Chengdu is a city which encapsulates the best and worst characteristics of Chinese metropolises – already the country’s fifth most populous city; it’s metaphorically exploding with people and the resulting tide of stodgy apartment complexes and eye-searing neon-lit malls. Surprisingly however, it is also one of China’s most livable cities, having managed to somehow retain its old world charm of hibiscus-lined sidewalks littered with old-fashioned artisans and quaint wooden buildings. Given a choice, the city-dwellers as a whole seem to prefer an unhurried pace of life, which is still found in pockets of the city whose high-rise clogged cityscape is countered by surprisingly expansive stretches of parkland.

The residents of Chengdu also appear to celebrate a variety of traditional festivals and events adapted to the needs of modern times with all the pomp and circumstance befitting a super city. The Spring Festival, the Qing Ming Festival, Lantern Fair and Huanglongxi Firedrake Festival are such festivities where out-of-town visitors are truly privileged to witness and understand the fun-loving spirit of Chengdu.

The Chengdu Flower Fair in particular is one such event which showcases the seamless blend of tradition, modern concerns and appreciation for natural beauty that characterizes this city. This spring event has a history of over 1000 years, stemming from the Chinese folklore that all flowers were born on the 15^th day of the second month of the lunar calendar. This also appears to coincide with the birthday of Lao-Tzu, the founder of Taoism. Hence Taoist worship at the Qingyanggong Park merged with the folk custom of convening at the temple for flower fairs, which is a cultural institution going as far back as the time of the Five Dynasties. The gala resulting from these customs have evolved overtime to find expression in the present day as a horticultural fair, complemented by a variety of food stalls and folk art performances by local artists. Held at the western gate of Qingyang Palace, this event draws horticulturalists and gardeners from all over the country, to mount spectacular displays of floral arrangements and sell their wares, almost mirroring the similar social event in Chelsea, London.

Visitors who find themselves in Chengdu when springtime rolls around should not miss this red-letter event. Those seeking an easily accessible Chengdu hotel which provides quality luxury accommodation should try Millennium Hotel Chengdu. The five-star international hotel Chengdu is located at the heart of the trendy urban district and is in close proximity to all the major shopping and commercial centres of the city.