Tour Chengdu

Chengdu
Chengdu’s other name "The Land of Abundant" (Tian Fu Zhi Guo) is benefiting from Dujiangyan Irrigation Project, habitat of giant pandas and city of cotton-rose hibiscus. As the capital, Chengdu is extremely productive. The Min and Tuo Rivers, two branches of the Yangtze River, connected to forty other rivers, supply an irrigation area of more than 700 square kilometers (270.27 square miles) with 150-180 million kilowatts of water. Consisting of abundant mineral resources, the land is extremely fertile. The history of Chengdu can be traced back to 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. 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. It is listed among the first 24 state-approved historical and cultural cities and owns 23 state and provincial cultural relic units. In addition to its profound historical and cultural background featuring historic places of interest such as the Thatched Cottage of Du Fu , Wuhou Memorial Temple and Wenshu Monastery , etc, natural beauty abounds in surrounding areas such as in the Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area and Huang Long Valley (Yellow Dragon Valley) . The natural habitat of giant pandas, Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center , supports the world's only giant panda breeding and research base. 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. Chengdu is a city that makes you reluctant to leave once you're here

Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center
Located just 10km (6miles) away from downtown Chengdu, the Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center has been created and imitated the pandas' natural habitat in order that they might have the best possible environment for rearing and breeding. The Center cares also for other rare and endangered wild animals. The Research Center covers an area of 560 mus (92 acres), 96% of which is verdure. Giant pandas, lesser pandas, black-necked cranes, white storks as well as over 20 species of rare animals are fed and bred there throughout the year. Verdant bamboo, bright flowers, fresh air, a natural hill scene and a beautiful artificial view are merged ingeniously at the base. The necessary facilities for giant pandas have been completed and include a fodder room, sleeping quarters and a medical station. Additionally there is a Giant Panda Museum together with research laboratories and a training center. The center is planning to expand by another 3000 mus (500 acres) of land on which to simulate a natural environment order to prepare the giant pandas bred at the center for release into the wild. There is a Giant Panda Museum in it which is to improve public awareness of the protection of both wild creatures and their environment. This is the world's only thematic museum for rare and endangered animal species. The three main exhibitions are in the Giant Panda Hall, the Butterfly Hall and the Vertebrate Hall. The exhibits include all kinds of precious pictures, more than 800 materials and show more than 2140 different samples gathered in Sichuan. These include examples of animals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and insects as well as fossils and models. This excellent and comprehensive museum provides a wonderful venue for all who are interested in seeing something of the propagation and protection of the region's natural bio-diversity. And please remember the best time to visit is in the morning, during feeding time between 8:30 and 10:00. After then, it's likely that the pandas will be indulging in their favorite pastime. Sleeping!

Jiuzhaigou
Jiuzhaigou, eulogized as a world of magical fairytale, has for years enchanted tourists with its mountains and luxuriant forests, colorful lakes, gushing waterfalls and abundant wildlife. To its south is the Huanglong (Yellow Dragon Scenic Area). It is said that if there should be wonderlands on the earth, Jiuzhaigou Valley must be one of them. There is no equal elsewhere that has sceneries and fables of dreamlike eloquence, or natural purities like a fairyland as Jiuzhaigou Valley. Jiuzhaigou Valley is located in Nanping County, 450 kilometers (about 280 miles) to the north of Chengdu City, Sichuan, covers a total area of 720 square kilometers and the valley is 50 kilometers in length. In 1992, UNESCO entered this scenic area onto the world natural heritage list. Jiuzhaigou, literally the Nine Village Valley, is hence known for the nine Tibetan villages within its boundary, Inhabited by Tibetans, the nine villages and alpine lakes, are like reflecting mirrors or crystal jade blocks inlaid in snow mountains and forests. Jiuzhaigou's spirit is its pure, crystal clear water. Legend has it that long long ago; a beautiful Goddess received a mirror from her lover. The goddess was so excited that she dropped the mirror, smashing it into 108 small pieces. Over the centuries those pieces gave birth to 108 wonderful lakes. It covers more than 600 square kilometers (about 230 square miles), and includes areas such as Shuzheng Valley, Rize Valley, Zechawa Valley and Zharu Valley, etc. The main beauty spots such as calc-sinter lake groups, waterfalls, and other waterscapes, as well as 12 summits make Jiuzhaigou Valley a wonderful appearance. Collecting the primitive, natural beauties best demonstrated in its lakes, waterfalls, beaches, water currents, snow peaks, virgin forests and Tibetan customs, when you capture the rare beauty of Jiuzhaigou, you must gush: "How could it possible that there is such a marvelous fairyland in the world!"

