Chengdu Plain

plain, China

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June 24, 2026

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The Chengdu Plain is a fertile region in central Sichuan, China, known for its dense population and successful agriculture. It is watered by the Min River, with its irrigation system dating back to the Qin dynasty. This ancient system allows the plain to support a large agrarian population, making it one of the most densely populated areas globally.1

The plain is characterized by square or oblong field units, with farmsteads often surrounded by trees. Chengdu, the provincial capital, is located in the center of the Chengdu Plain. The climate is mild, supporting diverse agriculture, and the farmers here are considered the most prosperous in Sichuan.234

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China
Rural areas
In the Chengdu Plain of the Sichuan Basin, a large part of the population lives in isolated farmsteads or scattered hamlets, surrounded by thickets of bamboo and broad-leaved trees.
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In the Chengdu Plain of the Sichuan Basin, a large part of the population lives in isolated farmsteads or scattered hamlets, surrounded by thickets of bamboo and broad-leaved trees.
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Sichuan
Agriculture and forestry
…Dujiangyan irrigation system of the Chengdu Plain, which dates to the Qin dynasty (221–207 bce); it captures the torrential flow of the Min River and guides it through an artificial multiplication of channels into numerous distributaries along the gently graded plain. Annual dredging keeps the river level constant. The system—part…
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…Dujiangyan irrigation system of the Chengdu Plain, which dates to the Qin dynasty (221–207 bce); it captures the torrential flow of the Min River and guides it through an artificial multiplication of channels into numerous distributaries along the gently graded plain. Annual dredging keeps the river level constant. The system—part…
Read More