Center of Sichuan province. Chengdu City (People's Republic of China)
Sichuan province map
Many people call Sichuan their favorite province or one of those. Everyone unanimously says that Sichuan is incredibly beautiful and it's hard not to agree with this. The most interesting thing is that in the vast majority of cases, people see only a fraction of the beauties of Sichuan. There are several very popular places, almost everyone gets to them, after which they turn around and go in all directions. But even this is enough for them to fall in love with Sichuan and leave with the firm intention of returning.
Let's see how Sichuan province looks like on a map of China and mark the most significant places for ourselves.
Sichuan province map
Sichuan Chengdu. Is it worth staying in the capital?
I can't clearly say why, but Chengdu is one of my favorite cities in China. There is not much to see here, but the city is very pleasant. There is no feeling of overcrowding, even though about 14 million people live in it. It is pleasant to walk here, there are a lot of foreigners, both travelers and those who live here. If you have to live in Chengdu for some time, don't worry, you can always find a company to communicate with. In addition to foreigners, quite a lot of Russians live in Chengdu.
If you make some ratings of what to see in Chengdu, the list of attractions will be quite short. Moreover, everything interesting in Chengdu can be seen in one day. The coolest thing about Sichuan is located outside the capital. But we'll talk about this a little later.
Pandas in China
Probably the most important attraction in Chengdu, and one of the main ones in the whole province, is the opportunity to see pandas with your own eyes. Sichuan is considered the birthplace of pandas and it is from here that individual animals are sent to other zoos in China and the world. For all my travels, I have been to zoos a couple of times and not to say that I was very impressed with what I saw. Therefore, I went to the pandas without much enthusiasm.
But you know, pandas are cool! True, they are worth seeing, especially if you are already in Chengdu. All these animals do is sleep and eat. But they do it so funny that they involuntarily cause a smile. The only thing I would like to advise is not to come to the reserve with pandas on weekends or holidays. There are a lot of Chinese. There are several ways to get to the reserve. I will describe the one that I used myself.
First you need to take the subway to Chengdu Zoo Station, which is on line 3. Then take a taxi directly to the park entrance. A taxi from the metro station will cost about 20 yuan, and the entrance to the reserve costs 58 yuan. The reserve is open from 8.00 to 18.00, but it is worth considering that after 16.00 some parts of the park may be closed.
By the way, pandas in China are not only in Chengdu. Pandas can be found in almost all zoos. largest cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and some others. But unlike other cities, there are a lot of pandas in Chengdu. There is even a red panda, although, in my opinion, this animal has little to do with a panda. The red panda looks more like a raccoon, only red.
Sichuan. Most Popular Attractions
Jiuzhaigou National Park
Judging by the reviews of most tourists, one of the most beautiful places in China. When you look at the photos, immediately there is a desire to pack a backpack and go in search of a park. But not everything is as magical as it seems at first glance. Much has already been said about the advantages of Jiuzhaigou, but there are several significant disadvantages. Apart from the difficult road that takes a whole day on the mountain roads of Sichuan province, the main disadvantage of Jiuzhaigou is that you can only stay in the park for one day. Staying in the park with a tent and continuing to explore Jiuzhaigou the next day will not work.
And the park is huge and if you want to see everything in a day, inside the park you will have to travel by bus, from one stop to another, along with crowds of Chinese tourists, or literally run from one lake to another. Enjoy the place, in this case, will not work. The entrance ticket is expensive and hardly anyone wants to pay the next day again. But to go or not, it's up to you. Since I haven't been there in person, I can't really argue.
Yellow Mountains of Emeishan
One of the most popular places in all of China, very touristic, but I would recommend visiting. The hiking route takes two days. At the end of the route you rise to a height of about 3000 meters and you can see a beautiful panorama. I described the route in detail in an article about Mount Emey.
Big Buddha in Leshan
If you come here, be prepared to stand in line for a long time. And the queues will be huge. But this is China, it rarely happens otherwise. Apparently, the place is worthy of a visit, because even travelers who have dozens of countries behind them recommended the Buddha statue in Leshan.
These are the main attractions in Sichuan. I'm sure if you browse the internet you'll find others. In the next paragraph, I will talk about places that much less people know about. More theoretical information, but still it will be useful.
