Called the Land of Abundance, is in abundance of diverse natural resources and cultural heritages, and has been one of the hot destinations for many travelers to China. Central Sichuan is also home to the giant panda. To the north the visage changes into a fairyland of alpine valleys and blue-green lakes. Sichuan’s Tibetan face appears as you venture west. This is Kham, one of the former Tibetan prefectures: a vast landscape of plateau grasslands and glacial mountains where Tibetan culture still thrives and you’re certain to have your most challenging, yet most magical, experiences.

Basic Information

Chinese Name:  四川(Sichuan)
Location:  the upper reach of the Yangtze River and the hinterland of Southwest China.
Provincial Capital: Chengdu
Acreage: about 485,000 square kilometers.
Famous Cities: Chengdu, Leshan, Jiuzhaigou, Kangding
Population: 83,750,000 (2019) in total; 55 ethnic groups with a population of 4.91 million(2010) in Sichuan.
Major Ethnic Group: The Han, Yi, Zang, Qiang, Miao, Tujia, Lisu, Naxi, Buyi, Bai, Zhuang, and Dai are indigenous ethnic groups in the Province. 

Sichuan History

The Sichuan Basin and adjacent areas of the Yangtze watershed were a cradle of indigenous civilizations dating back to at least the 15th century BC, coinciding with the Shang in northern China. The region had its own distinct religious beliefs and worldview. The earliest culture found in the region through archaeological investigation is the Baodun culture (c.2700–1750 BC) excavated in the Chengdu Plain.

Concise History Thereafter

Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD) – The area became the center of world's lacquer craftwork and the birthplace of tea culture with advanced technology of Shu Brocade.
Five Dynasties period (907-960) – the emperor of Later Shu planted hibiscus all round the city wall, hence Chengdu got the nickname, Furong Cheng (Hibiscus City), or Rong Cheng for short.
Tang Dynasty (618-907) – Engraving typography was first invented and used here.
Song Dynasty (960-1279) – Chengdu led the list, being a foremost prosperous city on a par with Yangzhou which had the busiest water transport and port in China at that time. The earliest paper currency in the world 'Jiao Zi' was issued there during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127).
Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties – The previously flourishing city vanished during the war during the late Ming Dynasty but its economy made a gradual recovery during the Qing Dynasty. Through two expansions during Kangxi and Qianlong Periods, a grand new city evolved once more. Following the Opium War, the city went into a decline and its role overtaken by Chongqing.
In modern times, the city was re-established as the capital of Sichuan Province in 1928, and has remained so following the foundation of the PRC.

Sichuan Culture

As early as in the trace of human activity, the Wushan people and Ziyang people once lived in Sichuan. A saying goes like this, “The people from western and eastern Sichuan shared the same ancestors.” As Chinese civilization developed, the culture of Sichuan glowed with dazzling light in successive dynasties. Up until now, Sichuan remains a renewed and important part of Chinese culture.
With long history and strong cultural background, Sichuan boasts profound culture with various distinctive features. Characterized by incredible Sichuan Opera, fabulous Sichuan Cuisine, tea culture, and the local leisure life, Sichuan culture provides great fun and interesting activities to enjoy.
In the markets and streets as well as the village roads throughout Sichuan, you can see teahouses with unique Sichuan styles. Sitting in bamboo chairs, people gather around wooden tables, hold special tea wares exclusively owned by the teahouse and take a sip of fragrant tea.

Sichuan Grography

Sichuan province is located in western central China. The easternportion of the province has countless winding and spectacular rivers, most of them tributaries flowing southward to the Yangtze (Chang Jiang) — including the Min River. The western border with Tibet (Xizang Zizhiqu) follows the basin between the north-south running Ningjing and Shaluli mountain ranges in the west and east respectively. Sichuan also shares a border with Qinghai in the northwest and Shaanxi in the northeast. East of the Shaluli range, the Daxue range runs roughly parallel. East of the Dadu River from Daxue Shan, the Qionglai Mountains run northeast with the eastern edge falling sharply and ending the Tibetan Plateau. South of Qionglai Shan the Tibetan Plateau ends similarly with the southeast running Daliang Mountains. Sichuan also borders Hubei, Hunan, and Gansu provinces

Sichuan Climate

Sichuan is located in the transitional zone between Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the eastern plains and therefore has complex and diverse climates with rather obvious regional differences and vertical changes. There are distinct disparities between east and west Sichuan as well.
The overall characteristics of Sichuan’s climate can be summarized as follows: monsoon climate is obvious and rain and heat happens in the same seasons; regional climate differences are prominent in that the east is characterized by warm winters, early springs, hot summers, rainy autumns, much cloud and fog, little sunshine and a long growing season while the west is characterized by coldness, long winters, almost no summer, sufficient sunshine, concentrated rainfall and distinct dry and rainy seasons; vertical climate changes are significant and climate types are varied; meteorological disasters happen in various forms with a high frequency and large scope, which are mainly droughts, rainstorms, floods and cold weather.e:
The best time to travel in Sichuan is in spring and autumn, especially in February and March, July to October. Spring is dry in Sichuan lowlands and south area, with little but concentrated precipitation on the plateau. Summer is hot in Sichuan lowlands and south area, but on the plateau, there seems no summer. In July, the temperature has reached 25ºC to 29 ºC in the lowlands, 11 ºC to 17 ºC on the plateau, and 22 ºC to 26 ºC in the south. Autumn is rainy season in Sichuan lowlands and south area, but is with strong sunshine on the plateau. Winter is warm in Sichuan lowlands and south area, but a little cold on the plateau. In January, the temperature may be 3 ºC to 8 ºC in the lowlands, -9 ºC to 3 ºC on the plateau, and 8 ºC to 13 ºC in the south.

