Chengdu Exploration: Pandas, Food & City Life

2 AMAZING Days in Chengdu 🇨🇳 (I Was Surprised by This City!)

Destination:ChinaCity:ChengduPopulation:16.3 million
2 AMAZING Days in Chengdu 🇨🇳 (I Was Surprised by This City!)
JoeyP2025-05-0933 min

Planning a trip to China and wondering what to do in Chengdu? Follow me through 48 hours of panda spotting, alley wandering, and mouth-numbing Sichuan food as I show you the best places to visit in Chengdu, China—from sunrise noodles in Kuanzhai Alley to sunset hot-pot by the river. This China travel vlog packs practical tips for first-time visitors, a quick guide to riding the metro, and a foodie list of what to eat in Chengdu (chili wontons, dan-dan noodles, twice-cooked pork, plus the vegetarian feast at Wenshu Monastery). You’ll see why locals call this laid-back city the soul of Sichuan, meet the famous Chengdu pandas, and pick up cost breakdowns so you can plan your own budget-friendly China trip. Whether you’re chasing adorable pandas, craving next-level Chinese street food, or mapping out your ultimate China travel guide, this vlog has the sights, flavours and real-time prices to make your travel in China smooth and spicy.

This vlog captures the essence of Chengdu, from the tranquility of People's Park to the bustling streets of Kuanzhai Alley. It's a journey through local life, delicious food, and unforgettable encounters with the city's famous pandas. Practical tips for navigation and budgeting are also included, making this a comprehensive guide for anyone planning a trip to Chengdu.

--- JoeyP
May 9, 2025, Spring in China

Video Chapters

  1. 0:00Intro
  2. 00:21Welcome to Chengdu, China
  3. 00:39Taxi to People's Park
  4. 00:52First Impressions of People's Park
  5. 01:37Local Life in People's Park
  6. 03:03Chinese Tea Experience in People's Park (Heming Tea House)
  7. 05:18Ear Cleaning in People's Park
  8. 07:13Leaving the Park
  9. 07:18Wenshu Monestary
  10. 08:09Finding a Local Delicacy (Spicy Rabbit Head)
  11. 08:56Eating Spicy Rabbit Head
  12. 11:18Kuangzhai Alley
  13. 13:02Entertaining Street Snack
  14. 14:33Being A Local Celebrity
  15. 15:33Lunch
  16. 16:41Dan Dan Noodles
  17. 17:45Spicy Wontons
  18. 18:29Chengdu Streets
  19. 20:13Tianfu Square
  20. 20:48Panda Sleep Hotel
  21. 21:01Chengdu Riverside
  22. 21:44Trying Hairy Tofu
  23. 23:46Exploring the Riverside
  24. 24:20Anshun Bridge
  25. 25:09Chunxi Road
  26. 27:24Visiting the Chengdu Pandas
  27. 28:14Giant Pandas
  28. 31:17Red Pandas
  29. 33:17My Thoughts on Chengdu
  30. 33:46Watch More (Hot Pot)

JoeyP's Chengdu adventure: pandas, spicy food, and unexpected encounters in a vibrant city. An unforgettable China trip!

Travel Guides & Tips in this video

  1. Tip 1Start your day at People's Park to experience local life and maybe try Tai Chi. It's a peaceful oasis in a bustling city. (0:25)
  2. Tip 2Visit the nearly century-old Himcha Tea House in People's Park for a traditional tea experience. Try their lemon tea! (3:10)
  3. Tip 3Consider trying the traditional ear cleaning in People's Park for a unique and memorable experience. It's surprisingly affordable. (5:18)
  4. Tip 4Explore Wenshu Monastery, a well-preserved Buddhist temple that offers a serene escape and insight into local culture. (7:21)
  5. Tip 5Sample local delicacies like rabbit's head and freshly baked flatbreads for an authentic culinary adventure. (8:09)
  6. Tip 6Wander through Kuanzhai Alley, a historic alleyway transformed into a vibrant tourist area with various shops and restaurants. (11:19)
  7. Tip 7Indulge in Chengdu's famous dandan noodles and chili wontons for a delicious and affordable meal. (15:37)
  8. Tip 8Visit the Jin River and Anhen Bridge, especially at night, for a stunning illuminated view. Explore the street food stalls along the river. (20:14)
  9. Tip 9Visit the Dujiangyan Panda Base to see giant pandas and red pandas in a relatively less crowded environment. It's easily accessible by metro and taxi. (27:28)

JoeyP's whirlwind 48 hours in Chengdu is a captivating journey filled with unexpected encounters and delicious discoveries. From the serene People's Park, where he experiences traditional ear cleaning and sips lemon tea, to the bustling Kuanzhai Alley, his exploration is a vibrant tapestry of local life and culinary adventures. He savors the unique flavors of Sichuan cuisine, including rabbit head and dandan noodles, and shares the thrill of coming face-to-face with the city's iconic pandas at Dujiangyan Panda Base. This isn't just a travelogue; it's an immersive experience that captures the soul of Chengdu.

