Chongqing bustled and hilled, while Chengdu stretched flat, with endless, hard-to-cross avenues. In a way, the city reminded me of Shenyang, down to the massive Mao Zedong statue overlooking Tianfu Square.

Visually, Chengdu was less “exciting,” but it was interesting in many other ways.

Yes, the pandas, of course, but also the Leshan Giant Buddha in a nearby city. We went on a day trip to admire the 71-meter-tall stone statue, built between 713 and 803 during the Tang dynasty. It’s really, really massive, and Leshan turned out to be a fun city to explore as well.

What else did we do in Chengdu?

We tried to stay away from rabbit heads and overly spicy Sichuan food. Just like in Chongqing, they love eating spicy hotpots and adding generous amounts of chili oil to anything. Ordering wéi lā (維拉) noodles—barely spicy—made me drink an entire bottle of water.

We tried to master the Sichuan accent—”They all speak like Deng Xiaoping!” Feng laughed. I like the local accent, it sounds very cute and almost childish, especially compared to the Northeast dōngběi huà, the flavour of Mandarin I’m most used to.

We visited the Whenshu Yuan Monastery and the Wu Hou Shrine, which is the mecca of the Three Kingdoms—the entire place is dedicated to Zhuge Liang, the Marquis Wu of the Kingdom of Shu. We shopped at Tianfu Square (yep, panda stuff) and wandered around the night market in Jinli Street.

I hadn’t finished exploring Chengdu yet, but we had to leave. We found plane tickets back to Beijing. It’s time.

The Wenshu Yuan Monastery (文殊院)

Wenshu Yuan Monastery, 文殊院, 66 Wenshuyuan St, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610084
Wenshu Yuan Monastery, 文殊院, 66 Wenshuyuan St, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610084
Wenshu Yuan Monastery, 文殊院, 66 Wenshuyuan St, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610084
Wenshu Yuan Monastery, 文殊院, 66 Wenshuyuan St, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610084
Wenshu Yuan Monastery, 文殊院, 66 Wenshuyuan St, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610084
Wenshu Yuan Monastery, 文殊院, 66 Wenshuyuan St, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610084
Wenshu Yuan Monastery, 文殊院, 66 Wenshuyuan St, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610084
Wenshu Yuan Monastery, 文殊院, 66 Wenshuyuan St, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610084
Wenshu Yuan Monastery, 文殊院, 66 Wenshuyuan St, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610084
Wenshu Yuan Monastery, 文殊院, 66 Wenshuyuan St, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610084
Wenshu Yuan Monastery, 文殊院, 66 Wenshuyuan St, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610084
Wenshu Yuan Monastery, 文殊院, 66 Wenshuyuan St, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610084
Wenshu Yuan Monastery, 文殊院, 66 Wenshuyuan St, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610084
Wenshu Yuan Monastery, 文殊院, 66 Wenshuyuan St, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610084
Wenshu Yuan Monastery, 文殊院, 66 Wenshuyuan St, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610084
Wenshu Yuan Monastery, 文殊院, 66 Wenshuyuan St, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610084

Three Kingdoms Wu Hou Shrine (成都武侯祠)

Chengdu Wu Hou Shrine,  成都武侯祠, China, Sichuan, Chengdu, Wuhou District, Wuhouci Ave, 231号附2号 邮政编码: 610093
Chengdu Wu Hou Shrine, 成都武侯祠, China, Sichuan, Chengdu, Wuhou District, Wuhouci Ave, 231号附2号 邮政编码: 610093
Chengdu Wu Hou Shrine,  成都武侯祠, China, Sichuan, Chengdu, Wuhou District, Wuhouci Ave, 231号附2号 邮政编码: 610093
Chengdu Wu Hou Shrine, 成都武侯祠, China, Sichuan, Chengdu, Wuhou District, Wuhouci Ave, 231号附2号 邮政编码: 610093
Chengdu Wu Hou Shrine,  成都武侯祠, China, Sichuan, Chengdu, Wuhou District, Wuhouci Ave, 231号附2号 邮政编码: 610093
Chengdu Wu Hou Shrine, 成都武侯祠, China, Sichuan, Chengdu, Wuhou District, Wuhouci Ave, 231号附2号 邮政编码: 610093
Chengdu Wu Hou Shrine,  成都武侯祠, China, Sichuan, Chengdu, Wuhou District, Wuhouci Ave, 231号附2号 邮政编码: 610093
Chengdu Wu Hou Shrine, 成都武侯祠, China, Sichuan, Chengdu, Wuhou District, Wuhouci Ave, 231号附2号 邮政编码: 610093
Chengdu Wu Hou Shrine,  成都武侯祠, China, Sichuan, Chengdu, Wuhou District, Wuhouci Ave, 231号附2号 邮政编码: 610093
Chengdu Wu Hou Shrine, 成都武侯祠, China, Sichuan, Chengdu, Wuhou District, Wuhouci Ave, 231号附2号 邮政编码: 610093
Chengdu Wu Hou Shrine,  成都武侯祠, China, Sichuan, Chengdu, Wuhou District, Wuhouci Ave, 231号附2号 邮政编码: 610093
Chengdu Wu Hou Shrine, 成都武侯祠, China, Sichuan, Chengdu, Wuhou District, Wuhouci Ave, 231号附2号 邮政编码: 610093
Chengdu Wu Hou Shrine,  成都武侯祠, China, Sichuan, Chengdu, Wuhou District, Wuhouci Ave, 231号附2号 邮政编码: 610093
Chengdu Wu Hou Shrine, 成都武侯祠, China, Sichuan, Chengdu, Wuhou District, Wuhouci Ave, 231号附2号 邮政编码: 610093
Chengdu Wu Hou Shrine,  成都武侯祠, China, Sichuan, Chengdu, Wuhou District, Wuhouci Ave, 231号附2号 邮政编码: 610093
Chengdu Wu Hou Shrine, 成都武侯祠, China, Sichuan, Chengdu, Wuhou District, Wuhouci Ave, 231号附2号 邮政编码: 610093
Chengdu Wu Hou Shrine,  成都武侯祠, China, Sichuan, Chengdu, Wuhou District, Wuhouci Ave, 231号附2号 邮政编码: 610093
Chengdu Wu Hou Shrine, 成都武侯祠, China, Sichuan, Chengdu, Wuhou District, Wuhouci Ave, 231号附2号 邮政编码: 610093
Chengdu Wu Hou Shrine,  成都武侯祠, China, Sichuan, Chengdu, Wuhou District, Wuhouci Ave, 231号附2号 邮政编码: 610093
Chengdu Wu Hou Shrine, 成都武侯祠, China, Sichuan, Chengdu, Wuhou District, Wuhouci Ave, 231号附2号 邮政编码: 610093
Chengdu Wu Hou Shrine,  成都武侯祠, China, Sichuan, Chengdu, Wuhou District, Wuhouci Ave, 231号附2号 邮政编码: 610093
Chengdu Wu Hou Shrine, 成都武侯祠, China, Sichuan, Chengdu, Wuhou District, Wuhouci Ave, 231号附2号 邮政编码: 610093