Sichuan. How to find authentic Tibetan culture
Probably, many dream to get to Tibet. To see real Tibetan monasteries, hermit monks, etc. with your own eyes. But let's figure out what TIBET is today. If you look at the map, there is the Tibet Autonomous Region, which is commonly called Tibet. People who go to organized tours, most often, start from Lhasa and end in the vicinity of Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region. Today, there is nothing Tibetan left in Lhasa and its environs. The Chinese government, realizing the tourism potential of Tibet, began to actively destroy the Tibetan culture in the region and was very successful in this. If you go to TAR to see the real local culture, you will have to travel far enough from Lhasa.
Of course, the difficulties of the road should not frighten anyone. Most often, it is the process of achieving the goal that leaves the brightest memories. Spend a week or two hiking through the mountains of Tibet in search of a real Tibetan monastery? This is wonderful! The plan is good, with one exception. In order to enter the territory of the TAR, you must obtain a permit and be part of a tourist group. This is a mandatory condition and it is not recommended to violate it. You can try to climb into the territory of Tibet on your own, but within a few days you will be expelled back by the police. You can't hide from her, if only because locals, seeing you, at the same moment the police will snitch.
Why all this prelude? There is a great alternative to the Tibet Autonomous Region. The western part of Sichuan province and the northwestern province of Yunnan - today this is Tibet. You do not need any permits and tour groups, you can go to the mountains on your own and find Tibetan monasteries, monks and everything that is associated with Tibet. Take a look at Sichuan. See the city of Kangding, west of Chengdu? If you draw a conditional line from Kanding to the north and south, dividing Sichuan into two parts, then the western part will be Tibet. This is where you can find Tibetan culture. The more you move west, the deeper you will be in Tibet.
But remember that real mountains begin in western Sichuan. There are those that are higher than 7000 meters, tourists can rarely be found and only on tourist routes. At the same time, some base points can be reached by bus, which makes the journey easier. Below I will attach a few photos from our week-long hike in the vicinity of Mount Gongga Shan (altitude over 7500 meters). Unlike the popular Emeishan and similar places, western Sichuan is a real challenge to be prepared for.
That's all I wanted to tell about Sichuan. Of course, one could add that Sichuan has very spicy food and there is practically no sun, but you will find this information without me)))
If you have any questions about Sichuan, I'll be happy to answer in the comments.!!!
(3 voters. Vote and you!!!)
Chengdu- the administrative center of Sichuan province, rightfully named "Paradise Abode". A land of abundance and the most populous province in China. Chengdu has been known since the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), the city is often referred to as Little Beijing. “A city in one year, a metropolis in three!” proclaimed the prince of Shu, setting his capital at Chengdu during the Warring States era (453–221 BC).
It is located in the western part of the Sichuan depression. Chengdu is the scientific, technological, commercial, financial and transportation center of southwestern China. The total area is 12.4 thousand square meters. km, population - 9.6 million people.
Chengdu has a historical name "Celestial wealthy capital". There are rich natural resources and a favorable climate. Attractions are found everywhere. Chengdu is famous for local handicrafts, unique customs and traditions. Three characteristics are appropriate for Chengdu: the native land of bamboo bears, the famous historical cultural city, a beautiful landscape of a fertile region.
Chengdu has a convenient geographical position. international Airport Shuangliu is one of the six largest airports in China. Train Station the city is the largest in Southwest China. Connect here railways Baoji - Chengdu, Chengdu - Chongqing, Chengdu - Kunming. From here it is convenient to get to Three Gorges "Sanxia" in the east, Tibet, Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve, Huanglong Temple in the west, in a northerly direction, the road leads to Xi'an, where you can visit the Museum of the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Moving south, one can reach Emeishan Mountains and Leshan City where the largest seated Buddha statue is located.
Chengdu, a monument city with 3,000 years of history, the uniqueness of the city lies in the fact that throughout the long history of the city's borders and its name has not changed. Chengdu city is one of the best tourist cities in China with rich history.
Chengdu - capital of Sichuan- one of the most important central cities of the country. Chengdu is a secondary provincial level city and is also historical cultural center of China. By definition of the State Council, Chengdu is scientific and technical, trade, financial center , as well as the main communication and communications hub, an important air hub in the western part of China, one of the four air towns in China is located on the territory of Chengdu. State Administration for Tourism and World tourism organization recognized the city Chengdu best tourist city China, The United Nations World Tourism Organization has listed Chengdu as one of the cities with a great impact on China's tourism development. Tourists now have the opportunity stays in the city for 72 hours without a transit visa for transit flights from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Chengdu is divided into 9 districts, 4 towns and 6 counties, with a total area of 12,400 square kilometers, and a resident population of 14,070,000, of which 11,630,000 are residents and 7,680,000 are urban residents.
