Chengdu is hailed as the “Land of Abundance” mainly due to its unique natural conditions, long-standing historical and cultural heritage, and important economic status.
I. Does the “Land of Abundance” Refer to Sichuan or Chengdu?
Initially, the title “Land of Abundance” referred to the entire Sichuan Basin and its surrounding areas, but later it gradually came to specifically denote the Chengdu Plain (with Chengdu and its vicinity as the core).
Historically, after the completion of the Dujiangyan Irrigation System during the Warring States Period, the Sichuan Basin, boasting superior natural conditions and advanced agriculture, became a prosperous and self-sufficient region, known as the “Land of Abundance” in documents such as “Strategies of the Warring States”. As the core city and the center of agriculture, economy, and culture in the Sichuan Basin, Chengdu is the main bearer of this title.
Today, when people mention the “Land of Abundance”, it may either generally refer to the prosperity of Sichuan or specifically point to the Chengdu Plain (especially Chengdu), a result of historical evolution and its core regional status.
II. Why is Chengdu Called the “Land of Abundance”?
- Superior Natural ConditionsChengdu is located on the Chengdu Plain in the western part of the Sichuan Basin, formed by the alluviation of rivers such as the Minjiang and Tuojiang. It has fertile soil and abundant water resources, making it suitable for farming.
During the Warring States Period (around 256 BCE), Li Bing and his son constructed the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, which completely resolved the problems of floods and droughts, turning the Chengdu Plain into a prosperous land “where water and drought are controlled by humans, and hunger is unknown”. This project still plays an important role today.
Surrounded by the Qinling Mountains to the north, Longmen Mountains to the west, and Longquan Mountains to the southeast, the Chengdu Plain’s terrain blocks the invasion of cold air from the north and intercepts warm and humid air currents from the Pacific Ocean, forming a subtropical humid monsoon climate with synchronized rainfall and heat. It is suitable for the growth of crops such as rice and rapeseed, resulting in extremely rich products.
- Historical and Cultural AccumulationOriginally, “Tianfu” (Land of Abundance) referred to an official position in charge of supplies during the Zhou Dynasty, and later extended to regions with superior natural conditions and abundant products. In the Western Han Dynasty, Sima Qian called the Guanzhong Plain the “Land of Abundance” in “Records of the Grand Historian”, but by the Three Kingdoms Period, Zhuge Liang clearly referred to Yizhou (present-day Sichuan area) as the “Land of Abundance” in “Longzhong Plan”, establishing Chengdu’s reputation as the “Land of Abundance”.
Since the Qin and Han dynasties, Chengdu has been the political, economic, and cultural center of southwest China, with advanced industries such as silk, salt, iron, and tea. In the Han Dynasty, there was even a saying that “Yangzhou is the first, Yizhou is the second”.
As one of the birthplaces of the ancient Shu civilization, Chengdu boasts a rich and diverse folk culture, such as Sichuan opera, Sichuan cuisine, and teahouse culture. These unique cultural symbols attract a large number of tourists and add a strong cultural atmosphere to Chengdu.
- Abundant Products and Prosperous LifeThe Chengdu Plain is the birthplace of the ancient Shu civilization, where the Shu people lived 3,700 years ago. It is rich in grain, Shu brocade, tea, etc., with prosperous handicrafts (such as lacquerware and gold and silverware) and commerce. People’s lives are relatively stable, and the region has rarely suffered from large-scale wars and destruction in history.
Li Bai, a poet of the Tang Dynasty, once described its prosperity with the line “Heaven opens up Chengdu, where thousands of families and gates enter the painting”.
With a long history of agricultural production, it has accumulated rich agricultural farming experience and techniques. After the completion of the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, the Chengdu Plain became an important agricultural production base in China. The fertile land and convenient irrigation have led to extremely high grain yields, making it one of the main grain supply bases and tax sources for the central dynasties.
- Modern Continuation of the TitleToday, the “Land of Abundance” has become a synonym for Chengdu and even Sichuan, reflecting both the inheritance of history and the recognition of the local livable environment and economic vitality. In 2018, Sichuan officially established the “Tianfu New Area”, further strengthening this brand.
Surrounded by mountains on all sides, the Sichuan Basin is easy to defend and difficult to attack, often serving as a “peach blossom land” for refuge in turbulent times, further consolidating the stable image of the “Land of Abundance”.
Elements such as Chengdu’s slow life, delicious food (such as Sichuan cuisine and hot pot), and giant pandas have also added modern charm to the “Land of Abundance”.
In short, the “Land of Abundance” is a reputation jointly achieved by natural gifts and human wisdom (such as the Dujiangyan Irrigation System), reflecting Chengdu’s prosperity and unique status over thousands of years.
