{"id":9416,"date":"2025-02-27T13:34:40","date_gmt":"2025-02-27T12:34:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/?p=9416"},"modified":"2026-01-03T18:36:04","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T17:36:04","slug":"china-rainy-stopover-in-chengdu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/en\/asia\/china-rainy-stopover-in-chengdu\/","title":{"rendered":"One Day in Chengdu \u2013 What to See &amp; Do on a Layover"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"9416\" class=\"elementor elementor-9416 elementor-9348\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-07051dd e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"07051dd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-962abf5 elementor-toc--minimized-on-desktop elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-10937 elementor-widget-table-of-contents\" data-id=\"962abf5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;exclude_headings_by_selector&quot;:[],&quot;no_headings_message&quot;:&quot;No headings were found on this page.&quot;,&quot;minimized_on&quot;:&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;headings_by_tags&quot;:[&quot;h2&quot;,&quot;h3&quot;,&quot;h4&quot;,&quot;h5&quot;,&quot;h6&quot;],&quot;marker_view&quot;:&quot;numbers&quot;,&quot;minimize_box&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;hierarchical_view&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;min_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"table-of-contents.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__header-title\">\n\t\t\t\tTable of contents\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--expand\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__962abf5\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Open table of contents\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M207.029 381.476L12.686 187.132c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941l22.667-22.667c9.357-9.357 24.522-9.375 33.901-.04L224 284.505l154.745-154.021c9.379-9.335 24.544-9.317 33.901.04l22.667 22.667c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941L240.971 381.476c-9.373 9.372-24.569 9.372-33.942 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--collapse\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__962abf5\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close table of contents\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-up\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M240.971 130.524l194.343 194.343c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941l-22.667 22.667c-9.357 9.357-24.522 9.375-33.901.04L224 227.495 69.255 381.516c-9.379 9.335-24.544 9.317-33.901-.04l-22.667-22.667c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941L207.03 130.525c9.372-9.373 24.568-9.373 33.941-.001z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-toc__962abf5\" class=\"elementor-toc__body\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__spinner-container\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"elementor-toc__spinner eicon-animation-spin e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-loading\" aria-hidden=\"true\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M500 975V858C696 858 858 696 858 500S696 142 500 142 142 304 142 500H25C25 237 238 25 500 25S975 237 975 500 763 975 500 975Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a452e4b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a452e4b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Hello \ud83d\udc4b<\/h2><p class=\"p1\">Today, we\u2019re diving into a completely unplanned adventure \u2013 China. It kind of sneaked into our travel calendar by accident. We scored a great deal on tickets to Thailand, and since our layover was in Chengdu, we thought \u2013 why not make the most of it and explore a bit of the city? We knew China was a different world \u2013 with its own pace, rules, and systems \u2013 but hearing about it and experiencing it firsthand are two completely different things. And yeah, that first encounter? One big \u201cwow\u201d. To top it off, Chengdu greeted us with rain, which gave the whole visit a unique, moody vibe.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-15c3f79 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"15c3f79\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Where is Chengdu located?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8b55cd4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-google_maps\" data-id=\"8b55cd4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"google_maps.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-custom-embed\">\n\t\t\t<iframe loading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/maps.google.com\/maps?q=chengdu&#038;t=m&#038;z=8&#038;output=embed&#038;iwloc=near\"\n\t\t\t\t\ttitle=\"chengdu\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"chengdu\"\n\t\t\t><\/iframe>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8a609b1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8a609b1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.agoda.com\/partners\/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&amp;cid=1933139&amp;city=4729\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chengdu<\/a> is the capital of Sichuan province, nestled in the southwest of China. The city sits in a literal bowl\u2014surrounded by mountains, which gives it a pretty unique climate. It\u2019s warm, humid, and often covered in a misty haze that makes everything look a bit dreamy (or just damp, depending on how you see it). It\u2019s one of those massive Chinese cities, but compared to places like Beijing or Shanghai, Chengdu feels more laid-back. And, of course, it\u2019s famous for two things: insanely spicy food and pandas! \ud83d\udc3c\ud83d\udd25     <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f6ae6bb elementor-widget elementor-widget-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry\" data-id=\"f6ae6bb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-shortcode qodef-m qodef-qi-image-gallery-masonry qodef-qi-fslightbox-popup qodef-popup-gallery qodef-image--hover-zoom qodef-qi-grid qodef-layout--qi-masonry qodef-items--fixed qodef-col-num--3 qodef-responsive--predefined\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-grid-inner\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-qi-grid-masonry-sizer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--square\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-023-mfrh-original-scaled.jpg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-6\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-023-650x650.jpg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square\" alt=\"White and black panda statue holding a tablet in Chengdu, China, outdoors among trees and buildings.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-023-650x650.jpg 650w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-023-148x148.jpg 148w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-023-296x296.jpg 296w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-023-1300x1300.jpg 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--landscape\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-026-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-6\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1300\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-026-1300x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape\" alt=\"Traffic on a busy street in Chengdu, with buses, cars, and a blue Shuncheng St sign in view\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--landscape\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-025.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-6\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1300\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-025-1300x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape\" alt=\"China, Chengdu article photo: two illustrated mugs in a gift box, labeled CHENGDU and HENGDU, on a wooden table\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--square\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-024-mfrh-original-scaled.jpg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-6\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-024-650x650.jpg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square\" alt=\"Yellow shared bicycles parked by the roadside in Chengdu, China, as a man in an orange hood walks by in rainy weather\" srcset=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-024-650x650.jpg 650w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-024-148x148.jpg 148w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-024-296x296.jpg 296w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-024-1300x1300.jpg 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa79d6c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fa79d6c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Departing Poland for China<\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">We\u2019re breaking this trip into a few stages \u2013 first, Chengdu, then we continue on to Thailand. What happened next? That\u2019s a story for another post (yes, I\u2019ve been to Phuket before, during the whole pandemic mess \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/en\/asia\/thailand-pandemic-asia-2021-phuket\/\">you can read about it here<\/a>). This time, we wanted to mix business with pleasure \u2013 explore a bit, but also work remotely for three weeks. A little adventure, a little productivity \u2013 the perfect combo.