China: Adventures in Sichuan Province
My time in Chengdu and Sichuan University is drawing to a close already. I can’t quite believe that the time has passed by so quickly. During this time, I have learned an extensive amount about China as a whole, Chengdu, Chinese culture, and global connections. Not only have I explored campus, but I have also walked and traveled to different locations in Chengdu and China. For now, I will share some of my favorite hangouts and trips. All of these experiences have made me fall deeper in love with China, and especially Sichuan Province.
Locations in Chengdu
Miniso
When we first arrived in China, we wanted to buy some supplies and food for our dorm rooms. Outside Sichuan University is a Miniso store that we discovered the first day there. Miniso has everything that a person could possibly want for their house. Lamps, accessories, kitchenware, etc. are all available at inexpensive prices. I will frequently go there when I need something cheap that I won’t bring back with me to the States. I will definitely miss the cheap prices and cute products.
Nightlife
For those who are interested, there are plenty of nightlife activities for those who wish to participate. Since we live in such a central location, many bars and some clubs are close by. There are also other places that are close; only about a 10 minute taxi drive away. The most popular area is the bar street area located near the little north gate. I generally prefer going to the bars for a drink or two with my friends. We normally go drink a few drinks and talk late into the night. It is a very relaxing way to hang out with my friends after a hectic week of classes. Many restaurants are also open late into the night for the people who enjoy eating delicious food while chatting with friends. All in all, the area around campus is very nice when I want to just relax and hang with friends.
Chunxi Road and Tai Koo Li
Two very nice shopping areas are Chunxi Road and Tai Koo Li. Chunxi Road is known for an underground market for those who are looking for cheaper options in products. Above ground there are many shops lining the street. It is a pedestrian-only street which is nice since there is no need to watch out for traffic. Near Chunxi Road, there are inexpensive places to get your nails done. It cost me only about $80 yuan which is about $10 USD. There is a huge mall in this area which has more expensive things inside. At Chunxi, there is an ice skating rink inside the mall. I went one time with some of my friends to go and relax after a long day.
Tai Koo Li offers a more upscale option of brands for the people who love brand names. The Chinese really love brand name anything and it is common to see really expensive brands being worn around on the streets. Tai Koo Li is located only a few minutes away from Chunxi Road. It offers many restaurant options and there are many cafes there. Included there is a huge Starbucks that has a very peaceful vibe to it.
By subway, it takes about 20 minutes to get to these two locations. Since it is so far away, I don’t go that often. Towards the end of the semester, I have been going more since I want to enjoy it while I can.
New Century Global Mall
New Century Global Mall is one of the most extravagant mall I have ever visited. It is quite large and has everything. There are many high-end brands located indoors. Also inside is an ice rink, movie theater, restaurants, a resort, a beach, and a surfing area. I went a few times to wander around and look at all the clothing and other products. Afterwards, I usually go to this one restaurant that has the best options for food. They also offer clothing from international brands like H & M and Nike.
Parks & Temples
Many people, young and old, go to the parks at any time of the day to stroll about, exercise, or do activities. It is common to see old men exercising in the parks, playing mahjong, or relaxing in the shade. Some people enjoy practicing water calligraphy on the pavement with a sponge stuck on the end of a stick. It is amazing to see the control and precision they have wielding the brush. The Chinese characters are so beautiful. Exercise is a huge part of the Chinese culture. Older people often go walking, practice Tai Chi, or run. It really inspires me to be that fit when I reach that age!
Many people also enjoy going to temples to walk around and enjoy the quiet and serene peace, and pray. There are quite a few temples in the Chengdu area to pick from. The architecture in each one, although may seem similar, is uniquely different.
Panda Base
Sichuan Province, especially Chengdu, is famous for the pandas. Chengdu has a panda breeding facility to reduce the endangerment of the species. Although there are still some pandas out in the wild, many are in captivity since there are poachers that have been known to kill them. At the panda base, I was able to see many different pandas from all different age groups. Some were several years old or older. I was lucky to come at a time where they were active. Most of the day, they sleep and conserve their energy. I was able to witness them playing on the ground and wrestling. It was hilarious to watch one panda who was having a dilemma. He was stuck in the tree and was having difficulty descending. In the end, he safely reached the ground, and immediately started chowing down on bamboo. Another panda was mechanically eating bamboo one after another. I’m amazed that he was eating so much. Also there, were baby pandas. They were extremely adorable and small. One panda even appeared to be only a few weeks old since I could see its pink skin and its black fur hadn’t fully turned black. Some of the other babies were struggling to walk around on the bamboo platform. One face planted while struggling to reach its companions. Overall, it was very entertaining and fun to view so many pandas in one place.
Leshan
Leshan is famous for the Leshan Giant Buddha which stands 233 feet tall. It is an impressive sculpture carved out of the side of the cliff. A huge river flows near the base of it; it was built in hopes that the Buddha would calm the river for those who wished to travel down the river. On the top of the cliff there is a beautiful temple area with extravagant gold decorations. The Buddha itself is impressive in its size. Climbing down to the base, there is a narrow staircase where tourists can pause to take photos of it from various heights and angles. The foot of the Buddha is huge when I went and stood at the base. In comparison, I felt like the tiny ant beside a human. The clay colors contrasting with the green of the flora and fauna was striking and made the Buddha stand out even more.
Mt. Qingcheng & Dujiangyan
I went to these two locations with my classmates from PLU and ISEP. It was part of our required class work. Mt. Qingcheng was very enjoyable because it had a boat that took us over the water to the other side. The mist over the water with the mountains in the back created a mysterious air. Up on the mountain, there was a huge temple and extensive grounds to walk around. Daoism is practiced here. It was a nice change after seeing so many Buddhist temples.
After touring the mountain, we traveled a short while to the Dujiangyan Irrigation System. It was amazing to see the water being diverted into different channels. The water level wasn’t too high, so it was easy to see the bedrock in some parts. The fog was rolling in so it gave the river and surrounding mountains a mysterious vibe. Both of these places are very nice because they are important to the well-being of China.
Jiuzhaigou
Near the end of the semester, in November, a couple of friends and I traveled to Jiuzhaigou National Park. It is well-known for its stunning natural landscapes. Throughout the park, there are many lakes, mountains, and waterfalls. The weather was turning colder so the leaves were changing colors. Some of the pools of water and lakes were so clear that it was extremely easy to see the fallen trees at the bottom of the water. The water itself was stunning shades of turquoise, blue, and other varying shades. I was awestruck to be able to see nature at its peak beauty.
I will undoubtedly miss Chengdu and the other places I visited during the semester once I leave to the States. These places are all very special to me and my time in China. I will continue to enjoy these last few weeks before I head home. I’ll be visiting my favorite places, hanging out with my friends, and studying for my exams. Thank you so much for your continued support and time.