Chengdu
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Southwest China (西南) » Sichuan (四川) » Chengdu (成都)
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[edit] Overview
Chengdu (成都) is located in the central Sichuan Province, and is the provincial capital. It's also one of the most important political, economic, education centers of Sichuan and also Southwest China. In addition, Chengdu serves as an important transportation hub in Southwest China, and is known for its historical and cultural heritages.
Chengdu is often referred to as Tianfuzhiguo (天府之国), literally "the country of heaven", or "the Land of Abundance", due to its location on the fertile Chengdu Plain.
The total area that Chengdu local government administers is about 12,390 sq km, among which the city center covers about 598 sq km. Chengdu is about 500 meters above the sea level. Chengdu has a population 11.12 million as of 2007, and 60,538 are minorities. About 2/3 of the population lives in the city area.
Chengdu's city area survived the 8.0 magnitude Wenchuan Earthquake on May 12, 2008, but Dujiangyan and Pengzhou, two suburban cities of Chengdu, suffered over 4000 casualties and some major property damages. Chengdu is about 48 miles from the epicenter.
Attractions in Chengdu includes Baoguang Temple, Dujiangyan Irrigation System, Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Center, Mount Qingcheng, Wuhou Memorial Temple. Other well-known attractions in nearby areas are Huanglong Scenic Area, Jiuzhaigou Valley, Mount Emeishan.
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| Chengdu |
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| Chengdu (成都) is located in the central Sichuan Province, and is the provincial capital. It's also one of the most important political, economic, education centers of Sichuan and also Southwest China. |
[edit] History
Chengdu was called the Jinguan city (or silk brocade and satin city) (锦官城) in the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) because of its booming silk manufacturing industry. It was the capital of the kingdom of Shu-Han (蜀汉; 221-263). And later on in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period (907-960) Chengdu was called the City of Hibiscus (芙蓉城) because the city's fortress wall was covered by hibiscus flowers. Today the hibiscus is still the city flower of Chengdu.
[edit] Weather
Due to the abrupt difference in altitude between the east and west sides of the city, Chengdu does not have a uniform temperature. Generally speaking, the higher west side is cooler than the lower east side. The annual average temperature is around 16.4 degrees Celsius.
Current Conditions (2012-05-21 00:00:00, local time)
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Chengdu |
Temp: 75°F (24°C) |
Chengdu Weather Forecast
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| Weather averages for Chengdu | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Avg high °C (°F) | 9 (48) | 11 (52) | 16 (61) | 22 (72) | 26 (79) | 28 (82) | 29 (84) | 29 (84) | 25 (77) | 21 (70) | 16 (61) | 10 (50) | |
| Avg low °C (°F) | 3 (37) | 5 (41) | 8 (46) | 13 (55) | 17 (63) | 21 (70) | 22 (72) | 22 (72) | 19 (66) | 15 (59) | 10 (50) | 5 (41) | |
| Rain mm (inches) | 5.6 (0.2) | 9.2 (0.4) | 14.7 (0.6) | 31.9 (1.3) | 44.3 (1.7) | 86.5 (3.4) | 138.4 (5.4) | 160.8 (6.3) | 74.6 (2.9) | 22.5 (0.9) | 10.5 (0.4) | 3.8 (0.1) | |
| Source: Average Conditions Chengdu per MSN 2008 | |||||||||||||
[edit] Map
Click here to open Chengdu map.
[edit] Getting in & Getting out
[edit] By Air
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is located in the southwest outskirts of city, about 16 km from Chengdu city center. There are more than 70 domestic flights to Chengdu, and 8 international flights from cities including Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Tokyo. The airport shuttle stop is at the second section of South Renmin Road beside the Minshan Hotel (zh:岷山饭店) (next to ticket office of Air China), right across the Jinjiang Hotel (zh:成都锦江宾馆).
