Local Information

The information on this page has been compiled by the CIWC committee as a service to our members.  Please send an email to chengduiwc@gmail.com if you are aware of any corrections or have any suggestions.

Description

Chengdu is the capital of the Sichuan Province, located in southwest China.  It is home to the endangered Giant Panda, has many ancient temples, and is a center of science and technology.  Chengdu has a documented 3,000 year history, dating back to 4500 B.C.  It is rich in culture and is known as a “city of leisure”.  According to Hongfei Zhang: “The pace of life in Chengdu is slower than that in other cities. Chengdu women walk slowly to go shopping, while Chengdu men like to drink tea or play mahjong to kill time.”  (Chengdu, Sichuan China, 2006)

Chengdu is situated in a valley, often called the “fertile valley” due to its fertile soils, abundant rivers, and agricultural history.  The average elevation is about 750 meters (2,500 feet) above sea level.

Interesting facts about Chengdu:

• The name Chengdu means “become a capital” (“cheng”=”become” and “du”=”capital”). It was established in the 4^th century B.C. during the Zhou Dynasty.
• It is the only city in China that has never changed its name.
• The municipal tree is Gingko, called “Baiguo” or “Gongshun”, and it only grows in China.  The oldest Gingko tree in Chengdu is over 500 years old and 157cm in diameter.
• The municipal flower is Hibiscus.  It has the effect of cooling, detoxification, and brightening of the eyes.
• It is called the Brocade City, a name given during the Han Dynasty in 206 B.C.-220 A.D. because the silk weaving industry was so advanced and the economy so prosperous. The population at that time was 400,000 people (approx. 76,000 households).

Climate

The climate in Chengdu is moist, as it is in a subtropical zone.  It is warm with plenty of rainfall and a clear distinction between the four seasons.  Temperatures in the summer range from 25-35°C (77-95°F) while the temperature in January averages 5.6°C (42°F).