdu in a suburban area. The park recreates the natural habitat of giant pandas. The area of the park is about 37 hectares. In addition to pandas, other rare animals live here. The park's area is 96% covered with trees. You can see many giant pandas of different ages. In the nursery, they live in spacious enclosures and happily gnaw on fresh bamboo - it’s not for nothing that the panda is declared the national treasure of China; here they treat it like a treasure. Also within the park there is a large museum, opened in 1993. The museum contains more than 2,000 exhibits of various representatives of the fauna of Sichuan province.
Mount Qingchengshan has 37 peaks. This is one of the places of pilgrimage for Taoist pilgrims. Several palaces, towers and pavilions are hidden in the bosom of this mountain.
Heavenly Master's Cave(Tianshi Dong). The legendary founder of the Tao religion, Zhang Daolin, preached his teachings here, and it was from then on that the cave began to bear the name of the cave of the heavenly master. The construction of the temple dates back to the Sui Dynasty, but it was rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty. Here you can see a terracotta statue of Zhang Daolin and three 90cm statues depicting the three rulers who lived in China in ancient times: Fuxi, Shengong and Xianyuan.
Valley of Nine Villages(Jiuzhaigou). The valley is located 110 km from Huanglong and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. The valley is distinguished by its surrounding forested hillsides, but the main attraction of the valley is its 108 crystal clear ponds. The valley looks most beautiful in autumn when the leaves change color.
Du Fu Cottage. The home of Dufu, a famous poet of the Tang Dynasty, is located in the west of the city, on the banks of the Huanhuasi River. Du Fu (712-770) is one of the most outstanding Chinese poets who lived during the Tang era (618-907), whose work is still considered the pinnacle of Chinese poetry. According to legend, little Du Fu wrote his first poem when he was only 7 years old, and even then his talent was highly appreciated. The poet traveled a lot, at one time was an adviser to Emperor Suzong, was imprisoned for criticizing the ruler and died in his junk boat in Hunan in 770, spending his last years wandering like “a lonely seagull between sea and sky.” The poet came to Chengdu in 759, having fled from Chang'an, which was mired in war, which was the capital at that time. In a new place, the poet built himself a modest hut with a thatched roof and lived there for four years, during which he wrote 240 of the 1,400 works that have come down to us. After the poet left the city, the hut was abandoned, and only three centuries later, another famous Chinese poet Wei Zhuang ordered a park to be built on this site, paying tribute to the talent of Du Fu. Since then, the park has been completed and rebuilt several times, and the main reconstruction work that determined the modern appearance of the complex was carried out in 1500 and 1811. The garden surrounding the thatched buildings deserves special attention. In addition to dense bamboo, magnolias, camellias, azaleas, laurel, apple trees, plums and about 25 other types of trees grow here. In modest-looking pavilions there is a memorial hall, Du Fu's monastery and a small museum where you can get acquainted with the biography and creative work of the great poet. In the premises you can also see statues of the poet, his books published during the reigns of different dynasties, stone steles and other objects reminiscent of an outstanding person.
Ancient village of Huanglusi. 30 km southeast of Chengdu in Shaunliu County, among picturesque landscapes, lies the ancient village of Huanglongxi, whose history goes back more than 2000 years. The name of the ancient town is literally translated from Chinese as “yellow dragon mountain stream.” The history of the city dates back to the Western Han era (206 BC - 24 AD), and during the Three Kingdoms era (220-280) the city became an important military post associated with Chengdu - the capital of the Kingdom of Shu at that time. This place attracts tourists today not only with its extraordinary picturesqueness, but also with the opportunity to get acquainted with the old Chinese culture and customs. The city has seven ancient streets built during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) eras, the houses on which are well preserved to this day. The streets are paved with stone slabs, the houses are decorated with porches with columns and engraved frames, and the roofs are covered with tiles. This is one of the few places in China that has preserved its medieval appearance. Many houses now have taverns where you can have a delicious lunch and try the local specialty drink - soy milk. Tea shops, which are found everywhere, also deserve special attention. The best Sichuan teas are served in colorful rooms decorated with bamboo. On the main street you can see three ancient temples - Gulun, Zhenjiang and Chaoyin, where temple festivals are celebrated annually (June 9 and September 9 according to the lunar calendar). Visitors to the city can not only stroll through the streets and see Ming and Qing buildings, but also take a river walk, during which their path will lie along ancient houses on stilts, reflecting the residential culture of the Shu people. Another attraction of Huanglongxi is the six thousand-year-old ficus trees. The city's districts also contain interesting caves, a former battlefield and rock burials from the Han era, which were recently discovered and are of great interest to historians.
