Szechuan, the largest single province in China, lies in a great basin ringed with mountain. Its principal connection eastwards is through spectacular gorges cut by the Yangtse River - until recently, in fact, the Yangtse was its only means of communication with the outside world. With its fertile soil and warm, humid climate crops can be grown almost all year round, and it has always been one of the most prosperous regions of China. Fruit and vegetables grow in abundance, as well as edible mushrooms and fungi. Spices grow in abundance here too, particularly chillis and the famous Szechuan peppercorns. (Go on)