Islamabad, 7 July 2022 (TDI): Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) completed the first direct trip from Islamabad to Chengdu, China.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Moin ul Haque highlighted that it would strengthen people-to-people, cultural, and business ties between Pakistan and China.
The first flight of PIA on new route Islamabad-Chengdu-Islamabad took place today. It would further facilitate people to people, cultural and commercial linkages between Paksitan and China.@ForeignOfficePk @zlj517 @BBhuttoZardari @AmbNong pic.twitter.com/AWGeT8lFEp
— Moin ul Haque (@PakAmbChina) July 6, 2022
PIA made history by becoming the first-ever carrier to connect Pakistan with Chengdu, the land of pandas.
The PK-870 flight departed from Islamabad International Airport and landed at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport with 209 passengers including children onboard.
More to this, before boarding the plane, all passengers went through stringent Covid-19 prevention and control measures.
Chengdu
It is well known as the home of China’s majestic giant pandas and is one of the most historic cities in China, with a history of over 3,000 years.
Tourists from around the world visit Chengdu’s panda facilities to see the remarkable creatures in their natural habitat.
It has been regarded as China’s ‘national treasure’ in recent years. Therefore, pandas have become “synonymous not only with Chengdu but with China as a whole.”
Chengdu enjoys the name ‘land of abundance’ not solely for its abundant grain products but for its richness of stunning landscapes as well.
It is also famous for “its spicy hot pot and many other mouth-tingling dishes.” This is due to the world-famous Sichuan peppercorn that is grown within the region.
As one of the most leisurely cities in the world, it is known for leisure and entertainment. More to this, its people live “a slow pace of life.”
A variety of the ancient sites surrounding Chengdu reflect the influence of Buddhism. Together with the agricultural history of the region.
Furthermore, China’s tea culture originated in Chengdu. Noteworthy, the earliest tea trade was in Chengdu, dating back to more than 3,000 years and it has more teahouses.
Also, it is a place to witness a performance of a traditional Sichuan Opera, categorized by its circus-like elements.
