Cities > Chengdu City
Overview
Chinese name: 成都English name: Chengdu City
Climate Conditions: Subtropical monsoon climate
Airports: Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, Chengdu Huai Prefecture Airport
Train Stations: Chengdu Station, Chengdu East Station, Chengdu South Station, Chengdu West Station, Tianfu Station
Background
Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan Province and a mega city located in the southwestern region of China, at the western edge of the Sichuan Basin and the eastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The terrain slopes from northwest to southeast, with deep hills and mountains in the west and primarily plains, plateaus, and some low hills in the east. It is at the heart of the Chengdu Plain and belongs to the subtropical monsoon climate zone, characterized by abundant heat, heavy rainfall, distinct seasons, and synchronous rain and heat.Climate
Chengdu lies in a subtropical monsoon climate zone, featuring sufficient heat, heavy rainfall, distinct seasons, and synchronous rain and heat. Except for the mountainous area in the northwest, most of Chengdu exhibits climate characteristics such as: no extreme heat in summer, little snow in winter, a mild climate, long summers and short winters, a long frost-free period, frequent autumn and night rains, low wind speed, high humidity, abundant fog, and limited sunlight. In 2021, the annual average temperature in Chengdu was between 15.7 and 18.0°C; the extreme highest temperature was between 36.1 and 38.6°C, and the extreme lowest temperature was between -1.7 and -6°C. The hottest months are July and August, while January is the coldest. The total annual precipitation in Chengdu is between 734.8 and 1142.3 millimeters, generally higher than average. The annual average sunshine hours range from 843.9 to 1406.2 hours.Main Attractions
Dujiangyan
Dujiangyan, located in the city of Dujiangyan, is a large-scale water conservancy project built in ancient times that is still in use today. It has been praised as the "ancestor of world water conservancy culture" and is a nationally famous tourist destination. The Dujiangyan water conservancy project was constructed around 256 BC by Li Bing, the governor of Shu Commandery in the Qin state, along with his son. It is recognized as the world's oldest existing large-scale water conservancy project characterized by dam-free water diversion and is a World Cultural Heritage site.Tianfu Square
Tianfu Square is located in the heart of Chengdu, serving as the starting point for Renmin East Road, Renmin West Road, Renmin Middle Road, and Renmin South Road. Its design and significance are similar to Beijing's Tiananmen Square.Wuhou Shrine
Wuhou Shrine Museum is a well-known sacred site of Three Kingdoms culture, featuring the most famous memorials for Zhuge Liang and Liu Bei, as well as the only temple built for the joint worship of the emperor and minister. The shrine, established in 223 AD, mainly includes three parts: the Huiling Tomb, Han Zhaolie Temple, and Wuhou Temple. The area is rich with ancient cypress trees, providing a serene environment, with magnificent halls.Du Fu's Thatched Cottage
Du Fu's Thatched Cottage is the former residence of the Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu, located in downtown Chengdu. The poet moved to Chengdu in the 59th year of the public era, spending 3 years and 9 months there, during which he wrote over 240 poems, including the famous "Song of the Thatched Cottage Ruined by Autumn Winds." Major structures include the main hall, Poetry History Hall, Firewood Gate, and Labor Department Shrine. The museum houses over 30,000 historical materials and more than 2,000 cultural relics, making it an important resource for studying the "Sage of Poetry," Du Fu.Giant Panda Breeding Research Base
The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is one of the main research bases for the conservation of endangered wildlife, including giant pandas, as implemented by the Chinese government. It is well-known in China and globally for its efforts in research, breeding, educational protection, tourism, and the promotion of panda culture.Xiling Snow Mountain
Xiling Snow Mountain is located within Dayi County, Chengdu, just 95 kilometers away from the city. It covers a total area of 375 square kilometers and is recognized as a World Natural Heritage site and a habitat for giant pandas. The scenic area features year-round snow and the main peak, Miaojiling, standing at 5,353 meters, is the highest peak in Chengdu.Jinsha Site
The Jinsha Site is located along Qingyang Avenue in Chengdu. Among over 3,000 relics discovered here, there are many gold and jade ornaments as well as numerous burial goods. The culture of this site is closely related to that of the Sanxingdui site, representing another major achievement in Chinese archaeological history following Sanxingdui. It is a national key cultural heritage unit.Ming Shu Wangling
