We visited Chengdu for 3 days during the Spring Festival holiday. It was cool but not too cold with the 2 major attractions being the Panda Base and the Dujiangyan Scenic Area.
We stayed at The Temple House – a beautifully architect designed hotel combining elements of old and new. It was one of the best accommodations we’ve ever stayed and centrally located close to the local food street, Temples and main shopping areas. Room design was amazing and the Tivano Italian restaurant, the Temple Café and Teahouse were all excellent. Buffet breakfast was included and was also excellent.
The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is a truly huge park (think 25x the size of Auckland Zoo). However the crowds can be overwhelming and it was especially crowded for our visit due to the holidays. It takes a bit of planning to get there and to get back (we used a private car and driver) but the pandas are undeniably and impossibly cute so it is an absolutely a must-visit. Be prepared to do a lot of walking (the wait for the in-park shuttles may not be worth it) and take the map guide! It’s a huge facility and it’s easy to become disoriented and lost. You will save a lot of frustration by carefully planning your visit there.
The Dujiangyan Scenic Area is a national park, a World Heritage Site – based around an ancient irrigation flood control project around the Min River – the longest tributary of the Yangtze River. The project was commissioned around 256 BC and it is still extensively used today. The project harnessed the river using a method of channelling and dividing the water rather than by damming. The Anlan Suspension Bridge spans the full width of the river connecting the artificial island to both banks. However there was an hour wait for the crossing so we passed up the opportunity and instead viewed the ancient temples close to the banks of the river.
It is incredible to be able to appreciate the significance of this amazing area – the history and the enormous benefits which it has offered the whole region for over two thousand years.
Both attractions require lot of planning as they are huge, crowded and entry and exit gates are miles apart. Consider hiring a private driver for the day – believe me – it will save you a lot of time and stress. Please contact me if you are interested in knowing more about this destination.
Giant Panda – undeniably & impossibly cute!