Sichuan Hot Spot

Chengdu heats up as a fashionable global city.

- Felicity Long

CHENGDU, THE CAPITAL of China’s Sichuan region, is having a moment. In fact, the city is booming, both as a business and leisure destination — so much so, a second international airport is under construction. When it opens in 2020, it will be the country’s third-largest airport, after Beijing and Shanghai.

How did a city that not so long ago was a mere blip on the radar for a lot of Westerners become such a hot spot?

Smart investment choices played a role, spurring strong growth in such sectors as international manufacturing — Toyota and Microsoft maintain a presence here, as do food companies like Nestlé and Danone — as well as pharmaceuticals and aviation. The city is also attractive to startups, particularly in the area of software design and application.

Access also plays a part. Even before the addition of the new airport, Chengdu already ranked as the largest international hub in the Central and Western regions of China and the fourth-biggest in the country overall. Most flights from the United States require an extra stop, but some airlines introduced non-stop flights, including United Airlines from San Francisco International and Hainan Airlines from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. Rail access from other key destinations in China includes a new high-speed railway connection from Chengdu to Xi’an, in operation since late 2017.

But facts and figures only tell part of the story. What Westerners likely notice immediately on arrival in Chengdu is the relaxed and even familiar vibe that permeates the city. Yes, you’ll see ancient temples and pagodas; tiny, winding streets; and signage in Chinese. But you’ll also see familiar upscale franchises in prominent locations, from Hermès to Armani; young people in trendy fashions laughing in the streets; and outdoor cafés where you can stop for coffee or a glass of rosé.