Ancient settlement of Sanxingdui. Several decades ago, in the suburbs of Chengdu, 16 km from Xindu, a sensational discovery was made that amazed the whole world, and historians had another unsolved mystery of China. Some sources claim that the discovery was made by archaeologists looking for Shan settlements, others, as usual, adhere to a more romantic version that an ordinary peasant stumbled upon the sensation while working in the field. Be that as it may, in 1986, in the suburbs of Chengdu, real treasures were discovered in the ground - elephant tusks, gold, bronze and jade items and sculptures, specially broken before burial. During excavations that followed the discovery, an entire settlement dating back to 3000 BC was found. - 1000 BC, which once belonged to an advanced civilization, but for unknown reasons was abandoned. Historians suggest that perhaps this city was the capital of the semi-mythical culture of Ba-Shu. What makes this lost settlement and the discovered artifacts even more mysterious is the fact that Sanxingdui is located at the same latitude as Mount Everest, the Bermuda Triangle and the Mayan civilization - some of the most mystical places on the planet. Although even without that, the finds that can be viewed in the Sanxingdui Museum inspire a sense of awe and horror. Huge bronze statues of human height froze in bizarre poses with outstretched arms and bulging eyes, large masks with strange, non-Asian, some kind of alien faces, blurred into a frightening grin, give historians new ground for thinking about the mysterious lost civilization. Among the main finds are a golden staff with images of human heads and eight “heavenly” bronze trees 3.6 m high, cast in bronze. Experts say that the technique for making such a tree is extremely complex, and only the restoration of one such exhibit using the most modern technologies took more than three years, so how the ancient craftsmen managed to create such a miracle is a real mystery. Presumably, a tree entwined with a dragon, which has human palms with knives instead of paws, symbolizes the Universe, and its fruits symbolize the Sun, Moon and stars. Sanxingdui Museum is open daily from 8:30 to 17:00.
Pagoda of Souls. On Lingyunshan Mountain stands the Soul Pagoda (Lingbao Ta), the height of the building is 38 m, it dates back to the reign of the Sun Dynasty. From here you have a beautiful view of the surrounding area.
Chengdu Mosque, located in the south of the city, was partially destroyed during Japanese air raids in 1941. The prayer hall, 15.7 m long and 11.7 m wide, lined with enameled tiles, remained intact. The inscription "seventh year of the Qianlong Empire" is carved on the crossbar, which means that the mosque was built in 1742.
Monastery of the Precious Light(Baoguan Si) is located in the small town of Xudu, 189 km from Chengdu. It is believed that the monastery was built during the Han Dynasty. There are more than 20 buildings (a pagoda, 5 temples and 16 courtyards) scattered over an area of 8 hectares, almost all of them were built in 1670.
Wang Jian's Tomb, ruler of the early Shu Empire, also known as the "eternal mausoleum" is located in the northwest of the city. The 15-meter building is divided into three palaces. In the central hall is the decorated sarcophagus of the king, and in the next hall is the stone Statue of Wang Jian.
Wangjianglou Park. The park became famous thanks to the famous poetess Xue Tao (769-834), who lived here. The park contains a 30-meter, four-story River View Tower. Nearby there is a working fountain from the Tang Dynasty. It is believed that the poetess used the waters of the fountain to produce red paper. The park contains several buildings, all built in her honor: the Poetic Recitation Tower (Yinshi Lou), the Paper Washing Pavilion (Wanjian Ting), and the Lace Washing Tower (Zhou Lou). The poetess loved bamboo very much, so a grove of 140 different varieties of bamboo was planted here in her honor.
Park of Culture. In the cultural park (Wenhua Gongyuan), located in the west of the city, there is an old Taoist Qingyang Temple, which dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The modern buildings date back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
Manju Shri Temple. The temple is located in the north of the city and covers an area of 5 hectares. The temple complex includes five temples made of stone and wood, built on the ruins of a monastery dating back to the Southern Dynasties. The Shofa Tan Hall houses 10 bronze statues of Buddhist guardian gods. And in the Cangjing Lou Hall there are bronze statues of Buddha and Buddhist saints.
Prince Wu Temple. The first temple was built by Li Xiong in 302 in honor of Zhuge Liang, a strategist and statesman who is still famous today. Zhuge Liang was also the chancellor of the Shu Han Empire. For his services, Liang was awarded the title of prince in 223. In the central hall of the temple there is a gilded clay statue of Zhuge Liang, in front of which there are three bronze drums. The two small sculptures on each side of Zhuge Liang's figure depict his son and grandson. There is also a temple dedicated to Liu Bei, the ruler of the Shu Han Empire. Nearby is a mound under which his remains are buried. The covered side corridors display 28 terracotta statues of ministers, generals and senior officials of the Shu Han state. In front of each of the statues there is a small stele telling about the life of this person.
Dragon Slayer Temple(Fulun Guan). At the northern tip of a small island in the river stands the Dragon Slayer Temple. According to legend, the Minjiang River overflowed its banks so often because a cunning dragon made its lair in its waters. Li Bing and his son were able to capture the dragon by chaining it, so there was no need to fear floods. It is not known exactly when the first temple in honor of the dragon slayer was built, only that the modern building dates back to the Qing Dynasty. The stone statue of Li Bing was carved in 168. Its height is 2 m, and its weight is 4.5 tons, the year and month of the sculpture can be read on the chest of the statue.
