Chengdu, a modern international city of more than eleven million, has a long history dating back to 4500 BC, when the social and cultural exchange centre of the ancient Shu Kingdom was established. The discovery last century of the lost Sanxingdui site at Guanghan, about forty kilometres from Chengdu, is recognized as the most important archaeological find of Sichuan relics. The Sanxingdui Museum is regarded as one of the major historical museums in China. Positioned in the river-sided space northeast of the site and including auxiliary facilities, it covers approximately eighty thousand square metres, of which an area of seven thousand square metres serves as an exhibition centre for both scholars and tourists to study.

As a key traffic hinge in southwest China, the provincial capital city Chengdu is an easy place to enter Sichuan and neighbouring Tibet. The Sichuan-Tibet highway acts as a shortcut in and out. It had been the lifeline of material supply for Tibet prior to the construction of the Qinghai - Tibet railway. With a well-developed traffic network on land and in the air, Chengdu has long been an important inland transfer station. Shuangliu International Airport is seated in the central section of Shuanxi Plain; sixteen kilometres southwest of downtown Chengdu. Located at 30°34’47” N and 103°57’02’’E, the airport caters not only for domestic movement. The ever-increasing international flight destinations include Cambodia, Japan, Singapore, The Netherlands, and Thailand.

An often quoted Chinese saying is, “Once you come to Chengdu, you will not want to leave”. This can be attributed a lot to the enviable, relaxed lifestyle enjoyed by locals and foreigners in a recreational and unhurried tourist city, surrounded by many rivers such as the Funan and the Sha. Famous scenic spots such as Wuhou Temple and Du Fu Thatched Cottage enrich the cultural background of Chengdu. Not far away, Qingcheng Mountain and Snowy Mount Xiling act as summer resorts for the urbanites. World mixed cultural and natural sites, such as Jiuzhaigou Gullies, Leshan and Mount Emei, have been acknowledged by UNESCO as being of great heritage value and significance in relating miracles of the native people’s past and present.

Since moist subtropical Chengdu is located in a basin, high mountains can be seen just outside of the Chengdu Plain. There are lots of high mountains such as Qingcheng and Snowy Mountain Xiling, with many undeveloped primitive jungles. An interesting phenomenon presents itself here in that high mountains are less than 100 kilometres away from large cities. It has changed the common perception that high mountains and primitive jungle would be restricted to wild and uninhabited areas. The climate is warm, with plentiful rainfall and a clear distinction between the four seasons. The hottest weather is during July and August with monthly average temperatures between 25 and 35 degrees celsius. January is coldest with an average temperature of 5.6 degrees.

In the western mountain region, in a vertical line from the bottom to the mountain top, the temperature at the same time can be different by several degrees. Various climatic zones can be experienced such as - warm temperate, cold temperate, inferior frigid, and frigid. It is exactly these kinds of vertical heat change and weather conditions that attracts to Chengdu extremely abundant types of animals and plants. Thus, allowing people to view splendid sceneries of different climatic zones in many sightseeing spots for minimal travelling cost. For those wishing to see up-close the most loved and recognizable indigenous animal in the People’s Republic of China, the Chengdu Research Base for Giant Panda Breeding and Wolong Panda Reserve are easy enough to get to.

As the capital city, Chengdu occupies an important position in Sichuan containing most of the people. In 2004, the population in Chengdu totalled 10,596,900, next only to ChongQing, Shanghai and Beijing. The population comprised of 5,381,700 males and 5,215,200 females. According to the result of the fifth national census, the Han Nationality made up 99.46％ of the total population and the minority groups (including Tibetan, Yi and Qiang Nationality) accounted for 0.54％. The pace of life is slower than that in other cities. Chengdu women reputedly walk slowly to go shopping, while the men are known to live leisurely. They like to drink tea, play mahjong, or spend time chatting rather than worrying about any troubles.

