Chengdu -- The Land of Sichuan Spicy Cuisine

Author: Bai Zhenkui
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-01
Features: For most people, every city is better described as a passing-through rather than a place they have visited or lived in. A fleeting glance can leave an impression perhaps unforgettable for a lifetime. For each individual, every city is also a passing-through, and the unforgettable memories left behind will eventually disappear with us. But the city remains a city. So, have you—passed through Chengdu?
Chengdu, known as the "Land of Abundance," is a city with beautiful scenery and a pleasant climate. It is also an ancient cultural city with over two thousand years of history, leaving behind many famous historical sites. Among the national key cultural relics protection units are the Wu Hou Temple (Mausoleum of Zhuge Liang), Du Fu Thatched Cottage, and Yong Ling (Mausoleum of Wang Jian). Those listed as provincial cultural relics protection units include the Northern Zhou Wen Wang Stele, Wenshu Monastery, Qingyang Palace, Ma Zhixiang Mausoleum, Zhu Yuelian Mausoleum, Xi Wang Ling, the Xinhai Autumn Protection Road Martyrs Monument, General Peng Monument, Peng Jiazhen Shrine, and the Twelve Bridges Martyrs' Tomb.
Other parks with unique characteristics include Wangjianglou Park, known as the "Bamboo Park" for introducing over 100 species of bamboo; Baihuatan Park, which displays various bonsai; Baigongyan Park, an artificial lake with lush mountains and clear waters; the Cultural Park, which hosts annual lantern and flower festivals; Chengdu Zoo, famous for breeding giant pandas; Binjiang Park, set against the green belt of the Jinjiang River; and Huoshui Park, themed around "People and Water."
The four phrases "Emei is the most beautiful under heaven, Qingcheng is the most secluded under heaven, Jianmen is the most dangerous under heaven, and Kuimen is the most majestic under heaven" perfectly capture the essence of Chengdu's scenery.