Chengdu Warnings and Dangers

Crazy traffic, noise pollution, long lines with people cutting in front of you and touts trying to sell you everything under the sun, is a regular part of life in China.

Chengdu is extremely laid back with it's tea culture and fondness of spicy cuisine. I have found the people to be the most friendly of all the places I've traveled during the 1 yr I lived in China. The only danger is pick pockets, but it's done by stealth and never by force. Just be careful of your belongings and overly friendly strangers. In other words, don't be stupid. You are 99% more likely to lose your money from the overcharging vendors do to foreigners.

But honestly speaking, you could go walking around anywhere in China completely drunk at 3am and 9.99 times out of 10, you'll just stumble home. But it's more fun to stumble home with a big group people now isn't it?!

However if you're planning a trip to see the Giant Buddha and you slip, always remember to slip carefully!

I found this sign at Leshan on the Big Buddha grounds. I giggled to myself as YES, I too find it very 'nice to live'. I shall remember that sign from now when doing silly things like climbing steps upon steps upon steps just to catch a glimpse of the biggest buddha in the world, because it also seems that the rest of China is trying to catch that same glimpse! Remind me never again to go travelling at the same time the other 500billion Chinese have their holiday..xie xie!

In Chengdu, you'll find many beggars on the streets near tourist attractions who usually come across as handicapped.

Some are not genuine cases and giving them money is likely to attract other beggars within view. This is quite similar to amny other countries actually.

Be careful of pick pocker and strangers that approach you. When we were playin bowling, there were 2 friendly strangers approach us. As one of our friends were also very friendly so he started to talk to the girl, and didn't know how the other person stole the wallet in the bag that sitting on the chair and of course no one noticed cause we didnt aware their "friendly" intention.

This isn't really a danger or warning.. but juz want to get u mentally prepared for a lot of tourists there who are also Chinese nationals. I do not want to generalise but it wasn't juz one group. But it all started from my transfer flight where everybody was trying to cut everybody else's queaue. Our group lended up right behind!!!

The journey is very tough.
Transportation: the road condition is really bad and kinda dangerous. You should be ready for any unpredictable accidents that may cause the block of road for hours or even days.

Health: enough medicine. possible to have altiplano headache

Customs: Tibettens are very nice people, but don't offend them. Watch out their customs and worships. Details please refer to Cultural Tips.

Not really a warning but just an information for you. This is my airport-tax ticket cost RMB90 (International Flight) and RMB50 (Local). They don't call it airport tax but as Construction Fees. That means everybody must pay this amount of money before you can check-in.

Most people would say not to take food because of the monkeys. But I highly suggest you do take food. The monkeys will assume you have it on you anyway, like at Cape Point, South Africa, and will try to get it from you, even if you don't have any. They will block pathways and growl at you. Trust me- your cane won't work. Throw White Rabbit candies at them and run by them very fast.