After a “free-and-easy” day on day 8 of our 9D8N Chan Brothers Jiuzhaigou trip, it was another half a day of free and easy on our last day of this trip on day 9. To maximise the day, we had an early breakfast at Xinliang Hotel Chengdu and left the hotel at about 8am after a hearty breakfast of beef noodles.
Taking the Public Metro in Chengdu
This morning, we decided to try out the public transport in Chengdu – taking the metro from Chunxi Road metro station to Kuanzhai Alley.
First, we had to contend with the self-service ticketing machine.
To purchase tickets from the self-service ticketing machine in Chengdu metro stations, there are essentially 2 ways. If you know the line that it is on (i.e. which colour), choose the line, followed by the station on the line. The other way would be the search for the station. For instance, we started off at Chunxi Road (i.e. Chun Xi Lu 春熙路) so we just had to search for “C X L” and the station would appear. Of course, the 2nd option requires some grasp of hanyu pinyin. Once you confirm the number of tickets required, a QR code will appear. To pay, just scan using Alipay and you’re done!
As for the transfer of train stations, it was pretty much like any other metro/MRT stations worldwide. In our case, we need to travel from Chunxi Road metro station (on the orange line) to Kuanzhai Alley metro station (on the green line). So we just had to look for the intersection of these two lines, in this case, Chengdu University of TCM metro station, and do a transfer there. There were 4 stops on the orange line and 1 stop on the green line and it came up to just 2 RMB (~$0.40) per person, which was quite affordable. The trains after peak hour was not too bad. Filled but not the body to body kind of squeezy.
On the train, we also saw a “Public Service Announcement” poster, featuring a cute family of pandas, sharing food on a table using communal utensils. In that way, it would help limit any spread of diseases. A public health PSA. 👍
@2bearbeartravel The #Metro in #Chengdu is a relatively cheap alternative means of travel. As a gauge, for a 5 stops travel, the fare was 2rmb. This would be 15rmb via Didi (ride hailing app in China/Chengdu). To get the tickets, head to one of the self service machines to key in your destination. To do so, you can do it via 1. The search function. If you want to go to Chun Xi Road for instance, type «CXL» for Chun Xi Lu. Or 2. Line Function. If you know that Chun Xi Road is on Line 2, click on Line 2, then click on the desired stop. Thereafter, you’ll be ask for payment. A QR code will appear. Scan it for payment via WeChat Alipay. For more details visit 2bearbear.com today! #travel #mrt #chengdumetro #chengdu #chengdumrt #chinametro #travel #publictransport #2bearbear ♬ original sound – ᴍʟʙʙᴅᴏɢsʜᴏᴡ𖠌 ☑ – MLBBDogshow
Morning Stroll and Photos at Kuanzhai Alley Chengdu
Besides trying out the metro in Chengdu, heading to Kuanzhai Alley also gave us an opportunity to take more photos with the iconic structures at this ancient, historic Kuanzhai Alley. In addition, we also wanted to try out rabbit’s head, a supposedly “must-try” according to the locals here…
As it was early in the morning, the streets were still not so crowded. Although there were already tourists in the streets (while the shops were still mainly closed), there were still plenty of photo opportunities here at Kuanzhai Alley. If you find a structure that you like, you probably won’t have wait longer than 2 or 3 tourists before it is your turn to take a “nobody shot”. Of course, these days with AI, you can easily remove people from your photos but if you want some authentic “nobody shots” at Kuanzhai Alley, mornings would be the best!
While Tom was trying to pose with one of the gates in Kuanzhai Alley (which he obviously does not know how), we noticed that when we left, another local came by to take an exact same shot as Tom! But of course, with better poise. This happened not only once but twice and on different tourists. On a third time, Tom sat on the porch of another entrance and because the tourist didn’t have time (her husband was rushing her to go), she took a shot of Tom instead!
“Rather have the shot then to lose out not having the shot at all.”
