Unique cultural heritage set to captivate visiting athletes

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.