Just after we left Chengdu Airport for the drive into the city, we passed this pagoda.
Judging by our very brief look at it, Chengdu (formerly spelled Chengtu), the capital of Sichuan province (formerly spelled Szechwan), is a big, rich, impressive city.
Just after we left Chengdu Airport for the drive into the city, we passed this pagoda.
Statue of Mao Zedong, in Tianfu Square. This is normally the big important square in the middle of town,
but when we saw it, it was a construction pit; they were building a subway station. Of the three statues of
Chairman Mao that I recall having seen in public places in China
(in Beijing in 2002, in Lijiang in 2005, and this), this was by far the most prominently displayed.
Next five photos: views of central Chengdu, from a window of the Sheraton Hotel.
Copyright © 2005, Edwin E. Moïse. Revised June 1y, 2005.