“Named after the famous Qingyang Taoist Temple.” This phrase alone hints at the rich tapestry of history woven into the very fabric of Qingyang District. It is located in the heart of Chengdu City. Qingyang’s story stretches back 2,300 years. Its origins are as Chengdu’s political economic and cultural center.
Here in Qingyang District, we are surrounded by echoes of dynasties. We are standing on ground that has been a nucleus of power. It has been a hub of culture for millennia. The district covers 66 square kilometers. It is home to around 1.24 million people across its 12 subdistricts.
Notice the urban landscapes around us. Qingyang District boasts a well-connected transport network. Six metro lines intersect here. Over 160 bus routes crisscross the area. This makes getting around easy. Consider how these modern transport arteries overlay the ancient streets. They once teemed with merchants scholars and artists.
Qingyang is a treasure trove of cultural and tourism resources. Over 70 percent of Chengdu’s historical resources reside here. We are in a place that houses iconic destinations. The Du Fu Thatched Cottage and the Jinsha Site are nearby. Also close are the Wide and Narrow Alley and Wenshu Monastery. Qingyang District has more than 410000 state-owned movable cultural relics. This is the highest number in Sichuan Province.
Think about the stories these relics could tell. Imagine the hands that crafted them. Qingyang boasts 68 intangible cultural heritage items. These exist at provincial municipal and district levels. There are 87 representative inheritors here. Qingyang also has 43 cultural relic protection units.
This district thrives as an educational center. Qingyang District is home to the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics. Chengdu Shishi High School is also here. As are Chengdu Shude High School Chengdu Experimental Primary School and the Chengdu Paotongshu Primary School. We should acknowledge the importance of education. It has shaped Qingyang’s identity. Major healthcare facilities are also located here. Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital is here. So are The Third People Hospital of Chengdu and Chengdu Women’s and Children’s Center Hospital.
Qingyang District has a comprehensive industrial system. Aviation finance culture tourism and commerce are its pillars. Its economic output per unit area is among Chengdu’s highest. In 2022 Qingyang achieved a regional GDP of RMB149.64 billion. This equates to RMB2.267 billion per square kilometer. Qingyang covers only 0.46 percent of Chengdu’s land. Yet it contributes about 7.2 percent to its regional GDP.
Remember Qingyang District. It was inscribed on the list of “China’s Top 100 Districts with High-Quality Development”. It received the “China’s Leading Districts in Building Economy Development Award”. The district was recognized for its international business environment. It was also recognized as a district with the highest investment value. Qingyang was one of the first “Famous Counties of Sichuan Tourism”. It was also a “Sichuan Provincial All-for-One Tourism Demonstration Area”. The Narrow and Wide Alley was named one of the first “National Demonstration Pedestrian Streets”.
As we conclude our visit to Qingyang consider its multiple layers. It is an ancient heart and a modern powerhouse. It is a place where history echoes in every street.