Sichuan Province
Sichuan is the largest province in Southwest China. It covers an area of 485,000 aquare km and boasts the third largest population in China, after Henan and Shandong Provinces. It has 85-million people. Its population displays as much diversity as its landscape. The whole nationalities consist of Han, Tibetan, Yi, Qiang, Hui，Miao，and others.
Sichuan adjoins the Tibentan Plateau in the West and the Yangtze River in the East. The eastern section supports the densest rural population; the western section rises in giant steps to the Tibentan Plateau where the windswept grassland and deeper forests are home of Tibentan and Qiang.
The Chinese often refer Sichuan as the Land of Abundance. It refers to the province’s abundance of natural resources and cultural heritage. Now I’d like to offer you some useful information, which will help you gain some insight into the various aspects of Sichuan.
History and Legend
The first evidence of human habitation in Sichuan province consist of simple tools and a skullcap. These objects date back to the Paleolithic (Old Stone ) Age. During the Neolithic Period (approximately 8,000-2,000 BC), people in Sichuan areas used axes, pottery jars, bone needles, and crude weapons. However, the first major civilizations in the province were the Ba and Shu peoples,who lived between 11th and 5th century BC. The Shu people lived on the Chengdu plain; the state of Ba was in the center of Sichuan. Originally ba referred to fish hunter or a person whose main food was fish; Shu referred to people living on the plateau . During your stay in Chengdu you will see the Shu and Ba relics in Sanxingdui Museum and Sichuan province Museum.
Scholars believed the ancestor of the early Shu people belonged to a tribe branch of the ancient Qiang nationality. These ancient people used to live along the areas between the upper and middle reaches of the Yellow River, Later they moved into Sichuan areas. They lived by hunting and farming in mountains and valleys on the upper reaches of the Mingjiang River. Later their activities extended down along the Minjiang River and the Chengdu plain. Can Cong and Du Yu taught the Shu people how to farm as he served as the king of the Shu state. Twenty-three hundred years ago, Kai Ming, another Shu king moved his capital slightly east and named the new town Chengdu, which means “becoming a city”. He hoped that it would one day be a metropolis. It is generally believed that the Ba and Shu states occupied Sichuan areas from the Shang Dynasty(1700-1027 BC) to the Warring States Period(770-221 BC)
During the Warring States Period, a Qin emperor conquered the two states. The Qin emperor turned them into prefectures. He moved thousands of the Qin residents to the former Shu state in Sichuan. He hoped that this activity might help him secure his hold on the fertile land. Since then Chengdu became the government office center to manage affair across the former Ba and Shu areas. Gradually Bashu became short for Sichuan. During the Three Kingdoms Period（220-280）Liu Bei occupied Sichuan. He claimed himself as the emperor of the Shu. During the Five Dynasties Period (907-960) Wang Jian and Meng Zhixiang established their own states in Sichuan. The former was called the Former Shu State, and the other the Later Shu State.
During Tang Dynasty (618-907) Sichuan was divided into three major administrative regions. They were named the three daos or sanchuan. San means “three” in English.
In northern Song Dynasty(960-1127),Sichuan was divided into four prefectures. They included Yizhou, Zizhou, Lizhou and Kuizhou. They were named Chuanxiasilu .Lu was equivalent to dao in the Tang Dynasty. It means “Chuan Four Regions”. People called the Chuan Four Regions as Sichuan for short. Si means “four” in English.
In the period of Yuan Dynasty(1272-1368) when Sichuan formally became a province instead of daos or Lu， Chengdu was designated as its provincial capital.
Why do many people call Sichuan as the land of abundance of the state of Tianfu?
Tianfu was the official title. Its official responsibility was to take care of national valuable jewelry and other rare treasures. Tianfu also had an extended meaning relating to treasure storage. Later, people used Tianfu as a figure of speed to imply the fertile-land area where diversified products were produced.
Before the Qin emperor unified the whole China, the Tianfu area covered both the Chengdu and Hanzhong plain. The kingdom of Shu in the Three Kingdoms Period covered the most part of Sichuan and Hanzhong, Which now is part of Shaanxi. However, the Tianfu area mainly referred to the Chengdu Plain because of the well-know Dujiang Irrigation System.