Ming Shu Wangling is located in the eastern suburbs of Chengdu and features exquisite carvings of the underground chambers representative of Shu royal tombs. The discovery of the Ming Shu Wangling is significant for understanding the tomb construction and carving art of the Ming Dynasty. It was designated as a national key cultural relic protection unit by the State Council in 1996.Qingyang Palace
Qingyang Palace is one of the famous Taoist temples in China, located in downtown Chengdu. It was founded during the Tang Dynasty, with existing halls built during the Qing Dynasty. Major structures include Lingzu Hall, Hunyuan Hall, Bagua Pavilion, Wujidi Hall (Sanqing Hall), Doumu Hall, Tang Wang Hall, and Chai Jing Terrace. Qingyang Palace is an important site for studying ancient Chinese culture and Taoist culture.Zhaojue Temple
Zhaojue Temple was designated a national key Buddhist temple in Han areas by the State Council in 1983. It is a significant Buddhist temple in Sichuan and an important venue for Buddhist activities in China, recognized as the "first Zen forest" in western Sichuan. In 1989, the temple’s abbot, Master Qingsheng, oversaw the reconstruction of the Mahavira Hall, Yuanyuan Hall, Zhonggulou, and the Buddhist Hall.Wenshu Monastery
Wenshu Monastery is one of the "Four Great Monasteries" in western Sichuan during the Qing Dynasty. Its predecessor was the "Miaoyuan Pagoda" from the Tang Dynasty, and it was known as "Xin Xiang Temple" during the Song Dynasty. After being destroyed in wars during the Ming Dynasty, it was rebuilt in the 30th year of the Kangxi era (1691) and renamed "Wenshu Monastery." The monastery houses over 500 pieces of ancient and modern calligraphy and paintings by famous individuals from the Tang and Song Dynasties, and it contains more than 120,000 scriptures and various cultural relics, such as steles, sculptures, and embroidery from the Han Dynasty onwards.Kuanzhai Alley
Kuanzhai Alley is one of the relatively well-preserved ancient streets from the Qing Dynasty in Chengdu, known alongside Daci Temple and Wenshu Monastery as one of Chengdu's three major historical and cultural protection areas.Cuisine
Sichuan cuisine is diverse and balances fresh and rich flavors, renowned for its use of spicy and numbing ingredients. With unique cooking methods and robust local flavors, it is one of China’s four major cuisines. UNESCO has designated Chengdu as a "City of Gastronomy," and the Pixian Douban sauce produced in Chengdu is praised as the "soul of Sichuan cuisine," making it an essential component of the cuisine.Chengdu snacks include: Shuangliu Old Mother’s Mian Tou (noodles), Hubby and Wife Lung Slices, Dan Dan Noodles, Long Chao Shou (dumplings), Zhong Shui Jiao (water dumplings), Han Baozi (steamed buns), San Da Pao (exploding cannon), Lai Tangyuan (glutinous rice balls), Tian Shui Mian (sweet water noodles), Shang Xin Liang Fen (sad cold noodles), Jun Tun Guokui (military bun), Fei Chang Fen (fat intestine noodles), etc. Chengdu dishes include: Mapo tofu, Hui Guo Rou (twice-cooked pork), Yu Xiang Rou Si (fish-flavored shredded pork), Kung Pao Chicken, Kou Shui Chicken (saliva chicken), Qing Cheng Shan Lao La Rou (smoked meat), Xian Shao Bai, Xiang Shui Yu (scented fish), Zhang Cha Ya (tea-smoked duck), Jiu Chi Ban Ya (nine-foot-long duck), Jian Yang Yang Rou Tang (Jianyang mutton soup), Mao Cai (spicy hot pot), etc.
Handicrafts
Shu Embroidery
Shu embroidery, also known as "Sichuan embroidery," is the general term for embroidery products centered around Chengdu. It is produced in places such as Chengdu and Mianyang in Sichuan Province. Shu embroidery is well-known alongside Su embroidery, Xiang embroidery, and Yue embroidery, collectively called the "Four Great Chinese Embroideries." Historical records indicate that the earliest kings of Shu already understood sericulture. During the late Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period, Shu brocade and Shu embroidery became world-famous, being regarded as rare and expensive silk products. During the late Tang Dynasty, the Nanzhao Kingdom attacked Chengdu, plundering not only gold and silver but also Shu embroidery and taking many Shu embroidery artisans as prized possessions.Shu Brocade
Shu brocade, produced in Chengdu, has a history of over 2,000 years. The weaving techniques of Shu brocade are classified as a national intangible cultural heritage. Due to its historical significance and unique craftsmanship, it is regarded as one of the top four brocades in China. The Shu brocade industry was already very developed during the Han Dynasty, with the court establishing officials in Chengdu to oversee brocade weaving.
