The Pandas, Sichuan Food, Tea House and Opera

Thursday, June 14th, we were off to Chengdu. Chengdu is the home of the Panda Breeding and Research Center which was our first stop Friday morning.

I was amazed at the number of pandas and their proximity. In the US it is difficult to get a glimpse of the pandas at the zoo. At the panda research and breeding center there were many of all ages playing, sleeping, and eating.

Chengdu is a large city with a population of over 11 million people. The city was huge and the air polluted. But it offers a wonderful variety of experiences.

Chengdu is located in Sichuan Province and a must do is sampling the wonderful cuisine. We had a hot pot dinner Friday evening. The food was excellent. Saturday lunch was at Ma Pa Dofu - true Sichuan food, nothing comparable in the US. Ma Po's Dofu (Bean curd with mince and chili oil): one of the most influential flavors of Sichuan cuisine is served in every Sichuan restaurant. Gong Bao Ji Ding (Spicy diced chicken with peanuts): a specialty of Sichuan cuisine, diced chicken, hot pepper and peanuts was the other dish we tried along with vegetables.

Saturday morning we started on Jinli Street, a cultural street that is located near the center of the city. Wuhou Memorial Temple is nearby. The temple and Three Kingdoms museum had beautiful gardens. It was a rainy day so few people were there and we were able to wander the museum and gardens undisturbed.

Chengdu is famous for its tea houses. We went to one Saturday evening suggested by the hotel which included a Sichuan opera performance. The Sichuan opera had many charming, witty and varied performances, such as Bianlian (Changing faces), Gundeng (Rolling lamps) and Tuhuo (Spitting fire). Bianlian (Changing faces) is famous even overseas for its mysterious techniques. I don't know how they did it.

Sunday, June 17th - Off to Xian.