Chengdu, also known as Rongcheng and Jincheng, is capital of Sichuan Province. Among this famed historical and cultural city's historical sites are Marquis of Wu's Temple dedicated to Zhuge liang, prime minister of Shu of Three Kingdoms Period; Thatched Cottage, where the celebrated Tang poet, Dufu, lived during his stay in Chengdu; famous Buddhist sanctuaries, such as Baoguang, Zhaojue, Manjusri, and Daci temples; Qingyangong, the best preserved memorial temple for Lao Zi, father of Taoism; Tomb of Wang Jian; and Wangjiang Tower. The giant panda breeding centre of Chengdu is a must for panda-loving visitors. Chengdu's restaurants serving Sichuanese cuisine and refreshments, and teahouses hold forth the fascination of local mores. Sichuan brocade, embroidery and lacquer ware are famous souvenirs. With its trademark grimacing skills and uncanny sense of humour, Sichuan Opera is a major branch of the Chinese theatre.
Du Fu's Thatched Cottage
This residence of the great Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu (712 - 770) stands by Wanhua (Flower) Stream in the western outskirts of Chengdu. In 759, Du Fu was forced to leave his hometown and settle in Chengdu, where he built the thatched cottage. Of his many poems, which are still widely known among the Chinese people, over 240 were composed here.
To commemorate the great poet, an exhibition hall has been set up there, which displays many different editions and foreign translations of his works. Visitors here always find it interesting to wander among the bamboo groves and ponds in the peaceful compound around the cottage, retracing the footsteps of the great writer whose poems have withstood the test of over 1.400 years.