Chine : que cachent les montagnes sacrées du Sichuan ? – Documentaire Voyage – AMP

Et si la vraie Chine se révélait dans les brumes du Sichuan ? ✋Les plus belles destinations, c’est ici 👉 https://bit.ly/2Vlfz9o 👈 Abonnez vous ! 🙏

00:00 – Introduction : aux portes du Sichuan
03:25 – Les origines de la culture du bronze
10:15 – Chengdu, capitale des poètes et des fleurs
18:40 – Chongqing, la mégapole montagneuse
27:55 – Villages et traditions du Sichuan rural
36:30 – Les montagnes sacrées et les rivières turquoise
44:10 – À la rencontre des pandas géants
50:00 – Le Sichuan moderne et spirituel
51:30 – Conclusion : entre ciel et terre

L’histoire du Sichuan débute avec la culture du bronze qui donnera naissance à d’imposantes statues géantes et des masques de culte.

Deux grandes villes dominent le Sichuan. Chengdu est la capitale historique qui voue un amour inégalé aux fleurs et aux poètes et abrite de nombreuses maisons de thé. Chongqing, surnommée la ville-montagne, est aujourd’hui la plus grande municipalité au monde avec plus de 30 millions d’habitants sur 82.000 km2.

Montagnes sacrées. Rivières turquoise. Villes ultra-modernes. Villages traditionnels. Pandas. Gnous. Ce film nous emmène à la découverte de l’une des provinces les plus merveilleuses de Chine.

À Découvrir sur Voyage du Bout du Monde
Chine, le fleuve des métamorphoses : voyage au fil des mégalopoles et traditions https://youtu.be/HEnnfNtIw_o
Thaïlande, du Nord au Sud : 2000 km de beautés et de traditions https://youtu.be/v_YItCg_ybs
Cambodge : Comment un pays dévasté est-il devenu un symbole de renaissance ? https://youtu.be/9jUAdVjgm5M

“CHINE – MERVEILLES ET SPLENDEURS DU SICHUAN”
Un film de François Calderon
Droits réservés

#Chine #Sichuan #DocumentaireVoyage #VoyagesDuBoutDuMonde #CultureChinoise #Chengdu #Chongqing #Pandas #Exploration #Découverte

Sichuan, a vast expanse of
steep mountains and fertile plains, high plateaus
and deep valleys. Here,
the Yi, Qiang and Tibetan ethnic groups have managed to perpetuate their
traditions and dialects. Sichuan, however, is resolutely
forward-looking, and its sprawling cities are among the most
modern in the world. A land of flavours, it holds many
gastronomic treasures and its spices are renowned throughout the world. This vast territory is home to
a multitude of animal species in its forests, including the giant panda,
a true emblem of China. A crossroads of populations, Sichuan is
multifaceted and constantly renewing itself. Sichuan is one of the 34 provinces
of the People’s Republic of China. Its capital is K’indu. Administratively separated since 1997,
this region is often associated with that of Cheung-Ting, located
on its eastern border. Sichuan is divided
into two main parts. To the east, a large fertile basin of
260,000 km², making it one of the four largest agricultural regions in the country. To the northwest, the Min Mountains range,
which shelters the Tiotayco valley. Sichuan has 50
national nature reserves. The forces of nature have
sculpted a very diverse landscape there. High plateaus, majestic mountains,
verdant valleys and hills. Its richness and diversity have
earned Sichuan the name ” land of plenty”. The Tcho-Chai-Ko valley in the North
is best known for the beauty of its waterfalls and lakes. A Tibetan legend tells of
a god who once offered a mirror to the goddess he loved. She dropped the mirror, which
shattered into 118 pieces that immediately formed enchanting lakes. The Chio-Chaïku valley is
a magical place like no other. It owes its name to the nine villages
of the tins that are scattered there. Until the 1960s, the valley
was known only to its inhabitants. Access was only possible via a few rare
mountain trails. Today,
new roads make it easier to travel through the valley. The formation of the landscape of the
Tchochaikou valley dates back to the glacial period, 2.6 million years ago. Groundwater is rich in
calcium carbonate, a form of limestone that can be
seen at the bottom and edges of lakes. About fifty kilometers
to the south, the Wonglong valley is also very well known. These incredible turquoise pools of water
seem to be suspended at an altitude of over 3,000 meters. The Guanglong region is home to many
peaks covered in eternal snow. These highly varied forest ecosystems
and impressive waterfalls create a picture-postcard landscape. Covering an area of ​​nearly 60,000
hectares, this site is a curiosity, both geologically and physically. Besides these forests and the great diversity
of fauna, it is the waterfalls, terraces, lakes,
cascades and limestone outcrops that catch the eye. The climate of Sichuan is influenced
by the altitude of its different regions. The high plateaus experience a long
winter and a cool, but very sunny summer. Temperatures drop
sharply at night. The Plains region, further east,
is much warmer, but also cloudier and foggier. The land there is rich and fertile. The great and majestic