Today's Chengdu impresses with its scale and level of development. Chengdu is regarded as modern city , in which the investments of the entire mainland China are invested, today it is the main engine economic development of western China. This economic environment stimulates the surrounding areas of the city to develop, and also attracts more and more investment from outside. October 8th, 2010 famous American Forbes financial magazine published a research report on the fastest growing cities of the past decade, in which Chengdu located at the first place in the list. At present, there are representative offices of Intel, IBM, Dell and more than 200 other well-known enterprises in the world in Chengdu. Chengdu ranks first among the cities of the western part of China in terms of the number of large manufacturing enterprises. Chengdu ranks first in the number of foreign banks and foreign consulates among the cities of the western part of China. The venue for the Global Fortune Forum 2013 was Chengdu, the fourth city after Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong to host the forum.
Chengdu is rich in tourism resources, on the territory of the city there are famous Qingchenshan mountains, ancient dujiangyan irrigation system, bamboo bear (panda) sanctuary and other cultural and natural heritage, such as the, Temple Uhoutsy(in honor of Zhuge Liang), hut "Tsaotan"- the hermitage of the poet Dufu, Jinsha ruins, snowy Mountain peaks Silin and other scenic areas of the state level category AAAA.
As one of the country's historical and cultural cities, Chengdu is famous for unique monuments ancient architecture . The beauty of the city was sung by such famous poets of Chinese literature Li Bo and Du Fu. During the period three kingdoms, the city was the capital State Shy, later it was here that culture began to flourish.
Chengdu is known for its food culture and dishes Sichuan cuisine, which has a sharp, spicy and fresh taste. Sichuan cuisine has about 6,000 main dishes. There is a saying: "The most delicious food is Sichuan cuisine, the best food culture is Chengdu". The UNESCO International Organization recognized the city of Chengdu as "Gastronomic Capital of the World" in Asia. From the abundance of dishes during banquets, ripples before your eyes, and the aroma and spicy taste do not leave anyone indifferent.
Chengdu is extraordinarily beautiful during blossoming peach trees. Nice, mild climate, greenery and flowering peach trees everywhere, give tourists sense of harmony and togetherness. Chengdu is not only a large, rapidly developing modern city, but also a cozy, green corner in the western part of China, which will leave unforgettable memories in the memory of tourists.
Chengdu perfect place recreation, Here you can enjoy the solitude and beauty of nature, architectural and other attractions, having a large historical value, learn about the history and culture ancient city or just stroll through the modern, beautiful city. Chengdu is the city of wealth, the capital of success.
Chengdu is located on the territory of the state (country) China, which in turn is located on the territory of the continent Asia.Population of Chengdu city.
The population of Chengdu city is 7,123,000.What time zone is Chengdu in?
Chengdu city is located in the administrative time zone: UTC+8. Thus, you can determine the time difference in the city of Chengdu, relative to the time zone in your city.Phone code for Chengdu
Telephone code Chengdu city: +57 28. In order to call Chengdu city from a mobile phone, you need to dial the code: +57 28 and then directly the subscriber's number.Official website of the city of Chengdu.
Website of the city of Chengdu, official website of the city of Chengdu, or as it is also called "Official website of the city of Chengdu": http://www.chengdu.gov.cn/.Coat of arms of the city of Chengdu.
In the description of the city of Chengdu, the coat of arms of the city of Chengdu is presented, which is the hallmark of the city.Subway in Chengdu city.
The subway in Chengdu city is called Chengdu Metropolitan and is a means of public transportation.The passenger traffic of the Chengdu Metro (Chengdu metro occupancy) is 103.00 million per year.
The number of subway lines in Chengdu is 2 lines. The total number of subway stations in Chengdu is 37. The length of subway lines or subway tracks is: 40.97 km.
Metro map (metro map) of Chengdu city.
