Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, lies in the hinterland of the Chengdu Plain, in central Sichuan.
Chengdu enjoys a long history, Kaiming IX, king of ancient Shu in the Zhou Dynasty (11th century,256 BC), started to set up the capital in Chengdu. A town was built in this area in the first year and the capital in the second year, so the ancestor named the city as Chengdu, which means to become a capital. Later on, Chengdu gradually became one of the most important centers of politics, economy and culture in China. It has been the capital for the feudal dynasties five times and twice for the peasant uprising regimes, known as Dashu and Daxi.
The climate of Chengdu is mild and humid with distinct four seasons and plenty of rainfall. There are roughly four seasons in Chengdu, but it basically never freezes or snows in winter. Winter often feels cold though, as Chengdu buildings are not built with central heating, so some homes still feel quite cold in the winter. Summer is hot and humid, In summertime the average temperature is 20-35°C (70-100°F).The best time to visit is between March and June or between September and November.
The traditional industries of gold, silver and silk have helped to make this city one of the most important centers of commerce in the country. Today, skyscrapers dominate the skyline and Japanese cars and western goods are hugely popular and widely available. The main industries in Chengdu - which include food, medicine, machinery and the information technology - are supported by numerous large-scale enterprises.
Chengdu is also the largest hub of highway transport in southwestern China. There are direct flights from Shuangliu Airport in Chengdu to many domestic as well as international destinations. The North Railway Station is the main train station is Chengdu’s main train station. It is located at the north end of the Renmin Lu, Chengdu’s main thoroughfare, at the junction with the north second ring road. Chengdu’s buses are somewhat sweaty and crowded, especially at rush hours.
Chengdu is one of the most important scientific and educational centers in southwest China. In this great city, there are a lot of national key universities (including Sichuan University) and scientific research/designing institutions with fairly strong scientific and technological powers, advanced scientific research means and comprehensive advantages. Many of the institutions for scientific research have technical level and developing ability that are in the top of the same trade of the whole nation; especially, Chengdu owns distinct advantages in high-tech research including the fields of optics, electronics, precision instrument, molecular electronics, biology, computer application, biomedicine, fibre-optical communication, nuclear application, new material application and aerospace.
Chengdu, also known as the hibiscus city or the brocade city, has been a famous cultural centre with age-old colorful traditions of both religious and civil significance in Chinese history. It has been ranked as one of the first excellent tourist city in China.
Wuhou (Martial Marquis) Memorial Temple is dedicated to the memory of Zhuge Liang, Prime Minister of the Shu Kingdom in the Three Kingdoms Period. It is usually the first destination for a visit to Chengdu, and typically it is the representative of Shu culture. Next to the Wenshu Temple, the Peace Pagoda of a Thousand Buddhas is a new addition to the monastery at 22 meters in height. The tallest iron cast pagoda in China features six bells at its top which chime with the wind. Naturally the monastery also has a large teahouse on the east side.
Chinese zoos are often equated to animal prisons by Western visitors. Fortunately Chengdu’s Giant Panda Breeding Center strays far from the norm. The research base is truly groundbreaking for country that pushes aside most environmental and ecological concerns due to its overpopulation issues. The base has a research lab, museum, panda kindergarten, and adult panda grounds. The base is about 10 kilometres outside of town.
Du Fu thatched cottage (Du Fu Cao Tang) is located in the western outskirts of Chengdu on the bank of Huanhua Brook, where Du Fu, the great realistic poet of Tang Dynasty, stayed during his vagabond life. The first cottage was constructed in honor of the poet on the ruins of the original site in the 11th century. The original residence disappeared long ago and over the centuries the commemorative shrine to the poet has developed within a pleasant park. It was reconstructed many times. One note worth restoration was in the early years of the 17th century during the Qing Dynasty.
