Sichuan, in China's western hinterland, covers most of the Sichuan Basin. Surrounded by mountains, it is situated at between 26.03 and 34.20 degrees north latitude and 97.22 and 110.10 degrees east longitude with an area of 567,000 square kilometers, accounting for 5.1% of China's total area. Sichuan is high in the west and low in the east in terms of topography. Generally speaking, the western part is plateaus and mountainous regions some 4,000 meters above sea level, while the eastern part features basin and hilly land with an elevation between 1,000 and 3,000 meters.

Sichuan Area & Tourist Map

Sichuan covers a vast area of 485,000 sq km, accounting for 5.1% of China's total area.

Sichuan Population & Tourist Map

At the end of the year 2005, the total population stood at 87.246 million.

Sichuan Geography

Generally speaking, the west are plateaus and mountainous regions some 4,000 meters above the sea level while the east are the basin and hilly land with an elevation between 1,000 and 3,000 meters. The Sichuan Basin, covering an area of 165,000 square kilometers, is one of the four largest basins in China. The elevation within the basin is between 200 and 750 meters, sloping down from north to south.

Sichuan Climate

The climate in Sichuan is vastly different between its eastern and western parts. The Sichuan Basin has a humid sub-tropical monsoonal climate, with mild winters, hot summers, long frost-free period, plentiful rainfall and mist, high humidity, and less sunshine. Its average temperature in July, the hottest month, is 25 to 29 degrees Celsius; in January, the coldest month, 3 to 8 degrees Celsius. The Western Sichuan Plateau with its plateau climate has lower temperature and less rainfall than the Sichuan Basin, both of which differ again in the southern and northern sections of the plateau.

Sichuan Food

Sichuan Cuisine is one of the Eight Great Cuisines in China and is famous all over the world for its richness and variety. Characterized by spicy and pungent flavors, Sichuan Cuisine, with a myriad of tastes, emphasizes the use of chili, red hot peppers and garlic. Sichuan food is known for being 'spicy' hot! It's said that one who doesn't experience Sichuan food has never reached Sichuan. Typical menu items are: Hot Pot, Smoked Duck, Kung Pao Chicken, Twice Cooked Pork and Mapo Dofu.

Sichuan Culture

Chuanju (Sichuan Opera), Xieju (comic opera)

What to see & Sichuan Attractions

Emeishan is one of the four most sacred Buddhist Mountains in China. Qingcheng Mountain is located just southwest of Dujiangyan. Mt. Qingcheng is also known as Green City Mountain because the towering peaks covered with a dense forest of ancient trees are thought to resemble city battlements. Jiuzhaigou is a deep valley of stunning natural beauty, approximately 620 square kilometers (240 square miles) and is located in north Sichuan. Huang Long Valley has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. The Dujiangyan Irrigation Project was completed around 250 BC during the Warring States Period. Leshan Giant Buddha is an enormous statue carved into the side of Lingyun Mountain.

Sichuan Specialty

Embroidery in Chengdu, bamboo woven articles, pottery and porcelain, tea, traditional Chinese medicine and famous wines are all well-received.

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