The ancient city of Chengdu seemed to me personally a gigantic ugly symbiosis between Guangzhou and Ryazan. It seems that the widest avenues with skyscrapers made of glass and concrete and the metro were built in 2010, in theory they are beautiful, and nothing more. But in fact, it is somehow gray and sad, and if you wander along non-tourist streets, then sadness can be increased three times. Wooden buses, Khrushchev-style houses, gray gates, so much so that Peter nervously smokes on the sidelines. The color of the city is such that you want to take a blade and poke your veins, I don’t know how people live there.
Chengdu originated in the 4th century BC. e. in the valley of the Min River, in the first centuries of our era, the city was called Jincheng (City of Brocade) and was famous for the best brocade in the East. Until 316 B.C. e. Chengdu was the capital of the Shu kingdom, in the Three Kingdoms era from 221 to 263 - the capital of the Shu-Han kingdom, in the first half of the 4th century - the capital of the Cheng state, at the beginning of the 5th century - the capital of the Western Shu state. In 994, Chengdu was for some time the capital of the Li Shu rebel state. In 1644-46, Chengdu was occupied by the rebel army of Zhang Xianzhong, becoming the capital of the Great Western State he created.
During the years of the Great Peasant War, the Manchurian conquest of China and the war of the three tributary princes, the city suffered greatly and almost died out. The Qing Dynasty government even had to take special measures to repopulate the deserted Sichuan province, and the city gradually recovered. The province of Sichuan was separated into a separate military governorship, and from 1731 Chengdu became the residence of the governor of Sichuan. Until the 20th century, Chengdu was county town who did not have their own governing bodies. In 1928, Chengdu and Huayang counties were formally merged into the city of Chengdu, with their own governments. On December 27, 1949, the People's Liberation Army of China entered Chengdu, and Chengdu became part of the PRC. In 1952, the province of Sichuan was restored, and Chengdu became a city of direct provincial subordination, it housed the provincial government.
And in the era of the Song Dynasty, it was in Chengdu that the world's first paper money was printed. Nowadays, Chengdu bears the title of the capital of Chinese traditional medicine: local healers use thousand-year-old recipes to treat hundreds of ailments.
The emblem of the city is the ancient disk "Birds of the Golden Sun", but it would probably be more logical to make the logo of the city a panda. Why panda? Yes, because it is here that the biggest attraction of Sichuan province is located - the Giant Panda Reserve and almost the entire city is crammed with images of these animals.
It is the largest panda research and breeding center in the world. They are very lazy, to be fruitful and multiply, it is difficult to force them, as, however, it is difficult to find them in a waking state. The reserve is located outside the city, you can get there either by bus or by tour. It is recommended to visit in the early hours of 8-9 in the morning, then the bears, having eaten, hibernate in a crowd and there is nothing to look at, a million Chinese pushing their elbows as a bonus, which makes the attraction extremely doubtful to visit. Well, as you understand, I didn’t waste time and didn’t go, and I already saw big pandas in Singapore, they are the same as small ones, but bigger.
The only day in the city had to be spent with benefit, which means you need to get around the sights on foot. The hostel handed me a map of the city, and I went to soak up the culture of the ancient city. You can navigate the city even without a navigator, as the main streets diverge from the central square in all directions. The city center is surrounded by a system of concentric ring roads, and the rivers Fuhe, Nanhe, and Jinjiang Brocade River serve as a very good reference point.
Attractions:
Tianfu Square (天府广场), - main square, is located on the south street of Renmin Nanlu of Chengdu city, its shape and location is similar to Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Tianfu is the largest central city square in Western China, covering an area of 88,000 square meters, rectangular in shape, with a width-to-length ratio of 1:1.5. There is a monument to the leader Mao Tse Tung on the square, in the center there is an open lower floor with a fountain, a shopping area and the entrance to the subway. Around the square are many flowers, lush greenery, shopping malls and skyscrapers that together create a unique urban landscape.
Jinli Street is one of the oldest and busiest streets in the city. The length of Jinli Street is 350 meters, and the entrance is decorated with an arch carved with the name "锦里古街". The history of this street began even before our era, and historical documents mention that during the reign of the Qin Dynasty 221 - 206 BC. here it was already in full swing. During the Shu period, the street became one of the main trading points, earning the title of "the first street of the Kingdom of Shu." Nowadays, not a stone is left of the old street, the Chinese demolished everything and built an exact copy in 2004 with traditional Chinese houses, shops, restaurants, hotels and tea houses. All buildings are designed in the style of the ancient cities of the western part of Sichuan province of the Qing period (1644-1911). Wooden columns and brick details in the decor give the street an old-world charm. As in all of China, the task of this street is the same, to sell as many souvenirs, paintings, calligraphy and other nonsense as possible to tourists.
