Photo Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. announces that The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu, located in the heart of the capital of Sichuan province, will become the luxury hotel operator's first flag in Southwest China, when it opens in summer 2013.Sichuan is renowned globally as the home of the giant panda, one of China's national treasures, while the city of Chengdu enjoys a rich history dating back over 2,000 years as a cultural and trading hub. The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu, in Tianfu Square, is home to one of the city's largest commercial districts. The hotel will have 353 rooms, including 55 suites, taking interior design cues from the style of a traditional courtyard home which can be found in parts of the old city. "China is already one of our most significant international markets. The opening of The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu sees the company continuing on a path that will double its China footprint in the next three years. Chengdu is the key economic, transport and communication hub in Western China and is one of the fastest growing cities in the world today," said Herve Humler, President and Chief Operations Officer, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. "The  Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu will be a new beacon of luxury hospitality in Southwest China."