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Exploring the old and young Chengdu
Familiar faces: An ersatz Chinese version of wayang kulit leather puppets are just some of the things visitors can buy on Jinli street
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span class="inline inline-center">Familiar faces: An ersatz Chinese version of wayang kulit leather puppets are just some of the things visitors can buy on Jinli street.
Chengdu, as residents are quick to point out, is the only city in China whose name or location has not changed for more than 2,300 years.
In the past, the city played a significant role in China's economy, as it was the starting point of the southern section of the famous Silk Road.
While the city is no longer produces silk, the central government has been paying a lot of attention to the city and aims to make it a new modern economic, commerce and industrial hub to help China to maintain its growth.
'Due to the opening up and reform policy, Chengdu has enjoyed a very fast development. The global strategy introduced by the central government has produced the business and socio-economic prosperity in Chengdu,' said Bai Gang, the director-general of the publicity department at Chengdu.
Chengdu, whose area is 12,400 square kilometers with a population of 14 million, has three ring roads, providing highways that ease road transportation in the country. A 40-km-long-main avenue is built across the city from north to south and another one from west to east.
The three circles represent three urban structures put as development strategy, according to Xing Yan, a researcher of Chengdu Social Sciences Academy. The first ring road encircles the downtown area of around 500 square km.
The second circle is a compound for high-tech and industrial development zone. The last circle is a structure for new areas.
'The three urban structures are designed to optimize a plan of a single development zone of Chengdu and to keep the balance of the city itself,' Yan said.
Numerous development projects are ongoing now in the capital city of Sichuan province on the southwest part of the mainland China. There are currently 21 industrial zones are planned to host numerous industries in the near future.
Six-hundred-billion yuan (US$98 billion) of investment comes to the city every year, of which 200 billion comes from local governments, while foreign investment accounts for 400 billion yuan.
'The amount of investment grows at an average of 10 to 20 percent per year,' Yan said.
Automotive and information technology are the main sources of growing investment. Outputs from the sectors are also the biggest driver to the city's growth.
Chengdu's automotive production was almost zero 10 years ago. In 2013, its production volume hit 703,000 cars, according to Li Hua, the administrative committee of Chengdu economic and technological development zone standing deputy director.
'By 2016, we are targeting to see production volume of 1 million. By 2020, we will see output of up to 2.5 million and Chengdu will be a top international automobile city,' Hua said.
The city is also the home of future electronic industry as currently it hosts production of around two-third of the global production of iPads ' and is the home of the company that designer popular photo app Camera360.
'We will never go this far without the government's support, giving us free facilities to our start up business,' said Hao Xu, the chief executive officer of Pinguo Technology, the developer of Camera360.
Camera360, which Pinguo started to develop in 2010 in a room provided free at the Tianfu Softaware Park, currently has over 250 million users, including 80 million in Southeast Asia.
Despite massive development in the industrial sector, natural balance remains at its heart. It is recently named the most livable city in China, the happiest city in China and the best tourism destination.
No wonder, as the city preserves its triumphs from the past.
One of the most important legacies in Chengdu is the Dujiangyan irrigation system, built 2,000 years ago. Located around 50 km from downtown, the dam supplies 80 percent of the city's water.
Also attractive is Jinli street. This is the ancient road which has existed since around 221 BC. The narrow street with traditional-style buildings along the way was opened to the public in 2004.
An evening visit will be the best time for photography enthusiasts, as lamps along the road are already lighten up. Try to pay a visit a bit late, as the road is crowded after working hours.
Souvenirs stalls are also found along the way. Stalls of local snacks and cafes are also on the sidewalk of Jinli, offering a relaxing time for visitors. There is no admission fee for this place.
Also be sure to try a stroll through the Jinsha Museum, which hosts numerous artifacts from old times. Various remains of large scale animals to gold medals and jade carvings are displayed. Visiting this place will bring you to the past and gives an admiration of the high civilization China has established thousand years ago.
The Songxiangqiao antique market is the second biggest antique market in the country. Various goods are up for grabs. Most of them are second-hand goods ' ranging from copper coins, badges or old watches- yet it is still worth it to look around. Gemstone hunters will be happy to visit.
'This city is young and old,' publicity department officer Bai Gang said. 'Young for its journey of modern development but old in its great number of cultural heritages.'
' Photos by JP/Wendra Ajistyatama
