2025-12-09 Chengdu

 A day roaming around the parks of Chengdu

There is no rest for the wicked, so after a leisurely breakfast, it was into a Didi and off to Baihuatan Park, a beuatiful park with gingko trees and teahouses, and pavilions with bonsai plants and art studios; very peaceful and with people doing taichi and other morning exercises.  There was even an elderly couple doing sword exercises!

There was a 'childrens playground' there also, not as we know them, but more an amusement arcade, expensive and kind of tacky, but Isaac had a ride on a motorised dinosaur, a mini roller coaster and a bubble bike - this was a pedal operated thing that blew out bubbles while you peddaled, but was stationary - he quickly got bored with this, so Penny had a go to use up the allocated time.

Walking along  Bahua Alley we were under gingko trees, aflame with late autumn golden leaves, and this was also popular with other locals and tourists taking photos too. Being something of a tourist hotspot, many of the tree trunks had been decorated with playdough, very creatively.

We used this alleyway to get to Du Fu Thatched Cottage and surrounding gardens and pavillions, one time home of Du Fu, a famous poet from the Tang Dynasty that Chinese schoolkids have to learn about, who lived 712-770 AD.  This is a cultural icon of China and Chengdu in particular, and you have to book in advance for a selected time slot - so it is not crowded, and is a peaceful haven in the big city.

Another very long Didi ride took us to the Pengzhen Old Teahouse, a 100 year old teahouse famous for retaining the charm of the early post revolution years, and popular with photographers - there was even a model being photographed there recreating the look of Shanghai cigarette poster girls.  The whole area was alley ways with tea houses and restaurants.

Isaac was a hit here, having photos taken, and even a young woman coming across to get a selfie while Pippa and Toby were getting massages.

The last stop today was another long Didi ride, to the Global Centre Shopping Mall, located in the largest building in the world, and it is huge, and good luck trying to find your way around on your first visit!  Penny and I were defeated early and headed back to the hotel via the metro, while Pippa and Toby took Isaac to the enormous playgound that is also part of the complex. 

A final walk along the river next to the hotel completed our day!

Tomorrow we head to Xi'an.

Baihuatan Park

Sword exercises, Baihuatan Park

Baihuatan Park

Penny on the bubble bike, Baihuatan Park

A cute three wheeler, popular for taking kids to school

Bahua Alley

Bahua Alley

Decorated tree trunk, Bahua Alley

Mural, Bahua Alley

Bird on the way to Du Fu Thatched Cottage

Largest laquer mural in China (probably the world), Du Fu Thatched Cottage


Mao Zhe Dong at Du Fu Thatched Cottage (very popular photo to recreate, like so many places you have to wait your turn)


Frank  at Du Fu Thatched Cottage 

Artworks  of one of Du Fu's poem at Du Fu Thatched Cottage

Du Fu Thatched Cottage


Lunch near Pengzhen Old Tea House

Isaac and admirer, Pengzhen Old Tea House

Pippa getting massage at Pengzhen Old Tea House (could have got her ears cleaned too)


Part of the outside of the New Century Global Center

New Century Global Center

New Century Global Center

One of the amusement parks inside the New Century Global Center

New Century Global Center

Vending machine robot, New Century Global Center


Riverbank next to hotel.



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