13 March 2024
TAIKOO LI: A BLEND OF MODERN AND TRADITIONAL CHARM
Taikoo Li (太古里) is a vibrant shopping street brimming with high-end stores. If you love international brands and boutique shopping, this is your paradise. What makes Taikoo Li unique is its blend of modern luxury housed within traditional architectural facades. Across the street, you'll find a mix of local specialty shops, gourmet eateries, and bustling snack stalls, while the other side showcases a lively international business district. The street’s distinctive exterior and rooftops offer an ancient cityscape vibe, especially when viewed from nearby hotels.
My favourite is definitely the Louis Vuitton store front!
DACI TEMPLE: TRANQUILITY ADMIST THE BUSTLE
Nestled within Taikoo Li, Daci Temple (大慈寺) offers a peaceful retreat from the bustling urban center. This millennium-old Buddhist temple, built during the Wei and Jin dynasties and flourishing in the Tang and Song dynasties, exudes serenity. It’s famous for its exquisite murals and bronze Buddha statues.
Inside the temple, you’ll find a large, adorable monk statue popular among tourists. Morning visits are less crowded, while afternoons see more worshippers and tourists due to temple ceremonies. Remember, photographing worshippers and Buddha statues is not allowed.
Daci Temple also houses a teahouse serving vegetarian meals and various teas. Sichuan opera face-changing, cross-talk, and tea art performances occur at regular timing, providing a perfect resting spot. Unfortunately, I did not stop here to have tea as I was still feeling full from the hotel breakfast at the Temple House.
Address: No. 23, Dacisi Road, Jinjiang District, Chengdu
四川省成都市锦江区大慈寺路23号
Opening Hours: 08:00 - 20:00
Taikoo Li is particularly stunning at night. As a guest at The Temple House on Taikoo Li Street, I dropped by again in the evening to enjoy the 3D screen featuring giant pandas, ocean whales, technological figures and more.
The nighttime view of Daci Temple is equally mesmerising.
Taikoo Li remains lively and bustling with crowds at night, providing a sense of safety. However, it's always wise to stay aware of your surroundings.
CHUNXI ROAD: A SHOPPER’S PARADISE
From Taikoo Li, I walked to the nearby IFS, nestled within Chunxi Road (春熙路) to see the famous panda installation. The back view of the climbing panda is visible from the street, but for a front view, take the elevator to the 7th floor. Expect crowds, as many people line up for a photo with this iconic panda.
Besides the climbing panda, there are also other art installations on the 7th floor.
Nearby, I enjoyed a visit to 5:59+, a cafe known for its panda-themed desserts. Through the glass window, you will also be able to see the climbing panda.
I tried the chocolate-flavored panda cheesecake (巧克力口味芝士蛋糕) and milk tea (奶茶). While the taste was just okay, the presentation was irresistibly cute. IFS is a shopping mall that hosts a selection of well-known international luxury and lifestyle brands. I did some shopping after finishing the dessert.
Address: No.1 HongXing Road, Jinjiang District, Chengdu
成都市锦江区红星路 3 段 1 号
Opening Hours: 10:00 - 22:00
Chunxi Road is a bustling commercial street known for its lively atmosphere and being a haven for shopaholics and foodies. As I strolled along the street, I noticed numerous panda decorations.
While I’m not big on shopping, exploring Chunxi Road’s vibrant scene was still delightful as a panda lover.
STACKWAY PANDA BOOKSTORE: A HAVEN FOR PANDA LOVERS
Close to Chunxi Road and IFS, the Stackway Panda Bookstore (轩客会.熊猫书店) is a must-visit for panda enthusiasts. Despite its name, it offers a wide range of panda-themed merchandises, from fridge magnets to plush toys, all of good quality and reasonably priced. Unfortunately, I didn't take photos of everything. The merchandises here are distinct from typical tourist souvenirs found in other streets, alleys, and tourist spots.
Don’t miss the stamp corner where you can collect panda-themed stamps—perfect for your travel notebook.
Address: No. 2, 75 Ruibai Street
锐钯街75号附二号
Opening Hours: 10:00 - 22:00
PANDA POST: SENDING MEMORIES
Next, I visited the Panda Post (熊猫邮局), which is also a walking distance away. Located on Shuwa North 1 Street, the Panda Post is Chengdu’s charming post office, offering a delightful array of panda-themed products. Chengdu's earliest post office, the "Qing Dynasty Post Office Chengdu Branch (大清邮局成都分局)," was also established on this street in 1901. The street still features a Baroque-style postal building constructed in 1937 and the flagship store of the Panda Post is located just across from this building.