[edit] By Train
Chengdu is the largest transportation hub in Southwest China. It's the terminus of the Chengdu-Chongqing, Baoji-Chengdu, Chengdu-Dazhou, Chengdu-Kunming railways. There are more than 20 trains get here directly from other large and medium-sized cities in China.
Chengdu North Railway Station is Chengdu's main train station. It's located at the Chengdu North Second Loop Road (北二环路). The station sells tickets (10 days in advance) to other areas in China.
Chengdu South Railway Station is located in the southern part of Chengdu. It's not a big station, but some trains traveling on Chengdu-Kunming, Chengdu-Chongqing lines to Panzhihua, Xichang, and Chongqing stop at this station.
[edit] By Bus
Chengdu is Southwest China's the largest highway transportation hub. More than 6 national highways including highway 108, 319 pass Chengdu.
There are 7 bus stations in Chengdu:
- Chengdu North Passenger Station:
- Location: Wukuaishi Highway Overpass (五块石立交桥)
- Bus destinations: cities in east, north Sichuan province, such as Nanchong, Bazhong, Dazhou, etc.
- Hehuachi (Lotus Pond) Passenger Station:
- Location: 301 North 3rd section of 2nd Ring Road, across the Hehuachi clothing market.
- Bus destinations: cities along the route to Chongqing, and cities in east, South Sichuan province.
- North Gate Station (aka Liangjiaxiang Station) (梁家巷)
- Location: on 1st Ring road. Can be reached from Bus line #27, 34 stopping at Liangjiaxiang Station.
- Bus destinations: cities in south Sichuan province.
- Wuguiqiao (五桂桥) Station - the main station
- Location: In the eastern part of Chengdu, next to the Tazishan Park (塔子山公园). Buses 2, 4, 21, 37, 49, and 58 stop here.
- Bus destinations: Cities along the Chengdu-Chongqing, Neijiang-Yibin expressways, including Chongqing, Yibin, Zigong, Nanning, Guilin, Fuling.
- New South Gate Station (Tourist Passenger Center)
- Location: on Xinnan Road, next to the new South Gate Bridge. Buses 6, 28, 49, 55, 301 stop here.
- Bus destinations: Tourist attractions around Chengdu and other cities in the middler of Sichuan.
- Chadianzhi (茶店子) Passenger Station
- Location: on Second Ring Road in the suburb. Buses 2, 4, 98, 221 get here.
- Bus destinations: Some famous tourist spots in Tibetan area in northwest Sichuan.
- Jinsha (金沙) Station:
- Location: Outside the Second Ring Road, across Southwest Finance and Economics University, next to the Metro supermarket.
- Bus destinations: nearby town and villages around Chengdu, including Wenjiang, Xinjin, Meishan, Pixian County, Longquan.
[edit] Getting Around
[edit] By Public Bus
Chengdu has extensive public transportation network. You can reach any part of the city, any suburban area, and all tourist destinations by bus. City bus has two types: regular and luxury with fares ranging from one yuan to several yuans.
[edit] By Tour Bus
[edit] By Taxi & Rental Car
The fares for general taxies, which are the vast majority, is five yuan for the first three kilometers, and 1.4 yuan for each additional km. The fares for a slightly upscale taxi is seven yuan for the first three kilometers. Per regulation, the driver is obligated to give you the distance record and invoice if you ask for it.
[edit] Attractions
More Chengdu hotels at Chengdu attractions page
[edit] Hotels
[edit] Budget
[edit] Mid Range
[edit] Luxury
More Chengdu hotels at Chengdu hotel page.
[edit] Restaurants
People in Chengdu love numb and spicy food. As a matter of fact, it's difficult in Chengdu to find any food that's not numb and spicy. Extensive use of red chilies and hot-pots filled with salty dried chili powder is ubiquitous.
It's said that you could eat something new everyday for a month just by walking along the streets of Chengdu and sampling the street foods around the night markets.
