Chengdu

Chengdu is a sub-provincial city that is the capital of the Sichuan Province and is situated in the southwest of the People’s Republic of China. It is a major economic and communication hub for China and is listed as one of the leading economic hubs of the country. Chengdu is also a major industrial center producing food, machinery, medicine and information technology. Major corporation located here include Chengdu Sugar and Wine Co, Sichuan Medicine Co., Chengdu Automobile Co. and Chengdu Food Group. Chengdu is also building itself up to become a major financial center, thanks in part to the huge amount of foreign investment in the city.

The educational needs of Chengdu are serviced by a large number of universities, colleges, international schools and middle schools. Major universites and colleges in the city include Sichuan University, Sichuan Normal University, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu University of Technology, Xihua University, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu Kinesiology University, Southwest University for Nationalities, University of Electronic Science and Technology, Sichuan International Studies University, Sichuan Conservatory of Music, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu Kinesiology University, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, University of TCM, College of UESTC and Chengdu University. International schools in the city include Leman International School, Quality Schools International, Chengdu International School and Eton House. Middle schools in Chengdu include No.7 High School, Shude High School, Chengdu Foreign Language School, Shude Union School, Yulin Middle School and Shishi Union School.

Chengdu can trace its long history all the way back to the fourth century BC. This was when the Kaiming King of the time moved the capital from Pixian to the current location of Chengdu. He then named the newly formed city Cheng Du, which in English is loosely translated as “capital”. After the invasion of the city by the Qin in the third century BC, the city was then renamed Yizhou. It would retain this name until the Tang Dynasty when it was renamed to its current name. In the ninth century AD, Chengdu became the first city in China to use a monetary system that was based upon paper currency. During World War II, the Chinese National Party relocated to the city to escape the imminent threat posed by the invading Japanese army. When they relocated to Chengdu they brought with them a large force of workers, scholars and businessmen. This influx of talent is what has helped the city to become an import center of education and trade in the country. A major disaster struck this city in 2008. It was a large earthquake that dealt major damage to the city and ended up killing over eighty thousand people in the suburbs surrounding the city.

One of the most popular attractions to visitors of Chengdu is located just a short drive outside of its city limits. Its called the Wolong National Natural Reserve. This natural reserve was started in 1963 and is considered to be one of the first panda reserves in China. It covers an area of almost five hundred thousand acres and contains over one hundred and fifty pandas. This state of the art facility is the leading breeder of captive pandas in the world and has received accolades from organizations such as the UNESCO Man and Biospere Network and the World Wildlife Fund. But, pandas are not the only animals located on this reserve. Other animals located here include deer, golden monkeys, wildebeast and many specious of plants and trees. Key areas of note located on this reserve include the animal and plant specimen museum, Insect Number Seven Hundred, Animals Number Fifty-six and Local Plant Specimens Number Twenty-one hundred and seventy. The park itself is a conservationist dream and contains over one hundred mountains with heights reaching over sixteen thousand feet and also contains a lot of woodland. This park attracts over one hundred thousand visitors each and every year.

Another prominent attraction in Chengdu is Qingyang Temple. Qingyang Temple is considered to be one of the most famous Taoist temples in the entire country of China. It was erected during the height of the Taoist movement during the Tang Dynasty. However, most of the key features of this temple aren’t from that period but are restorations that were done during the Qing Dynasty. The major parts of this temple include Hunyuan Palace, Wuji Palace, Doulao Hall, Sanqing Hall and Eight Trigrams Pavilion. Eight Trigrams Pavilion is probably the most spectacular of these buildings. It is erected on stone foundations and is octagonal in shape. It features a beautiful glazed dome and has eight pillars decorated in dragon reliefs. Qingyang Temple features many fabulous relics which include engravings, stone scultpures and ancient parchments. Also located at the temple is a tea house where many local residents meet to socialize and pass their afternoons.

An attraction not to be missed during your visit to Chengdu is Wenshu Monastery. Wenshu Monastery is the best preserved Buddhist temple in the city and is home to the Buddhist Association of Sichuan Province. This temple was built during the Tang Dynasty and at one time was called Xinxiang Temple. This temple has some of the city’s most impressive cultural relics. These include over five hundred paintings and religious artifacts. Located here is a jade statue of Buddha that was brought from Burma to the temple during the 1920′s, a skull of Tang Dynasty Buddhist monk Xuan Zhang and over three hundred Buddhist statues that are composed of materials such as stone, wood, jade and bronze. Many of these statues are beautifully painted. Also located at the temple is a garden and a tea house where visitors can have a drink and enjoy the music of local folk musicians.

Other attractions in the city include Dujiangyan Irrigation Project, Baoguang Temple, Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area, The Salt Museum, Wangjiang Tower Park, Wuhou Memorial Temple, Yong Ling Mausoleum, Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area and Sanxingdui Museum. This city is also home to many restaurants, cafes, tea houses and hotels.