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Chengdu
 Chengdu
is usually included in a Tibetan tour because
it is an easier approach by flight from here.
In the past, traditional industries of gold, silver,
silk and lacquer ware have helped to make this
city the most important commercial center in Midwest
China. Being the capital of Sichuan Province now,
the significance of Chengdu is irreplaceable.
Du Fu, one of the greatest poets in
Chinese history, made his home here in the Tang
Dynasty. Du Fu Cao Tang, meaning Du Fu's straw
house that has been restored with modern materials,
is a Mecca for the Chinese intellectuals and scholars.
Old Wooden houses that once
dominated this city can still be found in the
outskirts although they are disappearing quickly.
However, a fascinating street life remains unchanged.
Everyday, vendors from all over the country would
fill up the market streets, dealing in everything
you could possibly imagine, from snakes and snails
to jewelry and scrubbing-brushes.
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