Tourism Resources

Called the Land of Abundance, is in abundance of diverse natural resources, and has been one of hot destinations for many travelers to China.
It's fitting that an ancient form of opera and magic called bianlian (face-changing) originated here, for Sichuan is a land of many guises. Capital Chengdu shows a modern face, but just beyond its bustling ring roads you'll find a more traditional landscape of mist-shrouded, sacred mountains, and a countryside scattered  with ancient villages and cliffs of carved Buddhas.
Central Sichuan is also home to the giant panda, the most famous face in China. In the south, expect a veil of history and a muted beauty that sees far fewer travellers than the rest of the region.
To the north the visage changes again into a fairyland of alpine valleys and blue-green lakes. Sìchuan’s Tibetan face appears as you venture west. This is Kham, one of the former Tibetan prefectures: a vast landscape of plateau grasslands and glacial mountains where Tibetan culture still thrives and you’re certain to have your most challenging, yet most magical, experiences.Most of western Sichuan, rich in tourism resources, still remains untapped and awaits the exploration by visitors.Once stepping on the Land of Abundance, you can enjoy the fun of travel as much as you can.
You can  appreciate a wide variety of beautiful landscape including sacred & mysterious mountains, fairyland of alpine valley, blue-green lakes, vast landscape of plateau grassland, glacial mountains where Tibetan culture still thrives, beautiful waterfalls, limestone caves, evergreen bamboo forests…

Hot Destinations: Chengdu, Leshan, Emeishan, Dujiangyan, Daocheng, Kangding, Ganzar...
World Heritage Sites: Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic Area, Huanglong Scenic Area, Leshan Giant Buddha, Mount Emei, Dujiangyan Irrigation System, Mount Qingcheng, Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries (like Wolong Panda Reserve)
Other Popular Attractions: Mount Siguniang, Yading Scenic Area, Danba Tibetan Village, Xinduqiao, Hailuogou Glacier, Dagu Glacier, Ruoergai Grassland,
Featured Activities: Panda volunteering, Sichuan food cooking, hiking & walking, kung fu learning, photography, cultural travel, Buddhism & Taoism travels…

Sichuan Cuisine

Represented by the local dishes of Chengdu and Chongqing, Sichuan cuisine is a style of Chinese cuisine originating in the Sichuan Province of southwestern China. As one of China's Four Major Styles of Cooking, Sichuan cuisine features spicy, tongue-numbing, savory, delicious, oily and heavily seasoned flavor. Sichuan cuisine enjoys a time-honored history and is well-reputed home and abroad. In 2010, Chengdu was declared a “City of Gastronomy” by UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
Known as the "heavenly country", Sichuan highlights its abundance of food and natural resources. Therefore, Sichuan cuisine features the well-arranged and enriched seasonings, particularly the use of garlic, ginger, chili peppers, as well as the unique Sichuan prickly ash. All these seasonings create the characteristic pungency and spiciness of Sichuan cuisine.

Statistics show that the number of Sichuan dishes has surpassed 5,000. Some representative dishes include Kung Pao Chicken, Mapo Tofu, Fish-flavored Pork Shred, Twice Cooked Pork and Sichuan Hotpot.

Sichuan Festivals

As the land of abundance in China, Sichuan also has many ethnic minorities that boast brilliant and colorful festivals that worthy your time during your travel in Sichuan.

Litang horse racing festival

August 1st
The horse racing festival is held on August 1st annually on Litang County of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province. On that day, the herdsmen wearing splendid attire gather on Litang from far and near, celebrating the festival joyfully together. On the racing field, spectators can admire the galloping horses, breathtaking horse skill performances, unique plateau landscape with rich ethnic characteristics and an ocean of happiness. During the festival, there are huge crowds of people and a number of tents are set up on the grassland. Besides, a grand Buddhist ceremony is also held during the festival every year.

Xichang Torch Festival 

Jun. 25th(lunar calendar)
Xichang Torch Festival of the Yi nationality is held annually on the 25th day of the six lunar month of the traditional Chinese calendar, lasting for three days. It is the traditional festival of the Yi nationality for driving away evil spirits and praying for a prosperous year. On that day, the local people and tourists from many other places gather there, dancing and singing joyfully in praise of the brilliant national culture and spirit. Xichang is the largest area in China, inhabited by the Yi nationality with rich ethnic customs. On the first day, the local people satisfy their stomach with mutton, beef and pure wine. On the second and third day, the climax of the festival reaches and people of all ages dressed in splendid attire gather together. The men participate in the traditional competitive sports, such as bullfight, horse racing and wrestling, while women are singing and dancing. At night, all the people holding torches sit together around the bonfire, dancing and rejoicing with wild excitement overnight. Thus, the torch festival is also celebrated as “the oriental Carnival”.

Siguniang Mountain Worship Festival

May 5th of lunar calendar
Siguniang Mountain Worship Festival is held on the May 5th of Lunar Calendar. On this day,  local Tibetan (Jiarong Tibetan) from all different villages will dress their traditional clothes and gather together to celebrate it. The ancient religious rituals and joyful folk songs and dances will be performed to worship a harvest year.

Zigong Dinosaur Lantern Festival

Jan. 7th-Jan 15th of lunar calendar
The Dinosaur Lantern Festival in Zigong city is held around the Spring festival, which can be dated back to Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) Dynasties. During the festival, the China’s colorful traditional lantern made of bamboo, silk, paper and glass bottles will displayed, together with the colorful modern-style lanterns.