Yangsi Qiang River, more commonly known as the Yangzi, flows through Sichuan. The Yangzi, the third longest river in the world after
the Amazon and the Nile, has more than 700 influential tributaries. From its source to the
East China Sea, it travels 6,380 kilometers and waters, among other places,
the largest city in the region, Cheung-Ting. Sichuan is estimated to have nearly
100 million inhabitants. With an area equivalent to Spain,
it is two and a half times more populated. Unsurprisingly, the highest population densities are
found in these two sprawling cities:
Tsengdu and Tsangding. They have a total population of 48 million. A city of contrasts,
they harmoniously blend the traditions of
ancient China with the strengths of modern China. With a firm focus on the future,
these cities continue to develop at a breakneck pace. For two decades,
the city has been a giant, permanent construction site. Gratiel and elevated metro lines
emerge from the ground at an impressive pace. Today, the monorail train provides most of the transport for those who live, visit
and pass through Cheung-Thing. The city has a total of 154 stations
for 264 kilometers of lines. It is the largest monorail metro system
in the world and a minimum for a city of 34 million inhabitants. Each train is driven
by drivers from CRT, the organization that manages the entire network. The changing of drivers is
subject to a very precise protocol. Thank you for your work. The gates on the platform
are all closed. No person or object
is trapped in the doors. The monitor is working normally. The door light is working.
5 seconds. The trains carve out a path through
the entire city, even if it means passing through some buildings. On line Two, for example,
the Liziba station is located on the 8th floor of a building. The monorail enters from one side
of the building and exits from the other. Liziba station, ready to stop. All of these lines are managed from
an impressive control center that rivals those
of the world’s largest capitals. The first metro line, line
2, was inaugurated on June 18, 2005. It is our first monorail line. The control center has been in operation
since July 2011, at the same time as Tsun Jing Line 1. We have a maximum of 2.619
million travelers per day. And on average, we transport 2
million passengers every day. In Tsong Jing, the roads are
built on several levels. If a road passes beneath your feet,
you only need to raise your head to see another one above,
then two more in the middle. These interchanges are called flyovers. In theory, they are used
to avoid traffic jams. The city is built high up
on steep terrain, hence its nickname ” mountain city”. If you see a bus driving at
the 12th floor of a building, you are probably in Janting. The city centre is crossed by the Yonse river. Until recently, cable cars
connected the two banks. Ideally suited to
the city’s rugged terrain, it was the main means of transport for the inhabitants. In the 1990s,
a single cable car could transport more than 12,000 passengers per day. Since the construction of several bridges,
cable cars have been converted into tourist attractions. You can travel a distance of 1,100
meters in a few minutes and admire an exceptional panoramic view
of Cheung de Dingue. The city teems with life at all
levels, both above and below ground. When the heat overwhelms the city,
its inhabitants use the old aerial shelters to
cool off and rest. During the Sino-Japanese War, which began in 1931, the Japanese Army reportedly carried out nearly 5,000 air raids and dropped 11,500
bombs on the city in just six months. The reason is the Chinese government’s retreat
to Yongching. The city was therefore heavily bombed
in order to neutralize any resistance. These bombings caused the deaths of
tens of thousands of civilians. The
total area of ​​air-raid shelters built to protect the population
is over one million square meters. Today, around forty of these
shelters are open to the public. People go there to drink tea,
read newspapers, play Majang or even do sports. Further west, two hours away by
high-speed train, lies Tsengdu, the other major city in Sichuan. Slightly less well-known than the
regional capital, it had 14 million inhabitants. Its architectural diversity blends all
sorts of gigantic constructions. In the midst of a population boom,
the city is dizzying in its size, its giant avenues, its intersections. Tsangdu and its suburbs cover
an area of ​​14,000 square kilometers, slightly larger
than the Île-de-France region. The Taekouli district was
inaugurated in October 2014. It is a successful example of the
perfect integration of a shopping center in the middle of a group of old buildings. It
consists of several small buildings, a three-story temple with
traditional Chinese roofs, and connected by walkways. Stores of major
international brands have found their place around the famous Aiqi temple,
built between the 3rd and 4th centuries. Still in Tsédu, all eyes of the planet are turning towards an emblematic animal.
