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Chengdu Attractions

Yuantong-Jiezi Ancient Town

Jiezi-Yuantong ancient town located near mountain  qingcheng ,  this ancient town quite  different  with Huanglongxi or luodai , this  toen keep there  own unique , have  not discovery by tourists yet ,  still keep there own culture  , 100 years ago Fr...

Jiezi-Yuantong ancient town located near mountain  qingcheng ,  this ancient town quite  different  with Huanglongxi or luodai , this  toen keep there  own unique , have  not discovery by tourists yet ,  still keep there own culture  , 100 years ago French pastor  sat up   a few of churches  , and  business shop this town  , in that  time  this town  so prosperity    , but  now  day , you still can smell it  ,  local resident boast  of  it  own snack ,  there have  more than 1000 of snacks you can taste and  bring away ,

Giant Panda Breeding Center and Research Base

Chinese zoos are often equated to animal prisons by Western visitors. Fortunately Chengdu’s Giant Panda Breeding Center strays far from the norm. The research base is truly groundbreaking for country that pushes aside most environmental and ecological concerns due to its overpopulation...

Chinese zoos are often equated to animal prisons by Western visitors. Fortunately Chengdu’s Giant Panda Breeding Center strays far from the norm. The research base is truly groundbreaking for country that pushes aside most environmental and ecological concerns due to its overpopulation issues. The base has a research lab, museum, panda kindergarten, and adult panda grounds. In total the base has 45 pandas. The children stay in the panda kindergarten area until they are three years old. Then they can hold their own in the adult grounds.

Baby Panda in the center in Chengdu


Right now there is only one baby panda under one year old. She is named Jing Jing in honor of the upcoming 2008 Olympics in Beijing. As of March 2006 she is six months old and already 24 kilograms. Watching her climb about her wooden jungle gym and her caretaker can make even the most dignified man crack a smile. This adorable creature is the closest thing this earth has to an ewok. For the absurd price of Y800 you can even take a picture with Jing Jing in your lap

Jing Jing at play with her caretaker (photo by Jamey Doole)

Arrive early to catch the pandas roll out of bed and begin their two hour breakfast. Pandas only absorb about 20% of the fibers they ingest, so they spend much of their waking hours chomping away on bamboo. In the wild, a panda’s diet is more than 95% bamboo. After waking up, taking a short stroll, and scratching their backs for a bit, it is time for breakfast. The staff generally leaves large piles of bamboo close to visitor paths, so entrants can be duly entertained. The panda nestles into a comfortable spot next to a large pile of bamboo and lays on his or her back. By the time they are finished, they will be covered in a pile of their own bamboo remains. Watching the pandas snack incessantly is somewhat mesmerizing.

The base also has red pandas. However, one gets the feeling that red pandas are the giant panda’s red-headed step-sister. Visitors to this section are few and the price of a picture is only Y50. The red pandas may remind Westerners of raccoons or big cats. They do have beautiful fur and are quite elegant creatures.

Entrance to the base is Y30. A  small movie theater with a free 18 minute film about breeding pandas is worth seeing. The footage of mother pandas giving birth is fascinating.

Directions: The base is about 10 kilometers outside of town. Reaching the base by bus is not very efficient. Take bus no. 10 to its terminus. At this bus station change to bus no. 1. It is much easier to take a taxi which should only cost about Y30 from the center of town. On the way back, just flag down bus no. 1. Bus no. 1 will take you to a bus station where you can either walk about 30-40 mins to reach downtown Chengdu or take another bus.

An adult panda in the center in Chengdu

Apparently double-fisting isn’t just for drunks (Photo by Jamey Doole)

Guide to Chengdu Eats

Chengdu is legendary throughout China for spicy food and superior eats. For visitors spending a short time in town don’t worry as much about eating at any specific restaurant, rather just be sure to try as many of these Chengdu specialties as you can.
 
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Chengdu is legendary throughout China for spicy food and superior eats. For visitors spending a short time in town don’t worry as much about eating at any specific restaurant, rather just be sure to try as many of these Chengdu specialties as you can.
 
 
Huo Guo (火锅) - Hotpot. If you can’t locate a hotpot restaurant within 100 meters of where you stand, then you had better check your map, because you aren’t in Chengdu. Hotpot is the definitive meal of Chengdu and is often equated with the personalities of the local Chengdu citizens. If you are afraid of spicy food, try to work up some courage for hotpot. Eat slowly, the spice isn’t as much overwhelming as it is delicious. Add some vinegar, soy sauce, or oyster sauce to your plate to deaden the spice if you are struggling. At the restaurant first inform the staff as to whether you want spicy or not spicy hotpot. They can actually put a divider into the pot to provide you with both options. Then put a mark next to all of the meats, vegetables, and tofu you want to try on a checklist/menu given to you by the staff. Sometimes there will be an English menu as well, so just ask. Once the raw foods are brought to your table, dump them into the pot and let them cook. A few minutes later you will understand the lives of Chengdu residents that much more.
 