[edit] Shopping
- There is a big antiquities-market close to the Green Ram Taoist-temple in the western city. From the temple, walk straight west. It's on your right hand side after you crossed the bridge over the channel. You'll find communist relics, old porcelain dishes, jewellery, calligraphy equipment and also some Tibetan stuff. Be warned that overpricing is excessive (10-20x the real price), so bargain hard.
- All sorts of plush pandas, and other panda trinkets, are sold at the gate of the panda base, as well as ones of a slightly higher quality at the shop inside the panda base itself.
- Supermarkets are located throughout the city, although the selection of imported foods is limited. If you must buy American food, and don't mind a 50% premium over US prices, Sabrina's Country Store at #54 Ke Hua Bei Lu, across from the western gate of Sichuan University and near Linshiguan Lu has friendly service and all imported products. Phone 8524-2987.
- Major retailers Carrefour, Metro and Wal Mart have locations in Chengdu.
--from wikitravel.org
[edit] Night Life & Entertainment
As the bustling hub of Southwest China, entertainment in Chengdu can easily match those in the coastal cities. To really experience the life of Chengdu people, you have to stop at the bubble tea house, the Sichuan Opera house, and venues of art, ethnic song and dance performance, and other rich Sichuan-style entertainment.
Chengdu is well-known for its bars and cafes, especially for those young and restless. The particular prominent area is at South People Road and Yangshi street (人民南路和羊市街). The areas in South People Road and Yulin District are collectively called Bar Street. It's full of bars, cafes, dance halls, bowling alleys and other entertainment facilities.
[edit] Sports & Recreation
- Chunxi Road (春熙路). Take an afternoon or evening to walk down this shopping street, located in the center of the city. Makes for a good change of pace. Various clothing stores, bookstores, restaurants, arcades, and cinemas. Good place to find something to eat; including a hotpot buffet, Japanese restaurants, western food, and much more. However, the major disadvantage with this area is that each brand has many stores in this location. For instance, Nike, Adidas, and Li-Ning, each have about 4-5 stores in Chunxi Road alone which reduces the variety of things to buy. If you are looking for stores in the same vein as Louis Vuitton and Ermenegildo Zegna, these stores are located outside of the Chunxi Road area and near the Tianfu Square district.
- KTV, various locations. Spend an evening singing with friends, enjoy popcorn, beer and other refreshments. Songs available in English, Chinese, and more.
- Foot and body Massage Chengdu is famous for its relax and layback lifestyle. Foot and body massage is very popular in Chengdu with a lot of varieties. Generally, these places cater to groups of people who come in together, relax in a private room, perhaps eating fruit or sipping tea, while receiving a fully-clothed massage or foot washing. Prices are very reasonable, often well under RMB80 per person. Some places offer 25RMB per hour for a very nice foot massage, including washing, soaking and massaging feet, free hot/cold drink (tea, coke or juice), fresh fruit. A great way to relax with friends.
- Read a Book The Chengdu Bookworm (see listing under Eat) has a membership-based lending library of English language books, as well as travel guides for sale. Peter's Tex Mex, as well as some of the other restaurants that cater to foreigners, have book exchanges.
For up-to-date information on activities, places and attractions you should check out the CHENGDOO citylife magazine's listings. You'll find copies in most bars, restaurants, cafes, hostels and hotels.
- Play Weiqi(the game of go) A weiqi tutor lives in Chengdu(KGS 8d),who can teach weiqi in english.
- Cosmetics and Hairs. Local woman love to get their nails and hairs done at the mall. You can get your nails done beautifully(filed, buffered, polished and hand painted with beautiful patent) between 10-20RMB at most shopping centre. There are quite a few very popular ones located on the ground floor of Beijing Hualian(北京华联）in Yanshikou. You can also get your hair temporarily straighten or curled at 10-15RMB. They do very nice style and it will last until you wash your hair.
--from wikitravel,org