Wenshu Monastery is also located here, the best preserved Buddhist complex in Chengdu. This place is the center of the Sichuan Buddhist Association. The first buildings of the monastery were built during the reign of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). At that time, the complex was called Xinxiang. In 1681, during the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), a monk named Cidu came to the monastery and built a small hut for himself, where he lived for several years in the most ascetic conditions. The legend says that when the monk died, the body was cremated, and the face of Wenshu, the Bodhisattva Manjurshi, personifying wisdom, appeared in the flame of fire. People decided that the monk Qidu was none other than the reincarnation of Wenshu. Ten years after that, in 1691, the complex was rebuilt and renamed the monastery in Wenshu and has not changed its appearance since then. The main cultural value of the monastery is a collection of paintings and calligraphy of the Tang and Sung eras, numbering about 500 canvases. In the Sutra Pavilion, you can see many autographs of famous personalities, paintings and manuscripts. Another treasure of the monastery is an elegant statue of the White Buddha, brought from Burma to China in 1922. The complex currently consists of five buildings. There are Prayer Halls, the Thousand Buddha Pagoda, the Institute of Calligraphy and the monks' canteen. Around the monastery there are many ponds with turtles, carps and large frogs. The garden there is truly exquisite - the monks have made it a wonderful landmark of Chengdu. There is also a large tea house where you can hear folk music and a vegetarian restaurant.
Chengdu is located in a valley river Min and is the capital Sichuan Province.
In ancient times, Chengdu was known as an important political, commercial and economic center. In the first centuries of our era, it was famous for its brocade, which was considered the best in the East. At that time the city was called: Jincheng- "city of brocade". During the Song era, it was in Chengdu that the world's first paper money was printed. In addition, the city was for some time the capital of China.
Nowadays, Chengdu bears the title of the capital of Chinese traditional medicine: local healers use thousand-year-old recipes to treat hundreds of ailments. One of the notable features of the city is the unhurried way of life of its inhabitants, which you especially pay attention to after visiting Hong Kong or Shanghai. Although in reality Chengdu is a very modern metropolis with a developed industry and excellent infrastructure. In addition, the weather is wonderful here most of the year. It is equally possible both sightseeing and educational recreation and active sports entertainment. And visiting Chengdu with the whole family is generally an ideal option: the kids will be delighted with the funny pandas, which you can watch in the local nature reserve.
Climate and weather
Chengdu has a subtropical monsoon climate. Usually in this region the whole year, except for the winter months, is warm and humid. The average annual temperature is +16 °C. Another feature of the city is the constant fog. sunny days not much in a year.
Summers are very warm, the temperature rarely exceeds +30 °C, but it can be difficult to breathe in the city due to high humidity. It should be borne in mind that in July the rainy season begins, which lasts until the end of August.
In winter, the mercury column at night does not fall below +3 ° C. But, again, high humidity reduces the level of comfort. weather conditions, and at this time it is easy to catch a cold.
It is best to plan a trip to Chengdu from March to June or from September to November, when the city is warm and there is relatively little rain.
Nature
The natural riches of Chengdu attract travelers no less than the historical sights. Although the city itself is located on a plain, 63 kilometers from it is located ora qingchenshan, and 160 kilometers - Mount Emeishan. The mountains are famous for sheer cliffs, roaring waterfalls, steep cliffs, evergreen forests, exotic flowers and bamboo thickets. Scenic views surround chaoyang lake in the suburbs of Chengdu. But the main natural gift is undoubtedly the giant pandas, which can be seen at close range in several reserves in the region.
Attractions
The main attractions of Chengdu, for which, in fact, travelers come here, include: qingyangong palace("The Palace of the Black Goat"), House Museum of the Poet Du Fu, Wuhouci Temple, Sichuan Provincial Museum, monasteries of Wenshu, Qingyanggong, Baoguangsi and the largest in the world buddha statue.
It is impossible not to visit the ancient irrigation system of Dujiangyan, which was built during the Qin dynasty, in the 3rd century BC. This is man-made miracle is still active and plays an important role in the local agriculture. Dujiangyan Dam has been listed as a world cultural heritage UNESCO in 2000.
