By: Max Yang
Chengdu is among the most popular cities in China. It is a city in Sichuan, also known as the land of abundance. Geographically, Sichuan is in southwest China. Chengdu lives up to its name in this land with an abundancy of attractions, delicious treats, and comfortable and affordable lodging.
Many tourists visit Chengdu with one word in mind: pandas. Yes, Chengdu is the hometown of pandas. It is the only place you can see families of pandas living together in harmony. If you would just like to see a panda, the Chengdu Zoo is your destination. However, that’s not the best option. People with a desire for a full day of interaction with this clumsy, but adorable animal should visit the Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Base. The research base is like a zoo for only pandas. There are many habitats for pandas, bamboos everywhere, and toys for pandas to play with. Another treat is that you get to see baby pandas in real life!
Are you interested in artifacts from throughout the long thread of history? The Sanxingdui Museum is full gold and bronze masks created thousands of years ago. Even though there are almost a thousand of breathtaking artifacts stored in this museum, little is known about where and when these masks were made. People are still digging for more. Did you know that people dug up many more gold masks just last year? They were excavated from the southwest part of Sichuan.
After a day of travelling, you may crave a peaceful setting. Mt. Qingcheng is an ideal place to fulfill that desire. It is considered as one of the birthplaces of Daoism. Daoism is a Chinese philosophy based on the writing of Lao Zi. It is mainly about humility and religious piety. With many temples, springs, and beautiful gardens, this glorious mountain is really a place living up to its name. Of course, these aren’t the only attractions in Chengdu. There are also tons of different kinds of food worth trying.
Chengdu’s food is phenomenal, but it is usually spicy. One of the must-eat dishes in Chengdu is Long Chao Shou. The name means Dragon Wonton and this moniker gives everything away. Long Chao Shou is like dumplings, but the outside is thinner. Then, these are put in a spicy soup and Tada! A delicious bowl of Long Chao Shou is ready. Another dish that shouldn’t be ignored is Dan Dan noodles. Ground pork, vegetables, and spicy sauce are sprinkled on the noodles to create this mouthwatering dish.
The lodging in Chengdu may cost more than other cities. The costs are mostly in the range of $150–$200 USD per night, but just paying that amount is the key to unlocking the gates of heavenly lodging. In America, paying that amount won’t get you in a hotel as fancy as the ones in Chengdu. The public transportation in Chengdu is extremely advanced. Except for the metro systems weaving underground, there are taxis for closer-distance travel, and trains and airplanes for long-distance movement. Moving around the province has never been this convenient. With great prices and multiple choices, getting around in Chengdu is never a problem.
The city of Chengdu is also one of the most ancient cities in Chinese history. Its city walls were already standing during the first few centuries CE. Many rich cultural traditions contributed to shape this ancient and magnificent city we see today. With so many attractions such as pandas and Sanxingdui, and many traditional yummies such as Dan Dan noodles and Long Chao Shou, paired with advanced public transportation, such as metro systems and taxis, and luxurious hotels, Chengdu is a traveler’s heaven!