Huanglong
The 'World Wonder' and 'Fairy Land on Earth' are names enjoyed by the Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area, which is well known for its colorful lakes, snow clad mountains, valleys and virgin forest. It is located on the easternmost of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, belongs to Songpan county, Aba Tibetan and Qiang autonomous prefecture, Sichuan province. Due to its layered calcium carbonated deposit patterns, the valley resembles a golden dragon winding its way through the virgin forest, stone mountains and glaciers. Along the valley are scattering numerous colorful ponds of different sizes and shapes, which are strewn with gold colored limestone deposit giving a shimmering golden hue to water, so in sunlight, a golden dragon seems to surge forth from the forest. Thus it was named 'Huanglong Valley' (Yellow Dragon Valley). Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area are famed for its outstanding travertine (calcium carbonate) formations. With the virgin forest as its backdrop, the travertine scenery holds colorful ponds, beaches, lakes, springs, waterfalls, caves, etc. The travertine formations scenery is No.1 in China. Another special scenic in Huanglong is its calcium carbonate (travertine) formation in every corner of the park. You will find every lake, pond, spring, waterfall was held by the travertine. The water is so crystal clear that you can see the bottom of the pond and lake by your naked eyes. With the colorful plants around them, every pond and lake is a beautiful picture that can not be describe by words. In walking in the valley, your eyes will be caught to the imaginative sites that you can not believe in yourself. Famous ponds include the Yingbin (welcoming guests) Colored Ponds, Feipuliuhui (glowing waterfall), Xishen (washing body) Cave, Penjing (miniascape) Ponds, Huanglong (Yellow Dragon) Temple, Huanglong (Yellow Dragon) Cave, Shitazhenhai and Zhuanhua (whirling flower) Pond, etc. Huanglong's beauty is beyond mere words, you need see it in person to truly appreciate this 'Fairy Land on Earth'.

Qingcheng Mountain
Qingcheng Mountain is a famous Taoist mountain and it is located in the southwest of the Dujiangyan Irrigation Project of China in Sichuan Province. It was entered in the UNESCO World Heritage List in the year 2000. It is a very attractive and intriguing scenic spot that is covered by luxuriant and verdant trees. The mountain, which is surrounded by numerous peaks and is shaped like a city, is dubbed 'the most peaceful and secluded mountain under heaven' and combines perfectly with its evergreen scenery. The Qingcheng Mountain can be divided into two parts: the “Front Mountain” and “Behind Mountain”. Front Mountain has been a major travel highlight in the Chengdu area, because it has a lot of ancient Taoist and Buddhist temples and historic sites. It was a religious pilgrimage destination. The scenery is beautiful. 15 kilometers away from Front Mountain is Back Mountain that the government has recently opened up for hikers. There are a few temples and historical sites, but it is mainly a natural reserve that has peaceful streams, quiet forests and a grand peak. The natural scenery is beautiful and magnificent. Qingcheng Mountain is a famous Taoist mountain because it is one of the places where the Taoist religion originated. A Taoist teacher named Zhang came to the mountain and preached during the Eastern Han Dynasty period (25-220 AD). Since then, over the last two millennia, dozens of other temples were built on the mountain. Tianshi Cave is one of the main attractions since it is the place where Zhang is said to have preached in. It is a good place to start from to see the dozens of other temples around. These temples include Jianfugong Temple, Shangqinggong Temple, Zushi Temple, Yuanminggong Temple, Laojunge Temple, Yuqinggong Temple, and Chaoyang Cave. The sunrise, the misty “sea of clouds” and the Shengdeng (celestial lights) are beautiful sights. The visitors will enjoy in this beautiful cultural place.

