Chengdu [ a ] is the capital city of the Chinese province of Sichuan. With a population of 20,, at the census , [ 6 ] it is the fourth most populous city in China , and it is the only city with a population of over 20 million apart from direct-administered municipalities.
It is traditionally the hub of Western China. Chengdu is in central Sichuan. Its prehistoric settlers included the Sanxingdui culture. The site of Dujiangyan , an ancient irrigation system, is designated as a World Heritage Site. Founded by the Kingdom of Shu in 4th century BC, Chengdu is unique as the only major Chinese settlement that has maintained its name unchanged throughout the imperial , republican , and communist eras for more than two thousand years.
After the war, Chengdu was briefly the capital of the Nationalist republican government until it withdrew to Taipei on the island of Taiwan. Chengdu is now one of the most important economic, financial, commercial, cultural, transportation, research and communication centers in China.
Its economy is diverse, characterized by the machinery , automobile , medicine, food, and information technology industries. Chengdu is a leading financial hub, ranking 35th globally the Global Financial Centres Index. Chengdu will also host the World Games. It is considered one of the best cities in China to live. Chengdu is one of the world's top 25 cities by scientific research output.
The name Chengdu is attested in sources dating back to the Warring States period. It has been called the only major city in China to have remained at an unchanged location with an unchanged name throughout the imperial , republican , and communist eras.