– Random tourist at Kuanzhai Alley
Trying Rabbit’s Head for the First Time at Kuanzhai Alley Chengdu
On the way out of Kuan Alley, we finally had the opportunity to try out Rabbit’s Head – which according to locals, are a “must-try” while in Chengdu. Instead of taking it away, we had it at the shop itself where the store assistant taught Tom how to have the rabbit’s head. The steps to eating rabbit’s head in Chengdu are as follows:
Step 1: Break the head into 2 – the upper and lower half.
Step 2: You can choose to go for the upper or lower half first. Tom went for the lower half first because he wanted to save the meatier upper half for later. For the lower half, the tongue had a chewy texture.
Step 3: As for the upper half, there are 2 “large” pieces of meat which are the cheeks. The photo above shows one of the cheeks.
Step 4: Now for the eyes. Go for the socket on both sides. It had a chewy, gelatinous texture but less chewy than the tongue.
Step 5 (Final Step): The brain. This is the most tricky part and according to the staff, you’d have to chew it apart to have access to the brain. Unfortunately, Tom was not able to do so and missed this step.
The cost of the rabbit’s head was 15RMB (or about $3 SGD) which isn’t exactly cheap. There are 3 flavours to choose from – the spicy, the less spicy and the five spice (aka non-spicy). We went for the less spicy which was just nice. Overall, it was an unique experience but we’d say that we wouldn’t try it again on our own. If invited by our friends, we’d know how to enjoy this local delicacy in the future.
Shopping and Dining at International Financial Square (IFS) and Tai Koo Li Chengdu
Leaving Kuanzhai Alley, we strolled over to People’s Park metro station to take the train back to Chunxi Road, for 2 RMB. From there, we headed over to International Financial Square (IFS) to take pictures at Tai Koo Li as well as the Giant Panda bear at the rooftop of IFS!
At Tai Koo Li, we first checked out the open-air shopping space here. It is known that Tai Koo Li is famed for its high-end shopping. This time, we saw shops such as Prada, Gucci and LV nestled in its traditional Chinese-architectures with LV having its own entire space in a building as shown in our photo above. It was also nice to stroll here because of its open-air concept and modern x traditional-Chinese layout. Next, we headed to IFS (International Financial Square) to find the face of the Giant Panda located at its roof top…
If you’re shopping at the International Financial Square (IFS) / Tai Koo Li area of Chengdu, you will not miss the Giant Panda that is trying to scale the walls of IFS. From the streets, you can only see the back of the Giant Panda and this makes one wonder what its face looks like. Overtime, the roof top (level 7) of IFS Chengdu has become a tourist attraction, luring many tourists to come up and take a photo with the Giant Panda at IFS. We think that this is a really smart idea to make shoppers and tourists enter IFS Mall. Otherwise, given the high prices here, most shoppers would not voluntarily shop here as their first option.
At the rooftop (level 7) of IFS, you’ll also be able to sprawl on the green lawns or take some photos with the many artistic statues here as well. Inside IFS Mall, there is a Ole Supermarket as well as a food court…
While we were here at IFS Mall, we bought a bottle of water from Ole Supermarket as well as a can of German-styled Wheat Beer (Weiss Bier). From there, we strolled back to Chunxi Road to look for souvenirs and snacks to bring back home – particularly, a panda-themed souvenir shop which we saw on day 7 of our Chan Brothers 9D8N Jiuzhaigou / Huang Long / Chengdu travels.
Along the way, Kate saw the Snowflake Crisps stall (雪花酥) that sells many different flavours that ranged from flavours such as matcha, mango, chocolate to ginko, yoghurt and salted-egg. A nice little snack souvenir to bring home.
