Pandas, hotpot and more in Chengdu(2)

Cute pandas at the panda breeding and research base in Chengdu. Zhu Xingxin / China Daily

Zhuge has become synonymous with intelligence and strategy in Chinese culture and visitors canget a better understanding of Chinese culture and values by visiting the shrine, said a museumofficial.

Chengdu citizens created the world's first paper currency - the Jiaozi in AD1023, in the westerncity's Jiangcong Temple, also known as the Thousands of Buddha's Temple.

The world's earliest natural gas was first discovered in the city too. During the Western HanDynasty (206BCAD24), Chengdu's citizens discovered natural gas and used it to make salt.During the Tang Dynasty (AD618-907) Chengdu people had some of the best paper printingtechnologies.

The world's first wooden calendar, which is preserved in the Museum of London, was made inChengdu during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (AD907-960).

Lacquerware relics from the Mawangdui Tombs of the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), in theeastern suburbs of Changsha, are believed to have been made in Chengdu.

The city is also known as the hometown of Shu embroidery and the birthplace of China'sembroidery culture.

Chinese people view tea drinking not just as a daily habit but as an interest and art.

Tea culture in China is believed to have started in Sichuan and several ancient Chinese poemsmake reference to drinking tea in Chengdu. Xinjin, an area in Chengdu was said to have theearliest trade of tea in the province.

Throughout history a number of Chinese great poets have lived in Chengdu, including Li Bai, DuFu, Cen Sen, Wei Zhuang, Lu You and Fan Chengda.

Shu state is an ancient region around Chengdu and an old saying goes - "All poets under heavenhave come to Shu land."

Relaxed lifestyle

The Fortune Global Forum was held in Chengdu last year, partly due to the city's fast economic growth and ample development potential.

During the event foreign economists and entrepreneurs noted that Chengdu had managed to maintain a balance between fast growth and a relaxed life and attitude, unlike many cities that develop quickly.

Sichuan is known for its relaxed lifestyle and happy people and the area's Taoism culture could be part of the reason why locals lead relaxed lives.

To explore this further many people visit Qingcheng Mountain, which has long been recognized as the birthplace of Taoism.

The area was awarded World Cultural Heritage status by the UNESCO.