Chengdu Universiade | The Colorful Charm of "Universiade City" Attracts the World to Chinese Style Bashu Rhyme Universiade | China | Charm

Chengdu, Sichuan, in the summer of 2023, Chengdu, a city in the hinterland of western China, attracted attention for hosting the 31st Summer Universiade. Its colorful charm has captivated people from various countries and regions around the world with Chinese style and Bashu charm.

Golden radiance

On the evening of July 28th, at the main stadium of Dong'an Lake Sports Park, where the opening ceremony of the Chengdu Universiade was held, a "Sun God Bird" from 3000 years ago gracefully crossed the night sky. In the ever-changing light and shadow, the "Sun God Bird" rotates with agility, and twelve golden rays shine

On July 28th, actors performed at the opening ceremony. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Xin

The image of "Sun God Bird" comes from the cultural relic of Sun God Bird gold jewelry unearthed from the Jinsha Site in Chengdu. It weighs only 20 grams and has a thickness of only 0.02 centimeters, but its gold purity is as high as 94.2%. This cultural relic has a rigorous composition, smooth lines, and is extremely rhythmic and dynamic, reminiscent of the beautiful legend of ancient China's "Golden Crow Negative Sun".

Italian torchbearer Su Yunzhe lit the "Sun Bird" patterned cauldron at the opening ceremony and proudly said, "The golden 'Sun Bird' symbolizes strength, hope, and auspiciousness, embodying the Chinese spirit of harmony, tolerance, and pursuit of light."

The golden light of the Sun God Bird is a symbol of the brilliant ancient Shu civilization, just like the brilliance on the gold mask of Sanxingdui. The ancient Shu civilization represented by them is an important component of the diverse and integrated Chinese civilization. Therefore, the Sun God Bird gold jewelry has been selected as a symbol of Chinese cultural heritage, reflecting the Chinese people's love for light and freedom.

Viewers are visiting the Sun God Bird gold jewelry at the Jinsha Site Museum located in Chengdu, Sichuan. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Xi

At the Chengdu Universiade, the golden figure of the "Sun God Bird" can be seen everywhere. Above the main stadium of Dong'an Lake Sports Park, the palm sized golden decoration of the Sun God Bird has been magnified by 2.7 million times. The "Sun God Bird" made up of tens of thousands of colored glazed glass pieces welcomes the gaze of the earth and the sky; It also leaps above the torch of the Chengdu Universiade, unfolding its ideals in quenching and pursuing brightness

The head of the Singapore Chengdu Universiade delegation, Ye Liangjun, said that the traditional cultural elements such as the "Sun God Bird" at the opening ceremony reflect China's long history and splendid civilization, and this golden touch will make him "unforgettable" for eternity.

Hot and enthusiastic

Hot pot with a fiery red soup and steaming hot, bubbling with a rich aroma... During the Chengdu Universiade, "eating hot pot after the competition" is a very happy thing for young people from all over the world.

Food in China, taste in Sichuan. The Chengdu fireworks, which have been boiling for thousands of years, blend into this delicious and spicy red hot pot. The flame of youth in midsummer, meeting the hot and spicy heat of Chengdu hotpot, coupled with the warm hospitality of Chengdu people, has filled this Universiade with passion and joy.

Diners are eating hot pot in the "Fragrant Lane" of the food street in Wangping Community, Mengzhuiwan Street, Chengdu. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Shen Bohan

Malaysian athlete Chen Huiling, who won a gold medal in the women's martial arts shooting competition, openly expressed her love for hot pot: "I love hot pot, just like the enthusiasm of Chengdu people."

"People in Türkiye are hospitable and like sports. The parks are full of exercisers. Everyone is energetic and exciting." After the competition, Bruce Lee, a Turkish athlete, walked to the streets of Chengdu to feel the youth of the "Universiade City".

Spanish Taekwondo athlete Christian enjoys strolling around the streets and alleys of Chengdu, always encountering helpful Chengdu people when asking for directions. "Whether it's children or the elderly, most of them are smiling. Although the language is not very easy to understand, when I look up photos of the places I want to go, they will warmly guide me, and some even accompany me for a while, afraid that I might go wrong," Christian said.

August 7th is the birthday of Chinese team player Li Yongzhen, and on-site staff and mascot "Rongbao" celebrated his birthday. On that day, in the men's volleyball bronze medal competition at the Chengdu Universiade, the Chinese team defeated the Iranian team 3-0 and won the third place. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xu Bingjie

The rising cheers on the field, warm applause for the wrong athletes, and a chorus of birthday songs for the athletes celebrating their birthdays... The friendliness and enthusiasm of the Chengdu audience are as hot as hotpot. "The audience was too enthusiastic, and the atmosphere of the live competition was very lively and infectious," said Hong Kong athlete Xu De'en.

