Travel postcard: 48 hours in ancient capital Chengdu

FRIDAY

6:00 p.m.: Walk along Chun Xi Street, the Champs Elysees of Chengdu, where you will see many local beauties or “la mei,” known for their hot tempers and classic looks. Snack on local delicacy “long chao shou,” dumplings in a spicy red sauce.

8:30 p.m.: From low class to high class — dinner at Lotus Place. Nestled in a small traditional courtyard on Jin Li lane, the red decor throughout lined with faux silver bamboo gives it a modern twist. The entrance to the bar itself is hidden behind two heavy black doors in the traditional Sichuan style.

10:00 p.m.: Swing by Bar Street. Try Shamrocks bar for a relaxing evening before heading out to the clubs, or to bed for an early morning start if you really need your sleep.

11:30 p.m.: MGM, as the name suggests, is Chengdu’s biggest entertainment complex. For late-night clubbing with the city’s young and hip crowd, it doesn’t get more happening than this.

SATURDAY

8:00 a.m.: After a quick breakfast, take the bus out to the Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center. Take a picture in the bosom of a panda for 100 yuan (US$13.48) if you dare.

11:00 a.m.: Every visitor to Chengdu must visit Qingyang Temple, one of the most famous Taoist temples in China. The view from the Eight Trigrams Pavilion is breathtaking.

1:00 p.m.: Lunch at Wenshu Yuan. A variety of restaurants in this quaint alley specialize in creating traditional Chinese dishes made from vegetable-based ingredients. Performers play old musical instruments such as the Chinese harp and two-stringed fiddle in the background.

4:00 p.m.: Pop by the Wuhou Memorial temple, built in honor of Zhuge Liang, a renowned military chief featured in the classic Chinese novel “The Romance of the Three Kingdoms.”

6:00 p.m.: People in Chengdu love their snacks, and street stalls abound on Jinli Ancient Street. Sichuan food is renowned for being spicy, and for the freshness of its ingredients.

7:00 p.m.: Don’t forget to watch Sichuan Opera while in town. Their technique of rapidly changing multi-colored masks is a closely guarded secret within the opera community. Take a taxi to Wenhua Gongyuan for the nightly performance at Shufeng Yayun from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m.

10:00 p.m.: Have a drink or two at Carols Too Bar and Restaurant on Lijiang Road. This popular joint specializing in Mexican food is a favorite of rowdy expatriates and locals.

11:00 p.m.: Karaoke at Melody if you are still standing. There is a surprisingly good 80s selection here, if you want to puff up your hair before you go and put on lots of eye-liner.

SUNDAY

9:00 a.m.: Indulge in some fluffy pancakes and mint milkshakes at Grandma’s Kitchen, which has since opened a branch in Beijing. A comfortable atmosphere with a small library containing English-language paperbacks donated by backpackers makes it a perfect place to write postcards.

10:00 a.m.: Head out to Sanxing Dui Museum, a monument to the ancient Shu culture of the Yangtze River civilization dating back to 2000 BC. Here are some of the most spectacular jade, gold and bronze pieces from pits of the Shang Dynasty on display as well.

3:00 p.m.: As the Chinese saying goes, “Tea houses of Sichuan rank first in the world, while those of Chengdu rank first in Sichuan.” Take a leisurely stroll through Du Fu Cottage, former home to one of China’s most famous poets, and sample Longjing Tea in the pagoda where locals play cards and mah-jong.

6:00 p.m.: Dinner at Liu Yi Shou Restaurant. Be prepared to savor the power of Sichuan Hot Pot. Order the pickled radishes as an appetizer.

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