"Living is more affordable than Shanghai and artists have more freedom to operate."

"Chinese people have long known that Chengdu has what it takes to become an alpha city both at home and abroad."

In hot pursuit of China’s elite league, one city is sprinting ahead of its second-tier rivals, hoping to join the ranks of Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

"While foreign department stores such as the French Galeries Lafayette and Italian 10 Corso Como have focused on the established markets of 'Tier 1'