Chengdu history

The history of Chengdu is the chronicle of one of the few cities in China that has changed neither its name nor its location for over two millennia. Situated in the fertile Sichuan Basin, it has been a vital political, economic, and cultural centre since ancient times.

Foundation and First Mentions

The city was founded in the 4th century BC and almost immediately became the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Shu. According to legend, the name "Chengdu" (成都) means "to become a capital", reflecting the settlement's rapid development. Although the city's official history begins with the Kingdom of Shu, archaeological findings at the Sanxingdui and Jinsha sites testify to the existence of a highly developed civilisation in this territory long before its foundation.

Key Factors of Formation

Chengdu owes its centuries of prosperity to several key factors:

• Geographical Location: The city lies on a fertile plain, protected from external invasions by mountains. Stable agriculture and flood protection were ensured thanks to the ancient Dujiangyan irrigation system, built in the 3rd century BC.
• Trade: Chengdu was a crucial hub on the Southern Silk Road, from where caravans headed to South Asia. The city became world-famous for its silk and brocade.
• Political Power: Throughout its history, Chengdu repeatedly became the capital of powerful states, the most famous being the Kingdom of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period (221–263 AD).

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Since ancient times, Chengdu has been the cradle of the distinctive Shu culture, characterised by unique traditions, art, and beliefs. By the beginning of the common era, the city received the poetic name Jincheng — "City of Brocade" — due to the supreme quality of the fabrics produced here. Later, during the Song Dynasty, the world's first paper money was introduced in Chengdu, confirming its status as one of the advanced economic centres of its era.

Key Dates in the History of Chengdu

• 4th Century BC — The Kingdom of Shu moves its capital to the site of modern Chengdu, laying the foundation for the future city.
• 311 BC — After the conquest by the Qin state, General Zhang Yi builds new city walls, officially establishing the city of Chengdu.
• 256 BC — Engineer Li Bing creates the Dujiangyan irrigation system, which turned the region into the fertile breadbasket of China and functions to this day.
• Han Dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD) — Chengdu becomes one of the country's largest commercial centres, gaining fame for brocade production and earning the name "City of Brocade".
• 221–263 AD — The city becomes the capital of the Shu Han kingdom led by Liu Bei during the famous Three Kingdoms period.
• Tang Dynasty (618–907) — Chengdu experiences a cultural flourishing, attracting great poets such as Li Bai and Du Fu, who lived here for several years.
• Song Dynasty (960–1279) — During this period, the world's first paper money was printed in Chengdu, evidencing its high economic status.
• 1286 — The famous traveller Marco Polo visits Chengdu and describes its bridges and thriving trade.
• 1644–1646 — The city was captured and destroyed during a peasant uprising at the end of the Ming Dynasty, leading to its temporary decline.
• 1928 — Chengdu officially receives city status and becomes the capital of Sichuan Province.
• 1949 — The city becomes part of the People's Republic of China, launching its modern industrialisation and development.
• Early 21st Century — Chengdu establishes itself as one of the most important economic, technological, and transport hubs of Western China.

Major Milestones in Chengdu's Development

The history of Chengdu is a chronicle of continuous growth and transformation. As one of the few ancient cities in China to have kept its name for millennia, it has repeatedly confirmed its status as an important centre. Below are the key stages that defined its modern appearance.

• Ancient Centre of Innovation (4th Century BC — Song Dynasty). Since its founding as the capital of the Kingdom of Shu, Chengdu has been a hub of advanced ideas. The creation of the Dujiangyan irrigation system in 256 BC turned the region into China's breadbasket. During the Tang Dynasty, the city became famous as the "City of Brocade" due to silk production, and under the Song Dynasty, the world's first paper money was printed here, securing its economic leadership.
• Restoration and Capital Status (17th–20th Centuries). After declining at the end of the Ming Dynasty, the city began to revive from the mid-17th century and became the administrative centre of Sichuan Province. In 1928, Chengdu officially received city status, and after 1949, its path to modern industrialisation began within the PRC.
• Industrial and Transport Hub (Late 20th Century). In the final decades of the 20th century, Chengdu transformed into a major industrial centre. Aerospace, automotive, and electronic industries developed actively here. The city became a key transport hub for Western China, linking the region with the rest of the country and the world.
• Technological Breakthrough (Early 21st Century). Since the early 2000s, Chengdu has focused on high technology. The High-Tech Industrial Development Zone was created, attracting global IT giants such as Intel, IBM, Microsoft, and Huawei. The city has become one of China's main centres for software development, artificial intelligence, and Big Data.
• Centre of the "New Economy" and Globalisation (Since 2017). In 2017, Chengdu was one of the first in China to present the concept of developing a "new economy", focusing on digital, creative, and green technologies. The city is actively integrating into global supply chains and is a vital link in the "Belt and Road" initiative, developing railway connections with Europe.
• Modern Urban Planning and Quality of Life. The city's development is accompanied by large-scale urban planning: a modern metro system was opened in 2010, and a developed network of ring roads has been created. Simultaneously, projects aimed at improving the quality of life are being implemented, making Chengdu one of the most comfortable metropolises in China.

