Sunday 16 December 2012

Chengdu by Elva

Chengdu by Elva

                       Fantastic baby-Chengdu

                                                          by Elva (HEYID1103)
Name of the palce:Chengdu
Location : Asia, China
Introduce
Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, lies in the hinterland of the Chengdu Plain, in central Sichuan. Covering a total land area of 12,400 square kilometers, Chengdu has a jurisdiction of over 7 districts, 4 cities and 8 counties. By the end of 1999, the population of Chengdu had reached 10.036 million, of which 3.30 million were urban residents. Chengdu enjoys a long history. 2,500 years ago, Kaiming IX, king of ancient Shu in the Zhou Dynasty (11th century 256BC), started to set up the capital in Chengdu. "A town was built in this area in the first year and the capital in the second year, so the ancestor named the city as Chengdu, which means to become a capital. Later on, Chengdu gradually became one of the most important centers of politics, economy and culture in China. It has been the capital for the feudal dynasties five times and twice for the peasant uprising regimes, known as Dashu and Daxi. As early as in the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD)), Chengdu began to enjoy the fame of one of the Top Five Capitals. In the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Chengdu was reputed as the Yang (Yangzhou) first, yi (Chengdu) second; it had by then became the economic center just after Yangzhou. In the Western Han Dynasty (206BC-8AD), brocades produced in Chengdu were very popular in China. So Chengdu was also called the City of Brocade. In the Five Kingdoms Period (907-960), Mengchang, king of the Houshu Kingdom, decreed to plant hibiscuses on the protective wall of the city, so Chengdu was also called the City of Hibiscus. As one of China's famous historical and cultural cities, Chengdu enjoys rich tourist resources. 15,500 years ago, a well-known poet in the Jin Kingdom, Zuo Si extolled Chengdu as lofty and pretty. This city has also gained the eulogium by both Li Bai, the poet immortal and Du Fu, the poet sage. With rich cultural heritage and beautiful scenic spots, Chengdu is a peaceful and prosperous city.
 

Food
Chengdu snacks owns a long history which can be dated back to the Three Kingdom Period. Being part of the time-honored culture, Chengdu food culture appeals to people from all over the world.
Sichuan being the most known Chinese food style within China, you will find no shortage of delicious Sichuan food in Chengdu. Most of the food is quite spicy, be sure to order non spicy or little spicy food, at least if you are not accustomed to it yet, or have a bottle of peanut milk ready to quell the fire. The local king of kings is the Hotpot, basically a big pot of oil, water and spices simmering in a hole in the middle of your table. Patrons choose from a big variety of skewered food including veggies, sea-weed, fish, beef, chicken, and dog's meat and proceed to boil them in the oil. After the meal, your bill will be calculated by counting the skewer-sticks.
Chengdu Snacks owns several notable characteristics that make it unique.
First, Chengdu snacks have a long history. Chengdu was once the capital of Shu State during the Three Kingdom period and enjoys a splendid traditional culture. Being part of the time-honored culture, Chengdu food culture appeals to people from all over the world. Chengdu is ideal place to fullfil your appetite for food. For instance, "Zhong Boiled Dumplings" and "Lai Tangyuan" (stuffed balls made of glutinous rice flour served in soup) have a history of over 100 years.
Second, Chengdu snacks are carefully prepared with meticulously selected materials.
Third, Chengdu boasts a wide variety of snacks. Snacks: Chengdu Snacks, by virtue of its long history, are diversified and have their distinguishing features. According to statistics, Chengdu has at least over 500 different kinds of established snacks and over 5,000 stores that serve snacks.
Fourth, Chengdu snacks are varied in taste. People who have not been to Chengdu will think all dishes and snacks served in Chengdu are spicy. As a matter of fact, many Chengdu snacks are aromatic, sweet, tender and tasty.
Fifth, there are many ways to eat Chengdu snacks.
Categories
Chengdu snacks are divided into four categories according to the main ingredients: wheat flour, rice, meat and vegetable, miscellaneous.
Most of the snacks are made of wheat, rice, and miscellaneous grain powder. They are exquisite in appearance and refined in seasoning. Most snacks have been developed by the street vendors, which determine their characteristic of being economical and fold-friendly. Zhong Boiled Dumplings, Longchaoshou (dumpling soup, or wonton known in north China), Lai Tangyuan (stuffed balls made of glutinous rice flour served in soup) and Guo Tangyuan are the examples of famous traditional brands.
Featured Snacks
Here is a list of featured snacks in Chengdu, which you can not miss.
Guo Tangyuan enjoys equal popularity with Lai Tangyuan in Chengdu. The Guo Tangyuan Restaurant was founded in the 1940s. Prepared with high-quality glutinous rice flour, Guo Tangyuan has a wide variety of stuffing, such as black sesame seeds and sweetened bean paste.
Couple Lung Slice :Legend has it that in the 1930s, Guo Chaohua and his wife ran a restaurant, serving a delicious dish called Lung Slice, which was well received by customers. Hence the name Couple Lung Slice. Beautiful in color, soft and tender, aromatic and spicy, it is one of famous dishes of Sichuan.
Lai Tangyuan (balls made of glutinous rice flour served in soup): In 1894 a person whose name was Lai Yuanxin sold balls made of glutinous rice flour along the street. His balls featured thin skin, delicious stuffing, a sweet taste and a good smell. Later he ran a store named as "Lai Tangyuan." Balls served by this store have been well received by the Chengdu people.
Longchaoshou (dumpling soup, or wonton known in north China): In the 1940s Zhang Guangwu, owner of the "Strong Scented Teahouse," founded a wonton restaurant in cooperation with others, named "Longchaoshou." The dumplings offered by the restaurant feature thin skin, tender stuffing and delicious soup.
Dandan noodles, originally sold by peddlers along the street. are delicious and spicy.
Mount Qingcheng 65km west of Chengdu, Qingchengshan Mountain (Qingchengshan) is one of the ancient cradles of Daoism. The mountain has numerous Daoist temples and sites along the paths to its peak. The area is green all year round and is known for its secluded tranquility. Jianfu Temple (Jianfu Gong) sits at the base of the mountain and is a large, well-preserved Daoist temple from the Tang Dynasty. About halfway up the mountain sits Tianshi Cave (Tianshi Dong) the temple and school of Zhang Daolin, a famous Daoist master who taught here and contributed greatly to spreading Daoism in China. The present Tianshi Cave buildings were built at the end of the Qing Dynasty. Lastly, near the peak sits Shangqing Temple, which was originally established in the Jin Dynasty, while the current temple buildings are Qing Dynasty constructions.Mt. Qingcheng is located at the Dujiangyan scenery spot of Chengdu, Sichuan province. It is a famous mountain of Taoism. Surrounded by countless peaks and densely covered by ancient trees whose branches reaching the sky, the mountain was named "Mt. Qingcheng" (Green Town in Chinese). The mountain includes two parts-the anterior Mt. Qingcheng and the posterior Mt. Qingcheng. The anterior mountain is famous for its beautiful scenery and numerous cultural and historic sites; while the posterior mountain is noted for its paradisiacal scenery, primitive and brilliant, gorgeous and mysterious.

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