China Trip Day 6 - Chengdu
Apr. 8th, 2024 08:40 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
tanithryudoThis morning breakfast consisted of the milk tea and rabbit head we bought last night and put in the hotel mini bar. One was normal spicy and one was non-spicy (五香). It's not a complete visit to Chengdu without eating rabbit. 😙 It's a good thing we had these leftovers, because apparently all the food places nearby the hotel don't open until 10 am.
On the way to the metro, we collected some info about the tour buses that run from the IFS plaza. There are buses periodically going out to the Panda reserve and 三星堆. Also found a bus stop with service going to 青城山 + 都江堰 (in that order). Good to know for future plans.
Then we headed off to Wenshu Monastery by metro. Entrance was free, I guess they make money from prayer donations and incense. Walked around, saw some monks and a black kitty, took some pics, did not pray. The place is quite pretty.
Then we went to Kuanzhai Alley which was on the way to the next scenic spot. Had lunch at a place which offered performances as you ate. The 酸菜鱼汤, 凉粉, coconut drink was good. The 担担面 not so much, too salty. The performance was also cool. There was one where the guy did tricks while balancing a lit bowl on his head, some dances, a wushu tea pouring exercise involving a teapot with a looong mouth, and of course the famous 川剧变脸.
After lunch we went onto Qingyang Palace (Temple). It had a 10 rmb entrance fee, and a lot more cats. 😋 Also a weird balance of gaudy decorations mixed with intricate ancient building style. The most surprising bit was one of the main temple rooms had 李渊 & 李世民. The local daoist explained that part of the temple was built in the late Tang at the order of the emperor who went to Chengdu to escape the 黄巢 rebellion, and of course they would honor their ancestors.
After taking the metro back to Chunxi Rd, we wandered around the IFS shopping area there (multiple levels of it). Eventually had dinner at a restaurant called 同仁四季 which served a coconut-bamboo-watercress-chicken hotpot. Not Chengdu style food, but it was tasty.
But by the time we came back to the hotel, my feet are once again killing me. Hopefully tomorrow will be a much lighter day. And I'm also considering rearranging later itinerary plans to reduce stress. (As well, we might need to scrap plans for 峨眉山 because all tours there depart too early.)
On the way to the metro, we collected some info about the tour buses that run from the IFS plaza. There are buses periodically going out to the Panda reserve and 三星堆. Also found a bus stop with service going to 青城山 + 都江堰 (in that order). Good to know for future plans.
Then we headed off to Wenshu Monastery by metro. Entrance was free, I guess they make money from prayer donations and incense. Walked around, saw some monks and a black kitty, took some pics, did not pray. The place is quite pretty.
Then we went to Kuanzhai Alley which was on the way to the next scenic spot. Had lunch at a place which offered performances as you ate. The 酸菜鱼汤, 凉粉, coconut drink was good. The 担担面 not so much, too salty. The performance was also cool. There was one where the guy did tricks while balancing a lit bowl on his head, some dances, a wushu tea pouring exercise involving a teapot with a looong mouth, and of course the famous 川剧变脸.
After lunch we went onto Qingyang Palace (Temple). It had a 10 rmb entrance fee, and a lot more cats. 😋 Also a weird balance of gaudy decorations mixed with intricate ancient building style. The most surprising bit was one of the main temple rooms had 李渊 & 李世民. The local daoist explained that part of the temple was built in the late Tang at the order of the emperor who went to Chengdu to escape the 黄巢 rebellion, and of course they would honor their ancestors.
After taking the metro back to Chunxi Rd, we wandered around the IFS shopping area there (multiple levels of it). Eventually had dinner at a restaurant called 同仁四季 which served a coconut-bamboo-watercress-chicken hotpot. Not Chengdu style food, but it was tasty.
But by the time we came back to the hotel, my feet are once again killing me. Hopefully tomorrow will be a much lighter day. And I'm also considering rearranging later itinerary plans to reduce stress. (As well, we might need to scrap plans for 峨眉山 because all tours there depart too early.)
