WHO KNEW ABOUT CHENGDU?
Located just a 2 ½-hour flight inland from Shanghai, Chengdu--the 2,000-plus-year-old capital of Sichuan--is the province’s second-largest city and the country’s fourth-largest. With a population of 14 million, it is larger than--and perhaps glitzier than--NYC, yet it is considered only a second-tier city. It is clean and prosperous, with leafy wide boulevards and a Kimpenski Hotel, Ferrari dealership, and huge Louis Vuitton boutique. It is concrete and steel and high-rises as far as the eye can see.
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| highrise in downtown Chengdu, China |
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| Louis Vuitton in downtown Chengdu, China |
New Century Global Centre
Opened here in 2013, the New Century Global Centre is the largest free-standing building in the world (in terms of floor area), and the claim is that 20 Sydney Opera Houses would fit inside. Designed to be a self-contained city, under the dome inside it holds a Mediterranean “village,” a beach and water park, a pirate ship, an ice skating rink, a 14-screen IMAX cinema, and many hotels, not to mention plenty of shops. An artificial sun provides light and heat.
Yet it remains best known for being the home of the rare giant panda. Manufacturing is big in the surrounding area--70% of the world’s iPads are manufactured here. But the pace is slower than in Beijing and Shanghai. It is also a center for the silk brocade industry and known for hibiscus.
Located in a basin surrounded by mountains keeps the weather generally mild and comfortable, but in summer stifling humidity and rain storms can make it uncomfortable. There is not much sunshine and rainfall can be heavy but that is how everything stays so very green. September and October are the perfect months to visit the "Land of Heaven."
Asia’s first UNESCO-designated City of Gastronomy, Chengdu serves up refined Sichuan cuisine. Be aware that if you come across some odd little things that look like they might be an exotic vegetable, they are most probably actually duck tongues--a local delicacy. And you’ll know you’re getting real Sichuan peppercorns when your tongue feels the distinctive numbness.
More things to do in Chengdu.
Best souvenirs of China.
images ©2017 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
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| New Century Global Centre at night in Chengdu, China |
Yet it remains best known for being the home of the rare giant panda. Manufacturing is big in the surrounding area--70% of the world’s iPads are manufactured here. But the pace is slower than in Beijing and Shanghai. It is also a center for the silk brocade industry and known for hibiscus.
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| panda bear at research base in Chengdu, China |
Located in a basin surrounded by mountains keeps the weather generally mild and comfortable, but in summer stifling humidity and rain storms can make it uncomfortable. There is not much sunshine and rainfall can be heavy but that is how everything stays so very green. September and October are the perfect months to visit the "Land of Heaven."
Asia’s first UNESCO-designated City of Gastronomy, Chengdu serves up refined Sichuan cuisine. Be aware that if you come across some odd little things that look like they might be an exotic vegetable, they are most probably actually duck tongues--a local delicacy. And you’ll know you’re getting real Sichuan peppercorns when your tongue feels the distinctive numbness.
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| restaurant in Chengdu, China |
More things to do in Chengdu.
Best souvenirs of China.
images ©2017 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
Very cool, I've always wanted to visit Chengdu so the article was nice to read about. Thanks for sharing!
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