The architectural appearance of Chengdu represents a unique blend of ancient traditions and futuristic ambition, reflecting its centuries-old history and rapid modern development. Urban planning here harmoniously combines cosy historical quarters with gleaming skyscrapers, creating a multifaceted and dynamic cityscape.

Traditional Architecture: Dynastic Heritage

The historical heart of Chengdu has preserved features of traditional Sichuan architecture, mostly dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. This style is characterised by wooden structures, sloping tiled roofs with curved eaves, inner courtyards, and intricate carving. Striking examples include:

• Kuanzhai Xiangzi (Wide and Narrow Alleys): This is a reconstructed district recreating the atmosphere of old Chengdu from the Qing Dynasty era. Here, one can see traditional houses with courtyards, which today have been converted into tea houses, restaurants, and souvenir shops.
• Jinli Ancient Street: Another restored ancient street, the architecture of which mimics the style of the Three Kingdoms era and the Qing Dynasty. It is known for its wooden buildings, red lanterns, and lively trade, just as it was 1,800 years ago.
• Wuhou Shrine: Dedicated to the heroes of the Three Kingdoms era, this temple complex, founded as early as 223, is a model of classical Chinese temple architecture. Most of the current structures date back to the 17th-18th centuries.

Modern Urban Planning: The Era of Modernism and Postmodernism

Since the late 20th century, Chengdu has experienced a true construction boom, turning into one of China's most modern metropolises. The urban landscape has been enriched with iconic objects in modernist, postmodernist, and high-tech styles.

• New Century Global Center: This gigantic structure of glass and metal is one of the largest buildings in the world by floor area. Its wavy forms symbolise an ocean wave, and inside lies an entire city of entertainment, including a water park with an artificial sun.
• Financial City and Tianfu District: The new Tianfu New Area is an ambitious "future city" project where futuristic office centres, skyscrapers, and cultural venues are being erected. Dominant structures such as the Chengdu International Finance Square (IFS) towers and the Greenland Center are located here, shaping the city's new business silhouette.
• West Pearl Tower: Standing 339 metres tall, this tower is an important element of the modern Chengdu panorama and one of the tallest structures of its type in China.

The city's development follows precise planning: an extensive metro network and several ring roads have been built, resembling the structure of many world capitals. This combination of thoughtful infrastructure, carefully preserved heritage, and bold modern architecture makes Chengdu one of the most interesting cities in Asia from an urban planning perspective.

Notable People Connected to Chengdu

Throughout its rich history, Chengdu has been a home and a source of inspiration for many outstanding rulers, strategists, poets, and artists. These figures left an indelible mark not only on the history of the city but also on all of Chinese culture.

• Cancong (semi-legendary ruler, approx. 20th-16th centuries BC) — The first known ruler of the ancient Kingdom of Shu. According to legends, he taught his people sericulture (silk farming). He is often depicted with characteristic protruding eyes, as seen on the famous masks from the Sanxingdui archaeological site.
• Li Bing (engineer, 3rd century BC) — A brilliant administrator and engineer of the Qin state. He is the creator of the Dujiangyan irrigation system, built around 256 BC, which turned the Sichuan Basin into the fertile breadbasket of China. This system functions to this day.
• Liu Bei (emperor, 161–223 AD) — The founder of the Kingdom of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era, who made Chengdu his capital in 221. His reign, immortalised in the classic novel "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", marks one of the most vibrant periods in the city's history.
• Zhuge Liang (strategist and chancellor, 181–234 AD) — An outstanding statesman and military strategist who served Liu Bei. He was the de facto ruler of the Kingdom of Shu Han and is considered a paragon of wisdom and loyalty in Chinese culture. The Wuhou Shrine in Chengdu is dedicated to his memory.
• Li Bai (poet, 701–762 AD) — One of the greatest poets of the Tang Dynasty and all of Chinese literature. Although he travelled extensively, Li Bai spent some time in Chengdu, praising the beauty of the local landscapes in his verses.
• Du Fu (poet, 712–770 AD) — Another great poet of the Tang Dynasty, known as the "poet-historian". Fleeing the An Lushan Rebellion, he lived in Chengdu for nearly four years, creating over 240 poems during this time. His modest thatched cottage has become a place of pilgrimage and has been turned into a memorial park museum.
• Ba Jin (writer, 1904–2005) — One of the most influential Chinese writers of the 20th century, born in Chengdu. His most famous novel, "Family", describes the disintegration of the traditional feudal order through the example of a Sichuan family's life in the early 20th century.
• Zheng Jie (tennis player, born 1983) — A famous Chinese professional tennis player from Chengdu. She became the first Chinese player to reach the semi-finals of a Grand Slam tournament in singles (Wimbledon, 2008) and won two Grand Slam titles in doubles.