The panda. This Chinese national treasure lives in
freedom only in the province of Sichuan. Renowned as the country of origin
of giant pandas, the region is home to 85% of the planet’s specimens. The giant panda weighs between 80 and 125 kilos. As with most large
mammals, females are smaller and less massive. Pandas only mate for a few
days a year, which makes their reproduction difficult. Furthermore, the female only gives
birth to one or two offspring. The hot season is in the spring,
generally between March and May. After winter, the temperature
gradually rises. And the period of hot weather depends on how
quickly temperatures rise. In our department,
we monitor to ensure that mating takes place at the best time. Pregnancy lasts between 80 and 200 days. The duration of pregnancy
depends on the mother. The Kendo Research Centre started with six pandas in 1987. 30 years later, more
than 200 young pandas have been born there. Here, researchers focus
their attention on newborns. But at around one year old, it sometimes happens
that the mother no longer has enough milk. When the baby is very young,
it only drinks its mother’s milk. We then feed the baby
powdered milk. When the babies leave their mother,
they live with pandas and feed on bamboo. The panda has six fingers, including a false
thumb that is opposable to the other five. This allows it to catch the
bamboo stalks that make up the bulk of its diet. Every morning, it’s the same routine. Two trucks arrive to deliver
the bamboo harvested from the mountain to the center. Indeed, the panda feeds almost
exclusively on bamboo, which usually grows at high altitudes. So, every day
the bamboo has to be collected and transported to the center. An adult giant panda consumes
approximately 30 kilos of bamboo daily. Reintroducing the panda into the wild
is a difficult undertaking. The first attempts
were failures. The pandas were
unable to survive on their own. Now, a whole methodology
for reintroduction has been developed. The pandas are gradually being
kept at a distance from humans. They live in
increasingly large enclosures where they are fed less and less by humans. This technique is yielding
good results today. The majority of pandas released into the wild
survive on their own in their natural environment. The Middle Kingdom is
now home to 1,864 individuals. It occupies more than 2.5 million hectares
with a population increase of 12% in 10 years. According to ecologists,
efforts to protect so- called flagship species, such as the giant panda,
also benefit other animals like the red panda. Biological diversity
is thus preserved. The vast deciduous forests
on the slopes of Mount Emy are the territory of
another species of mammal. The macaques of Tibet. They live in groups of about
twenty individuals on average. The Tibetan macaque is
primarily vegetarian. Fruits, leaves,
seeds and especially bamboo shoots make up the bulk
of its diet. Primarily terrestrial,
this monkey is perfectly adapted to life in its forests. A completely different animal has made
China famous throughout the world : the silkworm. The silkworm is the caterpillar of a
moth, called the mulberry silkworm,
which lays about 500 eggs during its short life of four to five days. The making of silk is one
of the most closely guarded secrets in history. In Sichuan, mulberry plantations
cover more than 127,000 hectares. The mulberry leaf serves as
the main food source for the silkworm. It will
reach the size necessary to form a cocoon after about twenty days. The worms
then transform into chrysalises. Three steps are required
to recover the precious silk thread. The decoking process, which occurs 8 to 10
days after the cocoon is formed. It consists of removing the cocoons
from their support and sorting them. Then comes suffocation. The cocoons are suffocated in ovens
at 80 degrees, then soaked in boiling water so that the natural glue
that protects their fibers softens. Finally, spinning allows us to recover
the end of the single thread that makes up each cocoon and to wind it
onto reels. In 2016, Sichuan’s silk production reached 33,300 tonnes. It represents 21 percent
of China’s total silk production. This makes the province the second
largest silk producer in the country. That same year,
the value of production in the silk sector in Sichuan
reached 4.5 billion euros. The annual export value