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Flights to Thailand from Poland during peak season can be ridiculously expensive, so we spent some time hunting for a decent option. We sifted through different routes and departure airports, trying to piece together something that made sense financially. And that\u2019s how Chengdu ended up on our itinerary \u2013 not exactly planned, but definitely an interesting twist. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dcb1bc0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"dcb1bc0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Departure from Warsaw<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">Just to keep things interesting, we complicated our route a bit. But in the end\u2014considering peak season prices\u2014it actually turned out to be a great deal. That said, after this first leg of the journey, we\u2019ve already got a few thoughts and takeaways\u2026 but we\u2019ll get to that later. For now, let\u2019s focus on how we got to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.agoda.com\/partners\/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&amp;cid=1933139&amp;city=4729\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chengdu<\/a>.   <\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">This whole adventure took place in February. Our main flight to China was departing from Milan Malpensa (MXP), but first, we had to get there somehow. We went with Wizz Air to Bergamo (BGY)\u2014tickets were booked back in October, so the prices were still reasonable, even with checked baggage included. Thanks to that, we didn\u2019t have to stress about cramming everything into a carry-on backpack\u2014which, let\u2019s be honest, always turns into a game of Tetris with questionable results.   <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e31f077 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e31f077\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Transfer in Milan<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">After landing in Milan, we stayed overnight at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.agoda.com\/partners\/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&amp;cid=1933139&amp;hid=566709\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">Hotel degli Arcimboldi<\/span><\/a>, right next to <a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/kZmAUy9zPjhkk6uC7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">Bignami metro station (M5)<\/span><\/a>\u2014super convenient, no unnecessary commuting. We grabbed a quick breakfast at <a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/xub3rCu7wsS3cM6XA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">Milano Centrale<\/span><\/a>, and for transfers\u2014from <span class=\"s1\">Bergamo to the central station and then from Milano Centrale to Malpensa<\/span>\u2014we went with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.terravision.eu\/milan_bergamo.html?af=4238724&amp;cm=85\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">Terravision<\/span><\/a>. A reliable choice, no need to overthink it. <\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">At Malpensa, Air China hit us with a <span class=\"s1\">surprise<\/span>\u2014our suitcase <span class=\"s1\">wasn\u2019t going straight to Phuket<\/span>. That caught us off guard since we had <span class=\"s1\">one reservation<\/span>, so logically, it should have. But nope, we had to pick it up in <span class=\"s1\">Chengdu and check it in again<\/span>. Oh well. We were already mentally prepared to travel light with just our backpacks, but instead, we got a bonus travel companion\u2014a <span class=\"s1\">20kg suitcase<\/span>. The perfect third wheel\u2026 \ud83d\ude05   <\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Oh, and let\u2019s not forget <span class=\"s1\">Warsaw Airport<\/span>. It was <span class=\"s1\">packed to the max<\/span>, and\u2014of course\u2014<span class=\"s1\">I forgot my headphones<\/span>. Instant frustration level: through the roof. \ud83d\ude24   <span class=\"s1\">Fast track? Let&#8217;s take it! <\/span> Jadzia did not even think about it, she even looked happy. \ud83d\ude06<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Malpensa<\/span> wasn\u2019t exactly a breeze either, but at least they have <span class=\"s1\">3D scanners<\/span>, so no need to unpack half your carry-on. And Ok\u0119cie? <span class=\"s1\">A glorified barn<\/span>\u2014still stuck in the past, making you take out electronics and liquids like it\u2019s 2005. 21st century? Not here\u2026 \ud83e\udd37\u200d\u2642\ufe0f  <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a00b53f elementor-widget elementor-widget-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry\" data-id=\"a00b53f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-shortcode qodef-m qodef-qi-image-gallery-masonry qodef-qi-fslightbox-popup qodef-popup-gallery qodef-image--hover-zoom qodef-qi-grid qodef-layout--qi-masonry qodef-items--fixed qodef-col-num--1 qodef-responsive--predefined\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-grid-inner\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-qi-grid-masonry-sizer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--landscape\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/italy-milano-airport-inside-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-7\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1300\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/italy-milano-airport-inside-1300x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape\" alt=\"Milano Malpensa airport check-in counters with screens and travelers in Italy, near boarding gates\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f9e4918 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f9e4918\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Flying by plane<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">We flew on an Air China Airbus A350, and as <span class=\"s1\">\u201cspecial care\u201d<\/span> passengers, we were kindly asked to confirm our meal preferences, which we had set up earlier on their website. Sounds nice, right? Well, let\u2019s add some context\u2014booking tickets, modifying reservations, or even checking in online was an absolute nightmare. The Air China system is so horrendous, it genuinely feels like razor blades are about to jump out of the drawer on their own. \ud83d\ude35\u200d\ud83d\udcab   <\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Luckily, the flight itself was pretty comfortable\u2014we had an empty seat in our row, so there was more space than we expected. <span class=\"s1\">A handy tip:<\/span> <span class=\"s1\">Air China doesn\u2019t allow charging devices with power banks on board<\/span>. And as for the Wi-Fi\u2026 well, it technically existed, but it worked like it didn\u2019t. \ud83d\ude43 <\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">And just like that, we smoothly landed in <span class=\"s1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.agoda.com\/partners\/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&amp;cid=1933139&amp;city=4729\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chengdu<\/a> in the early morning hours<\/span>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8f7ee19 elementor-widget elementor-widget-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry\" data-id=\"8f7ee19\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-shortcode qodef-m qodef-qi-image-gallery-masonry qodef-qi-fslightbox-popup qodef-popup-gallery qodef-image--hover-zoom qodef-qi-grid qodef-layout--qi-masonry qodef-items--fixed qodef-col-num--3 qodef-responsive--predefined\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-grid-inner\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-qi-grid-masonry-sizer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--huge-square\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/italy-milano-airport-airplane-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-8\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1300\" height=\"1300\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/italy-milano-airport-airplane-1300x1300.