Experts pour praise on provincial capital’s rich historic and cultural assets
Chengdu’s unique culture and history, which blends both old and new, make it a great place to experience and visit, said British author and speaker John Howkins, who has worked to help China to develop its creative sector.
Howkins visited Chengdu to attend the 2018 World Cities Culture (Tianfu) Symposium from June 20 to 22. While he was in the Sichuan province capital he said that he could really feel the culture and charm of the city.
The global forum, held for the first time in Chengdu, attracted about 400 representatives of renowned creative culture institutes, artists and experts from 31 cities worldwide, to discuss cultural communication and cooperation among cities taking part in the Belt and Road Initiative.
“I have visited Chengdu several times, and every time, there is something different,” Howkins said, adding that the city is becoming more open and friendly and that’s why it is gaining popularity among the public.
Chengdu, whose history stretches back thousands of years to The Warring States Period (475-221 BC), is commonly referred to as the home of the Giant Panda and is famous for its rich, numbing and spicy cuisine, which includes hot pot and Kung Pao chicken.
Chengdu has a wealth of inner beauty, said Howkins, adding that the city’s lifestyle, culture, innovation and commercial development play an important role in China as well as in regional development and national initiatives such as the Belt and Road.
The British author was not the only expert to praise the city. Its spirit of inclusiveness, friendliness and openness also won positive feedback from other attendees.
“This is my first visit to Chengdu, and it has exceeded my expectations. It has the quick pace of a modern city but also a slow lifestyle,” said David Adam, founder of Global Cities, an organization devoted to the development of cities worldwide, based in the United Kingdom.
Cities want to tell their own stories and make themselves unique, said Adam, adding that Chengdu has combined historical and modern elements that have become distinctive assets.
According to Adam, more and more foreigners are choosing Chengdu as a place to live and work, and that shows it has a livable environment and open society.
He said he had read many investigations about cities, and Chengdu had ranked high up in many of the lists.
As the city’s global influence is expanding, Adam said he hoped to establish more cooperation with the city especially in regard to tourism.
John Newbigin, chairman of Creative England, said Chengdu is open and energetic. “Every time I come here, I find something new.”
Creative England is to provide financial support to small companies working in the field of creative culture in Chengdu, as well as build a cooperation platform between companies in the UK and those in the Sichuan province capital.
William Patrick Cotton, vice-mayor of the city of Bournemouth in the UK, said Chengdu is energetic, relaxing and fashionable. He added that he expects Bournemouth to cooperate with Chengdu in areas involved in the fashion industry.
Chen Keshi, director of the Chinese City Design Research Center of Peking University, said Chengdu has a suitable environment for the construction of a garden city.
“It’s born to be a giant park,” he said, adding that if looked at from above, Chengdu resembles a bonsai tree surrounded by snowy mountains, lakes and forests.
“The lifestyle in Chengdu is the most similar among all Chinese cities to that of Europe,” he said.
“It can become a city of art in western China by building art galleries, auction houses and art museums, as well as expanding in the areas of opera and music.”
It (Chengdu) has the quick pace of a modern city but also a slow lifestyle.” David Adam, founder of Global Cities, a UK-based consultancy firm about city development