Pandas, hotpot and more in Chengdu
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail China Daily, June 6, 2014
|
|
|
Cute pandas at the panda breeding and research base in Chengdu. Zhu Xingxin / China Daily |
Ancient city
Chengdu's history goes back 2,300 years and the city was approved asone of the 24 historical and ancient cultural cities in the early 1980s.
The city's prevailing culture for hard work and visionary strategies makeseveral ancient areas of the city must-sees.
Dujiang Weir in Dujiangyan is the oldest functioning water-control project in the world and isabout 59 kilometers west of Chengdu.
The weir has stood for nearly 2,300 years and diverts water to irrigate nearly 70,000 hectares offarmland, which contributes almost one-third of the province's total grain output.
The weir survived the Wenchuan Earthquake unscathed in 2008.
The old dam's longevity can mainly be attributed to a schedule of annual repairs, which date backto the Han dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), and tell the story of the hard work and foresight of localpeople.
Another popular place to explore the area's history is the Temple of Marquis Wu Museum, alsoknown as the Wuhou Shrine.
The landmark honors Zhuge Liang (AD181 - 234),who is recognized as the greatest and mostaccomplished strategist of his era - the Three Kingdoms period (AD220-280).
Zhuge has become synonymous with intelligence and strategy in Chinese culture and visitors canget a better understanding of Chinese culture and values by visiting the shrine, said a museumofficial.
Chengdu citizens created the world's first paper currency - the Jiaozi in AD1023, in the westerncity's Jiangcong Temple, also known as the Thousands of Buddha's Temple.
The world's earliest natural gas was first discovered in the city too. During the Western HanDynasty (206BCAD24), Chengdu's citizens discovered natural gas and used it to make salt.During the Tang Dynasty (AD618-907) Chengdu people had some of the best paper printingtechnologies.
The world's first wooden calendar, which is preserved in the Museum of London, was made inChengdu during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (AD907-960).
Lacquerware relics from the Mawangdui Tombs of the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), in theeastern suburbs of Changsha, are believed to have been made in Chengdu.
The city is also known as the hometown of Shu embroidery and the birthplace of China'sembroidery culture.
Chinese people view tea drinking not just as a daily habit but as an interest and art.
Tea culture in China is believed to have started in Sichuan and several ancient Chinese poemsmake reference to drinking tea in Chengdu. Xinjin, an area in Chengdu was said to have theearliest trade of tea in the province.
Throughout history a number of Chinese great poets have lived in Chengdu, including Li Bai, DuFu, Cen Sen, Wei Zhuang, Lu You and Fan Chengda.
Shu state is an ancient region around Chengdu and an old saying goes - "All poets under heavenhave come to Shu land."
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)