The people from Suzhou once boasted proudly to Chengdu folk, “In the avenues of our city, you may see one beautiful lady when you walk only three steps.” Chengdu people answered at once, “You could see three beauties when you walk every step in Chengdu”. There is a saying that half of the fair beauties of China live in Sichuan, and half of Sichuan lives in Chengdu. Although this saying is a little exaggerated, you may be attracted by these fair beauties when wandering in the “City of Brocade”; no matter if it is the elegant youth or the elderly woman whose beauty is fading. At that time, you will know clearly the real reason why so many men come to Chengdu. It is supposedly because they have the good luck of seeing such great and plentiful beauty.

According to widespread sentiment, beauties in Chengdu, unlike the ladies from cultured families or the capable and experienced career female repatriates, are the most popular folk ladies. The moist land and less sunlight in Chengdu may be the best place for females. For this reason, Chengdu women seem to have obvious advantages in their appearance, figure and complexion. In terms of personality traits, the gentle temper of Chengdu women is considered just right, unlike the excessive effeminacy of ladies in the south or the “masculinity” of ladies in the north of China. Chengdu women possess a unique mild beauty. If you are fortunate enough to hear the talks of these three kinds of ladies, you may have much more vivid images of them.

Chengdu’s food cultures are very famous at home and abroad. There is a statement that “All good foods are found in Chengdu”. In recent years, Sichuan dishes have developed very fast. In addition to the Mapo Toufu, Long Dumpling, Han Steamed Bun, Dragon Dumpling with Meat Stuffing and other famous snacks, more popular dishes are being derived from the hot pot such as boiled kebabs, hot boiled dishes, and lengdanbei. Sichuan cuisine is one of the four famous local cuisines in China; the other 3 being Guangdong cuisine, Shandong cuisine, and Jiangshu cuisine. Tourists from any place can choose whatever they like from Sichuan dish menus. In preparing ingredients, Sichuan food cooks will try to balance strong spicy flavour with light flavour to suit accordingly.

If westerners prefer to indulge in more familiar activities, they should check out the areas close by Sichuan University and the American consulate. Well-patronized expat haunts on RenMin NanLu are - the Shamrock Bar, Carol’s Too, the Bookworm, and the Paulaner Bar at the Kempinski Hotel. Over along KeHua BeiLu, there is - Sabrina’s Country Store, Peter’s Tex-Mex Grill, and Grandma’s Kitchen; to name a few. At least ten hostels around town accommodate travellers just passing through. These places tend to change name and owners over time, so it is probably wise for anyone interested to browse the web for current details. 

Expatriate writer Warren Rodwell has been in China since 2002, and  teaches university postgraduates. Many of his feature stories, reviews and photographs have been published online or in hardcopy media form. Warren also narrates documentaries & administers various websites as part of his efforts to promote Chinese and ethnic cultures more globally. www.woccamedia.info

Content courtesy of our good friend Warren Rodwell  http://www.chinaexpat.com/city/chengdu-city

The Chengdu International Women's Club (CIWC) is a non-profit organization focused on enriching women's lives while living in Chengdu, China. CIWC offers a wide variety of regular social activities including monthly Luncheons, Coffee Mornings and Nights Out, as well as special events. There are also many groups within CIWC, including a Book Group, Crafter's Group, Tennis Club, and a Playgroup for those with young children.

Currently, Chengdu International Women’s Club has over 200 members and counting.  It consists of a diverse group of women from all over the globe, including the U.S., the United Kingdom, China, France, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Malaysia, Singapore, Canada, Philippines, Japan and others.  CIWC has an enthusiastic committee that oversees regular activities while continually developing new ones.

CIWC is a great way to make friends from around the world and exchange news and views about life in Chengdu.  Open to all women living in Chengdu, CIWC offers free subscription to its meinformationmbers.  If interested in joining the club or attending an event, check out the website at http://www.chengduiwc.com or email chengduiwc@gmail.com for more information.

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