Perhaps Marco Polo himself saw an earlier version of Anshun Bridge. It is a scenic bridge crossing the Jin River in Chengdu. Today we explore Shidi.
Shidi is a town near Chengdu. Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan province. It is a large city with over 20 million people. Chengdu is known for its laid-back culture and green spaces. It is considered one of China’s most livable cities. The Funan River flows through Chengdu.
Chengdu is an ancient city. It was founded by the Kingdom of Shu in the 4th century BC. Chengdu has kept its name for over two thousand years. The city has been known by other names too. It was briefly called Xijing. Chengdu is also known as the City of Brocade. This nickname comes from the brocade trade during the Han dynasty. Another nickname is the City of Hibiscus.
Many important historical events took place in Chengdu. During World War II the Nationalist government moved to Chengdu. This was to escape the invading Japanese forces. Chengdu was briefly the capital of Nationalist China.
Today Chengdu is a major economic center. It is also a transportation hub. Chengdu has two international airports. Shuangliu International Airport is one of the busiest in the world. Chengdu is a major railway hub. There are trains to many cities including Kunming Chongqing and Xi’an.
Getting around Chengdu is easy. The Chengdu Metro has many lines. There is also an extensive bus system. Taxis are readily available. Bicycles are also a popular way to get around.
Chengdu offers many things to see and do. Jinli Ancient Street is part of the old city. It features old-fashioned hotels and stores. Kuanzhaixiangzi is a nice place with tea houses and restaurants. Tianfu Square has a statue of Chairman Mao. There is an elaborate water show at dusk.
Chengdu has many museums. The Chengdu Museum has exhibits about Chengdu civilization. The Sichuan Museum contains artifacts and pottery. Du Fu’s Thatched Cottage is where the poet Du Fu lived. Wuhouci Temple commemorates Zhuge Liang.
The Chengdu Panda Research Base is a popular attraction. It is home to giant pandas. People’s Park is a tranquil place with gardens and teahouses. Nearby attractions include the Giant Buddha in Leshan. Mount Qingcheng is a Taoist mountain. The Dujiangyan Irrigation System is an ancient engineering marvel.
Enjoy your time exploring Shidi and Chengdu.