Ancient Sichuan mainly refers to the Sichuan Basin and the Hanzhong Basin. The two basins have fertile fields and mild climate. Particularly the Chengdu Plain in the Sichuan Basin has particularly benefited from the Dujiangyan Irrigation System since the Qin Dynasty (221-207BC). Due to the irrigation system and natural advantages, local Sichuan farmers worked hard in the fields and yielded bumper harvests. There is an old saying: no serious flood or drought disaster ever occurred and local people had enough food to eat ever since the Qin and Han dynasties.
The Sichuan basin is completely surrounded by high mountains. The ancient Chinese of central China were involved in many wars, and people suffered tremendously. The geographic location of the mountains and prevented the spread of the war disasters into ancient Sichuan, and local people in Sichuan were able to live in peace. Therefore, Sichuan was thought of as a good place to live in.
Besides, ancient Sichuan had a very important strategic position. During the Warring State Period, the king of the Qin States occupied first the two states called Ba and Shu in Sichuan, and then he started his ambitious plan to establish his dynasty across all China.
Under the Qin Dynasty Liu Bang was a low official. Towards the end of the Qin he joined military attacks against the Qin Dynasty. Liu Bang successfully occupied the capital of the Qin and became the first emperor of the Han Dynasty(206BC-220)
Towards the end of the Easteern Han Dynasty(25-220),peasant rebellions broke out. The warlord uprisings plagued the whole country. Zhuge Liang(181-234), a well-known military strategist met Liu Bei. Liu Bei was one of the former Han generals and Zhu Geliang advised Liu to take up the state of Shu in Sichuan and establish his own kingdom. Liu Bei accepted his advice. His army launched a series of hard attacks against the army from Shu, snd finally Liu Bei set up his own kingdom in Sichuan, with its capital in Chengdu, The whole China was then carved up into the three kingdoms, ruled by the kings of Shu, Wei, and Wu.
Towards the end of the Three Kingdoms Period the army from the Wei in central China first destroyed the Shu. Afterwards the Wei’s army marched down into the south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River where the Kingdom of Wu was located.
In the middle of the Tang Dynasty there were two serious war disasters. They occurred in certral China. The emperor and their governments all moved away from the capital then located on the site of present-day Xi’an and took refuge in Sichuan.
In the Song Dynasty(960-1279) war disasters occurred many times in central China, but Sichuan found itself in peace.
During the Anti-Japanese War (1937-1945) the Japanese invaders occupied and brutally exploited most of China’s major areas. Jiang Jieshe and his republican government withdrew from nanjing and moved the capital to Chongqing in Sichuan where it remained until 1945.
In March 1997 the Fifth Session of the Eighth National People’s Congress turned Chongqing into the fouth municipality after Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin
Since the founding of the people’s Republic of China in 1949, Sichuan’s economic development has experienced two important periods. The first period happened in the 1960s. Sichuan made up a large portion of the construction, which laid an important foundation for its economic development. The second period took place in 1978 when China started her domestic reform and opening-up to the outside world . Over the past two decades Sichuan’s GDP has been at an average annual rate of 9.3 percent. For example, Sichuan’s GDP was 371.16 billion Yuan in 1999. It accounted for 4.52 percent of the national total and 30.66 percent of the 12 western provinces, autonomous regions and municipality. The agricultural and industrial production capacity has quickly increased; the people’s living standards have significantly inproved; infrastructure construction has made much great progress. All these factors have made Sichuan richer than before and become an economic power in west China. Sichuan still has much more to accomplish, and people in Sichuan are working hard towards developing a well-to-do life.

