China's 'paradise' for consumers is reborn in the west

Can China continue to be a global powerhouse of economic growth?

To answer the question, one must examine the country and its cities inside and out.

A good starting point is Chengdu, the host city for the Fortune Global Forum 2013. Located in the western part of the country, Chengdu used to be a traditional business hub rooted in vast paddy fields nourished by water from Dujiangyan, one of the world's oldest and largest known irrigation systems.