As the cradle of the ancient Shu civilization and hailed as the "Land of Abundance", Chengdu has not only inherited the legacy of China's splendid
Giant pandas are one of the most well-known symbols of Chinese culture and are also the city ambassador for Chengdu. Multiple Chengdu icons are showcased in the Kung Fu Panda franchise, and the protagonist Po, the panda, has become one of DreamWorks' classic characters. The popularity of giant pandas is further demonstrated in the Japanese manga series Chibi Maruko-chan, where the main character once said, "It would be a blow to one's pride if they have never seen a giant panda in their lifetime."
The southwestern province of Sichuan, the hometown of giant pandas, is known for its significant population of these creatures. According to the fourth national panda survey, Sichuan is home to 1,387 wild giant pandas, accounting for 74.4 percent of the total giant panda population in the country.
The provincial capital Chengdu, with a permanent population of more than 21 million and a land area of 14,300 square kilometers, stands out as the only megacity in the world where both captive and wild giant pandas can be found.
The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, located in the northern suburbs of Chengdu, is home to more than 230 giant pandas.
Established in 1987, the base started with six sick and hungry pandas that were rescued from the wild and began its scientific research on the bear species thereafter. It has now become a global leader in the field of giant panda research, an important location for the ex-situ conservation of giant pandas, a site for public education and a destination for educational tourism.
The mascot of the Chengdu FISU Games is named Rongbao, based on a giant panda named Zhima from the base. In preparation for the Chengdu FISU Games, products featuring Rongbao's image have gained increasing popularity.
In Chengdu and throughout the rest of Sichuan province, pandas are not only found in the base or in the wild, they are also deeply integrated into various aspects of people's lives.
When strolling through Chengdu, one can effortlessly encounter different panda elements, including sculptures, dolls, buses adorned with panda face designs and even panda-themed restaurants.
As spectators raise their eyes during the opening ceremony of the Chengdu FISU Games, they will be able to see four giant "sun birds". The top of the main stadium at the Dong'an Lake Sports Park, the venue for the ceremony, features a majestic sun bird installation crafted from 12,540 pieces of glass.
A gold foil sun bird, which was unearthed from the Jinsha Ruins in Chengdu in 2001, was crafted by people of the ancient kingdom of Shu three millennia ago. It portrays the tale of the "golden crow carrying the sun" from Chinese mythology. This intricate design beautifully exemplifies the ancient Shu people's deep reverence for the sun. Not only is the gold disk proudly used as the city logo of Chengdu, but it has also been adopted by the National Cultural Heritage Administration as the symbol of Chinese cultural heritage.
"Although it is a relic from 3,000 years ago, it embodies the same spirit of 'Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together' as the modern Olympic ideals," said Zhu Zhangyi, the curator of the Jinsha Site Museum.
In addition to the main stadium of the Dong'an Lake Sports Park, the emblem, torch and medals of the Chengdu FISU Games incorporate elements of the immortal bird. Its exquisite pattern showcases the ambition and aspirations of the people of Chengdu, echoing the event's inspiring slogan — Chengdu Makes Dreams Come True.
When visiting Chengdu and other places in Sichuan, one must not miss out on the local cuisine. Sichuan cuisine, one of the eight major culinary styles in China, has gained global popularity due to its unique flavors. As a UNESCO-designated City of Gastronomy, Chengdu is known as the birthplace of classic Sichuan dishes like kungpao chicken and mapo tofu, and is renowned for its spicy hotpot as well as its delectable street food.
In recent years, Chengdu cuisine has become an important part of the itineraries of numerous international political figures during their visits to Chengdu. When former British prime minister David Cameron visited China, he went to Chengdu to taste tea and hotpot. Former US first lady Michelle Obama also enjoyed Chengdu's hotpot during her visit. During her trip to Chengdu, former German chancellor Angela Merkel even took the opportunity to personally learn the cooking method for kungpao chicken from a Sichuan cuisine master at a local restaurant.
During the FISU Games, the athlete's cafeteria in the Chengdu FISU Games Village will offer a diverse range of international cuisines, including famous local delicacies such as twice-cooked pork, fish-flavored shredded pork, kungpao chicken, Long's chaoshou (a type of dumpling), Lai's tangyuan (a stuffed, ball-shaped dessert made of glutinous rice flour), dandan noodles and Chengdu skewers.
The charm of Chengdu goes far beyond pandas, Sichuan cuisine and the sun bird. With over 4,500 years of human habitation and more than 2,300 years of history as a city, Chengdu boasts UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Mount Qingcheng, the Dujiangyan Irrigation System and giant panda sanctuaries. It is also home to cultural landmarks like the Chengdu Wuhou Shrine and the Thatched Cottage of Du Fu, as well as intangible cultural heritage including Sichuan Opera, lacquerware and Shu brocade.
Sichuan province is home to numerous renowned tourist attractions such as the Sanxingdui Ruins, the fairyland-like Jiuzhaigou Valley, the majestic Mount Gongga known as the "king of Sichuan mountains", the picturesque Ruoergai Prairie and the breathtaking Daocheng Yading, often referred to as the "last Shangri-La". The Mount Emei Scenic Area, which includes the Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for both its cultural and natural significance.
Additionally, Sichuan is a cultural hub where the traditions of various ethnic groups, such as the Tibetan, Qiang and Yi, converge.
During the Chengdu FISU Games, student-athletes and visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy various cultural experiences. The executive committee of the Chengdu FISU Games said that they would put on an exhibition that displays Chengdu's achievements as a park city and organize activities to allow guests to learn more about Chinese culture and craftsmanship at the FISU Games Village and the Dong'an Lake Sports Park.
Sixteen local attractions have been designated as sites for cultural experiences. These include the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and the Sanxingdui Museum. More than 20 cultural activities will be organized incorporating these sites' features. Additionally, the 16 sites are connected to form 11 urban cultural tourism routes, providing visitors with an opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich history, vibrant culture and picturesque landscapes of Chengdu and Sichuan.