Some non-spicy Sichuan food…

Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610084
Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610084
Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610084
Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610084
Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610084
Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610084
Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street, 春熙路步行街, Jinjiang District, Chengdu
Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street, 春熙路步行街, Jinjiang District, Chengdu
Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610084
Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610084
Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610084
Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610084
Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street, 春熙路步行街, Jinjiang District, Chengdu
Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street, 春熙路步行街, Jinjiang District, Chengdu

Traffic in Chengdu and Leshan

Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610084
Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610084
Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610084
Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610084
Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610084
Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610084
Minjiang 1st Bridge, 岷江一桥, Minjiangyi Brg, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614000
Minjiangyi Brg, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614000
Minjiangyi Brg, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614000
Minjiangyi Brg, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614000
Minjiangyi Brg, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614000
Minjiangyi Brg, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614000
Minjiangyi Brg, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614000
Minjiangyi Brg, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614000

Tianfu square (天府广场)

Tianfu Square, 天府广场, Luomashi, Qingyang District, Chengdu, China, 610020
Tianfu Square, 天府广场, Luomashi, Qingyang District, Chengdu, China, 610020
Tianfu Square, 天府广场, Luomashi, Qingyang District, Chengdu, China, 610020
Tianfu Square, 天府广场, Luomashi, Qingyang District, Chengdu, China, 610020
Tianfu Square, 天府广场, Luomashi, Qingyang District, Chengdu, China, 610020
Tianfu Square, 天府广场, Luomashi, Qingyang District, Chengdu, China, 610020
Tianfu Square, 天府广场, Luomashi, Qingyang District, Chengdu, China, 610020
Tianfu Square, 天府广场, Luomashi, Qingyang District, Chengdu, China, 610020
Tianfu Square, 天府广场, Luomashi, Qingyang District, Chengdu, China, 610020
Tianfu Square, 天府广场, Luomashi, Qingyang District, Chengdu, China, 610020
Tianfu Square, 天府广场, Luomashi, Qingyang District, Chengdu, China, 610020
Tianfu Square, 天府广场, Luomashi, Qingyang District, Chengdu, China, 610020

Nightlife in Chengdu

Tibetan neighbourhood in Wuhou district, Chengdu
Tibetan neighbourhood in Wuhou district, Chengdu
Tibetan neighbourhood in Wuhou district, Chengdu
Tibetan neighbourhood in Wuhou district, Chengdu
Tibetan neighbourhood in Wuhou district, Chengdu
Tibetan neighbourhood in Wuhou district, Chengdu
Jinli Old Street, 锦里古街, Wuhou district, Chengdu
Jinli Old Street, 锦里古街, Wuhou district, Chengdu
Jinli Old Street, 锦里古街, Wuhou district, Chengdu
Jinli Old Street, 锦里古街, Wuhou district, Chengdu
Jinli Old Street, 锦里古街, Wuhou district, Chengdu
Jinli Old Street, 锦里古街, Wuhou district, Chengdu
Jinli Old Street, 锦里古街, Wuhou district, Chengdu
Jinli Old Street, 锦里古街, Wuhou district, Chengdu
Jinli Old Street, 锦里古街, Wuhou district, Chengdu
Jinli Old Street, 锦里古街, Wuhou district, Chengdu

Leshan Giant Buddha (乐山大佛)

Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan Giant Buddha, 乐山大佛, 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099
Leshan, Sichuan, China, 614099

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