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Chengdu has got it right, when it comes to balancing history and modernity.

Avid readers of IBTimes UK will be following our adventure to one of the world's most exciting cities, having seen the slideshow about Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi.

Chengdu has managed to marry both ancient historical sites and modern appetite for amenities, while also catering for the inevitable flood of tourists.

As early as the Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 206 BC), Jinli Street was renowned for being the most famous place for baldachin - a rich, ornate cloth. It has since been converted into a marketplace with shops and restaurants but with a strong sense of heritage and identity.

Check out our slideshow for our unrivalled access.

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