Chengdu has historically been nicknamed the City of the Turtle due to an ancient legend surrounding its construction. According to folklore, when the city was first being built, the walls repeatedly collapsed until a large turtle appeared and guided the builders along a specific path. The original city walls were then constructed following the tracks left by the turtle, resulting in a shape that resembled the animal. While modern urban development and the removal of the old city walls have made this shape less apparent today, the nickname remains a significant part of Chengdu's cultural heritage, alongside other titles like the Brocade City and the City of Hibiscus. The turtle is also a symbol of longevity and tenacity in Chinese culture, which is further reflected in various stone carvings found at local sites like the Qingyang Palace.