Leshan- a small town 120 km from Chengdu, at the southern foot of Mount Lingyunshan. In ancient times, the town of Leshan was called Jiazhou and had the reputation of having the most beautiful scenery in Sichuan Province. It was famous for the abundance of blossoming Chinese apple trees and was also called Xianggu - "fragrant city". Currently, Leshan is one of the most visited cities in the province thanks to the attractions in the area - the Emei Mountains and the giant stone Buddha.
Great Buddha of Leshan. In the city you can see a colossal stone statue of Maitreya. The height of the statue is 71 m, it was carved from a single rock. Buddha sits at the confluence of three rivers - Qingyi, Min and Dadu, which, according to legend, were once turbulent capricious streams and brought a lot of trouble to local residents. In the 8th century AD, one of the monks named Khaitun decided to help people and came up with a beautiful solution - to hollow out a huge idol in the mountain, and with pebbles obtained from the mountain during construction to fill up the streams that interfered with navigation and disturbed the peasants. It took the novice 20 years to raise the necessary funds to begin implementing his plan. They say that towards the end of his life, in fruitless attempts to get the necessary amount from the authorities to continue work, Khaitun went blind, and other monks continued his work. The grandiose construction began in 713 and lasted 90 years, ending in 803 with the participation of the local ruler Wei Gao. The Big Buddha inspires a sense of awe with its size, grandeur and impartial face, and its appearance becomes more and more captivating as you approach it by boat. Standing at the feet of Buddha, whose height is equal to a 23-story building, you feel like an insignificant grain of sand. Over the almost century that it took to build the colossus, numerous monastic monasteries were also built in the surrounding area, which are now of historical and cultural value. In 1996, the Buddha and Mount Etaishan were inscribed by UNESCO on the World Cultural Heritage List. The statue is the largest Buddha statue in the whole world.
Mount Emeishan, dedicated to Puxian Bodhisattva, is located 160 km southwest of Chengdu. The highest peak of Emeishan is called the Peak of Ten Thousand Buddhas, it reaches a height of 3099 m. The mountain is revered by Chinese Buddhists as one of the four holy mountains (other mountains are Mount Wutaishan in Shanxi Province, Mount Jiuhuashan in Anhwei Province and Mount Putuoshan in Zhejiang Province). The first Taoist temple was built on the mountain during the Han Dynasty (25-220). During the Tang Dynasty, the mountain became a site of pilgrimage among Buddhists due to the more than 200 shrines built here during this time. 20 temples and monasteries have survived to this day; the plans of the local government include their complete restoration. Translated from Chinese, the name of the mountain “emei” means “beautiful”, “lovely”, and there is a legend associated with this name. Tradition says that long ago there was a plain and a small town in which there was a Buddhist monastery. One day a wanderer approached the monastery door and asked the monk for permission to spend the night, to which he received consent. The wanderer turned out to be an artist and in the morning, in gratitude to the monk, he painted a lovely girl on four canvases. However, the mysterious artist warned the novice that the paintings must be hidden in the chest and not removed from there until 49 days have passed. With these words he left. The monk, left alone, took out the paintings and hung them on the walls, unable to hide such beauty in a chest. After admiring the paintings, he went to pray, and upon returning to his cell, to his great surprise, he discovered that the beauties had miraculously left the paintings and appeared before his eyes in their full splendor. The unrestrained servant of the monastery immediately forgot the Buddhist precepts prohibiting spending the night under the same roof with a woman, and tried to grab one of the painted beauties, when suddenly, as soon as he touched the skirt of the most beautiful girl, she immediately turned into a mountain peak! Three other girls, seeing what happened, did not want to leave their friend and also turned into mountains. Since then, these four beautiful peaks, dressed in lush forests and pearly clouds, have stood in this place, known as the Emei Mountains: one at a distance and three side by side.
Ancient irrigation structures of Dujiangyan. The Dujiangyan complex is a brilliant pearl of irrigation construction in ancient China. Despite its venerable age - more than 2200 years - the complex still serves people. Dujiangyan is located at the foot of the Yulei Mountains, located in the western part of Guanxian County, Sichuan Province, and is the highest point in the northwest of the Chengdu Plain. The large Dujiangyan complex of irrigation structures is considered an original scientific site and testifies to a breakthrough in the irrigation construction of ancient China, during which a method was undertaken to drain water without the help of a dam. The structures are located on a key area of the plain. In its main part, the complex is formed by three structures: the Fenshuyuju watershed (“Fish Mouth”), the Feishaiyan (“Flying Sands”) flood control canal, and the Bao Pinkou (“Magic Bottle Neck”) drainage structure. These structures, being closely connected with each other, interact in a single complex, limiting and regulating each other, together they constitute a carefully planned and rationally placed hydraulic facility, simultaneously performing irrigation, flood control and transport functions. Dujiangyan is located in an extremely scenic area full of historical attractions. Large-scale irrigation facilities, majestic mountains, beautiful gardens, exciting legends, Fulong Temple (Reclining Dragon), Erwan Temple (Two Knights), and the suspension bridge attract numerous domestic and foreign tourists. In 2000, the Qingchengshan Mountains and the Dujiangyan complex of buildings were included in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List.