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2 AMAZING Days in Chengdu 🇨🇳 (I Was Surprised by This City!)

This China travel vlog follows JoeyP's incredible 48-hour adventure in Chengdu, China. The video opens with JoeyP's arrival in the city, emphasizing its blend of ancient history and modern architecture. His journey begins in People's Park, a vibrant oasis where he observes locals engaging in tai chi, drinking tea, and even undergoes a traditional ear-cleaning session. This experience offers a unique glimpse into Chengdu's daily life.

Next, JoeyP visits Wenshu Monastery, a beautifully preserved Buddhist temple, where he notes the peaceful atmosphere and its integration into the daily lives of Chengdu residents. His exploration continues through a local shopping area, where he encounters rabbit head, a local specialty, and freshly made flatbreads. The combination, he notes, is surprisingly delicious.

Kuanzhai Alley provides a sensory feast of sights, sounds, and smells. JoeyP navigates the bustling crowds, sampling local snacks and interacting with friendly locals. He shares a particularly memorable moment where he is spontaneously surrounded by people wanting photos with him. This highlights the warm and welcoming nature of the Chengdu people.

Lunch features a culinary highlight: dandan noodles and chili wontons. JoeyP describes the flavors in vivid detail, emphasizing the intensity and unique characteristics of Sichuan cuisine. The experience is not just about the food; it's about the atmosphere and the interactions with street vendors.

JoeyP then observes the surprisingly quiet streets of Chengdu, noting the prevalence of electric vehicles. This contrasts sharply with the bustling energy of other Asian cities he's visited. As evening approaches, he strolls along the Jin River, admiring the illuminated Anhen Bridge and sampling more street food, including a daring encounter with stinky tofu. The nighttime cityscape, with its vibrant lights and lively atmosphere, is breathtaking.

The final leg of JoeyP's journey takes him to Dujiangyan Panda Base. His encounter with the pandas is deeply emotional, highlighting their majesty and the importance of conservation efforts. He shares his excitement and awe at seeing these animals up close, describing the experience as a dream come true. He also spots a red panda, adding another unforgettable moment to his Chengdu adventure. The video concludes with a preview of his next adventure: tackling the famous Sichuan hot pot. Throughout the video, JoeyP provides practical travel tips, including transportation advice and cost breakdowns, making this a valuable resource for anyone planning a trip to Chengdu.

FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)

Q: What was the ear cleaning experience like?
A: It was a weird sensation, a little uncomfortable but not bad. My ears feel squeaky clean!
Q: What did you think of the rabbit's head?
A: It was delicious! The meat was gelatinous and melted in my mouth, especially with the chili paste and peppery bread.
Q: How would you describe the atmosphere in Kuanzhai Alley?
A: It was busy, high energy, and fun. Lots of food and things to see!
Q: What was your favorite Sichuan dish?
A: Dandan noodles! The richness of the meat, the soft noodles, and the Sichuan peppercorn flavor were fantastic.
Q: What was it like seeing the pandas?
A: Incredible! They almost didn't look real. Seeing them in person was a dream come true.
Q: What surprised you most about Chengdu?
A: Probably how quiet the city was due to the electric vehicles. It was amazing!

Chengdu Exploration: Pandas, Food & City Life

Planning a trip to China and wondering what to do in Chengdu? Follow me through 48 hours of panda spotting, alley wandering, and mouth-numbing Sichuan food as I show you the best places to visit in Chengdu, China—from sunrise noodles in Kuanzhai Alley to sunset hot-pot by the river. This China travel...

Chengdu Exploration: Pandas, Sichuan Food, & Local Life

Experience Chengdu, China through the eyes of a traveler. This vlog takes you on a 48-hour adventure, from exploring People's Park and its unique tea houses and ear cleaning services to discovering the vibrant Kuanzhai Alley and its street food scene. Enjoy the local life, sample delicious Sichuan cuisine like dan-dan noodles and spicy wontons, and encounter the adorable pandas. The video also includes practical tips for first-time visitors, including metro travel advice and budget breakdowns, making it an ideal guide for planning your own Chengdu trip.

Attractions in this video: People's Park, Wenshu Monastery, Kuanzhai Alley, Anhen Bridge, Dujiangyan Panda Base