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_huge-square size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_huge-square\" alt=\"People boarding an Air China aircraft on the tarmac at Milan airport, Italy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/italy-milano-airport-airplane-1300x1300.jpeg 1300w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/italy-milano-airport-airplane-148x148.jpeg 148w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/italy-milano-airport-airplane-296x296.jpeg 296w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/italy-milano-airport-airplane-650x650.jpeg 650w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1300px) 100vw, 1300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--square\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/italy-milano-airplane-inside-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-8\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/italy-milano-airplane-inside-650x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square\" alt=\"Airplane cabin seats in Milano, Italy with seatbacks, headrests, and overhead windows in view\" srcset=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/italy-milano-airplane-inside-650x650.jpeg 650w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/italy-milano-airplane-inside-148x148.jpeg 148w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/italy-milano-airplane-inside-296x296.jpeg 296w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/italy-milano-airplane-inside-1300x1300.jpeg 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--square\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-009-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-8\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-009-650x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square\" alt=\"Chengdu, China meal tray with rice, leafy greens, and saucy chicken plus a bun and side salads\" srcset=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-009-650x650.jpeg 650w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-009-148x148.jpeg 148w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-009-296x296.jpeg 296w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-009-1300x1300.jpeg 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0231dae elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0231dae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Passport clearance in Chengdu<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">The check-in went smoothly, but the <span class=\"s1\">arrival form<\/span> was something else \u2013 we had to list every single country we\u2019d been to in the last <span class=\"s1\">two years<\/span>. I mean, sure, that tiny box was definitely big enough to fit it all, right? Then came the usual questions: <span class=\"s1\">hotel contact, which hotel, what for<\/span> \u2013 basically a full-on confession session.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Plus, <span class=\"s1\">cameras everywhere<\/span>, tracking your every move\u2014just in case you dared to take a third step with your left foot (because, you know, twice is fine, but three times? Too much). Border control? Silent and efficient. No questions asked, just a quick passport stamp, and we were on our way. <\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">But wait, there\u2019s more! <span class=\"s1\">One last baggage scan<\/span>, because, you know\u2014clearly, all the previous security checks weren\u2019t enough. Who knows? Maybe something illegal magically appeared in our luggage mid-flight? \ud83d\ude05 <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17611e4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry\" data-id=\"17611e4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-shortcode qodef-m qodef-qi-image-gallery-masonry qodef-qi-fslightbox-popup qodef-popup-gallery qodef-image--hover-zoom qodef-qi-grid qodef-layout--qi-masonry qodef-items--fixed qodef-col-num--3 qodef-responsive--predefined\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-grid-inner\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-qi-grid-masonry-sizer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--square\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-010-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-9\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-010-650x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square\" alt=\"Chengdu Article photo of China arrival card papers and a passport note on a desk\" srcset=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-010-650x650.jpeg 650w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-010-148x148.jpeg 148w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-010-296x296.jpeg 296w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-010-1300x1300.jpeg 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--landscape\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-011-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-9\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1300\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-011-1300x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape\" alt=\"Chengdu airport arrivals hall with passengers, luggage carts, and overhead directional signs in China\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-85da7b3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"85da7b3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Visas and documents<\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">When you\u2019re flying internationally with a layover in another country, it\u2019s always a good idea to check whether you need a visa or if there are any weird transit rules. Otherwise, instead of smoothly heading to your next flight, you might find yourself stuck in a bureaucratic nightmare for no good reason. <\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Luckily, in our case, it was pretty straightforward. <span class=\"s1\">China allows visa-free entry for up to 30 days until the end of 2025, so no stress there<\/span>. Thailand? Even better. We can stay for up to <span class=\"s1\">60 days without a visa<\/span>, which is super convenient. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d9576d4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d9576d4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Accommodation<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dd2604d elementor-widget elementor-widget-google_maps\" data-id=\"dd2604d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"google_maps.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-custom-embed\">\n\t\t\t<iframe loading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/maps.google.com\/maps?q=Skytel%20Hotel%20Chengdu-City%20Center%2C%20china&#038;t=m&#038;z=15&#038;output=embed&#038;iwloc=near\"\n\t\t\t\t\ttitle=\"Skytel Hotel Chengdu-City Center, china\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Skytel Hotel Chengdu-City Center, china\"\n\t\t\t><\/iframe>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6325e56 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6325e56\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">Looking for accommodation in a country <span class=\"s1\">you know nothing<\/span> about can feel a bit like traveling back to pre-internet times\u2014<span class=\"s1\">sure, you have access to the web, but with so many restrictions<\/span>, you start wondering if it\u2019s really the 21st century. We\u2019ll get to China\u2019s infamous firewall later, but for now\u2014just <span class=\"s1\">picking a hotel<\/span> was already an interesting experience. <\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">The plan was simple\u2014<span class=\"s1\">find something close to the metro<\/span>, so we could easily get to the airport in the morning. Sounds straightforward, right? Well, not exactly. Air China technically offers a free stopover hotel, but we didn\u2019t manage to snag a spot. Plus, the location of their hotel wasn\u2019t great for sightseeing, so even if we had the option, we probably wouldn\u2019t have taken it anyway.   <\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">In the end, we went with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.agoda.com\/partners\/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&amp;cid=1933139&amp;hid=670691\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Skytel Hotel Chengdu-City Center<\/a><span class=\"s1\">\u2014close<\/span> to the train station <span class=\"s1\">and the last stop<\/span> of Metro Line 18<span class=\"s1\">, which connects directly<\/span> to the airport<span class=\"s1\">.<\/span> On the map, it looked perfect.<span class=\"s1\"> &#8211; In practice? Well&#8230;  <\/span>20-minute walk in the rain with suitcases<span class=\"s1\"> was not the best option. The hotel itself is  <\/span>it was right on the main road<span class=\"s1\">, but getting there from the station was such a hassle<\/span> that we just gave up and ordered <a href=\"https:\/\/web.didiglobal.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">DiDi<\/a> (<span class=\"s1\">China\u2019s version of Uber)<\/span>. Cost? Around 6 PLN, and within minutes, <span class=\"s1\">we were at the hotel<\/span>. Much easier.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">And here came a pleasant surprise! <span class=\"s1\">The staff let us check in early<\/span>\u2014at 9:00 AM\u2014free of charge. \ud83c\udf89<span class=\"s1\">. Normally, the registration started  <\/span>from 15:00<span class=\"s1\">, so a big plus for them.<\/span> Room? Super. Internet? <span class=\"s1\">For China<\/span> &#8211; cool, <span class=\"s1\">for MS Teams was enough<\/span>, but access to the outside world&#8230;well, slightly uphill. <span class=\"s1\">\ud83d\ude05 <\/span>  <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0b2256b elementor-widget elementor-widget-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry\" data-id=\"0b2256b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-shortcode qodef-m qodef-qi-image-gallery-masonry qodef-qi-fslightbox-popup qodef-popup-gallery qodef-image--hover-zoom qodef-qi-grid qodef-layout--qi-masonry qodef-items--fixed qodef-col-num--1 qodef-responsive--predefined\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-grid-inner\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-qi-grid-masonry-sizer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--landscape\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-012-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1300\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-012-1300x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape\" alt=\"Chengdu hotel room with a neatly made bed, curtains, and large city-view windows\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a5474df elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a5474df\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Traffic conditions<\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">If you\u2019re thinking about renting a car in China, there\u2019s one important thing to know\u2014<span class=\"s1\">an international driver\u2019s license isn\u2019t valid here<\/span>. To legally drive, you\u2019ll need a <span class=\"s1\">Chinese driver\u2019s license<\/span>. On top of that, Chinese traffic laws <span class=\"s1\">heavily favor pedestrians and cyclists<\/span>. Even a minor accident can lead to hefty compensation claims and long legal battles. However, from what we\u2019ve read, many drivers <span class=\"s1\">don\u2019t actually yield to pedestrians, even at crosswalks or green lights<\/span>. That said, we didn\u2019t experience this ourselves\u2014everywhere we went, cars stopped for us at intersections like they were supposed to. So, either we got lucky, or it really depends on where you are.     <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-641139c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"641139c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>DiDi<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">Because of these restrictions and the unique nature of traffic in China, many tourists opt for other means of transportation. One of the most popular choices is <span class=\"s1\">DiDi<\/span>\u2014China\u2019s version of Uber. The app is available in English and makes booking rides quick and hassle-free, all at reasonable prices. DiDi offers a variety of services, including taxis, private cars, and even rental bikes, making it a super convenient option for getting around.   <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">  <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Instead of juggling multiple apps, we decided to use <span class=\"s1\">DiDi directly through Alipay<\/span>. And honestly? Best decision ever. If you don\u2019t want to mess around with extra setups and configurations, this is the way to go. <\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">I had Alipay linked to my foreign card<\/span>, so all our DiDi rides were charged directly to my account. Jadzia didn\u2019t even need to install the app\u2014everything was handled from my phone. All I had to do was enter the address, book the ride, and the payment went through Alipay automatically. Super easy, zero hassle.  <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-349fffe elementor-widget elementor-widget-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry\" data-id=\"349fffe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-shortcode qodef-m qodef-qi-image-gallery-masonry qodef-qi-fslightbox-popup qodef-popup-gallery qodef-image--hover-zoom qodef-qi-grid qodef-layout--qi-masonry qodef-items--fixed qodef-col-num--2 qodef-responsive--predefined\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-grid-inner\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-qi-grid-masonry-sizer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--square\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-017-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-11\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-017-650x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square\" alt=\"Green and silver taxi in Chengdu with modern glass buildings and geometric metal fa\u00e7ades behind it\" srcset=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-017-650x650.jpeg 650w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-017-148x148.jpeg 148w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-017-296x296.jpeg 296w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-017-1300x1300.jpeg 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--square\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-018.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-11\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-018-650x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square\" alt=\"Map screenshot of Chengdu Maitian Tianyu e Hotel lobby location in Chengdu, China\" srcset=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-018-650x650.jpeg 650w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-018-148x148.jpeg 148w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-018-296x296.jpeg 296w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-89756ca elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"89756ca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Public transport in Chengdu<\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">The city has two major airports: <span class=\"s1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdairport.com\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport<\/a> (CTU)<\/span>, the older one closer to the city center, and <span class=\"s1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sctfia.com\/EN\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chengdu Tianfu International Airport<\/a> (TFU)<\/span>, the newer, massive one located further away. We landed at Tianfu and had to find a way to get into the city from there. <\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">What\u2019s the cheapest way to get from the airport? The easiest and most budget-friendly option is the <span class=\"s1\">metro<\/span>. From Tianfu Airport, you can take <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Line_18_(Chengdu_Metro)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">Line 18<\/span><\/a>, which goes directly into the city. We got off at <span class=\"s1\">South Railway Station<\/span>. The metro is fast, efficient, and super cheap\u2014ticket prices depend on the distance, but we\u2019re talking just a few yuan. From there, you just transfer to your preferred metro line and keep going. Simple and smooth.      <\/p>\n<p>Tickets can be purchased at ticket machines on metro stations, but if you plan on using public transport more often, it\u2019s better to get a <span class=\"s1\">Tianfutong Pass<\/span>\u2014a prepaid card that makes traveling much easier.