Chengdu Facts
Chinese Name: 成都 chéng dū
English Name: Chengdu
Location: in the middle area of Sichuan Province, Southwest China
Area: 14335 km²
Population: 2140 million (2023)
Adminitratives: 12 districts, 3 counties and 5 county-level cities.
Chengdu, also called Rongcheng or Jincheng for short, is the capital of Sichuan Province. Chengdu is not only an important central city in western China, but also one of the famous historical and cultural cities of China. Located in the central part of Sichuan Province and the west of Sichuan Basin, Chengdu is the heartland of the Chengdu Plain, with a subtropical monsoon humid climate. It is an important birthplace of the ancient Shu civilization and the center of the "Land of Abundance". Chengdu not only has an ancient history and culture, but also is the hometown of pandas. There are Dujiangyan Irrigation Project, Qingcheng Mountain, Leshan Giant Buddha, Mount Emei, Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic Area and many other scenic spots near Chengdu, which are suitable for tourists all the year round Sightseeing.
Geography of Chengdu
Chengdu is located in the central part of Sichuan Province, in the western part of the Sichuan Basin, on the eastern edge of the Qinghai Tibet Plateau. It is adjacent to Deyang City in the northeast, Ziyang City in the southeast, Meishan City in the south, Ya'an City in the southwest, and Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in the northwest. The city has a land area of 14335 square kilometers, of which 931.58 square kilometers are built-up areas.
Chengdu is located on the western edge of the Sichuan Basin, with a terrain that slopes from northwest to southeast. The western region is dominated by deep hills and mountains, with elevations mostly ranging from 1000 to 3000 meters. The eastern region belongs to the heartland of the Chengdu Plain, with elevations generally around 750 meters. Due to the huge vertical elevation difference, Chengdu has formed a unique landform type with plains, hills, and mountains each accounting for one-third of the total area. Due to significant differences in climate, distinct vertical climate zones have been formed, resulting in a wide variety of biological resources and relatively concentrated distribution within the region.
Chengdu Climate & Weather
Chengdu is located in the subtropical monsoon climate zone, with abundant heat and rainfall, distinct four seasons, and simultaneous rain and heat. Except for some mountainous areas on the northwest edge, most areas of Chengdu exhibit the following climate characteristics: no scorching heat in summer, less ice and snow in winter, mild climate, long summer and short winter, long frost free period, more autumn and night rain, low wind speed, high humidity, more clouds and fog, and less sunshine. In 2021, the annual average temperature in Chengdu was 15.7-18.0 ℃; the annual extreme maximum temperature was 36.1-38.6 ℃, and the annual extreme minimum temperature was -1.7~-6 ℃; the hottest month was from July to August, and the coldest month was in January. The total annual precipitation in Chengdu was 734.8~1142.3 millimeters. The overall precipitation is relatively high. The average annual sunshine hours in Chengdu are 843.9 to 1406.2 hours.
History & Culture of Chengdu
The history of Chengdu can be traced back 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, the place 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. The city was also 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.
Chengdu Transportation
As the transport hub in southwest hinterland of China and the main access city to Tibet, Chengdu is easily approached thanks to its air routes and railways extending nationwide. The city bus and metro continue to develop, providing the locals and the tourists with great convenience.
Chngdu Travel Tips
Traveling or living in Chengdu can be a great fun. Besides the amazing places of interest, the city offers a lot inviting activities for visitors and expats. Sampling the famous Sichuan food is a must here. The hot and spicy dishes and varied tasty snacks are sure to whip up your appetite. Go shopping at the Chunxi Road, spend a leisurely afternoon in a teahouse, and watch a Sichuan Opera performance at night – this would be a perfect day giving you a deeper understanding of this charming city.