Geography and Environment
Sichuan province is located on the upper reach of the Yangtze River. It is widely known as the land of abundance for its fertile land. Its east longitude extends from 97°21’ to 110°12’; its north latitude extends from 26°03’ to 34°19’. The province is about 1200km from east to west by 900km from north to south. The annual average temperature is between 16° to 18°in the west, and 19°to 20°in the East. The annual rainfall is 1200mm
Sichuan is an inland province, and it ranks fifth in China for its vast territory size. Its area is 485,000 aquare km, and it encompasses landforms of great diversity. Sichuan borders on the Tibet-Qinghai Plateau in the West, the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River in the East, the Qinling-Bashan Mountains in the North and the Yunnan Guizhou plateau in the south. It ranges from the Sichuan Basin in the East to the highlands and mountains in the West. The East of Sichuan ranges from 200m to 700m above sea level. The highlands in the West range from 1,500m to 3,000m.

and subtropical. The area greatly fits diversified agricultural development. Traditionally it grows rice, Wheat, and rapeseed and sweat potatoes. It also grows medicinal plants and herbs that are sold all over the country and to the world.
The West of Sichuan is subject to a cold continental climate except for the deep river valleys there. The Northwest of the highlands has comparatively lower level valleys. Its land surface remains extensive. There grass grows luxuriantly and offers favorite conditions to the development of animal husbandry. In the Southeast the highlands resemble different segments. They seem to be cut off by the typical land structure and many rivers that flow crosswise. The high mountains and deep valleys have vast forests and grasslands.
Sichuan has more than 1,400 rivers of different sizes. The Jinsha River is the upper section of the Yangtze River. Yalong, Minjiang, Tuojiang, Jialing and Qinyijiang river in Sichuan are major tributaries of the Changjiang. Many of the rivers in Sichuan flow rapidly between hills, mountains and gorges, which make Sichuan the number one province in hydroelectric power potential. The estimated reserves of hydraulic resources are 140 million kilowatts.
Sichuan also has rich mineral resource. Sichuan is situated in a faultage zone and is known as the World Geological Museum. So far 130 kinds of minerals have been discovered. At present the reserves of 11 minerals rank first in China. They include vanadium, titanium, and lithium, silver and iron sulfide ore. The prospective reserves of natural gas stand at 7.2 trillion cubic meters. Panxi is in west Panzhihua. It has contains 13 per cent of titanium and 82 per cent of cobalt. It also has rich hydraulic, mineral and biological resources.
Sichuan has innumerable species of biological resources. It is known as one of China’s three major forest zones. Characteristically the Sichuan zone has large areas, concentrated distribution and enormous timber stock. Sichuan is also one of five big pasturelands after Inner Mongolia, Tibet, Xinjiang and Qinghai. Sichuan has fertile soil and pleasant climate. These natural conditions provide an excellent living environment for various kinds of wildlife. There are some rare tree species, which exist in Sichuan, such as metasequoia (dawn redwood) and larch. The redwood is known as a “living fossil”. These rare tree species make up over one-fifth of the total in China. The medicinal plants account for 75 per cent of China’s total due to the “land of traditional Chinese medicine”. In Sichuan more than 50 rare animal species are under the protection at the state level. They include the giant panda, the golden monkey and the white-lipped deer. In the past 40 years Sichuan has established 45 forest and wildlife nature reserves, covering an area of 2.8 million hectares. We will arrange for all of you to go and visit some of them.

Mountains and Rivers in Sichuan
Sichuan boasts a number of tourist attractions. Some of them are listed as the world natural and cultural heritages, and some listed as state-level scenic spots. Sichuan might well be one of the most attractive tourist routes in the world. A vehicle will climb over high mountain passes of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and cross big rivers. The road starts from the lower basin of Chengdu, and it ascends step by step to the highest plateau in the world. Along this way, you will view a multitude of natural sceneries. I believe all these will open to you an extremely new world.
Jiuzhaigou National Park is the most beautiful region among them. It is a deep valley of stunning natural beauty in the Northwest of Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture. It has also been admitted into the list of the 9 Tibetan villages that are situated in the valley. Jiuzhaigou has a variety of natural scenery-lakes, water-falls, snowy mountains and lush green forests. There are also more than 100 lakes of various sizes and shapes that sparkle with color in the flickering sunlight.
