China Roads > Presentation of the Sichuan region

Presentation of the Sichuan region

Geography of Sichuan

Sichuan, or “the province of four rivers,” is located in central and southern China and covers 485,000 km2. The magnificent border provinces enhance its appeal and the possibilities for rich and varied tours. There are seven of these: Yunnan, Tibet, Qinghai, Gansu, Shaanxi, Chongqing, and Guizhou.

The province has a slope relief from west to east, forming the Sichuan depression. It is dominated by Mount Gongga, whose summit rises to 7,556 m. At an altitude of 300 to 700 m, the eastern basin is framed by a series of significant reliefs. It contains the main cities of the province, with Chengdu located at its center.

Climate in Sichuan

Located in the subtropical zone, Sichuan has an average annual temperature of 14 to 19 °C. However, due to the great differences in relief, the climate varies enormously between the high plateaus, the deep valleys bordering them, and the central plain. The former have constant sunshine all year round but where temperatures frequently fall below zero and snowfall is common from October to March.

The valleys and plains face the rainy season from May to September. Therefore, it is possible to find yourself blocked by poor road conditions or to have to take a detour during these periods of adverse weather conditions.

Population in Sichuan

The Sichuan region had a population of approximately 88 million in 2007. The majority of the population are Han, as in the rest of China. Other widely represented minorities are the Tibetans in the west and north, the Miao near Guizhou, the Yi in the south, and the Qiang in the ABA district northwest of Chengdu.

Culture in Sichuan

Sichuan culture is renowned in China, first and foremost its famous (very) spicy “Chuancai” cuisine. Don’t miss out on trying “Mala Dofu – spicy tofu” or “Huoguo – fire pot” during a visit to Chengdu.

Sichuan Opera and teahouse activities are also very enjoyable. Sitting on bamboo chairs, locals seem lost in their newspapers, endless discussions, and card or Mahjong games. The teahouse is truly a major part of social life.

History of Sichuan

According to Chinese history, it is accepted that the Shang kingdom (late 15th – late 11th centuries BC) and its successor, the Zhou kingdom (late 11th century – 256 BC), were the most civilized domains in the Chinese world. Recent discoveries have revealed a civilization in the Sichuan Basin that is more advanced than that of its neighbors to the northeast.

It is commonly referred to as the Shu civilization or the ancient Shu kingdom. It is believed to have flourished between the 3rd and 1st millennium BC. This term “Shu kingdom” would later be commonly used throughout history to refer to the kingdoms based in the Chengdu plain, despite the alternation between governments and invasions.

In the 4th century BC, King “Kaiming 9” of the ancient kingdom of Shu chose to establish the capital on the current site of Chengdu, giving it its definitive name which means “to become capital”.

During the Warring States period (475 to 221 BC), China was divided into seven principalities at war with each other. The State of Qin, led by the famous Emperor Qinshi Huangdi, who wanted to secure a strong rearguard position before embarking on a conquest of its neighbors, began by annexing the State of Shu. This appetite was fueled by the presence of a branch of the Silk Road, which transported tea and jade, among other things, from Burma and the southern provinces.

Governor Li Bing transformed the region’s fortunes in 250 BC. He began construction of the Dujiangyan Hydraulic Complex to use the waters of the Min River to irrigate the Chengdu Plain, transforming it into a veritable grain granary for the Qin. Since then, Sichuan has been one of the most fertile provinces in the country.

Around 200 BC, local crafts began to be known for their brocades and chiseled silver.

China was then plunged into an era marked by numerous wars and invasions following others that were relatively prosperous. We see the kingdom of Shu emerge briefly but not without glory during the period of the Three Kingdoms (220-265).

The Sichuan region then successively passed under Song, Tang, Yuan, and Manchu domination. Chengdu is considered the second most important city under the Song and Tang dynasties! The world’s first paper currency was even issued there around 960 under the Northern Song. During the Tang dynasty (618-907), the southern route of the Silk Road crossed the Sichuan Basin, continued to Yunnan, and crossed Burma before arriving in India!

More recently, Sichuan experienced the rule of local warlords during the unstable period of the Nationalist Revolution of 1912–1934. Then, after the Sino-Japanese War and the definitive establishment of communism, it acquired the status of a province with Chengdu as its capital.

A phenomenon that not all maps have yet transcribed, Sichuan only found its current borders when it was separated from the autonomous municipality of Chongqing in 1997. This was done in order to relieve the demographic burden of Sichuan (the most populated region in China).

The other main cause of this change in status is the management of the Three Gorges Dam, and in particular the displacement and rehousing of people living along the river.

The autonomous municipality had a population of 31,442,300 in 2005, including more than 3.4 million in Chongqing itself.

Periods of conquest and independence have passed, but the legacy of the powerful Shu kingdoms is still very visible today in Sichuan’s location, capital, and culture.