Centrally located in the western Sichuan Plain, Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, is renowned for its fertile land and agricultural wealth which have earned the city the nickname “Storehouse of Heaven”. It covers an area of 3,861 sq. km., of which only 50 sq. km. is in the city proper with a population of 4 million, of whom 1.23 million are urban inhabitants.
Chengdu’s snacks and refreshments have a great reputation. Dumplings made of glutinous rice flour served in soup (Lai Tangyuan), bell-shaped dumplings and pearl-shaped Tangyuan are among Chengdu’s delicacies. Longchaoshou, Tongjing Lane noodles and Husband-and-wife beef slices are some other tasty morsels worth trying. Most Characteristic of them are Lai Tangyuan (stuffed dumplings made of glutinous rice flour served in soup), Longchaoshou, Husband-and-wife beef slices, bell-shaped dumplings, Tongjing lane noodles and pearl-shaped Tangyuan.