CHENGDU

                Contents: The City, Do & See, Eating, Cafes, Bars  Nightlife, Shopping, Sleeping,
Essential Information, Maps

Welcome to Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan, where giant pandas delight
tourists at the Chengdu Breeding Research Base and artisans create porcelains at
the People’s Garden. Though a modern city, life in Chengdu takes place on the back
streets where crowds are waiting outside hot-pot restaurants and tea houses are
abuzz with mahjong players and their noisy tile-shuing game. This is a city that
once inspired the great Tang dynasty poet Dufu, whose residence still stands and
today it continues to celebrate one of its greatest military strategist Zhugeliang, at
the famous Wuhou Shrine.

DO & SEE

Chengdu has numerous scenic spots both in and around
the city. The world’s largest sitting Buddha in Leshan is
71m tall and the Sanxingdui Museum in Guanghan County
houses impressive giant bronze wares. Both are just an
hour or two away by bus from the Xinnanmen Center.
The Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research
Base
There are over 30 pandas which visitors can watch during
feeding time at 9am. Afterwards it’s nap time in the
comfort of their air conditioned enclosures. August to
October is a good time to see new-born babies
astonishingly small and fragile compared to their stout

THE CITY

Chengdu is a tourist’s paradise. It has snowcapped
mountains, green plains and rugged hills. Fond of
adventure? Visit the western mountains and the lowest
latitude ski eld in China and primary forests. Then there
are the eastern suburbs, blooming with owers all year
round, where you can sit in the bamboo groves, have a cup
of tea and learn mahjong from the natives. Afterwards
return to the downtown area on Yangxi Street for delicious
Sichuan dishes and hot pots and visit Chunxi Road, a
shopping paradise, lined with department stores and real
bargains from whole-sale clothing plazas. Most bars and
clubs are located at the Yulin neighborhood

Wuhou Shrine
The signboard hanging over the top of the gate reads that
this is a shrine for an emperor but it is known more as a
place of homage for his minister－Wuhou, whose real
name is Zhugeliang. Though constructed to honour both
him and emperor Liubei, Zhugeliang is the one that earns
greater respect among the Chinese people. His story as
one of the greatest folk heroes in Chinese history is
recounted in the literary masterpiece Romance of the
Three Kingdoms

Jinlistreet
The 350m long old-style alley has mansions, inns, tea
houses, restaurants and an old stage. Watch for the
black-faced man jumping out yelling and peddling beef. Be
sure to try some snacks at the end of Jinli, those famous
numbingly spicy Sichuanese foods

EATING

It is said that “chi zai zhong guo, wei zai si chuan” - when
eating in China, the avour is in Sichuan. This makes the
provincial capital Chengdu the best place to have good
Chinese food. Sichuanese cuisine is known for being
numbingly hot. However, its avours can be rather
complex and it is possible to have 100 dierent tasting
dishes. Chengdu natives are gourmets, they discuss
cuisine, talk about the new dishes of a certain restaurant,
enjoy the hotpots, snacks, Sichuan dishes and the
international cuisines every day. Most restaurants in
Chengdu are open until 21:30
Huangcheng Laoma Hot Pot
Sitting at a private hot pot, the convey belt brings the
ingredients. This is what you nd at the rst oor of the
Huangcheng Laoma’s buLFet. The second oor is another
world each room has a strong atmosphere of old Chengdu
with the luxurious decorations. It is a gastronomical
experience accentuated by the city’s cultural riches.

SHOPPING

The province of Sichuan is home to several of China’s
minority ethnic groups. As its capital Chengdu is one of
the best places to explore the array of intricate crafts
created painstakingly by hand. Be greeted by colourful
TangKas and solemn Buddha statues. Sample Yak Butter
Tea along the Tibetan Cultural Street close to Wuhou
Shrine or browse around the city’s biggest antique market
the two-storeyed Songxianqiao for coins, antique furniture,
porcelains, traditional Chinese calligraphy and
painting.Local Sichuanese delicacies are available for
visitors in easy-to-carry vacuum-sealed packages for long
trips home. The Hongqi Chain Store on Zongfu Road has a
substantial range of favourites like sausages, preserved
hams, smoked ducks, jerty, Sichuan liquor and dried
tofu.For bargain hunters two malls stand out in the city.
Kowloon and Stylemax Plazas are the clothing wholesale
markets, while Tianfu Square hosts the big name
department stores like Pacic, Wangfujing, Seibu and Ito

Shufengyayun Folk-show Theater
You are going to be astonished by this magical folk show.
Face changing, rolling light, hand shadowgraph, every
performance deserves your applause. Enjoy the Sichuan
1000-year cultural banquet in just one night. It performs
occasionally so check showtimes beforehand

COLOMBO

Colombo is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka, an enchanting island lying o India’s
southern tip. These city folk go about their daily business with a cheerfulness born
of optimism in this chaotic, noisy and trac-congested metropolis.