Green color development

The grass and trees are lush, and the green trees are blooming. Strolling through Chengdu, it feels like being in a super large ecological park.

Italian athlete Zakamo loves to visit parks in Chengdu after competitions, and the large and small parks make him feel relaxed and happy. "The competition is tense and exciting, but it's very relaxing when strolling in the park, and the fatigue of training is relieved," he said.

As a demonstration area for park cities, Chengdu allows global youth who come to participate in the Universiade to feel the lush greenery everywhere, while also experiencing the achievements of China's ecological civilization construction firsthand.

On July 16th, citizens rode on the Tianfu Greenway in Chengdu. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xu Bingjie

At present, the total length of the Chengdu Tianfu Greenway has exceeded 6500 kilometers, and there are over 1500 parks of various types in the city. A beautiful park city that "builds a city within the park, has parks within the city, sees greenery through windows, and sees parks outside" is unforgettable.

Johnny Mello, a 76 year old Italian and president of the International Association of Sports Journalists, came to Chengdu for the first time this summer. "Taking to the streets, everything is green and the environment is so beautiful." He couldn't help but admire that Chengdu is clean and modern, with flowers, plants, and trees everywhere. Many citizens relax and entertain in parks and green spaces, making him feel the "comfort" of this city.

This is a photo taken on July 19th at the official licensed retail store of the main media center of the Chengdu Universiade, featuring canvas bags produced in an environmentally friendly manner. Shen Jizhong

New energy vehicles, cadmium telluride power generation glass indicator signs, natural ventilation and cooling "cold alleys", rainwater recovery systems... Energy conservation, low-carbon, and environmental protection "green" are also reflected in many details of the Chengdu Universiade, conveying China's green development concept to the world.

A few days ago, 19-year-old Spanish athlete Thomas carried more than 10 empty plastic bottles and dropped them at an interactive recycling point called "Low Carbon Rubik's Cube" in the Universiade Village. He received a carbon point receipt and exchanged it for a T-shirt. "Obtaining rewards through environmental behavior is very meaningful, and I will also bring this gift back to Spain for collection," Thomas said.

Black and White Whirlwind

"I am a huge fan of giant pandas, seeing them with my own eyes is like dreaming," said Daniela, the captain of the Colombian women's volleyball team, couldn't help but feel excited at the Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Base. The prototype of the mascot "Rongbao" of the Chengdu Universiade, which is known as "Fire Out of Circle", is the giant panda "Sesame" at this base.

On August 2nd, an actor dressed as a giant panda interacted with the audience during the break of the performance. On that day, the "Fantasy Night" acrobatic magic evening party was held at the Grand Theater of the Art Center in Chengdu Dayun Village. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Shen Bohan

College athletes with different skin colors and languages sweat and work hard on different sports fields, but they almost share a common preference outside the field - giant pandas. A black and white giant panda fan whirlwind is blowing fiercely in Chengdu.

Argentine men's basketball player Miguel Lambleska is visiting China for the first time. Speaking of his goals for this trip, he smiled and said, "First, to climb the podium, and second, to see the giant pandas."

On the 11 "Easy Play Chengdu" urban cultural tourism experience routes designed by the Urban Work Service Department of the Chengdu Universiade Executive Committee, the first line of the Giant Panda Base is almost full.

"I was so lucky to have seen real pandas with my own eyes. Pandas are really cute," said Czech shooter Pavel Sebar. The most amazing and unforgettable thing about his trip to Chengdu was the pandas, and he didn't even mention the competition medals he won.

After learning about the story of China's continuous efforts to protect giant pandas for decades, 23-year-old Georgian swimmer George Glashvili exclaimed, "This is a persistent story. Giant pandas once faced the risk of extinction, and it is the protection of the Chinese people that has led to an increasing number of giant pandas. I am sincerely grateful!"

On July 18th, citizens made purchases at a licensed retail store for the Universiade in Chengdu. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xu Bingjie

As a representative super IP in China, giant pandas have a gentle and peaceful personality without losing their strength, reflecting the open and inclusive temperament of traditional Chinese culture, which combines strength and softness.

From the "Panpan" of the Beijing Asian Games, the "Jingjing" of the Beijing Olympic Games, the "Bing Dwen Dwen" of the Beijing Winter Olympics, to the "Rongbao" of the Chengdu Universiade, the charmingly naive image of giant pandas conveys to the world China's sincere feelings of "having friends coming from afar, it's not a pleasure".

Greek water polo player Dimitrios bought himself and his mother a Sichuan opera face changing "Rongbao". "This is really good, I will put it in my bedroom.".

Civilization is colorful through communication, and enriched through mutual learning. The Universiade will allow the world to appreciate the Chinese style and Bashu charm through Chengdu's "colorful" charm, and will also make this millennium old city more open to embrace the world