For those doing preliminary planning for their next big trip, consider Sichuan, China. Sure, it'll help the local economy there in its ongoing recovery and rehabilitation from the 2008 Great Sichuan/Wenchuan Earthquake ('great' as in devastating, not wonderful), but it'll also be a fast closing window of opportunity as more ritz and resorts claim the landscape and eat up the value of your dollar. Take in the expansive fabled landscape, distinct regional cuisine, and multi-ethnic population in China's "Province of Abundance."
If you have time, take a cooking course at the Sichuan Institute of Higher Cuisine in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan and the ancient capital of many of China's past dynasties.
repost of my article from Cooking School in China Newsletter
Sichuan Today Two Years After The Great One
Two years after the Great Sichuan Earthquake in China, there’s still undeniably much to be done, but overall, the response and progress following the mostly State-led emergency and long-term rehabilitation plans have been exceptional. Urban centers, cultural sites, and vital infrastructures have undergone major to complete upgrades or replacements. This disaster has given the earthquake-affected region the unforeseen opportunity and support to leapfrog into a 21st century Chinese destination and competitive economic hub offering new jobs and unique attractions for everyone.
Sustaining the most damage, herego, receiving the most attention are two counties covering a region that includes two out of six of Sichuan’s UNESCO designated World Heritage Sites- Mount Qincheng and Dujiangyan Irrigation System, and the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries.
Sichuan has been lauded the “Land of Abundance” and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, an ancient civil engineering marvel, may arguably be the reason behind it. For the last 2,200 years, the system had been working in near perfect condition, contributing to flood control, irrigation, fertilization, and ultimately, prosperity of the region. Until the May 12 quake. The quake caused notable fractures to the main body of the System and cracks in the surrounding Dujiangyan Region. In addition to restoring the system and other immediate concerns, an ambitious plan that would normally stall for years in the bureaucracy flew right into construction and in less than two years on May 12, 2010, the Chengdu to Dujiangyan High Speed Railway was open for passenger service. Not only is this high speed rail an obvious convenience, reaching Mount Qincheng from Chengdu North Railway Station in thirty minutes along a route showcasing the western Sichuan plain and Dujiangyan, but it is necessary for future risk mitigation. When disaster strikes, arguably the most critical factor to rescue efforts is transportation- availability, scope, and reliability. Additionally, construction of this world-class railway is a morale booster, providing a visible livelihood project and drawing traffic to the western region. Future visitors to Mount Qincheng and the Duiyangyan Irrigation System will now experience both ancient and modern wonders all at once.
Another UNESCO site severely affected was the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries, Wolong Reserve, safehouse to 30% of the world’s endangered giant pandas. Beloved as a national symbol of China, the pandas barely escaped if not for the dedicated panda keepers who cradled them off the reserve as the mountains around collapsed. In the end, all but two pandas were accounted for. In the aftermath, the Wolong Panda Center was pummeled beyond repair while about 6,117 of 203,601 hectares of the greater Wolong Reserve were damaged. As the pandas wait in their temporary homes around the country, construction for their new home is underway. The new center, approximately 23 kilometers from the original base, is divided into two expanded sections: one in Shengshuping for captive breeding and one in Huangcaoping for reintroduction training. Plans included replanting a new bamboo forest and further away in Duijiangyan, a Rescue Service and Disease Control Center.
Along with these projects in quake-affected sites, in memory of this earthquake, a Wanchuan Earthquake Museum was curated within the Jianchuan Museum Cluster in Anren, a one-hour drive from downtown Chengdu. Over 5,000 items are on display, including witness testimonies, quake photos and documents, and relics from victims and survivors. There is also an earthquake simulation area using audio, visual, and tactile stimulators.
From this earthquake the world witnessed an impressive display of China’s manpower, post-disaster mobilization, and large financial reserve. Sichuan’s proverbial rise from the quake ashes is concrete testimony to China’s refining power and increasing attraction as a business and travel destination.
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Saw a documentary about the event, very sad, moving, and inspirational...
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