Chengdu Travel Forum

Going to be in Chengdu next Saturday onwards. What else is there to do besides the Panda Reserve? Which reserve should we go to - apparently there are 2.

What else can we squeeze in? We arrive on Saturday afternoon and leave Monday afternoon - not too much time we know.

Any restaurants / clubs we should not miss out? Shopping? Local and spicy food preferred - 1 of us speaks chinese so hope we shouldn't have a problem getting around.

Is there anyone who knows a driver who'll be able to bring us around for a day? or are we much better getting a taxi / car from the hotel or public transport?

Thanks - any tips / advice / must do things much appreciated. First timers..

I recommend visiting the Green Ram Monastery and nearby is Du Fu's thatched cottage. Du Fu is one of China's most celebrated poets and while the history and cultural significance may be a little obscure it is nonetheless a very pleasant park.

http://www.travelsinasia.com/China/Sichuan.htm

The other panda reserve is at Wolong, a few hours drive from Chengdu. Just go to the one just outside Chengdu, and go early in the morning.
Sanxingdui museum can be combined with Chengdu panda reserve for almost a full day's sightseeing. The artifacts there are really out-of-this-world and well worth the trip, even if you don't usually like museums. Jinli Old Street is kitschy and cool; Chunxi Lu is a pedestrian street similar to Nanjing Lu pedestrian street in Shanghai; Qintai Lu is a recreated Song/Qing-dynasty street with nice architecture and a number of yummy restaurants well worth checking out. We ate at the Lao Huang Ma hotpot restaurant and it was quite good.
We hired a minivan (could seat about 7 or 8 people) to take us to the panda reserve, Sanxingdui museum and back to Chengdu for 330 RMB, a good deal.

Du Fu's thatched cottage entry fee 60

Can try "medicine meal". Recommend: Yushangong, location: 1 CongFu Street 總府 街, tel: 028-6750643. Taste good yummy

Leshan Big Buddha can be done as a day trip from Chengdu.

you may try bifengxia panda reserve one day tour, where is abt 150km west to chengdu.

I'd go for the Panda breeding center.
That way you are guranteed to see Pandas (go no later than 8 AM), and see them, cute as they are they'll go sleep immedately after breakfast.
After that I'd go to the Daoist temple, which is very beautiful, and, IMHO, much nicer than the Buddhist temples (I hope I am not starting a holy war here) . It also has some delectable dishes in the restaurant.
If you lack trekking equipment, there is a store with quality trekking products at amazing prices (Deuter 75 Liter backpack for 115 US $), near the major Buddhist temple.

Hello I am Mickal in Chengdu,maybe I may help you arrange the transportation.

And hi Ellyse,you like a tourist from this forum to that forum :) but me too.

HI Ellyse - where can i hire the van from? any contacts? thanks!

Ask the guy who posted right above you...

Hi Mickal - could u tell me roughly how much transport will be then? 4 of us - so probably only need a car. to panda reserve just outside chengdu...and maybe the musuem as well. thanks. perhaps we could call when we arrive on sat? will need the car on sun i reckon. thanks!

Go to the show at the Chengdu Sichuan Opera House near Wuhon Temple -- it's the most fantastic show you'll ever see, with hand shadow puppetry, music, and the famous mask changing! You won't be sorry!!!

Only 2 full days. After visiting the pandas, not even enough time for shopping and eating !! 1 day with pandas not enough too!

Remember to shop and bring back lots of spicy snacks for the people at home. Of cos, there are other non spicy tasty snacks too. Then when you are eating these at home, you will want to go back to Chengdu again. :P :P :P