“Another step closer to history” I say. Today we stand before the \u70b9\u5c07\u53f0\u77f3\u7891 Plaque in Chengdu.
Chengdu boasts a history stretching back over 2,300 years. It all began in 367 BC. That is when the city was first constructed. The location of Chengdu has remained unchanged throughout its long history. This is a rare feat worldwide.
After the Dujiangyan Irrigation System was completed in 256 BC, Chengdu developed rapidly. This system controlled floods. It also irrigated the land. By the Han Dynasty, Chengdu was renowned for Shu Brocade. During the Three Kingdoms Period, it served as the capital of the Kingdom of Shu.
The \u70b9\u5c07\u53f0\u77f3\u7891 Plaque stands as a silent witness to these events. It reminds us of Chengdu’s past.
Chengdu transformed into a major city during the Tang Dynasty. It enjoyed a golden age under the Song Dynasty. Wars in the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties caused chaos and decline. However, large-scale immigration soon spurred recovery. The Opium War in 1840 led to another decline. The city gradually recovered after the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Today, Chengdu is a vital city in southwest China.
The ancient Shu Kingdom was established in the Chengdu Plain around 3,600 years ago. The Sanxingdui and Jinsha sites are the most influential relics from that era. Sanxingdui, dating back 3,000-1,200 BC, was once the most prosperous area. Its museum displays bronze masks and gold artifacts. The Jinsha Site is thought to have been the capital of the Shu Kingdom.
In 367 BC, the king of Shu moved the capital to a new site north of Chengdu. He named it Chengdu. This marked the real beginning of Chengdu as a city. It remained the capital until 316 BC. That is when the Shu Kingdom was conquered.
The \u70b9\u5c07\u53f0\u77f3\u7891 Plaque is a reminder of the Shu Kingdom. It is a link to Chengdu’s origins.
In 256 BC, Li Bing built the Dujiangyan Irrigation System. This system is still in use today. It effectively controlled floods. People enjoyed good harvests. Chengdu entered a period of rapid development. By the late Qin and early Han Dynasties, Chengdu was known as a land of abundance.
During the Han Dynasty, Chengdu thrived as a regional metropolis. It developed trade in Shu Brocade, lacquerware, and teas. The city was the center of lacquer craftwork. It was also the birthplace of tea culture. The brocade industry flourished. The central government appointed an officer to oversee it. The city became known as Jin Guan City.
The \u70b9\u5c07\u53f0\u77f3\u7891 Plaque connects us to this commercial past. It evokes images of bustling markets and skilled artisans.
In 221 AD, during the Three Kingdoms Period, Liu Bei established the Kingdom of Shu in Chengdu. He and his successors worked to make the kingdom prosperous. Chengdu became a key city in the southwest. It was one of three major centers in China.
After the Three Kingdoms Period, Chengdu quickly recovered. It became one of China’s four largest cities during the Tang Dynasty. Agriculture, silk industry, handicrafts, trading, papermaking, and printing all advanced. The earliest printing pieces in the world have been found in Chengdu.
This \u70b9\u5c07\u53f0\u77f3\u7891 Plaque serves as a reminder. Chengdu was once a hub of culture and innovation.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the \u70b9\u5c07\u53f0\u77f3\u7891 Plaque. It connects us to the resilient spirit of Chengdu. It has survived wars and dynasties. This plaque is more than just a marker. It is a symbol of Chengdu’s enduring legacy.