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe98c94 elementor-widget elementor-widget-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry\" data-id=\"fe98c94\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-shortcode qodef-m qodef-qi-image-gallery-masonry qodef-qi-fslightbox-popup qodef-popup-gallery qodef-image--hover-zoom qodef-qi-grid qodef-layout--qi-masonry qodef-items--fixed qodef-col-num--3 qodef-responsive--predefined\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-grid-inner\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-qi-grid-masonry-sizer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--landscape\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-015-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1300\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-015-1300x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape\" alt=\"Chengdu metro station platform with turnstiles and green directional signs overhead\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--square\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-016-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-016-650x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square\" alt=\"Chengdu Tianfu International Airport station display board showing line 19 and route stations and platforms\" srcset=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-016-650x650.jpeg 650w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-016-148x148.jpeg 148w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-016-296x296.jpeg 296w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-016-1300x1300.jpeg 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--square\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-014-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-014-650x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square\" alt=\"Courtes y seats on a train in Chengdu, China, with screens overhead and empty rows stretching down the aisle\" srcset=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-014-650x650.jpeg 650w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-014-148x148.jpeg 148w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-014-296x296.jpeg 296w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-014-1300x1300.jpeg 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--landscape\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-013-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1300\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-013-1300x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape\" alt=\"Chengdu Metro ticket vending screen with map and line selection buttons in purple kiosk, China\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7021bdc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7021bdc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"p1\"><b>What else besides the subway?<\/b><b><\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p2\">We also saw buses going to different parts of the city, but since we didn\u2019t use them, we won\u2019t pretend to know how they work. Probably cheap, probably get you where you need to go\u2014but also probably take forever. <\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">We pretty much <span class=\"s1\">only used the metro<\/span> to get from the airport to the city and then to our hotel. Other than that, whenever we needed to get somewhere, <span class=\"s1\">DiDi was so cheap that it just didn\u2019t make sense to bother with buses or figuring out connections<\/span>. The metro is great, but for places a bit further out, the journey could take <span class=\"s1\">twice as long as a car ride<\/span>\u2014so DiDi was just the more convenient option.  <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7784a99 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7784a99\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>SIM card<\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">We went with an <span class=\"s1\">eSIM from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.t-sim.hk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> T-SIM.HK<\/a><\/span>, which we bought before our trip. <span class=\"s1\">3GB<\/span> for around <span class=\"s1\">18 PLN<\/span>\u2014pretty decent for a quick and hassle-free internet setup. <span class=\"s1\">We configured everything at the airport<\/span> while we still had Wi-Fi, so there was no stress about fiddling with settings once we were in the city. <\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Why didn\u2019t we buy a local SIM card? Because getting one in China isn\u2019t as easy as in other countries. <span class=\"s1\">You need to show your passport, register a phone number, and sometimes even do a facial scan<\/span>. On top of that, availability is an issue\u2014you can\u2019t just walk into any kiosk and grab a SIM card on the spot. We didn\u2019t have the time or patience for unnecessary bureaucracy, so eSIM was the perfect hassle-free solution.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">And roaming? Yeah\u2026 <span class=\"s1\">with a Polish SIM, it\u2019s just insane<\/span>. The prices are so ridiculously high that we didn\u2019t even consider it an option. Much better to get an <span class=\"s1\">eSIM<\/span> or, if you need more data, find a local provider once you\u2019re there.   <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0f8a41e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0f8a41e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"p1\">China&#8217;s Great Firewall<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">And now, we get to the real highlight of this post\u2014something every traveler to China should sort out before their trip. <a href=\"https:\/\/pl.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Cenzura_Internetu_w_Chi%C5%84skiej_Republice_Ludowej\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">The Great Chinese Firewall<\/span><\/a> is no joke. It\u2019s a massive internet blockade that effectively cuts off access to most Western services, including <span class=\"s1\">Google, Facebook, Instagram<\/span>, and even some banking apps. Long story short\u2014<span class=\"s1\">if you\u2019re not prepared, you might find yourself staring at a blank screen with zero connection to the outside world.<\/span>  <\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">VPN is a must. Since I work in IT, I set up several different VPNs in advance, <span class=\"s1\">just to have backups in case one got blocked<\/span>. China constantly cracks down on VPNs, so it\u2019s always smart to have more than one option ready. Most importantly\u2014<span class=\"s1\">install your VPN before you fly<\/span>. Once you\u2019re in China, downloading one might be impossible.   <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-49ed6e4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"49ed6e4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"p1\"><b>What about the maps?<\/b><b><\/b><\/h4>\n<p class=\"p3\">Well, this is where the fun begins. <span class=\"s1\">Google Maps? Forget. <\/span> It doesn&#8217;t work. <span class=\"s1\">Apple Maps?<\/span> It can handle it, but accuracy varies. <span class=\"s1\">Baidu Maps?<\/span> Najlepsza opcja, ale\u2026 tylko po chi\u0144sku. I nie, nie ma tam ani grama angielskiego. Mo\u017cesz pr\u00f3bowa\u0107 t\u0142umaczy\u0107 interfejs na \u017cywo przez Google Lens, ale powodzenia z tym.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">We relied on <span class=\"s1\">Apple Maps<\/span>, which worked surprisingly well. But if you need detailed info on public transport or walking routes, Baidu Maps is the way to go. The only catch? You\u2019ll have to wrestle with Chinese characters, since the app doesn\u2019t have an English version. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d65d455 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d65d455\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Food<\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">Let\u2019s be real\u2014finding food that suited us was a bit of a challenge. Not because there\u2019s a lack of food in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.agoda.com\/partners\/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&amp;cid=1933139&amp;city=4729\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chengdu<\/a> (quite the opposite\u2014there\u2019s an overwhelming amount), but more due to our picky taste buds and the language barrier. <\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">For <span class=\"s1\">breakfast<\/span>, we played it safe\u2014<span class=\"s1\">Starbucks<\/span>. No surprises for our stomachs, just a classic coffee, something sweet, and we were good to go. <\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">For <span class=\"s1\">lunch<\/span>\u2026 a little less classic, but still a safe choice. We went for <span class=\"s1\">instant noodle soup from Family Mart<\/span>\u2014a tomato-flavored one. And honestly? It was surprisingly good. Oh, and cheap. Sometimes, the simplest solutions really are the best.   <\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">There was no dinner.<\/span> We just weren\u2019t that hungry, and the food options we came across didn\u2019t really win us over.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Breakfast before our flight<\/span> was a bit more substantial\u2014classic <span class=\"s1\">McDonald\u2019s morning menu at the airport<\/span>. One thing to note: <span class=\"s1\">McDonald\u2019s in Chengdu is before security<\/span>, so if you\u2019re planning a quick meal before your flight, grab it before heading through security. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2743d90 elementor-widget elementor-widget-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry\" data-id=\"2743d90\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-shortcode qodef-m qodef-qi-image-gallery-masonry qodef-qi-fslightbox-popup qodef-popup-gallery qodef-image--hover-zoom qodef-qi-grid qodef-layout--qi-masonry qodef-items--fixed qodef-col-num--3 qodef-responsive--predefined\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-grid-inner\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-qi-grid-masonry-sizer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--landscape\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-019-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-13\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1300\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-019-1300x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape\" alt=\"Street food kiosk in Chengdu, China, with a vendor and customer under a gray umbrella\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--square\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-020-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-13\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-020-650x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square\" alt=\"LanZhou beef noodles shop in Chengdu, China, with a green storefront sign and bowls displayed in front\" srcset=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-020-650x650.jpeg 650w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-020-148x148.jpeg 148w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-020-296x296.jpeg 296w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-020-1300x1300.jpeg 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--square\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-022-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-13\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-022-650x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square\" alt=\"Chengdu article photo showing McDonald\u2019s and other food packages on a table with a green tray\" srcset=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-022-650x650.jpeg 650w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-022-148x148.jpeg 148w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-022-296x296.jpeg 296w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-022-1300x1300.jpeg 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--landscape\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-021-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-13\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1300\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-021-1300x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape\" alt=\"Packaged meats and sausages on a supermarket shelf in Chengdu, China, with price labels visible.\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe39724 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fe39724\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Exchange office or ATM?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">Under normal circumstances, when traveling to a new country, you\u2019d probably wonder whether to exchange cash at a currency exchange or withdraw it from an ATM. <span class=\"s1\">But not in China<\/span>. Here, cash is <span class=\"s1\">practically dead<\/span>, and everything\u2014literally everything\u2014is handled through <span class=\"s1\">mobile payments<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">We didn\u2019t even bother looking for a currency exchange or ATM because we handled all our payments through <span class=\"s1\">Alipay<\/span>, which we mentioned earlier. <span class=\"s1\">From shopping in stores, to the metro, to coffee at Starbucks<\/span>\u2014we just scanned <span class=\"s1\">the QR code and done<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s2\">What surprised us?<\/span> In many places, the only payment option was through an app. <span class=\"s2\">The terminals were either<\/span> hidden under the counter<span class=\"s2\">, or there was no option<\/span> to pay with a card at all.<span class=\"s2\">It\u2019s not that you couldn\u2019t find them \u2013 they just  <\/span>weren\u2019t being used at all<span class=\"s2\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">We didn\u2019t even bother looking for a currency exchange or ATM<\/span> because <span class=\"s1\">we handled all our payments through Alipay<\/span>, which we mentioned earlier. From shopping in stores, to the metro, to paying at shops\u2014we just scanned the QR code and done. <\/p>\n<p>ATMs do exist in China and are <span class=\"s1\">available in larger cities<\/span>, but here\u2019s the catch\u2014<span class=\"s1\">not every ATM accepts foreign cards<\/span>. You need to look for those that have the <span class=\"s1\">Visa or MasterCard<\/span> logo, and even if you find one, you might face <span class=\"s1\">high fees<\/span>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d863041 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d863041\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"p1\">What is the best thing to do?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p3\">Alipay and WeChat Pay<span class=\"s1\"> Alipay and WeChat Pay are the holy grail of payments in China. We  <\/span>linked our card to Alipay and paid for everything with ease\u2014<span class=\"s1\">from metro tickets, to coffee at Starbucks, to entrance tickets for panda viewing<\/span>. No stress, no searching for ATMs, no hassle.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Of course, this isn\u2019t our stance that replacing cash entirely with digital payments is a good thing.<\/span> While using Alipay was convenient, the fact that in many places you literally <span class=\"s1\">can\u2019t pay with cash<\/span> is definitely questionable. <span class=\"s1\"> Lack of alternatives is no longer a choice<\/span>. You can marvel at the technology, but this complete control over payments also has its darker side.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dfbd81e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"dfbd81e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Climate and weather conditions<\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">During our stay in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.agoda.com\/partners\/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&amp;cid=1933139&amp;city=4729\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chengdu<\/a> in February, the city greeted us with rainy weather. Although February is considered a month with <span class=\"s1\">low rainfall<\/span>\u2014averaging about 11 mm of rain\u2014the weather still managed to surprise us. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">  <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The temperatures<\/span> during this period are quite mild. The average daytime temperature in February is around 14\u00b0C, with nighttime drops to about 6\u00b0C. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">  <\/span> Even though the winter in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.agoda.com\/partners\/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&amp;cid=1933139&amp;city=4729\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chengdu<\/a> is relatively mild, it\u2019s still worth being prepared for colder days and bringing along warmer clothes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Chengdu has a <span class=\"s1\">subtropical monsoon climate<\/span>, with four distinct seasons. Summers are hot and humid, with temperatures reaching up to 33\u00b0C, while winters are mild and damp. Rainfall is concentrated mainly during the summer months, especially in July and August.  <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">  <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">An interesting fact about Chengdu is <span class=\"s1\">that it has one of the lowest annual sunshine totals in China<\/span>, with an average of 1006 hours of sunlight per year. This means the city is often shrouded in clouds, giving it a unique, melancholic atmosphere. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44cc7ec elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"44cc7ec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Safety<\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">In a country where surveillance is running at full speed, the question isn\u2019t \u201c<span class=\"s1\">Is it safe?<\/span>\u201d, but rather \u201c<span class=\"s1\">Which side should I be worried about?<\/span>\u201d xD. But honestly, <span class=\"s1\">we didn\u2019t feel threatened at all<\/span>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.agoda.com\/partners\/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&amp;cid=1933139&amp;city=4729\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chengdu<\/a> is a very calm city, and when it came to tourists, most of the ones we met were from other regions of China, rather than from our neck of the woods. <\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Safety in China is a bit of a complex topic. On one hand, <span class=\"s1\">street crime is very low<\/span>, but on the other\u2014<span class=\"s1\">you\u2019re being watched every step of the way<\/span>. Cameras are literally everywhere. On train stations, in the metro, on the streets, in hotels, and even at the entrances to some attractions. Facial recognition? Standard. It can definitely make you feel a bit uncomfortable.     <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f16c023 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f16c023\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"p1\"><b>What to watch out for?<\/b><b><\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Pickpockets are pretty rare, but it\u2019s better not to tempt fate<\/b><\/span>\u2014especially in crowded places like the metro or markets.<\/li>\n<li class=\"p2\"><b>Politics is a taboo topic<\/b>\u2014if you want to have a casual chat with locals, stick to neutral subjects. Criticizing the government? Maybe better to choose a different topic. \ud83d\ude09  <\/li>\n<li class=\"p2\"><b>Respect the local rules<\/b>\u2014China doesn\u2019t take regulations and controls lightly. Don\u2019t try to film places marked as \u201cNo Photography\u201d, don\u2019t attempt to bypass entry rules, and avoid doing anything that could draw attention from authorities. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1fa3e10 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1fa3e10\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Places we visited in Chengdu<\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">We won\u2019t pretend\u2014<span class=\"s1\">we didn\u2019t do much sightseeing<\/span>. After a morning flight and a whole day on our feet, we were so exhausted that once we hit the bed around midnight, we were out like a light. But despite that, we did manage to check out <span class=\"s1\">three places<\/span>, which gave us a bit of an idea of what the city is all about.  <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a99a9c8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a99a9c8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"p1\"><b>Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>\ud83d\udc49 <a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/Lw5BroDLgDRXgCic8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pin on Google Maps <\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">The first stop was the famous <span class=\"s1\">panda base<\/span>, because, well, when you\u2019re in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.agoda.com\/partners\/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&amp;cid=1933139&amp;city=4729\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chengdu<\/a>, it\u2019s all about the pandas. At first glance, it felt like a <span class=\"s1\">panda amusement park<\/span>\u2014decorations everywhere, souvenirs, and Chinese visitors literally squealing with excitement at the sight of the pandas. Was it as spectacular as expected? Not exactly. <span class=\"s1\">We saw maybe three pandas<\/span>, and they weren\u2019t exactly putting on a show, but the Chinese visitors were still absolutely thrilled.   <\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">What surprised us? <span class=\"s1\">When buying tickets, our passport data was written down.<\/span> Seriously. Just like that, without explanation. We felt that in China, your footprint stays everywhere, even if you just want to see a bear eating bamboo.  <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0945238 elementor-widget elementor-widget-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry\" data-id=\"0945238\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-shortcode qodef-m qodef-qi-image-gallery-masonry qodef-qi-fslightbox-popup qodef-popup-gallery qodef-image--hover-zoom qodef-qi-grid qodef-layout--qi-masonry qodef-items--fixed qodef-col-num--3 qodef-responsive--predefined\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-grid-inner\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-qi-grid-masonry-sizer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--square\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-007-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-14\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-007-650x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square\" alt=\"Giant panda sculpture at China\u2019s Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, surrounded by pink flowers and trees\" srcset=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-007-650x650.jpeg 650w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-007-148x148.jpeg 148w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-007-296x296.jpeg 296w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-007-1300x1300.jpeg 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--landscape\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-008-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-14\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1300\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-008-1300x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape\" alt=\"Giant panda resting among bamboo at China, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Chengdu\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-81234cf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"81234cf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"p1\">Tianfu Square<\/h3>\n<p>\ud83d\udc49 <a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/YcgFU5qqEUWCRvLG8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pin on Google Maps <\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Next, we stopped by <span class=\"s1\">Tianfu Square<\/span>, which is basically the <span class=\"s1\">main square in Chengdu<\/span>. A lot of space, modern architecture, and, of course, a <span class=\"s1\">huge statue of Mao Zedong<\/span>. It\u2019s kind of the center of city life, but I wouldn\u2019t say it was all that impressive. It\u2019s just a big square that feels important in the city\u2019s historical context.   <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-147b0a5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry\" data-id=\"147b0a5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-shortcode qodef-m qodef-qi-image-gallery-masonry qodef-qi-fslightbox-popup qodef-popup-gallery qodef-image--hover-zoom qodef-qi-grid qodef-layout--qi-masonry qodef-items--fixed qodef-col-num--3 qodef-responsive--predefined\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-grid-inner\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-qi-grid-masonry-sizer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--landscape\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-005-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-15\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1300\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-005-1300x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape\" alt=\"Chengdu Tianfu Square in Chengdu, China, with flowerbeds, a stone plaza, and modern skyscrapers.