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Dec

29

Chengdu Travel Guide

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A trip to Chengdu
An old city in Sichuan province of China, Chengdu has a long, rich history and breathtakingly beautiful nature. Imagine seeing flowers blossoming, lush-green bamboo groves and locals going old-school cooking on charcoals. The atmosphere in Chengdu is so poetic you might want to conjure up a work of your own. Surrounded by scenic countryside, Chengdu has its fair share of historic and natural sights including an array of old Chinese temples and lovely cottages. Flower shows and lively festivals are held annually, injecting vibrancy into the otherwise relaxing air.

Flights to Chengdu
Getting to Chengdu is most convenient by air. Chengdu Shuangliu Airport provides a number of flights both to major cities in China and international flights to Bangkok and Hong Kong. The airport is about 12.5 miles (20kms) from the city. Shuttle buses are provided to take you to the city.

To travel within the city, you can either use the bus or take a taxi. Public buses are very common and air-conditioned. Travelling by bus is a favourite means for tourists to get around as they can observe pretty sceneries from the comfort of their seat. Another great way to explore the city is by pedicab. However, pedicab fares can be more expensive than those of a normal taxi.

Sightseeing in Chengdu
Chendu boasts agricultural wealth and thus is known by the name ‘Land of Milk and Honey’. Visitors will see bewitching sceneries and nature lovers will be blown away by the renowned Thatched Cottage of Dufu, located by the side of the pretty Huanhua stream. The cottage, once the residence of the famous poet of the Tang dynasty, is well-preserved and worth a visit.

Other notable sights include Wuhou Temple, also known as Wuhou Memorial Temple. Once you are here, don’t forget to check out the statues and inscribed stone tablets at the temple. Those into animals will love the Giant Panda Museum, a fascinating museum dedicated to giant pandas worldwide. You can observe what these adorable creatures eat and their habitats.

Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
As Sichuan has the best known food in China, food connoisseurs cannot give local dishes a miss here. Bear in mind that local cuisine can be very spicy, however. The king of food here has to be hot pot, which consists of a big pot of oil, water and spices that diners then add to with a variety of meat and vegetable.

Going out is fun in Chengdu. Many new bars have opened between Renmin Nanlu and Xinnan Lu, on the southern bank of the Jin Jiang. The most famous bars are Highfly Café where you can drink al fresco and Feeling Seasons Café with its good Italian food and a café-bar.

Fun by day - shopping and activities
Chengdu is good hunting ground for antiquities and there’s a big market close to the Green Ram Taoist Temple. There are a wide range of treasures here including relics, porcelain dishes and jewelery. You can also find all sorts of plush panda trinkets, which make for great souvenirs. Those not into shopping can opt for a famous massage and foot washing at one of many reliable establishments. There are private massage rooms available with fruits and tea provided.

Daytrips
There are a few excellent daytrip opportunities for those staying in Chengdu. Foremost among these is Le Shan, home of the Dafo Grand Buddha. Two hours by bus or hire car will bring tourists to this 230-ft structure which was commissioned in the 700s AD to protect passing sailors on the confluence of three local rivers. A network of walking trails connects this UNESCO-protected site with the neighbouring Mahao grottoes.

Located 4 hours, 30 minutes from Chengdu, Chongqing is best known as a launch pad for cruises along the Yangtze River. These riverboat cruises pass the Three Gorges Dam, the City of Ghosts and Shibao Zhai Monastery. The riverboat can also be used for transportation to Wuhan city or (in some cases) Shanghai.

Much closer to home, the village of Guangshan is only 15 miles away. Archaeological excavations have revealed an ancient civilisation dating back 3,000 years. The Sanxingdui Museum in Guangzhou houses a wealth of ancient relics related to these recent findings.

Must-see attractions
Virtually all of Chengdu’s tourists pay a visit to the wildly popular Giant Panda Breeding Centre, though there are several other attractions worth visiting as well. As China has distanced itself from the infamy of the Great Leap Forward, outright tributes to Mao Zedong have become less popular. However, Chengdu still harbours a towering tribute to the former communist leader at the Exhibition Hall near the Jin River. This relic from bygone years is increasingly rare in modern China, making this a popular first stop for visitors.

The Marquis of Wu Memorial (or Wuhou Ci) pays tribute to the Three Kingdoms Period of ancient Chinese history. There are three shrines here: one honouring Emperor Liu Bei; one remembering the Peach Garden Oath of antiquity; and one paying tribute to the emperor’s military strategist, Zhu Ge Liang.

Evenings at the memorial are enhanced by performances from the Sichuan Orchestra, another must-see attraction. Nightly performances feature Sichuan traditional opera, illusionists and fire-breathing dragons. There is even a mobile massage troupe that helps guests relax while watching the performance.

Best time to go
The official tourist season in Chengdu stretches from April to November though it is best to avoid the months of July and August when heavy rainfall is likely to set it. Outdoor activities are impeded during these middle two months as hiking trails and rural roads tend to wash out. Winters are overcast and occasionally foggy, with scant snowfall from time to time. Anyone visiting in the winter should be sure to visit the Winter Sports Festival, held 40 miles away in Longchi National Park.

Rainy day suggestions
Summertime visits are sometimes dampened by periods of abrupt rainfall so it is always a good idea to have a rainy-day backup plan. The Mao Zedong Museum is a worthwhile stopover. This truly quirky facility (housed in a wooden shop house) is filled floor-to-ceiling with remnants of the communist era, including newspaper clippings, portraits of Chairman Mao and a vast collection of buttons and other kitsch paraphernalia. Local tea houses provide another excellent indoor alternative; in addition to freshly-brewed tea, many of these establishments stage traditional opera performances.

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