Chengdu and Leshan

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Index

Day 1...


Travel Expenses
*** Total: 50RMB (Exclude Visa and Flight) ***
Chinese Visa: SGD$25
One Way Flight Singapore - Chengdu on Thai Airways: SGD$456
Accomodation @ Sim's Cozy: 25RMB
Local Transport, Food and Others: 25RMB



My flight on Thai Airways from Singapore to Chengdu. Finally I am on my way to my long awaited graduation trip!


Stayed in the popular Sim's Cozy Guesthouse in Chengdu, and the owner is actually a fellow Singaporean too


And they have a very nice garden and many other facilities, definitely a backpacker's haven






Wenshu old streets




In most cities in China, there are special lanes on roads for bicycles




Even traffic lights are catered to cyclists


Chengdu is currently constructing its very own metro lines, therefore causing many roads to be blocked off, and bus routes to be rerouted


Big Mao statue in front of Tianfu Square


I purposely took this during sunset so as to symbolise fall of communism?
~ View Picture on Flickr ~



Day 2...


Travel Expenses
*** Total: 280RMB ***
Bus to Leshan and back: 43RMB + 42RMB (162km + 162km)
Boat Tour for Leshan Giant Buddha: 50RMB
Entry to Wuhou Temple: 60RMB
Accomodation @ Sim's Cozy: 25RMB
Local Transport, Food and Others: 60RMB


*Overland Distance Covered So Far: 324km



Took a trip to Leshan, where you can take a boat or land trip to see the famous Leshan Giant Buddha


My boat's name


Misty surroundings in the morning


Incredible Leshan Giant Buddha at 71 metres high!


It is the tallest stone Buddha statue in the world
~ View Picture on Flickr ~


One of the "bodyguards" carved out by the sides of Leshan Giant Buddha


Leshan Giant Buddha with his "bodyguard"
~ View Picture on Flickr ~


Long and narrow trail up the hill if you want to see Leshan Giant Buddha's head up close


Looking for some blessings before I embark on my Silk Road =)


Back to Chengdu for lunch at this very good restaurant recommended by locals for its noodles and tangyuan


As a fan of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, a trip to Wuhou Temple is a must!


Temple to remember the sworn brotherhood of Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei


Statues of the wise advisor, Zhuge Liang


Of the charismatic emperor of Kingdom of Shu, Liu Bei


Of the fierce general, Zhang Fei


And of cos the righteous and ever loyal Guan Yu


Guan Yu's legendary Green Dragon Crescent Blade


Straw hat and clothings worn during then to shelter themselves from rain


Small garden within the complex


One of many inventions by the intelligent Zhuge Liang, including this structure to store grains during war


And this interesting lock


Temple dedicated to Zhuge Liang


Alley thru bamboo forests on the way to see the tomb of Liu Bei


Standing in front of Liu Bei's tombstone in all due respect


More beautiful gardens




Serene!


Nearby Jin Li Street


Interesting signs


Chinese styled buildings


Interesting "blow sugarman"! Sounds like a stupid direct translation from Chinese =P


Beautiful lady playing zither


Narrow streets


Entrance of People's Park


A commemoration tower for a bloody incident over a railway contract in 1911 that contributed to the end of the Qing dynasty


Outdoor karaoke


Locals playing chess


Square inside park where many activities are usually held


Dancing club =p


Interesting pets of Sim's Cozy Guesthouse, piglets!


And my favourite pets, cats =)


Planning an assault on my dinner haha



Day 3...


Travel Expenses
*** Total: 227RMB ***
Giant Panda Tour from Sim's Cozy: 70RMB
Entry to Wenshu Temple: 5RMB
Local Transport, Food and Others: 30RMB

Overnight Train from Chengdu to Xi'an: 122RMB
>>> Click for more trains details <<<
                ~ Train Code: 2120
                ~ Type: Hardsleeper Lower Berth(Non-Aircon)
                ~ Departure: 1410
                ~ Arrival: 0743
                ~ Travel Time: 17Hrs 33Mins (842km)


*Overland Distance Covered So Far: 1,166km



Took a trip to Chengdu's Giant Panda Research Centre


To see the elusive Giant Pandas of cos! =)


Basically, they only love to eat


And sleep! lol


Eating is their favourite pasttime, and they are definitely very choosy!
~ View Picture on Flickr ~


~ View Picture on Flickr ~






Walking thru bamboo forests


More adult pandas






Of cos a trip there must include a visit to see the baby pandas


Fighting baby pandas




~ View Picture on Flickr ~




They are really cute and playful!
~ View Picture on Flickr ~


Enough of ball? haha


You can also see the smaller size red panda




Keepers releasing some of them into the sanctuary


Skeleton of a giant panda


My final destination in Chengdu is Wenshu Temple


Many locals praying for blessings




Monks having their lunch


Garden


A dragon statue


Praying hall with many cushion seats


There are also tea houses within the complex for Sichuan old faithfuls


Near Wenshu Temple, you can try a local's favourite at this stall


Spicy liang fen!


Headed to Chengdu train station to take my overnight train to Xi'an


Crazily crowded with people!


This overnight train will take almost 18 hrs!


My snacks and book =)

~~~~~ Next ~~~~~
Xi'an