Xinmanlou Business Hotel

Huanglong

by victorwkf

Like Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong is another place located near the former which contains many colourful pools of water formed by mineral deposits. Usually, tourist will visit both at the same time, and sometimes they will go to Mouni-gou as well.

Zoo

by nepalgoods

A fairly standard Chinese provincial zoo, Chengdu Zoo has over 10 giant pandas, the largest number of this endangered species in city zoo in captivity in the world, also rare golden-hair monkeys, and other 200 varieties.

Actually: I don't like Chinese Zoos. The animals are living sadly in cages and the people always want to touch them, making the animals nervous and sick. I viisted Chengdu Zoo in 1987 and maybe things changed to the better in the last years, as China is becoming more aware specially of endangered species like the Panda Bear.

How to get there: There are three options for transport to the institute:
a) Cycle from the city. This is a nice bike ride but the 18km may be too much for the unfit!
b) A taxi should cost approximately RMB85 from Chengdu center.
c) Take a tour from the Traffic Hotel. This is a convenient option and at RMB80 (including the entrance fee) is a pretty good deal. Enquire at the hotel for more information. (2006)

Chengdu - The heart of Sichuan

by Lion_Beat

"The city is huge and small at the same time"

You get an impression you are in some kind of small provincial towns in China, but still Chengdu is home for some 9 million people and is the administrative center of Sichuan Province.

"City of Teahouses"

This is what you will read in any travel guide about Chengdu - the city of teahouses, and they will be right. People usualy drink green or flower tea in quite places. That's probably why the city felt like a small town for me. You get a termos of hot water a cup of tea and get to enjoy the view. Although they close early I would say. And there is another tradition-like, people gather at teahouses to watch TV, for the ones who don't have it home this is the only chance to watch TV. Behind the courtanes of a teahouse (so people from outside will not be able to see it) teahouses are filled with customers eager to watch a movie or check the latest news.

"Your base for travelling in Sichuan"

This is to be your main base when travelling through Sichuan. Because you will meet with other travellers and get their tips of when to go and what to see, because from here you'll be able to arrange all your iteneraries, buy an travel-agency organized tour and so on.