Advantageous and unique ecological environment provide advantages for growth and reproduction of the Ba and Shu civilizations. Sichuan is one of the important birthplaces of Chinese civilization, well-known for its distinct content and characteristics.
Profound and extensive civilization. Sichuan civilization was theocratic civilization during the Xia and Shang dynasties, and rites and music civilization from Western Zhou Dynasty to the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. When Qin State unified this place, the Ba and Shu culture was gradually developed to be an important regional sub-culture of the Qin and Han culture. During the Han-Wei transitional period, in this place was Chinese Taoism created, and in Sui Tang and the Five Dynasties, literature was booming and achievements also made in Buddhism. Cultural and economic prosperity was seen in the Song Dynasty, with the earliest paper money “Jiao Zi” in the world appeared. Besides, accomplishments were also made in science and technology, such as the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, planting technologies, salt well technologies, bronze melting technique, astronomy, mathematics, and medical science.
Remarkable local features. Sichuan is mostly in the Ba and Shu cultural region, with an independent regional cultural system. Language, opera, tea, wine, cuisine, brocade, salt and other cultures are all of their own characteristics. For example, Sichuan dialect, Sichuan opera, Sichuan tea, Sichuan wine, Sichuan medicine and Sichuan embroidery, Sichuan figured satin and Sichuan miniascape are all of strong local features.
Culture valuables. The long history and profound cultural accumulation leave Sichuan a number of high-grade and rare cultures. There are 5 world heritage, 153 museums, 170 cultural protection and management institutions, 230 major historical and cultural sites protected at the national level, 1,062 major historical and cultural sites protected at the provincial level, 120 state-level non-material cultural heritage lists, 460 provincial non-material cultural heritage lists, 7 Chinese famous historic and cultural cities, 24 provincial famous historic and cultural cities, 22 provincial famous historic and cultural towns and more than 200 other cultural scenic areas. Mount Emei and Leshan Buddha are the world natural and cultural heritages, Dujiangyan Irrigation System are the world cultural heritage, and Jiuzhai Valley and Huanglong are the world natural heritage. The large quantity of gold, bronze, jade wares and potteries unearthed in Sanxingdui Site of Guanghan and Jinsha Site of Chengdu are high-quality cultural relics. Among them, the “Sunbird” unearthed in Jinsha Site symbolizing pursuing light, forging ahead in unity and harmonious and inclusive spirit is approved to be the icon of “China Culture Heritage” by State Administration of Cultural Heritage.
Sichuan cuisine is among the top three cuisines of China, Wuliangye and other Sichuan wines are designated for the state banquet, and Zhuyeqing, Mengding Tea and Emei Maofeng are nation-wide well-known teas.
Multi-culture Sichuan. Despite the inevitable closure and static state of the agricultural civilization, Sichuan culture shows clear open mind for the outside world. Except for local Ba and Shu culture and the Tibetan culture in the west, outside the basin, Chu culture, Qin Long culture, Dian culture, Yelang culture and Tibetan and Yi cultures were blended, which promote the economic and cultural communication and penetration with surrounding places, having formed the multiple, inclusive and open Ba and Shu culture. Since the reform and opening up, Western festivals and cuisine cultures have been absorbed.
(The article is provided by Sichuan Yearbook Public House, the contents are from Sichuan Statistical Yearbook 2015)
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