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Mike and Ashley travel to Dujiangyan, near Chengdu, to visit the Dujiangyan Panda Base. They describe it as calmer than the Chengdu base and see pandas at breakfast, then encounter a red panda walking close by in its area. The trip continues to the ancient irrigation system, local food stalls and the Ancient Town. They try jianbing, order with a QR code, and later see alpacas at a tea shop. The pair also taste tanghulu and comment on its packaging. The vlog includes tips for getting tickets through WeChat, navigating the town and choosing where to eat. Their day ends with an appreciation of how the panda visit, historic waterworks and local food fit into one trip outside Chengdu.
More about the current video:(Published on 2025-02-17)
Pandas outside Chengdu
Mike and Ashley head to Dujiangyan, a city near Chengdu, and visit the Dujiangyan Panda Base. They buy tickets through WeChat and arrive in time to see a panda having breakfast. They mention that pandas may be asleep around 9:30 or 10:00 in the morning. Compared with their previous visit to the Chengdu Panda Base, they find Dujiangyan less crowded and more relaxed, and the pandas seem more active. One of the most memorable moments happens in the red panda area, where a red panda walks right past them. The close encounter feels different from their earlier panda experience.
Irrigation heritage and local food
Beyond the animals, they explore Dujiangyan's ancient irrigation system, which remains in use today and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. They also sample jianbing from a street stall, using a QR code scanner to order. The dish's contrasting textures and flavors make it a highlight of the food stops. In the Ancient Town, they visit local restaurants and see alpacas at a tea shop, an unexpected sight during the trip.
The pair also try tanghulu. They enjoy the snack but remark on the unusually bright green coloring on the kiwi and question the paper wrapper. They spend time walking around the Ancient Town, especially after dark, and reflect on the different parts of the visit. Their suggestions include learning how QR ordering works, trying local food and balancing city stops with the outdoors. The video also includes a product placement for Level8 suitcases and packing cubes: Mike and Ashley explain that they moved from backpacks to suitcases and found the luggage easier to use while traveling in China. They recommend Dujiangyan as a panda visit with a calmer feel than Chengdu, alongside its historic irrigation system and food options.
The outing also includes time in the Ancient Town after dark, when Mike and Ashley see the area at night. They try tanghulu, a local snack, and comment on the edible packaging as well as the unusually bright green kiwi. For getting around, they walk and note that taxis and small golf carts are available. The pair mention that many businesses use QR code scanners, so knowing how to order this way is useful. Their visit includes more than the panda exhibits: the irrigation system, a street-food stop, the old town and the unexpected alpacas all contribute to the day. They also share a sponsored segment about Level8 luggage and packing cubes, describing how suitcases felt easier to handle than backpacks on this trip.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: What's the best way to get tickets for the Dujiangyan Panda Base?
- A: We bought tickets through WeChat, and the process was easy. The video describes this as a familiar way to book visits to attractions in China.
- Q: How did you order food at the jianbing stand?
- A: We scanned a QR code to place the order. QR code ordering is common at businesses in China, so it helps to know how to use the system.
- Q: What was the most unexpected thing you saw?
- A: The alpacas hanging out at a tea shop were the biggest surprise. We did not expect to encounter them there during our visit to the Ancient Town.
- Q: What's the best way to get around Dujiangyan?
- A: We walked a lot, and there are also taxis and small golf carts to help you get around. The video shows the town and attractions as part of a day of walking and local transport.
- Q: What are the Sweet Water noodles like?
- A: They were thick, sweet and sour, and fun to eat. The texture and flavor made the noodles a memorable part of our local food experience.
- Q: What was the tanghulu experience like?
- A: The tanghulu itself tasted good, but the kiwi was dyed a very bright green. The paper wrapper also seemed questionable, so the packaging caught our attention.
