Early in the Han Dynasty (206BC-220), China's first official-run school, Wenweng Shi House was established in Chengdu. It was also home to men of letters and well-known people from various dynasties, including the founder of Han prose Sima Xiangru, poet and prose writer, philosopher and linguist Yang Xiong, knowledgeable lady Zhuo Wenjun of the Han Dynasty; woman poet Xue Tao of Tang Dynasty (618-907); master painter Huang Quan of the Five Dynasties (907-960); historian Fan Zuyu of the Song Dynasty (960-1279); and scholar Yang Shen of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Well-known poets Li Bai, Du Fu and Lu You had once settled in Chengdu. It is also the birthplace of the Chinese block printing technique, and Sichuan silk. During the Tang and Song dynasties, Chengdu was famous for its music, songs and dancing and operas. Since the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Chengdu's tea culture became known throughout the country and grew popular. Now, Chengdu has more teahouses than and other place in the world. In 1993 and 1997, International Panda Festival was held here.
In 1997, the fifth Chinese Art Festival and the folk art fair of international friendship cities were held here. The city now has 16 art performance troupes, 16 public libraries, 4 public art galleries, 14 cultural centers and 8 museums.