Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, covers an area of 12,400sq.km.and has a population of 9.6 million. In the western Sichuan Basin, it is a center of science and technology, commerce and trade, and a transportation hub and telecommunications certer in southwstern China.

Chengdu has many places of interest, and is famous for its traditional arts and crafts, ethnic folklore, and beautiful landscapes.

Chengdu enjoys an advantageous geographical location. TheShuangliu International Airport is one of the six largest airports in Chian; the Chengdu Railway Station is the largest transportation cen ter in southwestern China and is the meeting point of the Baojilines. It has easy acess to the Three Gorges on the Yangtze Tiver; to Tibet Jiuzhaigou,and Huanglong Temple; to the Terra-cotta Warrriors of Xi'an; and to Mt. Emei and the Giant Buddha of Leshan.