Shao Kao (烧烤) – Chinese Barbecue. These charcoal grills get fired up after the sun sets. Pick up a tray or basket from the vendor and pile on any kind of meat, seafood, vegetable, or tofu you can find from their assortment. The items are all diced up and placed on wooden skewers. Generally meat and seafood skewers cost Y1-2, while tofu and vegetable skewers are 5 jiao/mao (half of one yuan). Don’t forget to instruct the vendor as to what amount of spicy ‘la jiao’ you want: ‘duo’ for a lot, ‘wei la’ for a little bit, and ‘bu yao la’ for none. Other ingredients you can control with the same measure words are salt – ‘yan’, garlic – ‘suan’, and oil – ‘you’.  
 
Tie Ban Shao (铁板烧) – Many smaller Shao Kao restaurants also offer this style of stir-fry. After you pick out the skewers you want to eat, they are first deep fried in oil for a minute or two. The food is then removed from the skewers and diced and stir-fried on a griddle. This is where they will add the ingredients as you instruct them. They can also add rice to the mix for an extra Y1-2. This method uses a lot of oil, but like everything else, is quite tasty.
 
Chuan Chuan Xiang (串串香) and Ma La Tang  (麻辣烫) – This is an excellent way to test your spicy food eating capacity. These restaurants have large bowls of spicy chili peppers and other spices floating in boiling water over a flame. You pick out as many skewers as you want for 1 jiao/mao each and then cook them in the pot yourself. Usually patrons will have a dish of sesame oil with the option of garlic to deaden the taste a bit. Oyster sauce is commonly added to the mix as well.
 
Zhong Shui Jiao Dumplings (钟水饺) – This is Chengdu’s special dumpling. They are dumplings filled with pork and vegetables served in a soy sauce mixed with sugar, diced garlic, sesame, and a bit of salt. The sauce might sound a little unusual, but hey, since you’ve already traveled half way around the globe to come to Chengdu, it makes sense to give it a try. They are aboslutely delicious.
 
Chao Shou (抄手) – This treat is similar to dumplings, but they are made differently. They have a thinner flour skin and different shape than typical dumplings. These cousins of dumplings are also stuffed with pork usually. This Chengdu specialty is served in a soup. You have the option of soup with or without spice, and they taste like two completely different dishes depending on youir choice.

Jian Dan Mian (剪蛋面) - These tasty and salty tomato and egg noodles are a favorite of late night diners in Yulin. A well known place is on Yulin Zhonglu (玉林中路) near the intersection with Yulin Dong/Xi Lu.

Sichuan Dishes: Local restaurants serving generally stir fried dishes offer too many favorites to name, so we'll toss a few well known ones out here to get you started:

Hui Guo Rou 回国肉 - Twice or Double Cooked Pork, everyone's favorite
Tang Cu Li Ji 糖醋里脊 - Sweet and Sour Pork, usually more sweet than sour
Gong Bao Ji Ding 宫爆鸡丁 - Kung Pao Chicken, naturally quite spicy, but peanuts make it memorable
Ma Po Dou Fu 麻婆豆腐 - Grandma's Pock-Marked Tofu, Sichuan's most famous soft tofu dish
Yu Xiang Rou Si 鱼香肉丝 - Fish-flavored Shredded Pork and Veggies, better than the description may sound, I promise
Jia Chang Dou Fu 家常豆腐 - Home-style Tofu, a thicker, harder type of tofu, clearly I'm not tofu expert
Shui Zhu Rou Pian 水煮肉片 - Sliced pork in a very spicy broth served with bok choy or cabbage usually

Ya'an Bifengxia Giant Panda Breeding and Research Center

There are two Giant Panda Breeding and Research Center in Sichuan,one is Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding and Research Center,the other one is in Bifengxia,120 km south west to Chengdu.

Bifengxia Giant Panda Breeding and Research Center is the biggest one in China. Currently,there are ab...

There are two Giant Panda Breeding and Research Center in Sichuan,one is Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding and Research Center,the other one is in Bifengxia,120 km south west to Chengdu.

Bifengxia Giant Panda Breeding and Research Center is the biggest one in China. Currently,there are about 120 Giant Pandas in the center,21 of them are new born cubs this year. Unlike the Chengdu city,Bifengxia is quite cool temperature in Summer due to its high altitude, so giant panda can keep active there,as they dislike hit.

The breeding and research center is inside a nature reserve, with very pretty nature,forest and mountain,waterfall,wild lives. If you are lucky enough you may find a Giant Panda in the wild when  hiking in the nature reserve. 

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

It's the nearest Giant Panda's Base  form downtown  of chengdu,more and details you can check the  official  website by www.panda.org.cn. 

TIPS:the best time to see them is 9 am...

It's the nearest Giant Panda's Base  form downtown  of chengdu,more and details you can check the  official  website by www.panda.org.cn. 

TIPS:the best time to see them is 9 am——10 am. 