Dujiangyan
In China, Chengdu is always praised as the the Land of Abundance, which means 'Nature's Storehouse'. Over 2,200 years ago, the city was threatened by the frequent floods caused by flooding of the Minjiang River (a tributary of the Yangtze River). Li Bing, a local official of Sichuan Province at that time, together with his son, decided to construct an irrigation system on the Minjiang River to prevent flooding. After a lengthy study and a lot of hard work by the local people, the great Dujiangyan Irrigation Project was completed. Since then, the Chengdu Plain has been free of flooding and the people have been living peacefully and affluently. Now, the project is honored as the 'Treasure of Sichuan', which still plays a crucial role in draining off floodwater, irrigating farms and providing water resources for more than 50 cities in the province. Dujiangyan is the oldest and only surviving no-dam irrigation system in the world; and a wonder in the development of Chinese science. The project consists of three important parts, namely Yuzui, Feishayan and Baopingkou scientifically designed to automatically control the water flow of the rivers from the mountains to the plains throughout the year. There is a magnificent bridge called the Anlan Cable Bridge crossing the Minjiang River above Yuzui, which is the most scenic place in Dujiangyan. The construction of the bridge originally commenced before the Song Dynasty (960-1279). At that time, the body of the bridge was constructed with wooden blocks and the handrails were made of bamboo. Recently the wood and bamboo were replaced with steel and reinforced concrete to ensure the security of the visitors. Seen from afar, the bridge looks like a rainbow hanging over the river. From the bridge, you can clearly see the entire layout of the Dujiangyan system. Dujiangyan Irrigation Project is an amazing feat of engineering and construction and is a wonder of the world, and is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Leshan Giant Buddha
Leshan is 162 kilometers (about 100 miles) from Chengdu. East of Leshan City, is home to the Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Spot, which was named after the giant statue of Buddha. It is actually a statue of Maitreya, a fat laughing Bodhisattva who symbolizes brightness and happiness. It was included on the UNESCO's World Heritage list in 1996. Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Spot is full of beautiful natural and historical sites, with the Giant Buddha being the most distinguished one. The best place to view the Leshan Giant Buddha is from Mt. Lingyun, so the giant carving is often called the Lingyun Giant Buddha. The Giant Buddha is so huge, just one of the Leshan Giant Buddha's shoulders is large enough to house a full sized basketball court with room to spare. In addition to the Leshan Giant Buddha, there are numerous famous sites located in the scenic spot in which the Leshan Giant Buddha is located including: Mt. Lingyun, Wuyou Hill, Guicheng Hill, Moruo Hall, Qianfeng Cave, and the sleeping Giant Buddha. There are many Han Dynasty cliff tombs, where many mortuary artifacts have been found making this area particularily important for archaeologists. Located around the Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Spot are several local restaurants, where visitor can enjoy the local dishes of Leshan City. Xiba Tofu, a kind of Tofu that specially made with the sweet-mellow water in Xiba Town, and Minjiang River Fish, a super fish living in Minjiang River which is free from pollution, are the two most famous. These wonderfully spicy dishes have become famous. The Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Spot has been a draw for Buddhist pilgrims for centuries, and has become a draw for visitors as well.

Mt. Emei
Mt. Emei located in Leshan City, 150 km away from Chengdu, is one of China's best known summer destinations due to its pleasant weather, gorgeous natural scenery, and ancient Buddhist architecture. The mountain is characterized by ancient pines, clean brooks, and picturesque waterfalls. Standing on the summit, visitors can enjoy an unforgettable view of snowy mountains and vast plains in the distance. Mt. Mt. Emei is a natural "Oxygen Bar", where the average Negative Oxygen Ions in one cubic meter reach 0.1 million to 1 million which is 500-1000 times more than that in its city cousins. Mt. Emei is a sacred Buddhist haven. It is one of the four most divine Buddhism Mountains in China. This Buddhist legacy mainly contained in the numerous temples and the buildings bears witness to the unusual historical role of the mountain in Buddhism development since the religion was introduced to China over 2,000 years ago. The mountain enjoys great popularity among Buddhists in China. Every morning streams of Buddhism pilgrims armed with joss sticks conquer the steep stairs of the mountain and swarm into the countless temples. The summit of Mt. Emei is known as the Golden Summit. With an elevation of over 3,000 meters above sea level, the Golden summit is the highlight to any visitors’ trip to Mt. Emei. The sunrise at Mt. Emei is nothing short of amazing. Before the sun rises, the sky and ground are the same dark shade of purple, and gradually wisps of rose colored clouds begin to appear. As the sun rises higher, the sky suddenly explodes with color. With the varied weather conditions, and different seasons, the sunrise is never the same twice. When the sun is almost completely visible the whole of Mt. Emei is lit in golden color, giving the Golden Summit its name. The Mt. Emei not only provides physical space to travelers but affords a personal exposure to the intimacy of nature and China's Buddhism culture. A gnarled ancient tree, a winding stream, waterfall and a Buddhist temple will be a reminder of the resiliency of nature and pristine civilization.