\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--square\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-006-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-15\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-006-650x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square\" alt=\"Chengdu Tianfu Square, China: statue in front of the Sichuan Science and Technology Museum building\" srcset=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-006-650x650.jpeg 650w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-006-148x148.jpeg 148w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-006-296x296.jpeg 296w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-006-1300x1300.jpeg 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-257afee elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"257afee\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"p1\">Jinli Street<\/h3>\n<p>\ud83d\udc49 <a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/X9sWRLc63kmty5ny6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pin on Google Maps <\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">To end the day, we headed to <span class=\"s1\">Jinli Street (\u9526\u91cc)<\/span>, <span class=\"s1\">a typical Chinese street with that \u201cold China\u201d vibe<\/span>. Stalls, lanterns, tons of people, all sorts of snacks and little shops. In the evening, it looked really cool\u2014a classic touristy spot, where you feel like you\u2019re in a kung fu movie.  <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-98a40ac elementor-widget elementor-widget-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry\" data-id=\"98a40ac\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"qi_addons_for_elementor_image_gallery_masonry.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-shortcode qodef-m qodef-qi-image-gallery-masonry qodef-qi-fslightbox-popup qodef-popup-gallery qodef-image--hover-zoom qodef-qi-grid qodef-layout--qi-masonry qodef-items--fixed qodef-col-num--3 qodef-responsive--predefined\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-grid-inner\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-qi-grid-masonry-sizer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--square\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-001-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-16\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-001-650x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_square\" alt=\"Chengdu Jinli Street entrance with red lanterns and a signboard above a walkway in China\" srcset=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-001-650x650.jpeg 650w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-001-148x148.jpeg 148w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-001-296x296.jpeg 296w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-001-1300x1300.jpeg 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--landscape\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-003-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-16\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1300\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-003-1300x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape\" alt=\"China, Chengdu Jinli Street shop display with red Chinese character banners, roasted duck statues, and packaged snacks\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--landscape\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-004-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-16\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1300\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-004-1300x650.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape size-qi_addons_for_elementor_image_size_landscape\" alt=\"Chengdu Jinli Street food stall in China with grilled skewers and hanging sausages, served by a masked vendor\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-image-wrapper qodef-grid-item qodef-item--\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-popup-item\" itemprop=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-002-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" data-type=\"image\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery-16\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"2560\" src=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-002-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg\" class=\"attachment- size-\" alt=\"Chengdu Jinli Street at night with red lanterns and a Starbucks Coffee sign along a rain-soaked alley\" srcset=\"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-002-mfrh-original-scaled.jpeg 1920w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-002-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-002-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-002-800x1067.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-002-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-002-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-002-512x683.jpeg 512w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-002-1024x1365.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-002-920x1227.jpeg 920w, https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/china-chengdu-002-1600x2133.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ffa5c8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1ffa5c8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Summary<\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">One day in Chengdu is definitely too short to fully get to know the city, but enough <span class=\"s1\">to feel the cultural difference<\/span>. From the different lifestyle, to the language, to the <span class=\"s1\">ubiquitous digitization<\/span>\u2014it\u2019s a completely different world from what we\u2019re used to. <\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Chengdu left us with <span class=\"s1\">mixed feelings<\/span>. On one hand, there was a <span class=\"s1\">sense of curiosity<\/span>, because everything here is so different\u2014from the signs on the streets, to the attitudes of the people, t<span class=\"s1\">o facial recognition and paying for everything with your phone<\/span>. On the other hand, <span class=\"s1\">we were a bit disappointed<\/span> because we expected the <span class=\"s1\">younger generation to have a better grasp of English<\/span>. But here\u2019s the surprise\u2014<span class=\"s1\">English practically doesn\u2019t exist<\/span>. Even in larger tourist spots or among younger people, <span class=\"s1\">English was, to put it mildly, symbolic<\/span>. Why? Maybe China is <span class=\"s1\">self-sufficient<\/span> enough that they <span class=\"s1\">don\u2019t feel the need to invest in foreign languages?<\/span>      <\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">What\u2019s a plus? <span class=\"s1\">It was cheap.<\/span> We didn\u2019t feel the pain in our wallets like we do in places like <span class=\"s1\">Switzerland<\/span>. Transport, food, accommodation\u2014everything turned out to be <span class=\"s1\">surprisingly affordable<\/span>. <\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">It would definitely be worth coming back here someday with <span class=\"s1\">more time and a different mindset<\/span>. This time, it was just a <span class=\"s1\">stopover on the way to Thailand<\/span>\u2014we had a morning flight to <span class=\"s1\">Phuket<\/span>, but that\u2019s a story for another post. Now, it\u2019s time to see what the <span class=\"s1\">post-pandemic reality looks like<\/span>. \ud83d\ude80   <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Short layover in Chengdu? Discover how to see giant pandas, enjoy spicy Sichuan food, and explore the city\u2019s highlights in just one rainy day.","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9349,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"csco_display_header_overlay":false,"csco_singular_sidebar":"","csco_page_header_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[104],"tags":[648,168,171],"class_list":{"0":"post-9416","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-asia","8":"tag-china","9":"tag-tourist-attractions","10":"tag-urban-tourism","11":"cs-entry"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9416","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9416"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9416\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9349"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9416"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9416"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/warsawtravelers.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9416"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}