The Tibetan Neighborhood

Near the Wuhou Shrine and the Southwest University for Nationalities is a small neighborhood that features Tibetan shops and restaurants. From the outside this area is only recognizable by the Tibetan script written above or below Chinese characters on storefronts. There is usually a handful...

Near the Wuhou Shrine and the Southwest University for Nationalities is a small neighborhood that features Tibetan shops and restaurants. From the outside this area is only recognizable by the Tibetan script written above or below Chinese characters on storefronts. There is usually a handful of Tibetan monks, dressed in traditional red and yellow attire, milling about the area as well. It is not possible to say whether the shops sell items any more or less authentic than the Tibet Autonomous Region itself. Still, any travelers or tourists looking to pick up a Buddha figure, incense, or Tibetan-style jewelery, handcrafts, clothing, or weavings should stop by for a browse. Generally speaking Tibetans are particularly friendly, however, the neighborhood does unfortunately host a few unfriendly beggars, including some children.  

The neighborhood itself is really just one intersection. Running north/south is Wuhouci Hengjie. The east/west cross-street with Wuhouci Hengjie is Wuhouci Dongjie on the west side and Ximianqiao Hengjie on the east side. The restaurants in the area are all vegetarian and moderately priced.  

A Tibetan restaurant facade, notice the unusual Tibetan script

Buses 8, 94, 109, and 110 all stop on Ximianqiao Hengjie, which forms the eastern end of the neighborhood. If you head south from the Wuhou Shrine on Wuhouci Dajie, you will soon turn left onto Wuhouci Dongjie.

Shufengyayun Sichuan Opera Theater

Shufengyayuan is one of the most popular places to enjoy the Sichuan Opera in Chengdu.

In this Chinese Traditional Style Theater, visitors can enjoy the  traditional formula of the Sichuan Opera,which is quite systematic with a combination of stunts like face-chan...

Shufengyayuan is one of the most popular places to enjoy the Sichuan Opera in Chengdu.

In this Chinese Traditional Style Theater, visitors can enjoy the  traditional formula of the Sichuan Opera,which is quite systematic with a combination of stunts like face-changing, tihuiyan, sword-hiding, fire-spitting and beard-changing with the plot and different characters.

Chengdu Articles

Top Chengdu Tours

$200 Per Day

CHENGDU, A PANDA CITY, A GOURMET CITY, A TEA CITY, LOOKING FOWARD TO YOUR ARRIVAL

Chengdu, with an area of 12,400 square kilometers and a polulation of about 14,170,000 is not just the biggest provincial capital in west China, but also the only city in the history of China whose name has reminded the same for 3,000 years since its establishment. In Chinese, "Cheng" means "success or successful" and "Du" means "big city or capital". This "Successful City" boasts a long history. It is believed that everything about Chengdu has their origin from "Sanxingdui Ruins", from where you can deeply discover the history story of Chengdu.

Giant pandas definitely are the best calling card and trademark of Chengdu. Every year, million of people are attracted by giant pandas to spend their holidays here, go sightseeing here, make investment here and even settle here permanently. The reason is that for people around the world, the charm of giant pandas cannot be replaced by anything else. 

Various kinds of wonderful food shall be another reason attracting you to visit Chengdu. Of the four most famous schools of culinery art in China (Beijing cuisine, Sichuan cuisine, Jiangsu cuisine, Guangdong cuisine), Sichuan cuisine boasts tongue-numbing, hot, delicate and fresh taste and a variety of flavors, as "each dish has its unique taste and no two dishes have the same flavor." Such spcial flavors as fish-flavored, gongbao (with peanuts), and water-boiled are incomparable at home and abroad.

"The teahouses in Sichuan top the world, and those in Chengdu Top Sichuan." This widespread saying not only points out the status of Chengdu's teahouses but also the inseverable ties between Chengdu culture and tea. Like bars in Paris and cafes in Vienna, teahouse add a touch of refinement and leisureliness to Chengdu, an ancient yet modern metropolis. The practice of driking tea prevailed in Sichuan as earlt as prior to the Qin and Han Dynasties.

Wish you can have a nice trip in Chengdu. You will love it.

$40 Per Day

The Snow-Capped Xiling Mountain

The Snow-Capped Xiling Mountain Scenic Area is located in Dayi County,105kilometers from chengdu ,and covers a total area of 483 square kilometers. Primarily known for its virgin forest,the Snow-Capped Xiling Mountain Scenic Area consists of green mountains,snow-capped plateaus,steep peaks,amazibg stones,spectacular waterfalls and exotic wildlife and animals. With diffefent seasonal views at various vertical levels,this high mountain is especially attractive, with many kinds of flowers in spring,beautiful waterfalls in summer,colorful leaves in autumn and dazzling white snow and ice in winter. Driving westwards about 95 kilometers from chengdu you will arrive at the Snow-Capped Xiling Mountain in Dayi County in an hour. The great variation of altitude and temprature gives the scenic area the advantage ofviewing all of the seasons all the year around. The famous saying "boundless sights are seen only at the summit" gives us the essence of sightseeing.