If you want to know Interesting Facts about the culture of the ancient kingdom of Chu, visit Jinsha ancient settlement in the Western suburb of Chengdu. Here, archaeologists have found more than 3 thousand artifacts of that era: items made of tortoiseshell and ivory, gold and jade jewelry, burial ceramic vessels and much more. Also impressive Sanxingdui graves 20 kilometers from the city. In the places of ancient burials of this mysterious civilization, amazing masks and sculptures were found, whose age exceeds five thousand years!
On the south bank of the Jinjiang River, there is an old wanjianglou park, which is included in the list of attractions that the people of Chengdu have the right to be proud of. This park is dedicated to Xue Tao, a Chinese poet from the Tang era. Several types of bamboo, so beloved by the poetess, grow in the park. And the main building of the park is an elegant pagoda in the style of the Ming era.
Nutrition
Of all the regional cuisines in China, Sichuan cuisine is perhaps the most popular in the country and in the world. It has received international acclaim for its deep aroma, pungency and savory seasonings. Chili peppers are just as popular in Sichuan as rice. But "flaming" dishes are far from the only difference between local cuisine.
The most celebrated local dishes are the everyday smoky hot pot, an extremely popular legume throughout the country cottage cheese Ma Po, Gong Bao Ji Ding(spicy chicken with peanuts), Ma La Tang(“soup of the numb tongue”) and a simple but delicious dish Ji Si Liang Mian("cold noodles").
Szechuan gastronomic delights can be enjoyed at numerous local restaurants. For example, a great hot pot is served by Huangcheng Laoma on Kintai Road. Shizilou and Tanyutou restaurants are also known for their good local menu. However, Western cuisine in Chengdu is by no means a taboo. The city has numerous European-style restaurants, including fast food establishments. KFC, McDonald's, Pizza Hut. In short, no one will go hungry in Chengdu: even if you cannot get used to the spiciness of local dishes, there will always be an alternative more familiar to Europeans.
Accommodation
Chengdu is a city offering a wide range of hotels of various levels and price ranges. Here it is absolutely not necessary to spend huge amounts of money to live comfortably. Even youth hostels and guest houses guarantee their guests decent living conditions. Depending on location and amenities, hostel prices range from $10 to $25 per person. Hostels with a good reputation Chengdu Sam's Hostel and Guesthouse, Nature BC Hostel and Mr. Panda Hostel.
It will cost a little more to stay in a 3 * hotel. The price for a double room starts from $45-50. From $ 80-90 per day you will need to rent a room in an excellent 4 * hotel with a beautiful view from the window, a swimming pool, a fitness center, restaurants and nightlife on the territory of the complex. The atmosphere of luxury will be presented by 5 * hotels. In fairness, it should be noted that the prices for accommodation here are not as high as they usually are in five-star hotels in Shanghai, Hong Kong or Beijing. For example, Standart room in the Millennium Hotel 5 * will make the guest fork out $ 120 per day.
Entertainment and recreation
Chengdo knows a lot about fun, with travelers finding entertainment for all tastes, from traditional tea houses to cutting-edge nightclubs.
Many people go to Chengdu to see giant pandas up close. These cute hulking animals are kept at the Giant Panda Research Nursery, just 10 kilometers northeast of the city center. The center is open every day from 8:00 to 18:00, but it is better to come in the morning when the pandas have breakfast. After the animals are fed, they become completely lazy and it is almost impossible to see them in motion. For a fee, you can even take a picture with a panda, but this pleasure is not cheap - a little more than $ 100.
Among the connoisseurs of the tea ceremony, Sichuan tea houses are considered to be the first in the world, and Chengdu tea houses, respectively, are the best in Sichuan. Tea houses are places for relaxation and socializing. They play an important role in the life of the local population. Therefore, we advise you to definitely visit an institution of this type at least once in order to join the thousand-year-old traditions.
Lovers of high art will appreciate the Sichuan Opera. This is a syncretic genre, involving a spectacular action in which "chhou" - clowns play a large role. Such plots of the opera as "rolling lamps", "changing faces", "spitting fire" are very interesting.
Nightlife is bustling outside jingli(Jinli). There are countless tea houses, bars and pubs here, making this street one of the most popular places for entertainment. The street is especially beautiful at sunset, when the sun slowly goes below the horizon and red lights begin to light up.
