I never dreamt that one day, I can step foot in Western China. It happened by coincidence as one of my friends got relocated for work in Chengdu, China. As he traveled for work, I had a chance to visit him twice in Chengdu. This story will be about my first time step foots in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province.
It was winter when I first arrived in Chengdu after my 6 hours flight from Kuala Lumpur last March 2016. And as expected, it wasn’t that cold despite the fell of snow. I arrived around 9-10 in the evening in Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and went to the immigrations then soon after went to my hotel. I didn’t expect that Chengdu will be a metropolis like Shanghai, full of night lights and tall buildings, but I was surprised that skyscrapers surround Chengdu.
I checked in at Minyoun Central Hotel, in Jinjiang district of Chengdu. This hotel is situated near the city center of Chengdu. The room was decently modern and beautiful in concept and also decent for its size.
As the morning came, I started my journey and explored the city. My first stop was in Tianfu Square. Tianfu Square, known as the symbol of Chengdu, is located in the city center. Being the largest city square in southwest China, it enjoys similar position and fame in Sichuan as Tiannanmen Square in Beijing. With an area of 105,687 square yards (88,368 square meters), the square is a special sight encircled by skyscrapers. It is said that you didn’t visit Chengdu if you weren’t able to see the beauty of Tianfu Square.
Chengdu’s known for its laid back vibe. Modernization didn’t change the norms, traditions and the lifestyles of the people. That park was still the main place for meeting your friends, gatherings and social interactions among locals and tourists. Another destination known in Chengdu is its first park called Renmin Park. This park is well known to locals and it’s enjoyable to see people relaxing just by taking their rest under the shades of their trees, take pleasure on reading books, drinking their comforting green tea or playing mahjong with friends. Aside from that, it is also common to see seniors gather in the park to hold all kinds of activities like dancing, singing or playing chess. Renmin Park is not just a tourist attraction but an epitome of their local life.
As the afternoon hit the city, I was eager to enjoy my Chinese tea-houses experience. Chengdu has its long tradition being China’s pre-eminent city of tea-houses (chadian). Chinese tea ceremony was born as a result of their respect for nature and need for peace seen on their religious ceremonies done in the province. Formerly, tea-houses are a customary venue for weddings or other traditional routine ceremonies. Nowadays Chadians are now adapting to change and from being a traditional events place, it has become a venue for socialization. During my tea-house escapade, my personal choice for the best Tea-house was in Chengdu Folk Inn- Software Park.
The next day, we have decided to visit Anshun Bridge. It is considered to be one of the best and the most ancient of arched bridges ever constructed. The bridge which crosses the charming Jin River should be on your list of ‘things to see’ if you happen to head over China.
As night came, we arrived in the oldest street in Chengdu called Jinli Ancient Street. It is known to be “The First Street of Shu Kingdom”, and it also well-known for snack street in Chengdu. The ambiance was like stepping back into the past. Jinli Ancient Street was well presented and is historically brilliant. Having my evening stroll was extremely beautiful as I take pleasure in the picturesque walkway well-lighted by lanterns together with wonderful street performances.
Furthermore, growing up watching Animal Planet, Pandas has become one of my favorite animals. Knowing that, I became even excited for tomorrow as I am about to see real pandas! As my morning started, it’s hard to hide the excitement on meeting China’s most famous resident, the Giant Panda. Located 6 miles (10 km) away from downtown, I visited Chengdu Research Base, a venue imitating the natural habitat and environment of Giant Pandas that is well maintained to help and encourage Giant Pandas to rear and breed their kind for our future generation to see.
After my days spent in the beautiful province of Chengdu, I have made a realization of this trip. Despite the fact that Chengdu’s old wooden buildings and narrow streets have been largely replaced by skyscrapers and shopping malls, the city retains it’s easygoing Sichuan charm. It’s a pleasure exploring its green parks, busy temples, bustling outdoor markets, open-air restaurants and jumbled side streets. In addition, Chengdu now became one of my favorite cities. I for the second time have come back to the city’s old-new charm. (to be continued to 2nd Chapters)
Love the city lights of the square🙂 So full of life when the city is lit up at night.
