Day 7 ... On to Chengdu
We were up early this morning with the alarm set for 5.45 for a 6.10 meeting in the lobby. We needed to pack and check out as today we were leaving Xi'an to head to our next stop Chengdu.
Lily was waiting for us in the lobby along with Mr Lei who deposited our luggage in the back of the van. Because we were leaving so early the hotel provided us with a "breakfast which we would eat once we were at the station (Ian) or on the train (Jacqui)”.
And so goodbye to Xi'an with one final drive to the station. The sun gently rose over the buildings, the street sweepers were out washing the roads and we soaked in the last of beautiful Xi'an.
Our drive was fairly quick as we were well before morning peak hour(s) so we arrived in good time. Lily walked us through the check in process (the guides take their roles very seriously) and then ... once we were train side said a final goodbye lsbefore she took off running to meet her next group.
We boarded our train and found our seats and settled back for the close to 4 hour ride (637 km) to Chengdu. This journey involved a lot of mountains so we were in and out of tunnels with me trying to snap a photo when we emerged before we were plunged back into darkness. Once again we received our package of snacks ... a packet of grain biscuits, dried mango and candied kumquats (🤔) along with our drink of choice.
The journey was great ... the train system is fantastic in China. So smooth and seamless. We had one moment of excitement when a man was removed from the train by the train security at a station. Five police officers took him away.
We arrived into Chengdu just before 12.00 and made our way out to the arrival hall to meet our next guide Mary. She arrived a few minutes late, very apologetic as she had just farewelled her last group on another train. We then met up with our driver Mr Hu who took our bags and showed us to the car.
On the original tour itinerary the guide picked you up from the train and took you straight to the hotel ... and that was it. When we created our itinerary we asked for a half day tour to be added and so we headed to Jinli Ancient Street. It is recorded that as early as the Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 206 BC) the street was famous for its rich ornate cloth. It was one of the busiest commercial areas during the Shu Kingdom.
It is a maze of narrow streets lined with old buildings which continue to operate as shops. Good stalls, local artisans, the obligatory souvenirs and countless tea shops lined the streets. Overhead Chinese lanterns hung swaying in the breeze. A large waterway runs through the middle with ornate stone bridges providing crossings.
It was wonderful to wander through with the local traders offering samples of their wares (I drank lots of icy cold fruity teas). Ian stopped to purchase some mini pork bao which were delicious.
We then headed to the People's Park which is a central urban park. It was built in 1911 and is the first and largest public park in the city. Entry is free so it has become a major gathering place for the locals. As we wandered through today we stopped to look at Matchmakers Corner ... think Tinder but on paper. People can post their profile and come to seek a life partner. Mary told us that grandparents come to the park daily in search of a partner for their grandchildren!
We also saw ... old men playing a version of chess, another group playing cards and yet another playing a form of checkers. We saw live musical performances with singers accompanied by a brass quartet, a keyboardist and a drummer. There were couples dancing in another area of the park and yet another group of women performing a form of choreographed dances.
There was a large tea house in the centre of the park ... dating back 100 years. Hundreds of people sat in the shade covered seating, drinking tea, eating sunflower seeds, playing cards and for some of the older men ... having a ssnooze.
Surrounding the tea house was a small lake where you could hire a boat to paddle around in. Small gardens including a bonsai garden were also nestled in the park. We also came across a small performance of the local Sichuan Opera.
It was a hub of activity and I can imagine that you could spend a whole day there watching the world go by. We finished by visiting the Monument to the Martyrs of the Railway Protection Movement (!) and a wander through the small market that lined one walk.
We then met up with Mr Hu again who took us to check in at our hotel. The hotel is centrally located and is very swish. We received a room upgrade ... so we are on the top floor in a luxurious Executive room!
Time for a rest and a quick refresh away from the heat and humidity (the hot weather seems to be following us) before we headed out on our own to explore.
(Ian here) Jacqui wrote the first part of the blog while I rested up, and by 5.20pm we were ready to go adventuring again. Today ... with rain ponchos, because it was bucketing rain outside. But the radar looked good, so after realising that trying to time a break in the rain was only delaying the inevitable, off we went, headed for Chunxi Rd - the happening place for all of the fashionable people in 'laid back' Chengdu (Mary's words).
And didn't we look the part when we arrived after a 25-30 minute walk. Ponchos wet, soaked by sweat underneath, shoes and socks drenched from the puddles, splashes from passing motorbikes.
It was actually pretty cool, a lot like Myeongdong for anyone who knows Korea. All of the big brand name stores - clothes, accessories, jewellery, candy, perfumes, etc. Girl groups dancing live to attract you into the stores. With intermittent food stalls and high end restaurants. And pandas everywhere - panda toys, panda souvenirs, panda videos, people in panda suits.
But the main thing we were looking for was a 10m tall panda climbing on/off the wall of a building. And after searching hopelessly for a little while we asked a kindly street vendor, who via a translator app said turn left there. And the next pointed further down the road. And in the end - success!
Next quest - food, given that we'd barely eaten lunch. As we walked along we saw sign above a small side door saying Food Street. So in we go, down 5 flights of stairs to a huge underground food court, where we agreed to buy one-off dishes from different stalls. First, a noodle and mince dish. Delicious. Then ... a pork burgers in flaky pastry. Finally, steamed wontons in spicy sauce. What fun! Tasty and cheap.
Steps … 17,068
Kms … 13.04
Photos … 786
WOW, I loved the lanterns, and the Giant Panda, one and the ice-cream like drumstick looks so good. I hope the weather is being kind to you both. Are you able to get many photo's with the world flying past on the bullet trains?
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