Located
in the upper reaches of the Changjiang (Yangtze) River in the southwest
part of China, it is bounded by Shaanxi,
Gansu,Qinghai,Yunnan,
Guizhou,
Xizang(Tibet) and Chongqing
Municipality, and has long been known as "a land of plenty"
or "Heaven on Earth" for its abundance of products. Area:
about 480000km2.
Sichuan has a varied topography.
Mountainous areas occupy its west, and Sichuan Basin and its peripheral
highlands predominate in the east. The relief of the eastern region
is in sharp contrast to that of the west.
The
eastern basin enjoys a subtrooic climate, warm and humid, with an
annual average temperature of 16-18°C, but the mountainous areas
in the west has a highland continental climate, with the annual
average temperature of 6-12 °C. The precipitation is lower in
the west than in the east.
Sichuan
has a long history and was once the place of the Ba and Shu States
during the Spring and Autumn period and the Warring States period,
therefore, possessing a great number of cultural relics and historic
sites. Besides, it also boasts many famous mountains and waters,
which form a beautiful and magnificent natural landscape. There
are national major famous scenic areas such as Mt. Emei Mt. Qingcheng-Dujiangyan,
Huanglong Temple-Jiuzhaigou, Ancient Plank Road in jianmen, Mt.
Gongga, Xiling Snowcapped mountain and the bamboo sea in south Sichuan,
etc. Moreover, the scenic areas of Huanglong Temple Jiuzhaigou,
and Mt. Emei-Giant Buddha of Leshan have been included in the World
Heritages. Other scenic spots such as Du Fu's Thatched Cottage,
etc, are also attractive sites.
Embroidery
in Chengdu, bamboo woven articles, pottery and porcelain, tea, traditional
Chinese medicine and famous wines are all well-received.