Chengdu: The Land of Sichuan's Spicy and Hot Cuisine

Author: Bai Zhenkui
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: For most people, visiting a city is better described as passing through rather than living there. A fleeting glance can leave an unforgettable impression; for each individual, a city is often just a passing through, and those unforgettable memories will eventually vanish with us. Yet, the city remains. So, have you—passed through Chengdu?
Chengdu, known as the "Land of Abundance," is a city of beautiful scenery and pleasant climate. It is also a cultural heritage site with over 2,000 years of history, boasting numerous historical landmarks left by past dynasties. Among the nationally protected cultural relics are the Wu Hou Temple (Mausoleum of Zhuge Liang), Du Fu Cottage, and the Yong Ling Mausoleum (of Wang Jian). At the provincial level are the Northern Zhou Wen Wang Stele, Wenshu Monastery, Qingyang Palace, Ma Zhixiang Mausoleum, Zhu Yuejian Mausoleum, Xi Wang Ling, the Xinhai Autumn Protection Road Martyrs Monument, General Peng's Monument, Peng Jiazhen Shrine, and the Twelve Bridges Martyrs' Cemetery.
Other parks with unique features include the Wangjianglou Park, known as the "Bamboo Park" for housing over 100 species of bamboo; Baihuatan Park, which displays various bonsai arrangements; Baigongyan Park, an artificial lake with lush mountains and clear waters; the Cultural Park, famous for its annual lantern and flower festivals; the Chengdu Zoo, renowned for breeding giant pandas; Binjiang Park, set against the backdrop of the Jinjiang River; and the Huoshui Park, themed around "People and Water."
The saying goes: "Emei is the most beautiful under heaven, Qingcheng is the most secluded, Jianmen is the most perilous, and Kuimen is the most majestic"—four words that perfectly capture the essence of Chengdu's landscapes.