Dufu’s Thatched Cottage
Dufu’s Thatched Cottage is a museum and memorial for Dufu (712-770 AD). He is one of China’s most famous poets, he left home at the tender age of 20, and years later he became a court official at the Tang Dynasty capital of Chang'an (near Xi'an). Du Fu's civil service duties did not last long however, and he was captured by rebels and forced to flee the city and take refuge in Chengdu. Then he resided in a thatched cottage at the site during the war. It was in Chengdu, in his small and simple hut, where Du Fu was inspired to write more than 200 poems which are regarded today as masterpieces of realist poetry. This memorial is located in a 24 acre (97,000 square-meters) park by the side of a stream called the Huanhua in Chengdu’s western suburb. It originated as a temple dedicated to Dufu that was built about a thousand years ago during the Song Dynasty. The park contains a recreation of his cottage, what is suspected to be the remains of the original cottage, and ancient temples and structures. The 24 acre park includes the Gate, the Screen Wall, the Lobby, the Hall of Verse History, and the Gong Bu Temple. These structures are aligned along the central lane, and these buildings are flanked by corridors, cloisters and other auxiliary buildings. A broad-minded bronze statue of Dufu stands in the Hall of Verse History. The Gong Bu Temple has a life-like clay sculpture of Dufu. Trees and bamboo groves, winding brooks and small bridges surround these structures and lie between them. All these things give the place an atmosphere of solemnity, and a sense of beauty and grace. Around the recreated cottage are bamboo fences, and inside the fences are vegetable and herb plots that remind people of the scenes described in Dufu's poems. Visitors to the park learn about Dufu’s life, his poetry, and his times, and enjoy the large contemplative park. While taking a quiet walk in this environment, visitors may feel that they are walking in that ancient era.

Wuhou Temple
The Wuhou Temple (The Temple of Marquis Wu) is the most famous and influential of the temples dedicated to Zhuge Liang who lived from 181 until 234 AD. He is one of China’s famous historic figures, and he was a renowned minister and military strategist for Emperor Liu Bei (161-223) of the Shu Kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period in China. The temple is also dedicated to Emperor Liu Bei. It was built during the Qing dynasty in 1672. Because Zhuge Liang was granted the title of “Wuxiang Hou” (Marquis Wuxiang) in his lifetime, this temple is known as the Wuhou Memorial Temple. The temple is one of Chengdu’s major attractions and contains numerous statues to Emperor Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang and other officials of the Shu Kingdom. The memorial is a large and nice place to wander around it. It covers 37,000 square meters of paths and woods. The temple complex is interesting architecturally and steeped in history, and the park has old cypress trees. The main body of the temple is simple in style, but dignified. It is divided into five sections: the Gate, the Second Gate, the Hall of Liu Bei, the Corridor, and the Wuhou Temple (the Hall of Zhuge Liang). Inside, clay sculptures of the Shu Emperor and his ministers stand together. There are 47 statues of Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang, and other officials of the Kingdom. The temple houses many inscribed stone tablets. Many of the sayings and poems written on these tablets are well known. The most valuable and famous tablet was set up in 805 AD. It is 144 inches high and 37 inches wide. It is called the Tablet of Triple Success. It is called this because the text was originally penned by a famous official named Pei Du, and then stylized by Liu Gongchuo who was one of China’s most famous calligraphers, and then his calligraphy was carved in the tablet by a noted engraver named Lu Jian. It is some of China’s finest ancient literature and craftsmanship. Going to The Wuhou Temple, visitors will know more about the events during The Three Kingdoms period of China.