What to buy

The most famous souvenirs in Chengdu are Sichuan brocade, lacquerware, embroidery and bamboo-covered porcelain. The cost of brocade varies from 80 to 200 yuan, depending on the size. Small porcelain vases with bamboo cost 30 to 50 yuan, and large ones cost 500 to 600 yuan. You can find all the souvenirs at the largest handicraft market, Songxianqiao. It is located opposite Qingyang Temple.
In the evenings, there is an antique market on Zhenming Nan Lu Street, opposite the Jingjiang Hotel. You can find very beautiful souvenirs there, such as wood carvings or calligraphy. Since Sichuan province borders Tibet in the west, there is also a Tibetan market here. In the southwestern part of Chengdu, opposite the Wuhou Temple, you will find many Tibetan souvenirs.
Shu Brocade Factory and Academy. Address: 1 Caotang East Road
Sichuan antiques store. Address: Shudu Avenue, Shaocheng Road, 6 e
Factory of bamboo products. Address: Jiefang Street, 12
Sichuan arts and crafts store. Address: Sichuan Exhibition Hall, 16 Middle People's Road (Renminzhong lu).
Factory of lacquered products. Address: Jinhe Street, 81
Hehuachi Wholesale Center. Address: third section of the second ring highway

Where and what to eat

Chengdu is home to local Sichuan cuisine, which is becoming more and more popular throughout China. It is characterized by the abundant use of pepper and other hot seasonings. Among the main culinary techniques of Sichuan cuisine are frying, steaming, stewing, but a complete list of techniques will consist of no less than 20 items. Beef is more popular in Sichuan cuisine than in the cuisines of other provinces. It is cut into thin pieces and quickly fried, but is sometimes steamed and dredged in rice flour to create a thick gravy. The most famous Sichuan dishes are pork with fish flavor (yuxiang zhousi), spicy chicken cubes with peanuts (gongbao jiding), pork cooked in spicy sauce (huiguo zhoupian).
If Sichuan cuisine is not to your taste, then Chengdu has a large number of excellent restaurants that offer cuisine from other regions of China, Asia and Europe. In addition, there is a McDonald's chain in Chengdu.

Restaurant "Imperial City Old Ma" (Huangcheng Laoma). This restaurant belongs to a chain of restaurants open throughout China for the most paying customers. Address: Shenlong Street, 14.
Tanya's Fish Head Restaurant. This restaurant got its name in honor of its creator named Tan. The restaurant became famous for its delicious fish heads, prepared "Hot Pot" style.
Yulin Chuanchuan Xiang Restaurant. The name of the restaurant comes from the name of a dish that is especially popular among the female half of Chengdu residents. It can be very expensive or very inexpensive. In principle, this is still the same “Hot Pot (hot pot)” with the only difference that the ingredients - vegetables, meat, poultry, shrimp - are not simply dropped into the cauldron, but are strung on a small bamboo skewer and one end is dipped into boiling water. bouillon. You can think of it as a quick version of Hot Pot - instead of a long, leisurely meal with friends, you simply buy a specific set on a skewer. Chuanchuan Xiang can be bought on the street or ordered in an expensive restaurant.
Chengdu Restaurants for Muslims
Yuexiangcun niurou Restaurant. This restaurant is located in the center of Chengdu. Prices are moderate. The restaurant specializes in beef dishes. Address: 66 Dongcheng Gennan Street.
Tianfanglou Restaurant. Address: Xiyu Street, 108, mosque building.
Restaurant "Shanshui Pavilion Vegetarian Teahouse". Address: No.56, Zijing Nan Road, Wuhou District.

Chengdu is in a valley Min River and is the capital Sichuan Province.