is estimated at 171 million euros. Sichuan is also renowned
for its aerospace industry. Tsengdu is one of the four largest
military and civil aviation research centers in China. Avik,
Tsengfei Commercial Aircraft & Co., is one of the leading
aircraft manufacturers. In particular, she designed the nose
of the C-919, a 39-meter medium-haul aircraft. This is the largest passenger plane
ever built for China. With a capacity of 168 passengers and a
range of 55 kilometers, it made its first test flight
at Shanghai International Airport in This company has also been manufacturing
the rear door of the Airbus A320 since 1996. This factory in Jane Doe also manufactures
fins and spoilers for Boeing Airbus. Rapid economic development has unfortunate consequences
for the environment. Tsengdu, like many
Chinese cities, is currently experiencing significant problems with
persistent pollution and smog. To address these consequences
of development, a new policy has been implemented. It involves integrating more and more
vegetation into buildings and designing new,
more environmentally friendly means of transport. Since 2016,
cycling has experienced a real boom. Juan Cichat Park is a haven of peace
where locals gather to stroll. They live alongside the many animals that
have made it their home, such as the Garzette sandstones. The contrast is striking between the
bustling streets of this megalopolis and the peaceful atmosphere of these parks,
temples and salons. Tsandou is said to be
a leisure city. Here, people spend the afternoon drinking tea,
playing Mahjong, reading the newspaper or watching
open-air shows. To play Mahjong,
you need four players and a tile. This board game combines tactics,
strategy, calculation and psychology. You also need a bit of luck. It is a
very popular gambling game in Sichuan. Majong’s house is a place where you
enjoy life, build relationships, and do business. The parks of Tsangdu hold other
surprises, sometimes picturesque, such as ear washing. Using a very old technique,
these experts, armed with improbable tools, rid the ears
of all impurities. Every day at nightfall, the
city’s streets, parks and squares come alive with a strange ballet. The elderly leave
their apartments to dance. While traditional folk music
remains as popular as ever, pop music is not to be outdone. The dance in the square was
certainly popular among the lords. They find it a way to
exercise and stay in shape. Younger people are
also welcome. Generally, a group of participants
places themselves under the guidance of a leader. The idea is to keep up with the pace
and adapt, as best you can, your step to that of the… Like all major cities, Tsang King and Jandoo have
a dynamic nightlife. Numerous bars and nightclubs
attract night owls from sunset onwards. For one evening,
you can also admire the artists of the famous Sichuan opera,
known throughout the world. Costumes and makeup are prepared with
the utmost care before going on stage. THANKS.
You went and read it. You went and read it. Okay.
We’ll do both for him. Yes, okay. Zouhla, go! You’re giving me Sichuan Opera, which mixes comic scenes and acrobatics. It’s a complete spectacle
that delights young and old alike. The origin of Sichuan opera dates back more than 400 years, to the time of the King Dynasty, 1736-1795. It developed from various
forms of popular theatre that already existed in the region. It primarily depicts the rivalry
and wars of civilization of the three kingdoms of China,
nearly 1800 years ago. Sichuan is a land of
very diverse and dynamic traditions and culture. Here, each ethnic group defends
its language and heritage. Although the Rans constitute the
majority people, three minority ethnic groups are also well
represented in the province: the Yis, the Chiangs and the Tibetans. Each of these ethnic groups has its own specific
culture, folklore, and crafts. The Yis are the most represented ethnic group
in the region, just after the Haans. There are approximately 8.7 million of them, including
1.8 million in Sichuan province. They form the seventh largest
ethnic group out of the 56 officially identified
by the People’s Republic of China. In Yunnan province,
the Yi people celebrate the Torch Festival , the most important festival of the year. A legend lies behind
this event. She recounts that after her defeat
in a fight against a human being, a god sent locusts
to earth as retaliation. To drive away these insects,