Colombo sits on the west coast of Sri Lanka and has
developed from an old seafaring port into a huge urban
sprawl bristling with Asian atmosphere. Around the
historic centre of Fort are colonial facades of banks,
buildings and tumbledown shops and streets teeming with
people, trishaws, bicycles, buses - and the occasional cow!
Towering above Fort to the east are gleaming
skyscrapers reecting modern Colombo but wherever you
go in the city you stumble across history, culture and
friendly folk.

DO & SEE

It would be dicult not to immerse yourself in the serenity
of Buddhism, which is practiced by the majority of Sri
Lankans. Yet Colombo is home to all religions as
evidenced by temples, mosques and churches sprouting
amidst a jumble of Dutch and British-built buildings, a
legacy of its colonial past.

EATING

Sri Lankan cooking is partly inuenced by its close
proximity to India, but it still has its own distinct avour.
Rice is eaten on a daily basis and spicy curries are also
frequently consumed.
Taj
Informal stop for no-nonsense blow your head o rice and
curry, lunch packets and self-service snacks known as
‘shorteats.’ Arguably the best budget option that stays
open till late.
Address: York Street, Colombo 1
Long Feng
Chinese cuisine can be consumed here overlooking a
beautiful terrace and a pool. You can choose whether you

prefer to sit outside or inside.

CAFES

Coee shops in Colombo oer a lot more than just coee.
You can choose between a variety of beverages including
hot chocolate. As in most parts of the world, a visit to a
coee shop often involves meeting up with friends and
catching up on what's been going on.
Gallery Café
This café occupies the former oces of Sri Lanka’s
renowned architect Georey Bawa. Don’t miss the stylish
setting inside or in the courtyard where gut busting
puddings, French and Italian cuisine and the best frozen
margaritas in town are served.

Bars are a relatively new concept although there are some
old favourites patronized by ex-pats and regular visitors.
Generally quiet they erupt into life at the weekend with live
music, good value food and a reasonable drinks’ list.The
best nightlife revolves around the upscale hotels where
you’ll ind bars, nightclubs and karaoke lounges. Dress is
smart casual and entry for hotel guests is free.
Clancy’s Irish Pub
This deservedly popular bar has been going for years for
its live music, weekly quiz, pool tables, good value pub
grub and Guinness and Murphy’s beers.

SHOPPING

Modern air-conditioned malls are found adjacent to top
end hotels or in the same vicinity and they’re perfect for
souvenirs such as traditional masks, batik, gems and
presentation packs of the famous Ceylon tea.
The best shopping area in town is Cinnamon Gardens
where you can nd just about anything made in Sri Lanka.
Check out Paradise Road, 213 Dharmapala Mw, Cinnamon
Gardens, Colombo 7; for trendy home décor and a ne
selection of fabrics and linens, objets d’art and carvings in
a gorgeous colonial house.
Explore Odels; a stylish department store stued with
designer clothing, linens, toys, books and records and
several cafés (5 Alexandra Place, Lipton Circus, Cinnamon
Gardens, Colombo 7).
Also in Colombo 7 - investigate the Elephant Walk, at 61
Ward Place; with two oors of innovative giftware such as
silk placemats and cushions, candles and furniture, in this
delightfully converted colonial villa.
Give Crescat Shopping Centre a visit, adjacent to
Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo 3. It features several
oors of shops linked by escalator selling everything from
books, clothing, records and a place to buy tea from the
Mlesna Tea Centre on the first floor. In the basement
there’s a supermarket and a large bustling food court.

SLEEPING

Colombo is divided into districts (or postcodes) numbered
1-15 and knowing these numbers is essential for
orientation. South along the coast from Fort, the district
known as Colombo 1, is Colombo 2-10 where many
top-end hotels are located. These districts continue inland
taking in the fashionable shopping and residential area of
Colombo 7, while Colombo 11-15 spreads northeast
covering the harbour area.
Galle Face Green
Called Asia’s Emerald on the Green, since 1864, the Calle
Face Hotel with its impressive arched façade is hard to
miss. The luxurious hotel overlooks the Indian Ocean and
boasts stunning Victorian architecture.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

Airport
Bandaranaika International Airport (CMB) is located 32km
from the CBD.
The simplest and quickest way to get into town is to take
a taxi. Allow at least 1½ hours for your journey. Bus 187
runs every 30 minutes from 6am-9pm to Fort Bus Station.
The train station lies 500m from the airport with
departures from 7am-6pm and it stops at many stations
before reaching the city centre.
You can also take the Express Train Service to the city of
Colombo. The journey takes 30 minutes and runs three to
four times each way daily.
Internet: www.airport.lk
Public Transport
Buses run from 5am-10pm and are generally crowded and
slow. The best way to get around is to walk or ag down a
trishaw. Always agree to a price before accepting a ride in
a trishaw and pay the exact fare. Comfortable
air-conditioned taxis and chaueur-driven cars can also
can be hired from your hotel receptionist at veryreasonable rates.