In ancient times, Chengdu was known as an important political, trade and economic center. In the first centuries of our era, it was famous for its brocade, which was considered the best in the East. At that time the city was called: Jincheng- "city of brocade." During the Song era, it was in Chengdu that the world's first paper money was printed. In addition, the city was the capital of China for some time.

Nowadays, Chengdu bears the title of the capital of Chinese traditional medicine: local healers use thousand-year-old recipes to treat hundreds of ailments. One of the noticeable features of the city is the leisurely way of life of its inhabitants, which you especially pay attention to after visiting Hong Kong or Shanghai. Although in reality Chengdu is a very modern metropolis with developed industry and excellent infrastructure. In addition, the weather here is wonderful most of the year. Both excursion and educational recreation and active sports entertainment are equally possible here. And visiting Chengdu with the whole family is generally an ideal option: the kids will be delighted with the funny pandas, which you can watch in the local reserve.

Climate and weather

Chengdu has a subtropical monsoon climate. Typically, this region is warm and humid all year round, except for the winter months. The average annual temperature is +16 °C. Another feature of the city is the constant fog. There are not many sunny days a year.

Summers are very warm, temperatures rarely exceed +30 °C, but it can be difficult to breathe in the city due to high humidity. It should be borne in mind that the rainy season begins in July and continues until the end of August.

In winter, the mercury column at night does not fall below +3 °C. But, again, high humidity reduces the level of comfort of weather conditions, and at this time it is easy to catch a cold.

It is best to plan a trip to Chengdu from March to June or from September to November, when the city is warm and has relatively little rain.

Nature

Chengdu's natural resources attract travelers as much as its historical sites. Although the city itself is located on a plain, 63 kilometers from it is the city of ora Qingchengshan, and 160 kilometers away - Mount Emeishan. The mountains are famous for their sheer cliffs, roaring waterfalls, steep cliffs, evergreen forests, exotic flowers and bamboo thickets. Picturesque views surround Chaoyang Lake in the suburbs of Chengdu. But the main natural gift is undoubtedly the giant pandas, which can be seen at close range in several reserves in the region.

Attractions

The main attractions of Chengdu, for which travelers actually come here, include: Qingyanggong Palace(“Black Goat Palace”), house-museum of the poet Du Fu, Wuhouzi Temple, Sichuan Provincial Museum, Wenshu, Qingyanggong, Baoguansi monasteries and the largest in the world buddha statue.

It is impossible not to visit the ancient irrigation system Dujiangyan, which was built during the Qin dynasty, in the 3rd century BC. This man-made miracle still operates today and plays an important role in local agriculture. Dujiangyan Dam was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000.

If you want to learn interesting facts about the culture of the ancient Chu kingdom, visit Jinsha fortification in the western suburbs of Chengdu. Here archaeologists found more than 3 thousand artifacts of that era: items made of tortoiseshells and ivory, gold and jade jewelry, funerary ceramic vessels and much more. Also impressive Sanxingdui graves 20 kilometers from the city. In the ancient burial places of this mysterious civilization, amazing masks and sculptures were found, the age of which exceeds five thousand years!

On the southern bank of the Jinjiang River is an old Wanjianglou Park, included in the list of attractions that the residents of Chengdu have the right to be proud of. This park is dedicated to Xue Tao, a Chinese poetess of the Tang era. Several types of bamboo, so beloved by the poetess, grow in the park. And the main building of the park is an elegant pagoda in the style of the Ming era.

Nutrition

Of all the regional cuisines of China, Sichuan cuisine is perhaps the most popular in the country and in the world. It has received international recognition for its deep aroma, pungency and savory seasoning. Chili pepper in Sichuan is no less popular than rice. But “flaming” dishes are far from the only difference in local cuisine.

The most celebrated local dishes are the everyday steaming hot pot, an extremely popular legume throughout the country cottage cheese Ma Po, Gong Bao Ji Ding(spicy chicken with peanuts), Ma La Tang(“numb tongue soup”) and a simple but delicious dish Ji Si Liang Mian(“cold noodles”).

Sichuan gastronomic delights can be enjoyed at numerous local restaurants. For example, Huangcheng Laoma on Qingtai Road serves an excellent hot pot. Shizilou and Tanyutou restaurants are also known for good local menus. However, Western cuisine is by no means taboo in Chengdu. The city has numerous European-style restaurants, including fast food establishments KFC, McDonald's, Pizza Hut. In short, no one will go hungry in Chengdu: even if you cannot get used to the spiciness of local dishes, there is always an alternative more familiar to Europeans.

Accommodation

Chengdu is a city offering a wide selection of hotels of various levels and price ranges. Here you don’t have to spend a lot of money to live comfortably. Even youth hostels and guest houses guarantee decent living conditions for their guests. Depending on location and amenities, hostel prices range from $10 to $25 per person. The following hostels have a good reputation: Chengdu Sam's Hostel and Guesthouse, Nature BC Hostel And Mr. Panda Hostel.

