Land of abundance

The Chengdu Plain was hit hard by floods and droughts during the ancient Shu state period.

It was not until the Warring States Period (475-221 BC), when Li Bing, governor of the Shu prefecture (roughly today's Chengdu), initiated the Dujiangyan Irrigation System. It transformed the plain into a "land of abundance" and benefited millions of people.

Thanks to its favorable natural conditions, rich resources and thriving brocade industry, Chengdu experienced rapid growth during the Qin and Han dynasties (221 BC-AD 220), becoming one of the five major cities at that time.

During the Three Kingdoms, Chengdu was the capital of the Shu Kingdom. During the Tang to Song dynasties (618-1279), the city built itself into a metropolis and made remarkable achievements culturally and economically.

Today, Chengdu is famous for its relaxed lifestyle and optimistic residents. Such a cheerful character has been passed from one generation to the next for thousands of years.

Since the mid-1950s, numerous figurines of comedians from the Han dynasties (206 BC-AD 220) have been unearthed in Chengdu. All of these terracotta figurines have a radiant and smiling face. Even after 2,000 years, people can see how happy and satisfied they were at that time.