Chengdu is the capital of "Heavenly State", habitat of giant pandas and city of cotton-rose hibiscus.

Located in the west of Sichuan Basin and in the center of Chengdu Plain, Chengdu covers a total area of 12.3 thousand square kilometres (4,749 square miles) with a population of over 11 million.

Benefiting from Dujiangyan Irrigation Project which was constructed in 256 B.C., Sichuan Province is reputed as "Heavenly State", literally a place richly endowed with natural resources. Chengdu, as the capital, is extremely productive.

The history of Chengdu can be traced back 2,400 when the first emperor built his capital here and named the city. Through thousands of years its original name has been kept and its position as the capital and as the significant center of politics, commerce and military of the Sichuan area (once called Shu) has remained unchanged. Since the Han (206B.C.-220) and Tang (618-907)

Dynasties when its handicraft industry flourished, Chengdu has been famous for its brocades and embroideries.

Sampling the famous Sichuan cuisine is a must on a trip to Chengdu. Enjoying the food as well as the culture, shopping and having tea at a teahouse afford a deeper understanding of Chengdu.

 
 
 
Highlights

. The Panda Breeding Research Center - Located just 10km (6miles) away from downtown Chengdu

. The Thatched Cottage of Du Fu - Du Fu, a very famous poet, lived in the Tang Dynasty (618-907)

. Leshan Giant Buddha - It is famous for its abundance of the Chinese flowering crab-apple and long ago was given the title of 'Haitang (crab-apple) Xiangguo (fragrant city)'.