It will cost a little more to stay in a 3* hotel. The price for a double room starts from $45-50. From $80-90 per day it will be required to rent a room in an excellent 4* hotel with a beautiful view from the window, a swimming pool, a fitness center, restaurants and nightlife spots on the territory of the complex. 5* hotels will provide an atmosphere of luxury. To be fair, it is worth noting that the prices for accommodation here are not as high as is usually the case in five-star hotels in Shanghai, Hong Kong or Beijing. For example, a standard room in the Millennium Hotel 5* will force a guest to fork out $120 per night.

Entertainment and relaxation

Chengdo knows a lot about having a good time: here travelers will find entertainment for every taste - from traditional tea houses to cutting-edge nightclubs.

Many people travel to Chengdu to see giant pandas up close. These cute, sluggish animals are kept at the Giant Panda Research Nursery, just 10 kilometers northeast of the city center. The center is open every day from 8:00 to 18:00, but it is better to come in the very morning, when the pandas have breakfast. After the animals are full, they become completely lazy and it is almost impossible to see them in motion. For an additional fee, you can even take a photo with a panda, but this pleasure is not cheap - a little more than $100.

Among tea ceremony experts, it is believed that Sichuan tea houses are ranked first in the world, and Chengdu tea houses are accordingly the best in Sichuan. Tea houses are places for relaxation and communication. They play an important role in the life of the local population. Therefore, we advise you to visit an establishment of this type at least once in order to join the thousand-year-old traditions.

Lovers of high art will appreciate the Sichuan Opera. This is a syncretic genre that involves spectacular performances in which “chhou” - clowns - play a large role. Very interesting are such opera plots as “rolling lamps”, “changing faces”, “spitting fire”.

Nightlife is in full swing outside Jingli(Jinli). There are countless tea houses, bars and pubs, making this street one of the most popular entertainment spots. The street is especially beautiful at sunset, when the sun slowly sets behind the horizon and the red lanterns begin to light up.

Nightlife is also concentrated on busy streets such as Renmin South Road, Lihua Street And Yangshi Street. There is everything for an entertainment lover: discos, karaoke, bowling alleys, VIP clubs. Among the popular establishments are Kakadu Club & Disco, Hongse Niandai Club, Meigaomei International Recreational Club.

Purchases

Chengdu is a great place to buy original souvenirs, clothes, shoes and accessories. Moreover, the prices here are very affordable, and some products are interesting just for inspection. Shopping in Chengdu is a fun experience even if you don't plan on shopping.

An excellent example of a gift with local flavor is the famous brocade Shu(Shu is one of the names of the Sichuan province). It boasts a 2,000-year history: once upon a time, only empresses wore brocade. No less popular are bamboo products: stands, chairs, vases, mats, and so on. Using special equipment, local craftsmen interweave bamboo and porcelain, creating unique products. In the city shops you can find a wide range of tea.

The most popular shops and markets are concentrated around the streets Zongfu Road, Chunxi Road And Luomashi. Very cheap souvenirs and food can be bought at night markets near the hotels Minshan And Jinjiang. Just don’t forget to bargain - and the prices will pleasantly surprise you!

A lot of modern shopping centers, supermarkets, and small shops are located in the area of Chunxi pedestrian street. This shopping street is more than a hundred years old, and shopping here will leave the most pleasant memories.

You will only have to pay in cash at the markets; in stores they also accept bank cards. ATMs are ubiquitous, so withdrawing money will not be a problem.

Transport

Today, Chengdu has a well-established public transport system. Travelers can travel by bus, including sightseeing buses, by metro, by taxi and, of course, by pedicabs.

This fact will probably seem strange, but the metro in the huge and modern Chengdu was built only in 2010. Now the metro consists of two lines, one of which opened in September 2012. It is planned that 4 more lines will be built.

City buses operate on more than 400 routes in all directions and provide access to most attractions. The fare on a regular bus costs about $0.15, and on an air-conditioned bus it costs twice as much. We recommend stocking up on change to pay, as there are no conductors on the buses and change is not given out.

In order to comfortably travel around the city center and see the sights, you can use a double-decker sightseeing bus. The price for a city tour is about $1.3. These buses run every half hour, and you can change from one flight to another five times. For $0.4 you can buy a ticket with only one boarding.

Taxi in Chengdu is a very popular mode of transport among tourists. Basically, taxi cars are Citroens, equipped with everything necessary: modern meters, several cameras and even digital television. Passengers must wear seat belts, even in the back seat.

Pedicabs here, as elsewhere in China, are a traditional form of transport aimed at tourists. The fare starts at $1, and by the way, you can bargain with the driver.

