Chengdu,
formerly romanized as
Chengtu, is the provincial capital of
Sichuan province in
Southwest China, as well as a major city in
Western China. It holds
sub-provincial administrative status. The administrative area houses 14,047,625 inhabitants: 9,591,682 within the municipality's eleven urban and suburban districts and 4,455,943 in the surrounding satellite towns and counties. According to the 2010 census, with 10,484,996 inhabitants in its built-up (
or metro) area including Guanghan City in Deyang and Xinjin County, Chengdu is the fifth-most populous agglomeration in China. Chengdu is one of the most important economic, financial, commercial, cultural, transportation, and communication centers in
Western China.
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is one of the 30 busiest airports in the world, and Chengdu Railway Station is one of the six biggest railway stations in China. Chengdu also hosts many international companies and more than 12 consulates. More than 260 Fortune 500 companies have established branches in Chengdu due to huge demand of Western China. In 2006, it was named China's 4th-most liveable city by
China Daily.