Sichuan

Map

Key data

Items shown in Chinese are kept from the original Chinese source; no English name is available yet.

Highlights

Introduction

• Home of pandas, mouth-numbing Sichuan cuisine and stunning Jiuzhaigou.

History

• Sichuan was called "Shu" in ancient times. During the pre-Qin period, the ancient Shu state created a brilliant bronze civilization, as evidenced by the Sanxingdui site. In the Warring States period, the state of Qin annexed Shu and established Shu Commandery; Li Bing and his son oversaw the construction of the Dujiangyan irrigation system, turning the Chengdu Plain into the "Land of Abundance." During the Three Kingdoms period, Liu Bei established the Shu Han regime in Chengdu. In the Tang and Song dynasties, Chengdu's commerce flourished, and the world's earliest paper money, jiaozi, was created here. In the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, the large-scale migration known as "Huguang filling Sichuan" reshaped the demographic and cultural structure of the region. Today, Sichuan is accelerating its development into a strong economic province.

Culture

• Sichuan has a profound cultural heritage. Sichuan cuisine is world-famous for its numbing, spicy, fresh, and fragrant flavors, with dishes such as hot pot and dandan noodles renowned at home and abroad. Sichuan opera stunts like face-changing and fire-spitting are breathtaking, and its high-pitched singing has a lingering charm. Many ethnic groups live here, with Yi, Tibetan, Qiang, and Southwestern Mandarin coexisting; folk customs such as the Yi Torch Festival and the Qiang Qiang New Year are rich and varied. Traditional crafts such as Shu embroidery, Shu brocade, and bamboo weaving are exquisitely beautiful. Teahouse culture is found throughout urban and rural areas; chatting and basking in the sun are a portrait of Chengdu people's leisurely life.

Science & Technology

• Sichuan has strong scientific and educational strength, with first-class universities such as Sichuan University, the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, and Southwest Jiaotong University. Chengdu is known as "China's Software City" and is prominent in fields such as electronic information, aerospace, the nuclear industry, and biomedicine. Mianyang Science and Technology City is an important research base, where the National Supercomputing Center and major scientific facilities have been established. The construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle provides a broad stage for scientific and technological innovation, and the capacity for cutting-edge technology research and development and the commercialization of results continues to strengthen.

Economy

• In 2025, Sichuan's GDP reached 6,766.534 billion yuan, ranking first among western provinces. The electronic information industry is the province's largest pillar industry, with many well-known electronics companies clustered in Chengdu; equipment manufacturing, energy and chemicals, and food and beverages have a solid foundation. The baijiu industry is especially prominent, with brands such as Wuliangye and Luzhou Laojiao renowned nationwide. Tianfu New Area and the Chengdu metropolitan area are developing rapidly, and scenic spots such as Jiuzhaigou and Mount Emei boost the cultural tourism economy. Chengdu is an important commercial, financial, and transportation hub in western China.