Connection

Internet access is available in all hotels of category 3* and above, and even in some hostels. True, in the latter it is not always free. Internet cafes are common in all areas of the city, but you will need a passport to access the Internet. Mobile communication is available and works great. If you wish, you can use roaming or purchase a local SIM card. The main operators are China Mobile and China Telecom.

It is advantageous to make local calls from pay phones that accept magnetic cards. They can be bought at newsstands, gas stations, and hotels.

But it is better to call abroad from postal or telegraph offices. You can also call from a hotel room, but the cost of such a call will be several times higher.

Safety

Chengdu can rightfully be considered a safe city. There is no threat to the lives of travelers on the streets, even at night. However, during the day you need to be vigilant in crowded places - parks, shopping centers, markets, public transport: clever pickpockets operate there. The only way to avoid trouble is to take care of your belongings and keep all valuables in a hotel safe.

It is not recommended to drink raw tap water. Hotels usually have electric kettles or thermoses with boiled water. Also be careful with local food: spicy foods can cause digestive problems, so we advise you to take basic medicine for stomach upset.

When vacationing in Chengdu, try to follow Chinese norms of behavior and respect the local culture and traditions. The Chinese tend to restrain their emotions. On the other hand, loud conversations are not considered something shameful. It is not customary to joke about political topics.

When visiting temples, remember not to step on high thresholds or take photographs of the interior. Smoking is prohibited in public places (violators will face a hefty fine).

When buying antiques and art objects, do not forget to obtain a permit from the seller to export the product from the country.

It is very useful to always have a business card with you with your name and address of where you are staying, in Chinese: almost no English is spoken here, and with a business card the chances of getting lost in a big city are slim.

Chengdu- the administrative center of Sichuan Province, rightly named "Paradise Abode". The land of plenty and the most populous province of the People's Republic of China. Chengdu has been known since the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368); the city is often called little Beijing. “A city in one year, a metropolis in three!” proclaimed the prince of the Principality of Shu, having located his capital in Chengdu during the era of the warring kingdoms (453–221 BC). Hence the name of the city - “impeccable metropolis.”

Located in the western part of the Sichuan Basin. Chengdu is the scientific, technological, commercial, financial and transportation center of southwestern China. Total area – 12.4 thousand square meters. km, population – 9.6 million people.

Chengdu has a historical name "The Celestial Prosperous Capital". It has rich natural resources and a favorable climate. Sights are everywhere. Chengdu is famous for its local arts and crafts, unique customs and traditions. For Chengdu, three characteristics are relevant: the homeland of bamboo bears, a famous historical cultural city, and a beautiful landscape of a fertile land.

Chengdu has a convenient geographical location. Shuangliu International Airport is one of the six largest airports in China. The city's railway station is the largest in Southwest China. The Baoji-Chengdu, Chengdu-Chongqing, and Chengdu-Kunming railways connect here. From here it is convenient to get to Three Gorges "Sanxia" in the east, Tibet, Juzhaigou Nature Reserve, Huanglongsi Temple in the west, in a northern direction, the road leads to Xi'an, where you can visit the Museum of the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Moving south you can reach Emeishan Mountains and Leshan City, where the largest statue of a seated Buddha is located.

Chengdu, a monument city with 3000 years of history, the uniqueness of the city lies in the fact that throughout the long history of the city, the borders of the city and its name have not changed. Chengdu city is one of the best tourist cities in China with a rich history.

Chengdu - capital of Sichuan province- one of the most important central cities in the country. Chengdu is a provincial secondary level city and is also historical cultural center of China. According to the State Council, Chengdu is scientific, technical, trade, financial center, as well as the main hub of communication and communications, an important air hub in the western part of China, one of the four air cities in China is located on the territory of Chengdu. State Administration for Tourism and World Tourism Organization recognized the city Chengdu is the best tourist city in China, The UN World Tourism Organization has listed Chengdu as one of the cities that has a major impact on China's tourism development. Currently, tourists have the opportunity stays in the city for 72 hours without a transit visa for transit flights from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Chengdu is divided into 9 districts, 4 townships and 6 counties, the total area is 12,400 sq. km, the resident population is 14,070,000 people, of which 11,630,000 people have residence rights, 7,680,000 people are urban residents.

Today's Chengdu amazes with its scale and level of development. Chengdu is regarded as modern city, in which investments are made throughout mainland China, today it is the main engine economic development of western China. Such an economic situation stimulates the surrounding areas of the city to develop, and also attracts more and more investment from outside. October 8th, 2010 famous American Forbes financial magazine published a research report on the fastest growing cities of the last decade, in which Chengdu located at the first place on the list. Currently, in Chengdu there are representative offices of Intel, IBM, Dell and more than 200 other well-known enterprises in the world. Chengdu ranks first among cities in western China in terms of the number of large manufacturing enterprises. Chengdu ranks first in the number of foreign banks and foreign consulates among cities in western China. The location of the Fortune 2013 Global Forum was the city of Chengdu, this is the fourth city, after Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, in which this forum was held.

