Published: 15:09, August 7, 2023 | Updated: 15:14, August 7, 2023
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A magnet for global tourists
By Yuan Shenggao

Panda's hometown blessed with numerous attractions

Du Fu Thatched Cottage where the poet used to live. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province, has become a popular destination for global tourists thanks to the city's improved international flight network.

Since 2019 the Chengdu aviation port has had a visa-free policy for foreigners holding valid international travel documents from 53 countries, or tickets with confirmed dates and seats to a third country or region within 144 hours. And as of this past January, Chengdu has opened 131 international and regional routes.

The city's reputation as the home of giant pandas is a major attraction for visitors. The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, located in the northern suburbs, is a must-see destination as it houses the world's largest population, over 200, artificially bred pandas. Visitors can observe the pandas through fences or glass windows, and even see newborns in the maternity ward. There are also many red pandas. Swans and peacocks are also in abundance at the facility.

Kuanzhai Alleys, a landmark street dotted with restaurants, bars and teahouses. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Visitors enjoy Sichuan Opera at Wuhou Shrine. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

With a history spanning more than 4,500 years of civilization and 2,300 years of urban development, Chengdu is regarded as the birthplace of the ancient Shu civilization, and the Jinsha Site Museum, located in the western part of the city's urban area, tells the whole story. The history of the Jinsha site can be traced back 3,000 years, and the area has yielded precious cultural relics made of gold, bronze, jade, stone, ivory and lacquerware.

Centuries of accumulation of pottery fragments, tons of ivory and thousands of wild boar tusks and deer antlers make Jinsha the world's most densely concentrated site of ivory artifacts, as well as rich deposits of gold and jade. The Golden Sun Bird, which was unearthed in the Jinsha Ruins and selected as a symbol of Chinese cultural heritage by the Chinese National Cultural Heritage Administration, is one of the site's most famous artifacts.

For tourists interested in Taoist culture, Qingcheng Mountain, located in the northwest of Chengdu, is a must-see destination. It's approximately 70 kilometers from the city center and is one of China's most revered Taoist holy sites. Another unmissable attraction is the Dujiangyan irrigation system, which still functions as the world's oldest non-dam irrigation system. It has protected Chengdu from water and drought disasters for centuries, ensuring that "the land of abundance" thrives. In 2000, Qingcheng Mountain and the Dujiangyan irrigation system were added to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.

A view of Qingcheng Mountain, one of China's Taoist holy sites. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

For fans of The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the charm of Chengdu lies in its history as the capital of the Shu Han during that period (221-263). To this day, the Wuhou Shrine in Chengdu remains the most famous memorial site for the heroes of the tale in China.

During the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC to AD 24), Chengdu was known as "The City of Brocade" in honor of its beautiful creations, and the city sourced a significant portion of the silk products on the ancient Silk Road. Jinli, located just a wall away from the Wuhou Shrine, is now one of the most famous commercial pedestrian streets in Chengdu and was once the location for the residence of silk weavers.

Chengdu also has deep cultural heritage in poetry. Prominent poets such as Li Bai and Du Fu in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), and Lu You and Su Shi in the Song Dynasty (960-1279) resided in Chengdu and left numerous timeless masterpieces. The Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum, where the poet lived during his stay in Chengdu, is considered a sacred place in Chinese literary circles and a must-visit for literature enthusiasts.

Foreign tourists visit Jinli, a traditional destination for Chengdu snacks. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Dujiangyan irrigation system boasts a history of more than 2,000 years. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

To experience the traditional lifestyle and scenes of old Chengdu, a visit to the Kuanzhai Alleys is a must. The area encompasses large scale preserved Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) streets in Chengdu, representing the blending of northern Hutong culture and architectural style in the south. As the epitome of leisurely city life in Chengdu, Kuanzhai Alleys is hailed as the "spiritual home" of its residents.

For tourists who appreciate Chinese liquor culture, a visit to the Shuijingfang site by the Jinjiang River near Jiuyan Bridge is recommended. With a history dating to the end of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and the beginning of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Shuijingfang is recognized as the world's oldest distillery by the Guinness Book of World Records.

Luodai Ancient Town features Hakka culture. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

The bustling side of modern Chengdu is showcased in the city center's Chunxi Road and Taikoo Li shopping center. If you enjoy teahouse culture, it is recommended to have a cup of tea at Heming Tea House in People's Park. If you come for the food, there are hundreds of restaurants to serve every palate. For entertainment, visit Chengdu Dongmen Wharf in the evening and take a boat ride to experience the unique charm of the river with the enchanting ancient music and beautiful light show along the banks.

Kevin Schooling, an American who has lived in China for 12 years, said there is much more to visit in Chengdu than just seeing the pandas or sampling Sichuan hot pot. "The people here are great," said Schooling. "I would say come to Chengdu to experience the rich culture. It is an amazing city with lots of scenery, parks and pandas, beautiful people and food. I love poetry, and in this area we have Li Bai and Du Fu. I've tried to understand some of their poetry, and it's exciting to read it and understand their journeys cross China.