Chengdu is a famous old city with a history as far back to the year 400 B.C. when it was built.
  In the Eastern Han Dynasty (206 B.C.--A.D. 24), it was already famed as the "City of Brocade". During the Three Kingdoms Periods (220--280), it was made the capital of state of Shu. In the Five Dynasties (907--979), hibiscus was widely grown in Chengdu, earning it the name of "City of Hibiscus".
  Now Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan Province with a population of 1.57 million.

  Favoured by superior natural conditions and rich natural resources the city is known for its great abundance of products and many scenic spots and historic sites. Major tourist attractions include the Shrine of Zhuge Liang (prime Minister of the state of Shu), along with the tomb of Liu Bei (founding Emperor of the state of Shu) and more than 40 statues of historical personages including Zhuge Liang; the Thatched Hut of Du Fu (a Tang poet) with a history of more than 1,200 years, which houses the statue of Du Fu and a collection of his works amounting to 10,903 volumes; and the tomb of Wang Jian, reigning emperor of the Former Shu during the Five Dynasties (907--979).
  In addition, there are the River View Tower, which was built in honour of Tang woman poet Xue Tao, amidst shady paths and more than a hundred bamboo species; the Green Sheep Palace known for its two bronze sheep and a bronze bell from history; and Manjusri Court with more than a hundred of bronze statues, built in a simple and antique style, and the scalp of Monk Xuanzang (602--664).
  Seventy kilometres northwest of Chengdu are the Dujiang Dam, and the Temple of Li Bing and His Son.
  Qingcheng Mountain is 85 kilometres, Leshan 180 kilometres and Mount Emei 185 kilometres away from Chengdu.

  The Jinjiang Hotel, Dongfeng Hotel, Rongcheng Hotel, Minshan Hotel, Sichuan Hotel, Chengdu Hotel, Jiaotong Hotel, Jingrong Hotel, Chengdu Zhufeng Hotel and Jinniu Hotel provide tourist service. Direct flights are carried out from Chengdu to Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Xi'an, Shenyang, Kunming, Lhasa and Chongqing, in addition to five railways connecting it with other parts of the country.

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