the Yi lit torches. Three days later, all the crickets
had disappeared, drawn on. During these three days of celebration,
the Yis wear their finest ceremonial clothes, such as these traditional headdresses and
ornaments made of highly valuable silver. The festival is also a prime opportunity for
young men and women
looking for a partner to meet. This annual tradition is a way
for the Yi people to preserve their culture in the face of rapid changes in the Chinese countryside. The Yis speak a Lolo-Burmese language
which has many subgroups. If you have a number,
you can call me back. THANKS. The ceremony includes many
activities such as bullfights, beauty contests
and horse races. When evening came, the torches were lit. The commemoration of the day of victory
against this god who unleashed locusts upon the earth can then begin. The symbol of fire as exterminator
and savior is expressed in all its power through the dances. Although these ancestral rites are still very
present, the most represented religion remains
Buddhism, introduced into China in the 1st century AD. This religion, which originated in India,
has been reinterpreted over the centuries to become Chinese Buddhism. Near Tsun Jing, the Dassault site,
where the sculptures were carved directly into the cliff face, is one of the most
spectacular examples. These rock carvings
date from around the year 650. Nearly 50,000 statues are scattered
across 75 protected sites. They are a testimony to the lives
of the powerful, but also of the common people. The most impressive of these statues is
undoubtedly the Vallôquitesvara with 1000 arms, which actually has 1007. The mountains are sacred to the Sichuanese, and several
of them are the object of worship. Mount Eemei is one of those
sacred mountains of Buddhism. It is a major pilgrimage site. Nearly 3.3 million people
visit it each year. It
is located in the Changlai mountain range, on the western edge
of the Sichuan basin. From its height of 3,099 meters,
one can admire a majestic panorama. Most often shrouded
in fog, Mount Eumei sometimes experiences an amazing
refraction phenomenon in these clouds, called: Buddha’s light. Over the centuries,
many pilgrims threw themselves into the void, believing
that Buddha was calling them to him. The Great Buddha of Lechan sits enthroned
on the cliff of Mount Linguine, literally the mountain
that rises into the clouds. Built between 713 and 803, this site was inscribed on the
UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996. At 711 meters high and 28 meters
wide, it is the largest stone Buddha in the world. Its head is 14.7 meters long and each
ear is about 7 meters long. Inside, a rainwater drainage system
has helped to limit its natural erosion. Nevertheless, the great Buddha has continued
to be restored over the centuries. Today, it is placed under constant surveillance by the authorities in order to
regularly measure its degradation linked to pollution and tourist activity. Legend has it that it owes its
existence to a Buddhist monk, Met Haitong,
who protected sailors who used the perilous confluence of the three rivers. The large quantity of stones
extracted from the cliff, which were then deposited at the bottom
of the river, would likely have drastically reduced the eddies,
thus making navigation possible. Sichuan has a
rich and eventful history. Many civilizations have
succeeded one another on the banks of the tumultuous Min River. The oldest one is probably
that of San Huan Doui. These Neolithic bronzes
still hold a great deal of mystery today. In 1980, in a field an hour
from Tsangdu, a large number of gigantic bronze masks
and statuettes were unearthed. These objects bear witness to a
developed, refined civilization rich in technical and artistic know-how. This is one of the oldest periods
of Sichuan, which is then revealed to our contemporaries
with its rites, traditions and art. The San Chouindoui masks
date back to the Bronze Age. This civilization, known as Chou,
appears to have lasted for nearly 2000 years. She disappeared for
reasons that are still unknown. To date, nearly 10,000 objects made of gold,
jade, bronze, bone or ivory have been found. The restorers in the region have become
masters in the techniques of restoring these antique objects. The vase that Guo is working on dates
from the Zu dynasty, between 1046 and 771 BC. J.
