We have been out and about Chengdu for the last few days. Took the bus
to Le Shan to see the giant Budda, it is 70 mtrs high and very old and
looked like it needed some maintenance! Pretty awesome but any Chinese
attraction
(And on a Saturday) has horrendous crowds. 2 hours of queues at one place, photo of some of the queue. I was over it by then... We visited Pingle, an ancient village yesterday, quiet and arty. Lots of students painting pictures of old buildings and bridges. Photos of sculptures (of musicians) just for u Stephen & Simon, you would have loved it! Relaxing place. Tea houses and people playing mah jong . Country side on the way mainly agriculture with women in the fields wearing the traditional style bamboo hats.
Taxis are really cheap around Chengdu. After the first couple of days walking everywhere in the heat and getting lost, we figured taxis were the way. 25 minutes is only $5 nz and most trips less than $2. The maps are of course mostly in Chinese and the font is about a 6!! Trevor was struggling to read the small print and seriously doubts my map reading ability - I admit it is not my strength... So I dragged him into this shop that sold glasses, it was hilarious, we were surrounded immediately by 4 young guys in lovely crisp purple shirts, handed cups of water to drink and there was no way we were leaving without a purchase. So now Trevor is the proud owner of some Chinese reading glasses (slightly more upmarket than warehouse ones) and can peruse the maps to his hearts content. One photo of Trevor making dumplings at the hostel we stayed in and the other of a food place where you cooked your own on a small bbq. All u could eat and everything from whole fish, squid, prawns, all kinds of odd looking stuff. We kept the staff entertained with our choices and chop stick use, very busy in the evenings a 2-3 hour experience. Good fun. Every available park and local square is filled in the evenings with people dancing and doing tai chi. But all side by side so all the different music clashes. People are very relaxed. No aggro to be seen, we feel really safe, apart from crossing the street! Flying south to Lijiang tonight. Changed our plans about going west. Talked to some people who had just come from there and roads bad & washed out and trouble between some minority groups. Not letting foreigners through. So glad we found out before taking the first 8 hr bus trip.
(And on a Saturday) has horrendous crowds. 2 hours of queues at one place, photo of some of the queue. I was over it by then... We visited Pingle, an ancient village yesterday, quiet and arty. Lots of students painting pictures of old buildings and bridges. Photos of sculptures (of musicians) just for u Stephen & Simon, you would have loved it! Relaxing place. Tea houses and people playing mah jong . Country side on the way mainly agriculture with women in the fields wearing the traditional style bamboo hats.
Taxis are really cheap around Chengdu. After the first couple of days walking everywhere in the heat and getting lost, we figured taxis were the way. 25 minutes is only $5 nz and most trips less than $2. The maps are of course mostly in Chinese and the font is about a 6!! Trevor was struggling to read the small print and seriously doubts my map reading ability - I admit it is not my strength... So I dragged him into this shop that sold glasses, it was hilarious, we were surrounded immediately by 4 young guys in lovely crisp purple shirts, handed cups of water to drink and there was no way we were leaving without a purchase. So now Trevor is the proud owner of some Chinese reading glasses (slightly more upmarket than warehouse ones) and can peruse the maps to his hearts content. One photo of Trevor making dumplings at the hostel we stayed in and the other of a food place where you cooked your own on a small bbq. All u could eat and everything from whole fish, squid, prawns, all kinds of odd looking stuff. We kept the staff entertained with our choices and chop stick use, very busy in the evenings a 2-3 hour experience. Good fun. Every available park and local square is filled in the evenings with people dancing and doing tai chi. But all side by side so all the different music clashes. People are very relaxed. No aggro to be seen, we feel really safe, apart from crossing the street! Flying south to Lijiang tonight. Changed our plans about going west. Talked to some people who had just come from there and roads bad & washed out and trouble between some minority groups. Not letting foreigners through. So glad we found out before taking the first 8 hr bus trip.
just seen ya new blog / will read and reply 2 moro /keep safe
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