- Visit Chengdu – Home to the Giant Pandas
- Visit Chengdu – The Majestic Leshan Giant Buddha
- Visit Chengdu – Top 3 attractions in Chengdu
- Visit Guilin – Reed Flute Cave
- Visit Guilin – Plan Li River Cruise
- Day trip From Shanghai – Zhujiajiao Water Town
- Money Can buy Happiness at Shanghai Bund and Nanjing Road
- Visit Shanghai – Yuyuan Garden and Jade Buddha Temple
- Shanghai Travel : Top 5 Attractions in Shanghai
- Visit Zhangjiajie – How to Visit Tianmen Mountain
- Explore Zhangjiajie – How to Visit Baofeng Lake
- Visit Zhangjiajie – Avatar Mountains, Bailong Elevator, Golden Whip Stream
- Visit The Great Wall of China – Greatest Feat in human History
- Top 10 Must do things in Beijing – Travel China
- Travel China – Top 5 Attractions in China
The gladdest moment in human life, me thinks, is a departure into unknown lands.Sir Richard Burton
Visit Chengdu – Top 3 attractions in Chengdu
Chengdu the capital of the Sichuan province is the entry point for most travelers visiting the Southwest of China. Through my reads earlier, it was depicted as one of the slowest paced and relaxed city in the fast growing and dynamic China. And I did agree with it but the moment I landed in Chengdu what struck me instantly was the economic progress this country has made and the infrastructure they own now is world apart – and Chengdu depicts exactly the same.
After a quick check in at the hotel, we were out for an evening stroll of this vibrant city. What instantly catches your eye is the vast sea of human population. Though I come from China’s closest competitor in population – India, it still took me by surprise. Every street is lined with vendors selling food which “looks” amazing. The first thing I tried I had to throw it out! 
The First thing every person visiting Chengdu needs to do is try the Sichuan Hotpot.
Chengdu is at the epicenter of Sichuan province, home to spicy food and lip numbing dishes. In 2010, Chengdu was named a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. The heat of these dishes is balanced well with the sweet, salty and at times flowery flavors. The standout dish here is the famous Sichuan Hotpot.
Having loved spicy food, the Sichuan hot pot is still a shock to my system. Hot and spicy chilli oil is placed at the center of table with plates of raw meat and veggies.The food is then carefully dipped in this hot chilli oil till it cooks and then had with rice or veggies. Though it’s literally “lip numbing” – it’s one of the best dishes we have had in China. Read more of how to crack the hotpot here – Click here.
The next day we were up early and on our way to the most famous must see of Chengdu – The Giant Pandas. This was one prime reason for selecting Chengdu as our first pit stop on our China escapade.
The Giant Panda Breeding research base located just 18 km from the city center is the home to the Red Pandas and their famous cousins The Black and White Giant Pandas. As these adorable creatures vanish from the Forests, Chengdu is now knows as the “Panda Central”. Read more about our experience with the Pandas here – Click here.
Watching these Adorable furry cute animals munch bamboo shoots, play and fool around with their little ones is a sight to behold.
Besides cute giant pandas, there are also red pandas, black swans, and peacocks in the base. It’s one of the most popular destinations for foreign travellers. And it’s a must-go place when you go to Chengdu. Read more about this adorable experience here – Click here
After visiting the Pandas we were on our way to the third must do attraction – The Leshan Giant Buddha. Leshan Giant Buddha is a huge statue which is carved into the side of Mount Lingyun. The Giant Buddha is about 71 meters high and 24 meters wide. The head is 14.7 meters long and 10 meters wide with total 1021 buns of hair on it, and his toenail can accommodate a seated person. Each eyebrow is 18 feet long. The instep, which is 8.5 meters wide, can accommodate 100 people. The toe is large enough to accommodate a dinner table. Taller by 17 meters than the standing Buddha in Afghanistan, the Leshan Giant Buddha is the tallest and largest Buddha in the world.
A local saying says, “The Mountain is a Buddha, the Buddha is a Mountain”. Read more about the Giant Buddha here – Click here.
We decided to take a river cruise rather than hike to have a holistic view and take in the sheer size of this statue.
Relive our Chengdu journey here –
If you have any questions or feedback please leave a comment below and I’ll get back to you at the very earliest.
This is Aldrin and my partner Amoli. We bring you "Earths Pilgrim" - a unique insight into our travel escapades while leaving life in a cubicle. If you are looking for some inspiration to break the shackles of a regular life, then you are the right place. Read more about us- Click here.