City charms with natural beauty, pandas and living history

Chengdu, an ancient city with an urban development history that spans 2,300 years, also startles with some of the most beautiful natural landscapes on earth.

Chengdu started construction of Jincheng Tree-lined Avenue to support its overall tourism environment enhancement on Sept 2. The city plans to build the longest tree-lined avenue network in the world with a total length of 17,000 kilometers, according to local authorities.

Here are some famous tourism sites in the city.

Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base

Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, located in the northern rural area of Chengdu, is one of the most popular tourist sites in the city. The base focuses on research into the wild animals, giant panda breeding, learning about baby pandas and educational tourism.

It has developed the world's biggest artificial breeding population of captive giant pandas, with 176 at the end of 2016.

Qingcheng Mountain

Qingcheng Mountain, situated to the northwest of Chengdu, is about 70 km away from the city center. It is one of the most famous mountains for Taoism. Qingcheng Mountain is close to the Dujiangyan Irrigation Project.

Dujiangyan, with more than 2,200 years of history is one of the oldest irrigation systems without a dam in the world. It strongly supported Chengdu's development in ancient times. The Dujiangyan Irrigation Project is a world heritage site recognized by UNESCO.

Jinsha Site Museum

The Jinsha Site Museum is believed to be one of the most significant archaeological finds in the 21st century. The site demonstrates the thriving culture that existed in Chengdu more than 3,000 years ago. More than 5,000 pieces of cultural relics have been found there, including large numbers of ivory works, gold and jade ware. The most famous relic is a round, golden ornament featuring the sun and immortal birds. The State Administration of Cultural Heritage has used the pattern as the symbol of Chinese cultural heritage.

Wide and Narrow Alleys

Wide and Narrow Alleys, located in the center of Chengdu, comprises three parallel alleys called Kuan Alley (Wide Alley), Zhai Alley (Narrow Alley) and Jing Alley (Well Alley), as well as 45 courtyards. Built during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), it is one of the best-preserved ancient street systems in Chengdu. It is also a well-known entertainment and nightlife area.

Chunxi Road

Chunxi Road, one of major shopping streets in the center of Chengdu, is home to many internationally-branded shopping malls. Visitors can also find a wide selection of locally featured food in Chunxi Road. The newly developed IFS and Tai Koo Li are nearby.

Wuhou Memorial Temple

Wuhou Memorial Temple is a must-see place in Chengdu for history fans. The temple was built in 223 to commemorate Liu Bei, founder of the Shu Kingdom and Zhuge Liang, the prime minister of Shu, during the Three Kingdoms period (220-280). Zhuge is a symbol of wisdom and loyalty in traditional Chinese culture.

Anren Ancient Town

Most buildings in Anren Ancient Town were built in the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and in the early Republic of China (1912-1949). Jianchuan Museum in the town is the biggest privately operated museum in China.

Huanglongxi Ancient Town

Huanglongxi Ancient Town, situated in the south of Chengdu, is 40 km away from the city center. The ancient town combines old temples, memorial archways, traditional architecture, old trees and ancient tombs, under one roof.

Luodai Ancient Town

Luodai Ancient Town is the foremost ancient town in western China celebrating Hakka culture. There are more than 20,000 Hakka people, who account for 90 percent of the town's population.

Dufu Thatched Cottage

The former residence of prestigious Chinese poet Dufu of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Dufu stayed in Chengdu for nearly four years and wrote more than 240 poems. His cottage, located in the city center, attracts many cultural enthusiasts.

Xilng Snow Mountain

About 95 km away from Chengdu, it is one of the habitats of giant pandas. It is the highest mountain in Chengdu, rising 5,364 meters above sea level.