Chengdu introduction

A magnificent and modern provincial capital, southeast of the Sichuan basin, Chengdu covers a total area of 12.3 thousand square kilometers (4,749 square miles) with a population of over 11 million. Chengdu enjoys temperate climate and plentiful products.

        Chengdu (the brocade city or the hibiscus city) has been the important city in southeastern since the ancient time: It was the capital of Kingdom of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period and the capital of Former Shu and Later Shu, so it has many cultural relics and was named as the national historical and cultural city by state council in 1982. 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. Shu embroideries still enjoy a high reputation for their bright colors and delicate designs, ranking among the four main embroideries in China. Chengdu was the place where the bronze culture, an indispensable part of ancient Chinese culture, originated, the place where the Southern Silk Road started, and the place where the earliest paper currency, Jiaozi (not the dumpling!), was first printed.

       Chengdu is a beautiful and modernized metropolis, 35.7% of main urban areas has been greened up. More than 40 rivers including the Mingjiang River and the Tuojiang River run across the city with a water volume of 26.4 billion cubic meters. Benefiting from Dujiangyan Irrigation Project which was constructed in 256 BC, Sichuan Province is reputed as "Tian Fu Zhi Guo", literally a place richly endowed with natural resources.

        In addition to its profound historical and cultural background featuring historic places of interest such as Wuhou Temple, Dufu Thatched Cottage, The Royal Tomb of Wang Jian, Dujiangyan ancient water conservancy project, Erwang Temple, natural beauty abounds in surrounding areas such as the Qingcheng Scenic Area and Huang Long Valley (Yellow Dragon Valley) . There are 19 historical sites under national and provincial protection and the only Base of Giant Panda Breeding in the world. Chengdu resides at the converging point of country tourist routes circle and Sichuan tourist routes circle on which the ancient Shu Road of Jianmen gate, Jiuzhaigou Scenic and Historic Area, Mt Emei and Three Gorges are the tourist destinations, it is also the main way to go to Tibet on land, so Chengdu enjoys obvious advantage for tourist development.

        Sichuan opera with the Chengdu brand as representative is one of the principal genres of regional drama. It is particularly famous for its sense of humor and its unique skills in "Changing one's countenance". Sampling the famous Sichuan cuisine is a must on a trip to Chengdu. Built on flat ground, Chengdu can easily be explored on foot or by bicycle. It has almost a southern aspect, with colorful old streets lined by scores of small restaurants and walkways that remain crowded until late with traders, buyers, and people out for a stroll. Enjoying the food as well as the culture, shopping and having tea at a teahouse afford a deeper understanding of Chengdu.

        As the transportation hub of southwestern China, Chengdu not only has the largest airport in this area, which is Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, but also convenient for its road transportation. Improved land and airlines extending nationwide provide greater convenience. You can easily get in and around the beautiful city.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines launched a scheduled service between Amsterdam and Chengdu in Central China effective May 28, 2006. The new roundtrip flight will be operated twice weekly using Boeing 777 200ER equipment. The service will be operated in cooperation with KLM's partner China Southern Airlines.