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British couple Taz and Libby of Sun Kissed Bucket List arrive in Chengdu on their third trip to China, this time with a visa for a longer stay. Their first hours include finding a SIM card, getting a taxi late at night and taking in the scale of the city. They visit Chunxi Road, notice pandas throughout the area, try street food and Mixue bubble tea, and use Chengdu’s metro. The day also includes Tianfu Square and People’s Park, where they observe the slower pace and friendly interactions that shape their first impressions.
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A late arrival and first impressions
Taz and Libby, the British couple behind Sun Kissed Bucket List, begin their third China trip in Chengdu. This visit includes a proper visa that lets them stay longer and explore more. Their flight brings them to the airport around 2 a.m., and they work through the practical steps of getting a SIM card and finding a taxi in the early hours. The city’s scale is immediately noticeable.
They describe Chengdu as a megacity of more than 20 million people, yet find unexpected warmth in their encounters with locals. Pandas appear throughout the city as a mascot, from large statues to themed merchandise and a panda-decorated KFC. The abundance becomes a running joke as the couple explores.
Street food, transit and city squares
The pair walk through Chunxi pedestrian street, where shops, restaurants and vendors create a lively street scene. They sample several foods, including skewers, tteokbokki and an egg-wrap dish, then stop at Mixue for bubble tea. A robotic street cleaner and the modern, affordable metro provide examples of the city’s infrastructure. They also visit Tianfu Square, described in the source as the largest square in Southwest China, and spend time in People’s Park, where the slower pace contrasts with the busy shopping streets.
The group notices car horns as part of the city’s lively traffic and reflects on how they manage language barriers. Their route combines familiar travel logistics with small encounters and food stops. They end the first day with a positive impression and look ahead to more time in Chengdu. The visit offers their personal experience rather than a general measure of the city for every visitor. Another stop is Chunxi Road, where panda-themed displays are hard to miss. The couple sees how the city mascot appears across statues and shop goods, then tries several snacks as they move through the pedestrian area. A local bubble tea stop gives them a chance to compare Mixue with other drinks they know. At Tianfu Square, they take in the public space before heading to People’s Park, where the pace feels more relaxed. The metro helps them cover more ground, and they notice a robotic street cleaner as another example of city infrastructure. Encounters with helpful residents soften the stress of navigating unfamiliar streets and pronunciation. Their observations range from the loud traffic to the quieter park, giving the first day several different views of Chengdu.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: How did Taz and Libby begin their Chengdu visit?
- A: They arrived at the airport around 2 a.m., arranged a SIM card and taxi, and began noticing the scale of the city during their first hours there.
- Q: What did they notice about pandas in Chengdu?
- A: They encountered panda images and figures across the city, including statues, merchandise and a panda-decorated KFC, reflecting the city’s panda identity.
- Q: What places did the couple visit?
- A: They explored Chunxi Road and its pedestrian street, tried local food and bubble tea, rode the metro, and visited Tianfu Square and People’s Park.
