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On his last day in Chengdu, Oskar visits the Panda Research Base early to see active pandas, red pandas and peacocks. He later meets Eddie, a local friend who takes him to East Suburb Memory Park, a former industrial area turned into shops and creative spaces. They try jasmine milk tea and walk by a bridge where ear-cleaning services and massages are offered. The night ends with illuminated bamboo sticks and a farewell to Eddie. Oskar also notes the long distances walked and the usefulness of mapping apps and portable chargers.
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Morning at the Panda Research Base
Oskar begins his final day in Chengdu early at the Panda Research Base. He arrives around 7 a.m., when pandas are active and queues are shorter. The base offers close views of the giant pandas, and he also sees red pandas and peacocks. The red pandas are more active than the larger black-and-white pandas, and he watches them move around their enclosure. The early start gives him time to see several animals before meeting a local friend later in the day.
Oskar expects a lot of walking, so comfortable shoes matter. He uses Apple Maps and the Chinese app AMap to navigate public transport and carry a portable charger in case his phone battery gets low. The visit is one part of a long day that includes several destinations across Chengdu.
Local spots and night scenes
After the Panda Base, Oskar meets Eddie, a local he befriended earlier. Eddie takes him away from the main tourist route to East Suburb Memory Park, where old factory buildings have been turned into shops and creative spaces. Oskar tries a sugar-free jasmine milk tea but finds it too bland. The park gives him a look at a different part of Chengdu, with young visitors and repurposed industrial buildings.
As the evening approaches, they walk near a bridge where vendors offer ear-cleaning services and massages. Oskar finds the setup unusual and watches how the service works. They continue to see illuminated bamboo-shaped installations at night, an iconic sight that gives the walk a different atmosphere from the morning at the Panda Base. Oskar reflects on the city’s relaxed feel, the convenience of transit and the ease of finding phone charging stations. He says goodbye to Eddie and prepares for his next journey to Xi’an. The day balances wildlife, local conversation and evening street life, all through the route chosen by his Chengdu friend.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: What were the red pandas like?
- A: Oskar says the red pandas looked like foxes and were more active than the black-and-white pandas. They moved around their enclosure while he watched.
- Q: Did Oskar need a ticket for the Panda Base?
- A: Yes. He bought an early ticket for around 7 a.m. so he could see the pandas when they were active.
- Q: What surprised him in Chengdu?
- A: The ear-cleaning stalls by the bridge caught his attention. The service used a light on the worker’s head, and a massage could be part of the experience.
- Q: How did he get around the city?
- A: Oskar used Apple Maps and the Chinese app AMap for subway and bus travel. He found the directions straightforward.