After a long and tiring search, we were eventually able to locate the panda-themed souvenir shop known as 熊猫窄云 (Xiong Mao Zhai Yun) at the end of Chunxi Road. It is a shop that sells only panda-themed items that ranged from bags to soft toys, from key chains to pens and more. The best part? They sell these items at wholesale prices. While we were shopping back home, we saw that a same bag sold here was sold at ten times the price in Singapore! 😱 In total, we bought 90RMB worth of stuff and Kate was a happy shopper. 😅
Best of all, we were able to try out one of the best 军屯锅魁 又名 “酥油千层饼” (Jun Dun Guo Kui aka 1000 layers flaky pastry) at 白家肥肠粉 (Bai Jia Fei Chang fen) just next door! 军屯锅魁 (Jun Dun Guo Kui) is one of the local delicacies in Chengdu and this rendition at Bai Jia Fei Chang Fen has done it expertly. On the outside, you have exactly as the translation says, many layers of flaky and crispy pastry and inside meats – we chose beef this time, covered in rich cumin, nunbing peppers and spice flavours. Probably one of the best 军屯锅魁 (Jun Dun Guo Kui) we’ve had in Chengdu! Best of all, the pastry is fried freshly on site and you’ll always be able to have it fresh-off-the-wok hot! Superbly enjoyable. Not spicy but numbingly good! 😋
@2bearbeartravel Here are some recommendations of what to eat while you’re in #Chengdu! 😋🤤🥵 This list includes #GuoKui – a meat filled fried pastry, #mapotofu , #dandannoodles , #fuqifeipian , #malahotpot (or simply #hotpot ), #tea as well as #rabbithead , yikes! For more details, visit 2bearbear.com today! #food #foodie #chengdufood #whattoeat #whattoeatinchengdu #sgfoodie #foodtiktok #chinesefood #foodlover #foodtok #foodies #foodietiktok #2bearbear #travel ♬ Good Time – Platinum Party
After this short break, Kate resumed shopping at Kowloon Plaza (a wholesale centre) as well as the 7 Storey Yishion along Chunxi Road.
For lunch, Tom wanted to try out the fried chicken fast food chain in Chengdu – Discos Fried Chicken (德克士脆皮炸鸡). This time, we ordered the whole drumstick and thigh for 26RMB as well as a chicken burger for 15RMB. A little expensive and taste wise, there was nothing unique though the meat was tender and the skin was crisp. For chili, chinese chili powder were provided instead. Nothing to shout about, but we’re glad to have tried it and can now inform our readers that you should stick to the local cuisines while here in Chengdu 😉
On the way back to our hotel, Kate remembered that we needed to buy a blood pressure measuring device while passing a pharmacy. So we entered and saw the Yuwell brand being sold at 199RMB – apparently it is a very well-known brand in China. Going a few doors down, we noticed that the same device went for 398RMB. So the discount was genuine! We also had another of Emei Xue (lychee-based soft drink), probably our favourite Chinese drink now for 4.5 RMB.
@2bearbeartravel There are tonnes of #shopping options at #chunxi road because of the sheer number of shops as well as it being a venue for #wholesale clothes. Nearby, you can also stroll to the #highend shopping malls at #IFS and #Taikooli where you’ll be able to find brand names such as Hermes, Gucci and even a high end supermarket known as Ole Supermarket here as well! For more details, visit 2bearbear today! P.S. Remember to head to level 7 of IFS to take a photo with the panda, climbing on the side of the building! #travel #shopping #panda #pandastatue #travel #traveling #traveler #travelvibes #traveltiktok #2bearbear ♬ Always You – SAMMY & LESEN & PJONAX
Flying Back to Singapore from Tianfu International Airport Chengdu
After packing and getting the blood pressure monitor, the tour group left Xin Liang Hotel at 2:30pm sharp and arrived at Tianfu International Airport Chengdu at 3:40pm. At about 4pm, the check-in counters opened, slightly earlier than the 2 hours (prior) mentioned on SQ’s website (for our 6:30pm flight).
There were a couple of checks at Tianfu International Airport. First, before you enter the airport itself, the guard will swipe your luggage and place it into a machine to check for traces of explosive material. Thereafter, if you have checked bags, they will screen through and if you have items like battery charger in your bag, your name will be flashed on a screen next door, to have it removed. Before entering the transit area, you will have your boarding pass checked, followed by a scan of your carry-on as well as a body scan. Then finally at immigration, you will do a face scan and have your passport stamped.
Pretty secured we’d say.
Inside the transit area at Tianfu International Airport Chengdu, there isn’t a priority pass lounge. There were a few food options such as Dan Dan noodles, beef noodles, Vietnam Pho, KFC as well as Pacific Coffee and Noodles that we had…
While the noodles were not as satisfying as the Dan Dan Noodles that we had at Chen Mapo Tofu yesterday, it was still a treat to have our final bowl of authentic Chengdu/Szechuanese food before our flight back home from Chengdu to Singapore.
