Listed by the Chinese State Council as one of China's 24 most important cities in terms of historical and cultural significance, Chengdu's history dates back to over 2,300 years.

As early as 4^th century BC, the Shu State moved its capital to where Chengdu city is presently located, and in the year 311 BC, the Qin people built a city wall of 12 li (6 km) in circumference and seven zhang (about 25 m) high, which marked the formal establishment of Chengdu city. During the Western Han Dynasty (206 - 25 BC) the city was known as Brocade City for its  then-thriving silk brocade industry. During the Wudai Dynasty (907 - 960), the top of the city wall was extensively planted with hibiscus flowers and at the time, the city was frequently referred to as Hibiscus City - a name by which it is stilled called today.

In 1985, an ancient building complex was unearthed by the west city gate of Chengdu, which was identified as a palace of the Shang Dynasty, built more than 3,600 years ago. This discovery pushes Chengdu's recorded history back over 1,000 years.