My novel starts in a small village in the province of Sichuan in Southwest China, where Shui Ying is growing up ... "Sichuan, which mean four rivers, is one of China's most populous provinces. It is one of the country's main agricultural areas for growing rice, wheat and other grains. It is home for the giant Panda bears who feed primarily on bamboo. Kung Po chicken is the best known Sichuan dish and the secret of Sichuan food is the purity of the salt collected from the mines of Zigong." When Shui Ying is born, the biggest cities in Sichuan are Chengdu and Chongqing, but after a few years Chongqing separates from Sichuan to become one of the four direct-controlled municipalities in China. China's greatest leader in recent history is Deng Xiaoping who was born in Sichuan. He is the founding father of China's economic rise.
Welcome to Sichuan (Szechuan)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K9-h9Olp_g
Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan province. It is one of the most important economic, transportation and communication centers in Western China. It has the most tea houses in China. Its people have a reputation in China for having a laid-back attitude and for knowing how to enjoy life.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JASEkJYwgHg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chengdu
These are the famous cute residents of the city
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTXkN6YTPBY&feature=fvwrel
And these are famous places in Sichuan that appear in my novel.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZndmtCf1Jus
www.youtube.com/watch?v=risuF_17ITk
The most populous city in China, and the world, is Chongqing with about 30 million people, while Shanghai and Beijing have about 20 million each. The Beijing government "Go West" strategy is urging companies to set up operations in inland cities to prevent immigration to cities on the east coast. Chongqing is the main beneficiary of this policy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmyPm_4I_4U
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chongqing
People from Sichuan, Chengdu and Chonqing like to eat spicy food like the Hot Pot.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mmmvhgFEeU&feature=related
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tI6M7NJbaZ4&feature=related
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Szechuan_cuisine
www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=dI3Lcfl4Fko
Americans and Canadians wishing to try the Hot Pot in their countries, please check the locations for:
www.littlesheephotpot.com