It is always an enjoyable experience to fly on Singapore Airlines. We love the feeling, especially flying back home and arriving on the runway of Singapore Changi Airport where the staff would say,
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Singapore. And to all Singaporeans and residents of Singapore a warm welcome home.”
That always gets us.
Of course, great inflight entertainment like The Garfield Movie and Singaporean food like Fried Hokkien Prawn Noodles, definitely elevated our overall flying experience this time.
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@2bearbeartravel #Tianfu #International #Airport in #Chengdu is a big and modern airport. The premise is new and clean. However, there are a few things to note 1. Counters are not always open. For SQ flights from Chengdu back to Singapore, counters are only open about 2-3 hours before the intended flight. 2. Cater sufficient time because you will have multiple security checks, bag checks and ticket checks before you eventually enter the transit area. 3. Note that there’s currently no Priority Pass lounge at Tian Fu International Airport – only lounge for first and business class passengers. 4. Lastly, there are a few restaurants and even a 7-11 scattered across the airport. The downside is that the airport is big, you’ll probably have to walk quite a bit just to get to 7-11 (at gate 114). For more details, visit 2bearbear.com today! #airport #tianfuairport #tianfuinternationalairport #chengduairport #china #prioritypass #2bearbear ♬ Stronger Than Ever – MixMaster Echo
We hope you have enjoyed our coverage of Chan Brother’s 9D8N to Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong, Chengdu and Emeishan. Check out these videos for a quick recap of our entire trip:
Highlights of Our 9D8N Chan Brothers Jiuzhaigou / Huang Long / Emeishan Le Shan / Chengdu Travels
@2bearbeartravel Booked our 9D8N trip to #JiuZhaiGou with @chanbrothers.sg During this trip, we visited Jiu Zhai Gou, #HuangLong, #Chengdu #giantpanda Research Base, #Emei, #Leshan , #Kuanzhaialley , #jinliancientstreet, #chunxi #IFS and also had the iconic #malahotpot before shopping at #taikooli and flying back via #tianfu international #airport It was a well paced, well planned and thoroughly enjoyable trip. If you’re thinking of visiting China and not really sure where to start, going with a reputable travel agency like Chan Brothers would definitely be a good start. Alternatively, visit 2bearbear. com for more information about what to expect for things like metro and digital payments in China! #travel #chanbrothers #traveling #traveler #travelvibe #travelblog #travelblogger #2bearbear ♬ Oh my life – Langlang
What We Ate During Our 9D8N Jiuzhaigou / Huang Long / Emeishan / Chengdu Trip
@2bearbeartravel Thanks to @chanbrothers.sg , we were able to try out the many different delicacies during our trip to #JiuZhaiGou, #LeShan and #Chengdu! Including the famous #Malahotpot 😋🥵 For more details, visit 2bearbear.com today! #food #foodie #foodtiktok #foodlover #foodtok #chinesefood #hotpot #shiok #yummy #2bearbear #whattoeat #wheretoeat #delicious #travel ♬ Here With You(抖音重置版) – 王梦瑶
Hotels We Stayed At With Chan Brothers 9D8N Jiuzhaigou Huang Long Emeishan Leshan Chengdu Travel
@2bearbeartravel During our 9D8N visit to #JiuZhaiGou, #HuangLong, #LeShan and #Chengdu, we stayed at Antai Jinyun Jinjiang Hotel (Chengdu), #Hilton Garden Inn (JiuZhaiGou), Yu Quan Wan (Royal Springs Hotel LeShan) and Xin Liang Hotel (Chengdu). Hilton was probably the best as an international 5 stars hotel but the rest were not too bad as local 5 stars, particularly Yu Quan which had the in-house hot springs. Xin Liang had cable TV and movies as well. For more details, visit 2bearbear.com today! #hotel #hotels #room #rooms #travel #china #hotelreview #roomreview #traveler #traveling @chanbrothers.sg #2bearbear ♬ Dive With Me(抖音热播版) – 珊爷
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