Chongqing & Chengdu: A Whirlwind Adventure! (Review + Tips!)
Just got back from an AMAZING trip to Chongqing and Chengdu! Sharing my experiences and some essential tips to make your trip smoother!
Gear Up: Apps & Essentials
- Passport & Toilet Paper: Obvious, right? But pack that TP!
- Alipay & Amap: ABSOLUTELY essential! Get these downloaded and set up beforehand.
- WeChat (Optional): Helpful if you speak Chinese or are planning spontaneous trips.
Honestly, all the other apps I used for planning beforehand weren't necessary once I was actually there. These are the MVPs!
Getting Around: Metro & Taxis
- Metro: Super easy! Just choose your destination at the ticket machine (they have English!). If you need to transfer lines, select the next line and your final destination.
- Taxis (Didi): Mostly good, but watch out for potential scams! I had one ride that was DOUBLE the price of another ride to the same location! The price jumped suddenly near the end, and nobody spoke English. Pro-tip: Two 4-seater taxis are usually cheaper than one 6-seater.
Food & Drink: Pack Smart!
Bringing your own snacks and drinks to tourist spots is a HUGE money-saver! Think a 16 RMB all-you-can-eat buffet in Chongqing is cheap? (It is!). But on Mount Emei, a rib costs 15 RMB at the base of the cable car, but the same price gets you HALF the size and barely any meat at the Golden Summit. At Siguniang (Four Girls Mountain), it's 25 RMB! Water is 2 RMB outside, 6 RMB at the top of a Buddhist temple, and 8 RMB at the bottom. You're paying for the convenience, so pack your own and save!
Chongqing: The City of Mountains
Hongyadong: Human Traffic Jam!
CRAZY crowded! If you want to take photos, go early to grab a spot. If you're late, it's better to just wander. Lights turn on at 8 pm, but even arriving before 7 pm meant battling through hordes of people. (Pics 1, 2)
Guanyinqiao: Check-in Impossible!
Too many people. Forget getting that perfect shot here. (Pic 3)
Liziba: Hot, Crowded, and Chaotic!
Seriously, it's hot, crowded with traffic, and crazy! You can photograph the train without people blocking it (left side of Pic 4), but good luck getting your face in the shot without a crowd of strangers! Stand opposite the train station and go left – you'll find a higher spot with a panoramic view and fewer people! (Pic 5)
Zoo: Panda Mania!
Overcrowded around the panda enclosure (Pic 6). Don't bother with the crowds near the entrance – the pandas are far away and surrounded by people. Go deeper inside for close-up views with fewer crowds (Pic 7). Also, the red panda is SO CUTE! (Pic 8). The zoo is HUGE – you could easily spend a whole day there. Lots of cool animals besides the pandas!
Ciqikou: Been There, Done That?
Also crowded. If you've seen other ancient towns, you can probably skip this one. Not the best for photos because of the crowds.
Bookstore (and a Secret Buffet!):
Near the zoo, inside a deserted shopping mall (Pic 10). It feels like you're in the wrong place. On the first floor (or basement level?), there's a hidden gem: a 16 RMB all-you-can-eat buffet! Stuffed!
Metro Views!
Ride in the front car for great views! (Pic 11)
Other spots like Jiefangbei, Chaotianmen, the Chongqing Grand Theatre, and Kui Xing Pavilion have fewer people, or moderate crowds. With a bit of patience, you can snag a photo by yourself!
Some places look super sci-fi at night! (Pics 12-19)
Chengdu: Land of Pandas and Spicy Food
Kuanzhai Alley (Wide and Narrow Alleys): Lost in the Crowd!
I couldn't tell which alley was which – they were ALL packed! Trying to escape was the main activity! (Pic 20). After that amazing 16 RMB buffet, I got ripped off with a tiny, iced jasmine tea for 15 RMB. Lesson learned.
Wuhou Temple: Red Wall Serenity!
Less crowded than Kuanzhai Alley inside the main hall (Pic 21), but the red wall area is surprisingly empty! Wait a bit, and you can get some great photos.
Jinli Ancient Street: Shoulder-to-Shoulder!
Right next to Wuhou Temple, so expect crowds! People flow directly from the temple into the street (Pic 22).
IFS Panda: Queue of Dreams (or Nightmares!)
You'd lose weight just waiting in line to take a photo with the panda climbing the IFS building! (Pic 23)
Overall, Chengdu is just as crowded as Chongqing. Wandering the streets and snapping random photos was more fun! (Pics 24-28)
Chunxi Road and the central squares weren't anything special. Just good for chilling, but the scenery was ordinary.
Skipping the city center due to the crowds, I went to Mount Emei, Leshan, and Siguniang Mountain.
Beyond the City: Mountains & Buddhas
Mount Emei: Worth the Splurge!
The ticket is expensive, but if you have time to explore, it's worth the money! (Pics 29-33). I passed through a layer of clouds to reach the Golden Summit. Going up, it was foggy and gloomy, but the view from the top was incredible! Huge sky and wide open spaces!
Leshan Giant Buddha: Majestic and Peaceful
The Buddha is the main attraction, but the surrounding area is also worth seeing. I arrived late in the afternoon, so it was quiet and peaceful, perfect for a Buddhist site. I don't know what it's like during peak hours! (Pics 34-38)
Siguniang Mountain (Four Girls Mountain): European Vibes!
I only had time for Shuangqiao Valley (Twin Bridge Valley). The scenery is beautiful and majestic, with some spots looking like Europe! It must be stunning in the autumn and winter. Filled up my memory card! Every angle is different. The bus drops off a lot of people, so walk further to find beautiful and quiet spots. No need to stay in the crowded areas. If you're not staying overnight, you don't need to buy the high-altitude sickness medication they advertise – it's probably just a normal supplement!