Chengdu is the capital of the Sichuan province in Southwest China. The city is one of the most important economic and transportation centres in Western China. Chengdu was originally inhabited over four thousand years ago and is consequently one of the most important centres in the world for ancient culture. The province is also home to one of China’s National Treasures, the giant panda, which is one of the world’s most endangered animals. Roughly 80% of all pandas left in the world can be found here.
Chengdu’s economy has seen rapid growth within recent years. It has now successfully established itself as a financial centre for Western China and has long been established as a national base for the electronics and IT sectors. Unsurprisingly, 200 of the Fortune 500 companies now have bases within the city, demonstrating the city’s increasing prevalence as a base for national and international trade.
Chengdu offers several forms of transport with which to travel around the city. The metro is recommended for urban travel, with constant construction taking place to improve its reach across the city. Alternatively, Chengdu offers a complex bus system that runs over 400 different lines throughout the city. The international airport, the Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is located just 10 miles southwest of the city and offer services throughout the world.