Sanxingdui
Sanxingdui, located in the city of Guanghan, 40 km from Chengdu, Sichuan Province, is recognized as one of the most important ancient remains in the world for its vast size, lengthy period and enriched cultural contents. The Sanxingdui finds are exciting, but they remain enigmatic. No texts have been found, nor is there any mention of this culture in the records of other countries. Analysis of lead and other elements in the bronzes indicates sources similar to those of other cultures along the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. At this point, however, the unique culture that produced these artifacts remains a mystery. The Sanxingdui Museum is located in the northeast of the Sanxingdui site. The museum architecture is interesting because it is spiral shaped, so visitors walk upward from one hall to another. There are two galleries: Gallery one displays a variety of artifacts made of god, bronze, jade and pottery. Gallery two exhibits the bronze statues, sculptures, masks, and other bronze artifacts that have amazed scholars by their craftsmanship and unique styles. Their bronze craftsmanship was brilliant. The smiths mixed tin, copper and lead in a proportion that enabled them to cast some of the largest Bronze-age objects ever found. Visitors will be amazed at the design and size of the bronze artifacts, and appreciate the technological and artistic achievements of the civilization. The first hall of the museum instructs on the history of this civilization. The second hall contains idols and religious artifacts. The artifacts give a clue about the religion, politics and social relationships of those people. The third hall contains the most famous relics, and many objects are deemed to be Chinese national treasures. The fourth hall instructs on the archeological research that has been carried out over several generations and on the importance of this archeological site. Sanxingdui Relic is the spiritual homeland of the ancient Shu people and the Sanxingdui Museum is the place for modern people to meet the ancient Shu. Visitors can learn about the history of that time in China during their visit.

Daocheng
Daocheng, located on the southeast of qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the east of Hengduan Mountains, is a county on the southwest border of Sichuan, China and subordinated to the Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous. Though popularly known as stopover on route to Yading, Daocheng itself is still worth a visit for the sights around. Located in the southwest border of Sichuan at an average elevation of 3800m, it is full of discovery of primitive Tibetan villages, Buddhism monasteries and pastoral scenery brought by the rolling landscapes. Daocheng has long enjoyed great fame as the "last shangri-la” among Chinese travelers due to its breath-taking natural scenery. The area, located at an average elevation of 3800m, is full of alpine views of floppy blue sky, loquacious rivers and lakes, broad pastures and snow capped mountains. Daocheng is also a home to many endangered species. Long-tailed leaf monkeys, golden monkeys, white-lipped deer, red deer, water deer, argali, antelope enjoy their life freely in this vast land, untouched by human beings. The Yading National Reserve at the south edge of Daocheng County has been considered as the most sacred place in western Sichuan Province by Tibetan pilgrims. Mountains and lakes in the reserve are believed holy. The three sacred mountains Jambeyang (or Yangmaiyong in Mandarin, 5958 meters high), Chanadorje (Xiaruoduoji, 5958 meters high), Shenrezig (Xiannairi 6032 meters high) has saw stream of pious Tibetan pilgrims circling them, in the hope of a better and happier life. It is said that those three mountains were blessed in the 8th century, when Buddha Padmasambhava shed his divine light on the range, and named the three elevations after three bodhisattvas. As leader of the U.S. National Geographic Society's Yunnan-Sichuan Expedition, Joseph F. Rock, the renowned American explorer and botanist, visited Yading in 1928. Awed by the sacred snowy peaks, he wrote and took photographs for an article entitled "Konka Risumgongba, Holy Mountain of the Outlaws", published in National Geographic in July of 1931. "The Shenrezig peak resembles a huge white throne, such as Living Buddhas use when meditating: a worthy seat for a Tibetan deity!" wrote Rock. "In a cloudless sky before me rose the peerless pyramid of Jambeyang, the finest mountain my eyes ever beheld."