Chengdu, located in the western Sichuan Plain, is the capital of Sichuan Province. It covers an area of approximately 3 million acres, and it comprises 5 districts, 12 counties with a total population of 9.6 million. It is a well-known city with a longstanding history and civilization. Among other interesting facts about the city, Chengdu is also known as the City of Brocade and the City of Hibiscus.

Chengdu has many places of interest and is famous for its traditional arts and crafts, ethnic folklore, and beautiful landscapes. In 256 BC, during the Warring States Period, the governor of the Shu Prefecture Li Bing and his son led the people to build this large water dam to control flooding on the Chengdu plains. After more than 2,250 years, the dam still plays a significant role in agriculture on the Chengdu plains. It is a historical wonder of science and technology. The Dujiang Dam is located on the Minjiang River in Guanxian, Sichuan Province and is 37 miles from downtown Chengdu.

Located just 10km (6miles) away from downtown Chengdu, the Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Center has been created and imitated the pandas' natural habitat in order that they might have the best possible environment for rearing and breeding. The Center cares also for other rare and endangered wild animals. The Research Center covers an area of 92 acres, 96% of which is verdure. Giant pandas, lesser pandas, black-necked cranes, white storks as well as over 20 species of rare animals are fed and bred there throughout the year. Verdant bamboo, bright flowers, fresh air, a natural hill scene and a beautiful artificial view are merged ingeniously at the base.

Keeping the public aware of the status of endangered species, the necessity of conservation of natural habitats, human conservation behavior, the essential needs of our captive collection, and the enjoyment derived by interaction between humans and non-human animals are the most important educational functions of the Chengdu Panda Base.

The Sichuan cuisine is famous for being very spicy, but in fact only slightly more than 30% of dishes officially labeled "local" rely on chili pepper. The reputation for hot food is, however, much older than the use of peppers, which became common only in the 17-18th century.

Chengdu's cuisine is considered to be one of China's most outstanding. The many local specialties include Grandma Chen's Bean Curd (Mapo doufu), Chengdu Hot pot, and Carrying Pole Noodles (Dan Dan Noodles).

An article by the Los Angeles Times (2006) called Chengdu "China's party city". Chengdu outnumbers Shanghai in the number of tea houses and bars despite having less than half the population. The inhabitants have a reputation both within Sichuan and in China at large for having a laid back attitude and for knowing how to enjoy life.