The Asia Pacific journalists from the China International Press Communication Centre (CIPCC) programme, including myself, visited Sichuan Province last week.

It was not my first time in this southwestern province, with Chengdu – its capital -known worldwide as the ‘panda city’. Yet this visit opened my eyes to a different side of Sichuan, revealing stories that extend far beyond its adorable national treasure.

On our first day, we visited the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where we learned more about China’s ‘living fossil’ and friendship ambassador. Many pandas were asleep, and from the information displayed, I discovered this is part of their natural strategy to conserve energy.

According to the information, pandas eat more and move less to support their large bodies. I also learned that China is home to about 1,900 wild pandas, 700 in captivity across zoos and centres, and around 260 at the research base itself.

The next day, a bullet train took us to Panzhihua City, where we visited the Ertan Hydropower Station on the Yalong River, a tributary of the mighty Yangtze – China’s longest river and the third-longest in the world.

Situated in the Ertan Canyon at over 1,000 metres above sea level, the station has six generating units, framed by lush greenery and scenic views. The journey and the dam site itself showcased Sichuan’s commitment to producing clean energy while preserving nature. We also visited the Lisu minority heritage centre nearby.

The Ertan Hydropower Station in Panzhihua.

On our second day in Panzhihua, we travelled to Hunsala Village, once stricken by poverty. Through a mango plantation initiative and sustained government support, 99 per cent of the villagers have now lifted themselves out of poverty. We enjoyed fruits grown there, including also pomegranate, cherry tomatoes and starfruit.

The Jinsha River Grand Canyon.

We then explored Yishala Village, the largest Yi ethnic settlement in China with more than 600 years of history, before continuing to the spectacular Jinsha River Grand Canyon. With its lofty mountains, deep valleys, and precipitous cliffs, the canyon looked like living painting. From the viewing platform, I was mesmerised by the Jinsha River cutting through the green mountains, dotted with wildflowers and wind turbines.

The Jinsha River, I learned, originates from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and runs for about 140 km in Panzhihua.

The following day, we took a bullet train to Xichang, the last city on our itinerary. That evening, we strolled through its ancient city street, enjoying the lively nigh atmosphere and witnessing the Yi culture and traditions that continue to flourish.

The author (right) with a Yi ethnic group kindergarten pupil.

The next morning, we travelled along a winding mountain road cloaked in mist, where temperatures dipped below 10 degrees Celsius, to reach Sanhe Village. There, we observed first-hand how poverty-alleviation efforts have transformed the lives of the Yi ethnic community.

Although several Chinese leaders supported development here over the years, the turning point came after a 2018 visit by then General Secretary Xi Jinping. Since then, villagers have been relocated to better homes, children now have access to education from preschool to high school, and the government continues to monitor their progress to prevent any relapse into poverty.

We were shown both old and new houses – a striking contrast that vividly illustrated the transformation. Preschool initiatives also introduce Mandarin to Yi children, helping them integrate more easily when they progress in school.

At the Liangshan Prefecture Museum’s Poverty Alleviation Exhibition Hall, we learned how the Yi once lived under a slavery system. Not long ago, Yi children in remote cliffside valleys walked two hours each way to school. Today, their community enjoys better housing, education, and healthcare – a dramatic improvement in living standards.

This journey was a revelation. Sichuan is indeed more than its pandas. It tells a compelling story of transformation, where natural wonders co-exist with clean energy projects, and where ethnic communities are uplifted through sustained government initiatives in the spirit of shared prosperity.

-- BERNAMA

Rohani Mohd Ibrahim, a journalist with BERNAMA, is currently in Beijing to attend the China International Press Communication Centre (CIPCC) Programme from Aug 18 to Dec 15, 2025.

The initiative, organised by the China Public Diplomacy Association (CPDA), serves as a platform for practical cooperation between Chinese media organisations and those from emerging markets and developing economies.

The programme also provides foreign journalists with the opportunity to gain a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of China’s society, development and international engagement.

This marks BERNAMA’s eighth participation in the CIPCC since 2018.