Chengdu in Food Frenzy

Chengdu, the city famous for its spicy hot pot and a whole lot of assorted snacks, is serving up its annual international food and tourism festival.

It will be the event's first time since the city was honored as UNESCO's "World Capital of Cuisine."

You could stay for the whole month-long festival in Chengdu and never run out of food specialties to taste. The city is famous for its abundant selection and food loving people.

But soon, those who travel to the city will have even more choices to choose from.

The seventh International Food and Tourism Festival has opened in Chengdu, and the main venue of the event has been turned into a sea of cuisine from all around the globe.

Foreign cuisine will strike a big pose this year. There are pastries from Germany and France, dishes from Thailand, and sushi from Japan. They are joined by Chinese cuisine, especially the local food of Sichuan, the province of which Chengdu is the capital. Also, cuisine representing eight Chinese regions are winning a big thumbs up from visitors.

For insiders, it's a good opportunity for them to display and learn from each other.

A chef attendee said, "I'm making western cuisine. I can learn a lot from food prepared by others. So I'll do some Chinese style western food."

And there is a feast for the eye as well.

Liang Youxiang, food judge of Chengdu Int'l Food & Tourism Festival, said, "I come to Chengdu every year. In general, it's very good. Both for the vessels used, and the terrific cooking skills on display, especially the Chinese chefs' skills at using kitchen knives. Foreigners are always amazed by it."

For about a month, the festival venues and food experience zones will remain set up around the 18 districts of Chengdu. And 50-thousand food and tourism passports have been prepared for tourists from both home and abroad.

With their passports in hand, they can enjoy discount services in some two hundred restaurants within the World Capital of Cuisine.