Chengdu – home of pandas and spicy food

As the starting point of our 8-day tour to Jiuzhaigou and Leshan, we flew into Chengdu Tianfu International airport. It’s huge! Apart from being famous for its pandas, Chengdu is a major high-speed rail (HSR) hub in China connecting to major cities across China.

Accommodation at Chengdu 

We spent the first and last night of the 8-day Jiuzhaigou tour in Chengdu – both comfortable high end hotels. First night at Marriott Bonvoy and the last at Tivoli Chengdu

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

This Conservation park is huge! It’s great to stroll around the deck and see pandas in the open rather than behind gauged enclosures 

Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street

Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street is Chengdu’s premier shopping, dining, and entertainment hub in the heart of the city

The main draw is the giant panda sculpture climbing up the IFS building and then shows its rather sad face at Level 7. After all, it has been trying to climb up the building since 2014!

The IFS building is home to all the high end designer stores. On the opposite side of the road, there’re more stores for everyday and tourist stuff.

Chen Mapo Tofu Restaurant 

This is a popular and famous restaurant in Chengdu, founded in the early Tongzhi period of the Qing Dynasty (1862). It’s been selected in the “Essence Of Asia” of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants and the Michelin Guide

My stay in Chengdu may have been brief, but it’s an experience to hold in mind, not least because of my special fridge magnet!

Next stop Leshan!