? Huanglong is not far from Jiuzhaigou. It is known for its four unique beauties-colorful lakes, snow mountains, gorges and woods. In 1992 Huanglong was added to the list of the World Natural Heritage. Huanglong covers an area of about 700 square km. Tibetan folk villages blend harmoniously into the mountains and sparkle like jewels.
? Mt. Siguniangshan (Four Gils Mountain) is in North Sichuan. It is a cluster of four peaks, which stand side by side like four sisters. Yaomei Feng (the peak of the youngest girl) is the main peak, and rises to 6250m. Mt. Siguniangshan is honored as the “Queen of Mountains in Sichuan”.
?Leshan Giant Buddha is an enormous statue. It is carved into the side of Lingyun Mountain. The Buddha is over 71m tall and is wide enough for more than 100 people to sit in its feet.
? Mt. Emei is one of the four most sacred Buddhist mountains in China. Local legend has it that he mountain was named after two peaks that face each other and resemble eyebrows. Lush forests and green bamboo cover the mountain in Southwest Sichuan.
Mt. Qingcheng is lovated just to the southwest of Dujiangyan Irrigation system. It is also known as Green City Mountain. Dense forests of ancient trees cover the towering peaks, which are thought to resemble city battlements. Among the lofty tree are monasteries, temples and pavilions.
The Southern Sichuan Bamboo Sea is the bamboo scenery. It is one of the 40 Best Tourist Attractions in China. The Sea is located in the southwest Liantian Mountains and covers an area of 120 square km. In its central region, big, tall and upright bamboo shelters ridges and peaks high and low. Bamboo grows in the fields, mountains and hills that stretch long and far, and is the reason for the name of “Bamboo Sea”.
Tagong Grasslands is in Western Sichuan. It is a vast expanse of green meadow. Snow-capped peaks are surrounded rising by its side. A Tibetan community lives in the midst. Tagong is also the place where an annual Horse-Racing Festival is held at the beginning of the 8th lunar month. This festival attracts thousands of local Tibetan herdsmen.
Sichuan has more than 1,400 rivers.
?The Jinsha River is the upper section of the Yangtze River. It flows through Qinghai, Tibet, Yunan and Sichuan. Traditionally, the Jinsha River is divided into upper, middle and lower reaches; the middle reaches; the middle reach extends from Shigu city to the Yalong River Mouth in Panzhihua city of Sichuan, and the lower reach from the Yalong River Mouth to Yibin city of Sichuan. The Jinsha River formed “ the most dangerous white-water section in the Yangtze River” and the deepest gorge in the world. Mountain s are more than 1,000 meters above sea level, and the Gorges stand magnificently facing each other. The Jinsha River has plentiful hydropower resources. They mainly concentrate on the middle and lower reaches from Shigu to Yibin. The total exploitable installed capacity is 59,080 MW. The middle and lower reaches enjoy the richest hydropower potential feasible to be developed. It also gives consideration to irrigation, water supply, water supply, flood control, wood drift and tourism.
The Minjiang River is a main tributary of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River in Sichuan. The river has been developed over several thousand years. The upper reaches of the Minjiang River are located in the Northwest of the Chengdu Plain. The whole length is 735 km. The steep peaks of Longmen Mountain and Qionglai Mountain surround the upper reaches. There are many picturesque sightseeing spots along the river due to the natural and biological diversity.
The Tuojiang River flows into the Chengdu Plain. The whole length is 702 km. It has ten tributaries. The main tributaries flow through the Sichuan Basin and some hilly areas where the climate is mild, and the production is rich. Also the areas have most important and elegant relics, which date back to the ancient Shu civilization.
The Jianling River now ranks the first among all the branches of the Changjiang River. The entire length is 1,120 km. It flows through Guangyuan, Nanchong and Guang’an cities before it empties into the Yangtze River in Chongqing. The Jialing River has many tributaries. One of them is called Pujiang tributary. It flows through Mianyang city, Deyang city and other areas. In the Jialing River Basin are the largest and cultural relics groups dated back to the early Shu state and the Three Kingdom Periods in Sichuan.