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May 22th, 2006, 7:39
Chengdu Intro for the Visitor
The Ancient City of Shu (Chengdu)
Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan, is the cultural, industrial, and transport hub at the heart of a massive, fertile, agricultural plain in southwestern China. The history of Chengdu spans more than 3000 years dating back to the Shu Kingdom. The Shu culture has revealed itself in the stunning and mysterious archeological discoveries of San Xing Dui and the Jin Sha Ruins, as well as the artistry of ancient Shu brocade. The copper bronze masks discovered in Guang Han, just outside Chengdu and on display at the San Xing Dui Museum, remain until this day, one of the world’s most profound mysteries.
The Teahouse Myth
Don’t let all that talk about teahouses and ma-jiang fool you. Certainly, most travel writers tend to romanticize this aspect of Sichuan life, but the teahouse myth is overblown. Teahouses still abound, however, at last count, and probably more as we speak; there are 4 Starbucks and a plethora of Coffee shops changing the leisure-time atmosphere to nouveau. There is alot of new money in Chengdu and it much prefers the modern lifestyles of SUV's, exciting nightlife and weekend escapes that discretionary spending power brings. Chengdu is an attractive and very modern city with an urban landscape that blends natural elements much better than the larger eastern centers. Its citizens are increasingly affluent and sophisticated and no longer under the shadow of Beijing or Shanghai, when it comes to variety or availability of lifestyle choices. In fact, as you'll read below; Chengdu has an unmatched natural environment within a half hour drive of its 2nd Ring Road, which those Eastern centers just don't have, elevating the desirability of residing in Chengdu.
Unmatched "Outdoors" Lifestyle
Long known as the Gateway to Tibet, Chengdu sits essentially at the base of the foothills of the Himalayas, and where hiking spectacular terrain is but a half an hour ride in any direction. A trip to Chengdu must include a trek up the majestic slopes of Emeishan, where visitors can stay in a monastery perched on a cliff edge at 3,100 m. From the vantage point on Emei, visitors can look across the horizon above the sea of clouds and view the snowy peaks of the Himalayas.
Hot Pot (the real deal) www.ihotpot.com
Chengdu is also very well-known for all things spicy; food and night-life. Fiery Sichuan hot pot resides at the pinnacle of Sichuan cuisine. All other hot pots with the exception; maybe, and that's a big maybe; of Chongqing, are just pretenders.
For the Jet-set
Luxury accommodations are available with no fewer than six 5-star hotels including the Sheraton Lido, the Holiday Inn, the Kempinski, the Jin Jiang Hotel, the Sofitel Wanda and the sprawling California Garden Hotel complex, with 2 more 5-star luxury resorts under construction.
For the Save-the-Whalers
Budget accommodations for backpackers are readily available for the trekker-set at the popular Traffic Hotel and the new trekker haven on the Wuhou Road near the Temple of
The Teahouse Myth
Don’t let all that talk about teahouses and ma-jiang fool you. Certainly, most travel writers tend to romanticize this aspect of Sichuan life, but the teahouse myth is overblown. Teahouses still abound, however, at last count, and probably more as we speak; there are 4 Starbucks and a plethora of Coffee shops changing the leisure-time atmosphere to nouveau. There is alot of new money in Chengdu and it much prefers the modern lifestyles of SUV's, exciting nightlife and weekend escapes that discretionary spending power brings. Chengdu is an attractive and very modern city with an urban landscape that blends natural elements much better than the larger eastern centers. Its citizens are increasingly affluent and sophisticated and no longer under the shadow of Beijing or Shanghai, when it comes to variety or availability of lifestyle choices. In fact, as you'll read below; Chengdu has an unmatched natural environment within a half hour drive of its 2nd Ring Road, which those Eastern centers just don't have, elevating the desirability of residing in Chengdu.
Unmatched "Outdoors" Lifestyle
Long known as the Gateway to Tibet, Chengdu sits essentially at the base of the foothills of the Himalayas, and where hiking spectacular terrain is but a half an hour ride in any direction. A trip to Chengdu must include a trek up the majestic slopes of Emeishan, where visitors can stay in a monastery perched on a cliff edge at 3,100 m. From the vantage point on Emei, visitors can look across the horizon above the sea of clouds and view the snowy peaks of the Himalayas.
Hot Pot (the real deal) www.ihotpot.com
Chengdu is also very well-known for all things spicy; food and night-life. Fiery Sichuan hot pot resides at the pinnacle of Sichuan cuisine. All other hot pots with the exception; maybe, and that's a big maybe; of Chongqing, are just pretenders.
For the Jet-set
Luxury accommodations are available with no fewer than six 5-star hotels including the Sheraton Lido, the Holiday Inn, the Kempinski, the Jin Jiang Hotel, the Sofitel Wanda and the sprawling California Garden Hotel complex, with 2 more 5-star luxury resorts under construction.
For the Save-the-Whalers
Budget accommodations for backpackers are readily available for the trekker-set at the popular Traffic Hotel and the new trekker haven on the Wuhou Road near the Temple of
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