Chengdu is rich in tourism resources, on the territory of the city there are famous Qingchengshan Mountains, ancient Dujiangyan irrigation system, Bamboo Bear (Panda) Sanctuary and other cultural and natural heritage such as, Uhoutsi Temple(after Zhuge Liang), hut "Caotang"- the hermitage of the poet Dufu, ruins of Jinsha, snowy mountain peaks of Xiling and other state-level AAAA scenic areas.

As one of the historical and cultural cities of the country, Chengdu is famous for unique monuments of ancient architecture. The beauty of the city was sung by such famous poets of Chinese literature Li Bo and Du Fu. During Three Kingdoms, the city was the capital state Шy, later it was here that culture began to flourish.

Chengdu is famous for its food culture and dishes Sichuan cuisine, which has a sharp, spicy and fresh taste. Sichuan cuisine has about 6,000 main dishes. There is a saying: “The most delicious dishes are Sichuan cuisine, the best food culture is Chengdu”. The international organization UNESCO recognized the city of Chengdu as "gastronomic capital of the world" in Asia. The abundance of dishes during banquets dazzles the eyes, and the aroma and spicy taste do not leave anyone indifferent.

Chengdu is extraordinarily beautiful during peach tree blossoms. Nice, mild climate, greenery and blooming peach trees everywhere, give tourists feeling of harmony and unity. Chengdu is not only a large, rapidly developing modern city, but also a cozy, green corner in the western part of China, which will leave unforgettable memories in the memory of tourists.

Chengdu ideal vacation spot, Here you can enjoy the solitude and beauty of nature, architectural and other attractions, having a large historical value, learn about the history and culture of the ancient city or just stroll through the modern, beautiful city. Chengdu is the city of wealth, the capital of success.

Chengdu ("City of Brocade") is the administrative center of the southwestern province of Sichuan (Sichuan), the main region of giant panda nurseries in China.

Chengdu is an ancient city founded in the 4th century. BC, when it was the capital of the kingdom of Shu, and subsequently six more kingdoms. Already in ancient times, Chengdu was an important political and commercial center. At the beginning of our era, the city was known throughout the Celestial Empire thanks to its rich brocade, which was considered the best in the East. During the reign of the Song Dynasty, paper money was used here for the first time in the world.

Modern Chengdu is one of the largest industrial centers in Western China. The appearance of the city has changed dramatically; some of the oldest historical Buddhist and Taoist monuments have survived to this day.

One of the main attractions of Chengdu and the province as a whole is the giant panda nurseries - the “national treasure” of China.

What are the must-see attractions in Chengdu?

The most famous cult monument in China, dedicated to the Three Kingdoms period; was founded back in 223, however, most of the buildings date back to the Qing period.

One of the most popular places in Chengdu, located 12 km north of the city. This is a huge center and nursery where giant pandas live in natural conditions. There is also a museum exhibition dedicated to the evolution, habitats, reproduction and protection of pandas. Also here, under the guidance of the center, 2-day volunteer work is possible. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Jiuzhaigou National Park in Chengdu attracts tourists with its unique beauty, unusual mysterious oriental landscapes, and names unusual for European ears: Grass Lake, Sleeping Dragon Lake or Lake of Five Flowers.

4. Leshan. A small town at the southern foot of Lingyunshan Mountain, 120 km southwest of Chengdu. In ancient times, it had a reputation for having the most beautiful scenery in Sichuan. Today, Leshan is one of the most popular destinations in the province, thanks to the giant stone Big Buddha and the Emeishan Mountains.

The largest Buddha statue in the world, carved from a single rock in Lingyunshan Mountain, 71 m high. It inspires a sense of awe with its size, grandeur and impartial face. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

One of the sacred mountains of China, dedicated to the Bodhisattva Puxian; is located 160 km southwest of Chadu. The highest peak of Emeishan is called the Peak of Ten Thousand Buddhas and reaches a height of 3099 m. During the Tang Dynasty, the mountain became an object of pilgrimage among Buddhists due to more than 200 shrines built here during this time. 20 temples and monasteries have survived to this day. Among them are Jinding Temple, Ten Thousand Years Temple, Golden Peak, Jinying Pavilion. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Weather in Chengdu

How to get there

The Chengdu Metro was officially opened in Chengdu on October 1, 2010. It consists of four lines, with construction and planning of other lines, including the ring line, underway. There are about 400 bus routes in the city and agglomeration.