Similar to the Panda Bookstore, the Panda Post sells various panda merchandises, including plush toys, bags, and phone cases, with superior craftsmanship compared to roadside shops. Though prices are higher, it’s worth the splurge. There is also an exhibition hall on the second floor that showcases the history of postal development and displays some old postal artifacts.
There are many panda-themed postcards that you can purchase and mail on the spot. A highlight here is the “Time Mail (时光邮件)” section, where you can send postcards to your future self or loved ones — an experience I highly recommend. After writing on the postcard, drop it into the mailbox for the month you wish to send it to — it is that easy!
There is also a stamp area that offers an endless stamps to collect. At the Panda Post, you can buy a notebook or bring your own to collect the stamps. The only downside is that the stamps seem poorly maintained, either out of ink or haphazardly arranged.
If you cross the road to the opposite side of the street, you will be able to see a wall beside the Panda Post featuring a huge photo of panda Hua Hua — a perfect photo spot!
Address: Shuwa North 1 St, 25
锦江区暑袜北一街25号
Opening Hours: 08:30 - 18:00
WUHOU SHRINE
Next, I took a DiDi to Wuhou Shrine (武侯祠). Wuhou Shrine commemorates Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮) and Liu Bei (刘备). The unique shrine merges Han Zhaolie Temple (汉昭烈庙), where Liu Bei is buried, with Wuhou Shrine. The site is revered for its historical significance and serene beauty.
For fans of the “Three Kingdoms (三国演义)”, Wuhou Shrine is a treasure trove of history. If you’re not into this part of Chinese history, you might find it less engaging. However, the beautiful temple gardens are worth a visit. After purchasing the entrance ticket, I chose a guided group tour for 20 RMB. I received a headphone to listen to the guide as he walked us through the various cultural relics. The tour starts once there are 10 participants and lasts approximately one hour. Group tours are available in both Chinese and English. Alternatively, private tours are offered at 50 RMB per person.
Suggested route for visiting Wuhou Shrine:
Main Gate → Tang Stele (唐碑) → Ming Stele (明碑) → Hanzhaolie Temple (汉昭烈庙) → Liu Bei Hall (刘备殿) → Zhang Fei Hall (张飞殿) → Civil and Military Officer Gallery (文臣廊武将廊) → Guan Yu Hall (关羽殿) → Zhuge Liang Hall (诸葛亮殿) → Sanyi Temple (三义庙) → Hui Mausoleum (惠陵) → Red Walled Alley (红墙夹道)
Along the route, beautiful magnolia flowers can be seen blooming.
The red walled alley is also exceptionally stunning and great for taking photographs.
The gardens are particularly beautiful as well.
Address: No. 231 Wuhouyu Street, Wuhou District, Chengdu
四川省成都市武侯区武侯祠大街231号
Opening Hours: 09:00 - 18:00
Ticket Price: 50 RMB. Remember to bring along your passport to purchase the ticket.
JINLI STREET: AN ENCHANTING ANCIENT STREET
A short walk from Wuhou Shrine, Jinli Street (锦里) comes alive at night with red lanterns illuminating its ancient architecture. The street is a blend of late Qing Dynasty-style buildings and Sichuan folk culture. From teahouses and opera stages to specialty snacks and handicrafts, Jinli offers a rich cultural experience. You'll also be able to find various souvenirs sold, albeit slightly pricey.
As I strolled along the street, I encountered several intangible cultural heritage displays such as sugar blowing (吹糖人), shadow play (皮影戏), sugar painting (糖画) and inner painting (内画), which were really interesting.
I tried a few snacks including the fried glutinous rice balls (糖油果子) and Grandma Ye Bo-Bo Chicken (叶婆婆钵钵鸡) — they are definitely worth a try.
You can rent a Hanfu costume (汉服) and capture stunning photos against the ancient backdrop. For a relaxing break, visit a teahouse to enjoy traditional performances including Sichuan face changing opera (川剧变脸) and long-spout tea pouring performance (长嘴壶表演), and immerse yourself in Chengdu’s leisurely lifestyle. Do be sure to check if there are any hidden fees before entering the teahouses.
Opening Hours: Opened 24/7. Most shops are opened between 08:00 - 22:00.
ALL IN ALL…
Pandas, as one of Chengdu's iconic symbols, have inspired a wide array of panda-themed cultural and creative products throughout the city. There are countless adorable panda decorations to discover, and I enjoyed walking to most of the destinations without feeling tired at all.
Stay tuned for my next post on my visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding where I visited the lovely and cute Hua Hua!
Love,
Shu
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