Nightlife is also concentrated on busy streets such as Renmin South Road, Lihua Street and Yangshi Street. It has everything for a connoisseur of entertainment: discos, karaoke, bowling alleys, VIP clubs. Popular establishments include Kakadu Club & Disco, Hongse Niandai Club, Meigaomei International Recreational Club.
Purchases
Chengdu is a great place to buy original souvenirs, clothes, shoes and accessories. Moreover, the prices here are very affordable, and some products are interesting just for inspection. Shopping in Chengdu is fun, even if you don't plan on shopping.
A great example of a gift with local flair is the famous Shu brocade(Shu is one of the names of Sichuan province). It boasts a 2,000-year history: only empresses once wore brocade. Bamboo products are no less popular: coasters, chairs, vases, mats and so on. With the help of special equipment, local craftsmen weave bamboo and porcelain, creating unique products. In the shops of the city you can find the widest range of tea.
The most popular shops and markets are concentrated around the streets Zongfu Road, Chunxi Road and Luomashi. Very cheap souvenirs and products can be bought at night markets near the hotels Minshan and Jinjiang. Just do not forget to bargain - and the prices will pleasantly surprise you!
A lot of modern shopping centers, supermarkets, small shops are located in the area of Chunxi Pedestrian Street. This shopping street is more than a hundred years old, and shopping here will leave the most pleasant memories.
You will have to pay in the markets only in cash, while in stores they also accept bank cards. ATMs are ubiquitous, so withdrawing money will not be a problem.
Transport
Today, Chengdu has a well-established public transport system. Travelers can travel by bus, including sightseeing buses, metro, taxis and, of course, rickshaws.
Perhaps this fact will seem strange, but the subway in the huge and modern Chengdu was built only in 2010. Now the subway consists of two lines, one of which opened in September 2012. It is planned that 4 more lines will be built.
City buses follow more than 400 routes in all directions and allow you to get to most attractions. A regular bus fare is about $0.15, while an air-conditioned bus costs twice as much. We recommend stocking up with change for payment, as there are no conductors on the buses and change is not issued.
In order to comfortably ride around the city center and see the sights, you can use the double-decker sightseeing bus. The price for a city tour is about $1.3. Such buses run every half an hour, while you can transfer from one flight to another five times. For $ 0.4 you can buy a ticket with the possibility of only one landing.
Taxi in Chengdu is a very popular mode of transport among tourists. Basically, taxi cars are Citroens, equipped with everything you need: modern meters, several cameras, and even digital television. Passengers must wear their seat belts, even in the back seat.
Cycle rickshaws here, as elsewhere in China, are a traditional form of transport aimed at tourists. The fare starts from $ 1, and, by the way, you can bargain with the driver.
Connection
Internet access is available in all 3* hotels and above, and even in some hostels. True, in the latter it is not always free. Internet cafes are common in all areas of the city, but you will need a passport to access the network. mobile connection available and works great. Optionally, you can use roaming or purchase a local SIM card. The main operators are China Mobile and China Telecom.
It is advantageous to make local calls from pay phones that accept magnetic cards. You can buy them at newsstands, gas stations, and hotels.
But it is better to call abroad from postal or telegraph offices. You can also call from a hotel room, but the cost of such a call will be several times higher.
Security
Chengdu can rightfully be considered a safe city. Nothing threatens the life of travelers on the streets even at night. However, during the day you need to be vigilant in crowded places - parks, shopping malls, markets, public transport: dexterous pickpockets are operating there. The only way to avoid trouble is to keep an eye on your belongings and store all valuables in a hotel safe.
It is not recommended to drink raw tap water. Hotels usually have electric kettles or thermoses with boiled water. Also be careful with local food: spicy dishes can cause digestive problems, so we advise you to bring basic medicines for indigestion with you.
When vacationing in Chengdu, try to follow the Chinese code of conduct and respect the local culture and traditions. It is customary for the Chinese to restrain their emotions. On the other hand, loud conversations are not considered something shameful. It is not customary to joke about political topics.
When visiting the temples, remember that you can not step on high thresholds and photograph the interior. It is forbidden to smoke in in public places(The violator will face a hefty fine.)
When buying antiques and art, do not forget to get a permit from the seller to export the product from the country.
It is very useful to always have a business card with you with your name and the address where you are staying in Chinese: English is almost not spoken here, and with a business card there are chances of getting lost in big city small.
