Chengdu

Chengdu, Sichuan Province (southwestern China), is about 23 hours by train from Beijing, or about a 3-hour flight. I flew from Beijing, then took the train back.


I remember this restaurant from last year's visit to Chengdu.


The Chinese seem to have a thing for dry ice drinks.


Statue at Wuhou, a huge temple area that was rebuilt in 1672.


Spotted this "cab" driver just after I left Wuhou Temple. It's nice when people actually smile for the camera.


Sweets seller on a Chengdu street.


The Shufeng Yayun Teahouse offers 90-minute shows every night at 8 pm. It's a fantastic old theater in Chengdu's Culture Park. There's music, puppet shows, fire breathing, face changing (i.e., changing masks at the blink of an eye), Chinese plays. Tea and snacks are served, and if you go early you can photograph the performers putting on their makeup (which I took full advantage of). Also, for those interested, there's massage, and ear cleaning services.












View from the terrace of my hotel room at Wenjun Mansion, an interesting old place, but not as grand as its name implies. Upon check-in I happened to mention I was writing a hotel review for Booking.com, and subsequently was upgraded to the best room in the hotel (4-room family suite, top floor, with bathtub and 2 TVs)and given a discount coupon for the hotel restaurant.


In addition to Shufeng Yayun Teahouse, you can also get your ears cleaned while enjoying a cup of tea at He Ming Teahouse, located in Chengdu's People's Park.


This photo also taken at He Ming, the huge tea house in People's Park.