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Very nice, I want to visit China some day, and ChengDu is one of the cities I’d like to see, especially for the xionmao. I’m learning some Mandarin for now. 🙂
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Truly beautiful pictures! Not far (for Chinese standards) from Chengdu there’s the Lugu Lake, in the south between Sichuan and Yunnan, where one of the last matriarchal societies is located! We wrote about it, hopefully you’ll be inspired 🙂
http://wp.me/p8HXdM-7T
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Wow, will be amazing story u wrote, Thank you…
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Wow — Chengdu sure has grown since I was there — 17 years ago. Still some familiar sights (including the pandas), but so many new buildings. Thanks for sharing this. And thank you for visiting my Midwest Maize blog.
Happy travels. Cynthia
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Indeed, now Chengdu some kind of metropolitan, with international company based here… Thank you for the comment, sure I will visit ur blog…
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Panda! Oh the panda. I adore them.
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me too… cute overload… lol
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Great post! Lovely photos! I haven’t been to Chengdu for many years. It looks wonderful. I guess time to revisit. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
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Thank u jen for visiting my blog
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You are welcome. 🙂
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Great post about a great city. Always makes us happy when someone goes away from our city with great memories!
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Thank you, indeed a great city to visit…
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Great pictures, I found myself really intrigued by the colours of the city! Thanks for dropping by my blog, I really appreciate it 😀
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Thank you for ur complement
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You’re welcome!
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Beautiful city!! Great photography!
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Thank you…
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Great post and you are on the right track mate!
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Thank you Lan…
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looks cool 🙂
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Thank you…
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Proper package–informative and fun. Nice post! 🙂
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Thank you for dropping by…
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This is the first time I read about Chengdu. Thanks much, I am inspired to go there someday… 🙂
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China is big, many provinces, so there are cities there that we not know existed. I’m lucky to discover Chengdu. Anyway thank you for your lovely comment.
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It’s so beautiful!! I didn’t know about Chengdu till I read your interesting post.
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Thank you for reading, I didn’t know either until my friend relocated there, and turn out as an interesting city…
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I’m always attracted to historical place. Seems like Chengdu will be a great destination.
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Beijing and Xi’an more historical, Kalau mau yang dekat boleh tengok ke Malacca… Thank you for dropping by…
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Chengdu seems like such a grand, majestic city. 🙂
Definitely going on our bucket list.
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U should put it in ur bucket list for sure… Thank you for dropping by…
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You caught a few more city sights than we did. I just love that pandas. 🙂
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Yay… Thank You for dropping by here…
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Amazing I love to visit one day
Beautiful place with beautiful people
Thank
Buluraj
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Thank u for reading and dropping by…
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Kudos on this amazing article, Max. I would love to put Chengdu on my travel list. 😉
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Thank You for dropping by…
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Great of city, very adoreable
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Indeed, Thank u for stopping by..
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U welcome
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How lovely it sounds. Those pandas are adorable. I met two in Hong Kong, one of whom died recently and it came up in the news. I wonder if these are her relatives in any way 🙂
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Thank you for your comment…About the pandas, Maybe they are relatives in term of same species. Panda is bigger than I thought. lol
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Ha ha ha I was kidding. Jia Jia, the one who died, was extremely shy and she skulked behind a huge boulder almost all that time when I gaped at her along with so many others around me. I found her very cute and hope her genes have spread 😉 The panda is big, isn’t it? And the way it sits and eats bamboo shoots is too adorable for words! Gosh, I have written a mini thesis on pandas.
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Great that u know so much about pandas, u should visit Chengdu, there’s a panda’s museum too there…
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Ha ha. No, I do not know a lot. I just like them a lot 😀
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