An-e Hotel (Xuetao)

Antique Market

by eho

We stumbed into this market when we were looking for a threatre where we could catch a Sichuan opera. The threatre was closed but we found this market nearby. See Shopping Tips for details of the crafts we bought.

The artistry of Sichuan Opera

by aukahkay

Sichuan opera is one of China's oldest and most popular opera forms. Besides the traditional opera singing and stage acting, Sichuan opera is characterised by unique stunts - face changing, spitting fire, rolling lamps and stick puppetry. It is amazing how the opera masters changed their face mask in a split second, sometimes in rapid succession. The only indication that a mask change is about to take place is when the opera master raises his sleeve or flicks his head to one side.
Spitting fire is another stunt in Sichuan opera. Even the miniature stick puppets can spit fire! If you are seated in the front few rows of the theater, you can feel the surge of heat coming towards you.

Chengdu

by xiquinho

"Chengdu"

As the capital of Sichuan, Chengdu, a city with 2,000 years of history, is still one of the most dynamic and attractive metropolises in southwestern China. Besides being a major agricultural centre, Chengdu also has become the industrial, communications and transport hub of the area.

In this beautiful historical city, you will find plenty of ancient as well as modern sightseeing spots. In Du Fu Cottage, the home of one of China's greatest poets, poems, paintings and landscape designs from the Tang Dynasty are displayed. As Sichuan is the home of the Giant Panda, Chengdu Zoo provides full information on international efforts to protect this endangered species. Sichuan Provincial Museum houses more than 1,800 artifacts, which cover regional history from the Bronze Age. A magnificent Buddhist temple, Precious Light Monastery, was built in the second century A.D. and contains a large art collection. Other famous attractions include Sichuan Opera, Zhuge Liang Shrine, River View Pavilion, Dujiang Dam and Green City Park.

Sichuan cooking rivals Cantonese as the world's most popular regional Chinese cuisine. Though best known for its spicy dishes, Sichuan fare is in fact wide-ranging and sometimes delicate.

Known as "The Storehouse of Heaven". Chengdu is a shoppers' paradise. Exquisite embroidery, brocade, lacquer ware, bamboo, plaited straw goods, cutlery and pottery are all famous Sichuan products. Rich agricultural land and natural gas are two major natural resources of Sichuan, and Chengdu itself has long been known for its silk, bamboo products, herbal medicines and a highly developed heavy industry.