China (Chengdu, Sichuan) Sep/Oct 2009 D-3, D-4 & D-5

Map of Chengdu, Sichuan, China

From Guilin to Chengdu, the train ride took 26 hours. On arrival, I took a bus from the Chengdu train station and checked into the Sims Cozy Garden hostel (CNY30 dorm). I stayed for 5 nights in Chengdu as some UNESCO sites are located 2-3 hours by public transport from Chengdu. Some sites are well connected by public transport eg Mt Emei and Leshan Grand Buddha; Mt Qingcheng and Dujiangyan Dam. Also you should consider joining a local tour to Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong as I found it less hassle and more economical by joining a local tour package as this stretch of road from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou is presently affected by the Wen Chuan earthquake since May 08 and is not easy to travel on your own.

Sichuan province has 5 UNESCO heritage sites & 2 Natural Wonders of the World:

UNESCO Heritage Sites

1) Mt Emei & Giant Buddha in Leshan

2) Mt Qingcheng & Dujiang Dam

3) Sanxingdui Museum

4) Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve

5) Huanglong National Park

Natural Wonders of the World

1) Wolong Nature Reserve

2) Daocheng Yading

Wolong Nature Reserve (the only place you can see giant pandas) has been partially destroyed by the Wen Chuan earthquake. The road leading to Wolong is now under repairs. With the exception of Mt Emei & Daocheng Yading, I had visited all the rest of the UNESCO gazetted sites in this trip. A visit to the Panda breeding centre in Chengdu is highly recommended. The UNESCO Heritage sites I visited were:

1) Leshan Grand Buddha, Sichuan (entrance fee CNY90) - Carved into a cliff face overlooking the Dadu & Minjiang River. 71m high, his ears 7m long, his toes 8.5m long. Built in AD713 by Haitong, a Buddhist monk and completed 90 years after his death.

2) Dujiangyan Dam, Sichuan (entrance fee CNY60 ) - The world's greatest ancient water irrigation project built by Li Bing, the governor of the Shu Prefecture during the warring state period in the 3rd century BC. This project benefitted 10 million acres of land in Sichuan by diverting the fast flowing Min Jiang River into irrigation canals engineered by Li Bing.

3) Mt Qincheng, Sichuan (entrance fee CNY60) - The birthplace of China's Daoism. The mountain is famous for its beautiful landscapes and rich religious background.

4) Sanxingdui Museum, Chengdu, Sichuan (entrance fee CNY80) - Houses a large collections of relics of ancient sculpture, masks & ritual bronzes dating back to 4,000 years ago.

5) Wenshu Temple, Chengdu, Sichuan (entrance fee CNY5) - The largest and best preserved Tang Dynasty monastery in Chengdu.

6) Wuhou Temple, Chengdu, Sichuan (entrance fee CNY30) - Houses a shrine dedicated to Emperor Liu Bei and a temple honoring Zhuge Liang, a famous military strategist of the Three Kingdoms period ( AD220-80)

7) Qingyang Gong, Chengdu, Sichuan (entrance fee CNY10) - The oldest and most extensive Taoist temple in Chengdu.

8) The Thatched Cottage of Dufu, Chengdu, Sichuan (entrance fee CNY30) - Dufu, an eminent poet of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) lived in Sichuan for 4 years, during which time he wrote many poems. The place he stayed has become a holy land in Chinese history of literature.

9) Jinli Street, Chengdu, Sichuan - Shopping for souvenirs and a popular gourmet street for locals & tourists.

" Sichuan is the breeding place for giant pandas; has a long history dating back 4,500 years ago; a number of World Natural & Cultural Heritage sites and great spicy Sichuan food - steam boat style - so fly to Sichuan and see for yourself - no regret at all !"

The Secrets of Life - Before middle age, do not fear; after middle age, do not regret . "