C. The bronze objects at Sanquine Lui were all used for sacrificial rites. They were broken and thrown
into the sacrificial pit. The restoration work aims
to reshape the objects, to artistically complete the
missing parts and to restore the original form through casting. My team’s
bronze restoration techniques are all traditional, such as sculpting, casting, molding, painting and engraving. Knowledge of fine arts is needed
to restore the surface in order to present a complete object. The disappearance of the cabbage civilization remains a mystery. Perhaps she was a
victim of a flood? The region was indeed frequently flooded
by the waters of the capricious Min River. Emergency
water regulation has been a major issue. In 256 BC,
Governor Li Bing and his son undertook this titanic task. Using reeds and pebbles connected
together, they created the Doujiangduang irrigation system. In the name of Doujiang Yang. Dou comes from Tseng Dou, Yang from the
Yang furment, and Yang means dam in Chinese. The irrigation system in
front of us has a history of 2,270 years. Its function is to divert the waters
of the mine river, to prevent the accumulation
of silt and flooding. During the Warring States period,
conflicts between Kine and other kingdoms escalated. This requires a
regular food supply. But at the time, periods of flooding
and drought followed one another. So, in order to develop agriculture,
Libing was sent to construct hydraulic works. The ibin there, the desert of a new
star, the desert of a new star. The irrigation system represents
a true feat of hydraulic engineering,
at a time when none of the modern means of earthmoving were available. A temple was even erected
in homage to Li Ping and his son. Today, the Douquanguan irrigates
668,700 hectares of arable land. After the construction of the
irrigation system, agriculture in the region developed and the Zhandu Plain
quickly became one of China’s breadbaskets. Rice cultivation is
ubiquitous in Sichuan. Rice paddies cover 20,000 km², or
30% of the province’s arable land. Rice remains the staple food
of the Sichuanese, who consume it at every meal. The region also produces
significant quantities of green tea. These are
the earliest tea harvests in China. The first teas to appear on the markets
in spring are generally from Sichuan. The leaves are dried and prepared
on site to give birth to a most refined tea,
Imperial Tshu Yekyang, known and appreciated by all
lovers of this beverage. Sichuan specializes in delicate agricultural products that appeal to
top chefs worldwide. Cheung Yun Fu, who runs the kitchen at
the Song Yuz restaurant in Tseng Du, takes advantage of his visit to
Hanwan County to purchase a few kilos of Sichuan pepper. It is one of the oldest
Chinese spices and a star ingredient in the region’s cuisine. I come here for the Shishuaid cuisine. Do you want to buy some? The color is pretty and very vibrant. It is characterized by the use
of two spices, pepper and chili. If these two spices have good qualities,
the dishes will be delicious. Look at its color, it’s very beautiful.
It’s very good. Can I have a taste? Taste and chew thoroughly. The taste is strong, it’s very good. That’s powerful. Sichuan pepper has a unique flavor. It produces a sensation of irritation
similar to chili peppers and has a lemony aftertaste. It can also have a
mild anesthetic effect. This bay served as tribute to the
imperial family under the Tang dynasty, more than 1,200 years ago. The red pepper harvest generally takes place
between the end of July and mid-October. It can only be done by hand. Once harvested, it is dried in the sun. There is another specialty
that represents Sichuan all by itself. It is exported throughout the rest
of China, the red chili pepper. Chief Cheung visits
a chili pepper farm in Shenzhen County
to select his chili peppers. The choice of its precious vegetables
is essential for the creation of a refined and demanding cuisine. He selected Madame Liu’s Farm
for its professionalism and expertise in the cultivation of Sichuan chilies. Not too much. The fermentation of the peppers is obtained
according to a very old recipe which is carried out in different stages. First,
wash and crush the red chilies. Second step,
add a large amount of salt. Third step,
mix fermented beans with water and salt, then dry. Fourth step, after a
20-day fermentation, mix all the ingredients, then put them in a jar. Finally, stir the sauce every day
and wait at least a year to get the best taste. This preparation will serve as the basis
for the famous Sichuan sauce, which will be incorporated into
many dishes and specialties. One of the best-known traditional dishes
here is Sichuan hot pot. A fragrant, boiling oil cooked
from chili sauce. The
people of Sichuan love hot pot because you can eat all
kinds of food with it. Hundreds of foods,
hundreds of flavors, and you can eat them all together in one pot. That’s why Sichuanese people
love hot pot. In addition, the climate is hot and humid, and the chilies used
remove moisture from the body. That’s another reason. In fondue, offal is the
main component of the meal. For example, beef stomachs,
rabbit kidneys, and pig brains. Their
bloody taste is too strong to reduce during ordinary Chinese cooking. Whereas in fondue,
the strength and aroma of the chilies neutralize the taste of blood. They
allow guests to boil all kinds of vegetables and meat
in this spicy broth. A popular festive dish
throughout China. Sichuan cuisine is based
on the wide variety of vegetables produced in the Ts’en-Duh plain. The reputation of
Sichuan cuisine is well established. It is extremely varied and has
many facets. In chef Cheung Yung Fu’s restaurant,
the brigade prepares the finest traditional dishes for a meeting
of important local dignitaries. The dishes are served
on a rotating glass table. Thus, everyone helps themselves
to the many dishes on offer, serving themselves the same dish. The history of Sichuan is fully intertwined with that of China. It is a land of beauty
and contrasts, but also a rich mosaic
of peoples and cultures. It has shaped the character of its
inhabitants and their way of life. As Sichuan moves ever
faster towards the future and modernity, it strives to preserve this
exceptional heritage unique in the world.