Back from Chengdu, here are my thoughts

Chengdu, a city that has "comfort" engraved in its DNA! The numbing spice of hotpot, the leisure of teahouses, the cuteness of pandas, the charm of ancient streets... even the air carries the aroma of Sichuan peppercorns! 🐼 Must-Visit Attractions 1️⃣ Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding: The world's largest panda base, arrive before 9 AM to see cubs being fed! The "Tangyuan" cubs in the Moonlight Nursery and the "rolling balls" in the Sunshine Nursery will melt your heart! 2️⃣ Kuanzhai Alley: A cultural district transformed from Qing Dynasty streets. Enjoy snacks in Wide Alley, sip tea in Narrow Alley, and admire the old photo wall in Well Alley. The blue bricks, gray tiles, and bamboo chairs create a perfect atmosphere~ 3️⃣ Wuhou Shrine: A Chinese-style photo spot with red walls and bamboo shadows, a must for Three Kingdoms fans! The "Red Wall Path" near Huiling Tomb is perfect for photos, and the creative ice cream (koi flavor) is adorable~ 4️⃣ Jinli Ancient Street: At night, the lanterns make it feel like you've traveled back in time. Sugar paintings, face-changing performances, and the sound of "Three Cannons" fill the air. Buy a mask as a unique souvenir! 5️⃣ Dujiangyan Scenic Area: A marvel of ancient water engineering. See the Fish Mouth Levee, Flying Sand Weir, and Bottle-Neck Channel. Climb Yulei Pavilion for a panoramic view and marvel at ancient ingenuity! 6️⃣ Mount Qingcheng (Front Mountain): The birthplace of Taoism, shrouded in mist. A 2-hour hike to Tianshi Cave with babbling springs along the way is perfect for summer escapes~ 7️⃣ Du Fu Thatched Cottage: Thatched huts, bamboo groves, and lotus ponds recreate Du Fu's poetic life. Reciting "My Cottage Unroofed by Autumn Gales" in the thatched pavilion is a moving experience! 8️⃣ East Suburb Memory: A cultural park transformed from old factories. The Locomotive Square, cyberpunk graffiti walls, and industrial-style cafes make it a photographer's paradise! Food Recommendations 🍢 Chuanchuan Xiang (Gangguancheng Wuxiao District): Beef wrapped with fish mint, chicken gizzards, and chicken cartilage. Dip in dry spice or original broth—50 cents per skewer, eat till you're stuffed! 🍜 Dandan Noodles (Xiaomingtang Sweet Water Noodles): Thin noodles coated in sesame paste and minced pork, spicy with a hint of sweetness. Add a spoonful of Baoning vinegar for perfection! 🥘 Mao Cai (Maojiao Huola): Choose your ingredients, boiled and drenched in chili oil. Crispy tripe, fragrant ham sausage, paired with ice jelly to cool the spice—locals queue for this! 🍰 Tangyou Guozi (Kuixinglou Street): Glutinous rice balls fried crispy outside and chewy inside, coated in brown sugar and sesame. 5 yuan per skewer—eat hot for the best stretchy texture! 🐰 Shuangliu Old Mother Rabbit Head: Five-spice or spicy flavors. Crack the jawbone to suck out the brain, tender and flavorful—lick your fingers clean! Transportation 🚇 Metro: Covers most attractions. Use Tianfu Tong APP to scan. Lines 1, 2, and 3 are most useful (Line 3 goes straight to the panda base!) 🚌 Bus: Many scenic area routes. Direct buses from Chunxi Road to Wuhou Shrine, Kuanzhai Alley to Du Fu Thatched Cottage, 2 yuan per person~ 🚕 Taxi/Ride-hailing: Starting fare 9 yuan. Most city attractions are within 15 yuan, but avoid rush hour traffic! Accommodation 🏨 Chunxi Road/Taikoo Li Area: Central location, great for shopping and eating. Recommend "The Temple House" or "Atour S Hotel"~ 🏡 Near Kuanzhai Alley: Walk to attractions, quiet at night. Try "Wada Wada" or courtyard homestays~ 🏠 Jinjiang District (near Jiuyanqiao): Vibrant nightlife with bars and Sichuan opera face-changing shows—perfect for young travelers! Tips💡 ✅ Wear comfy shoes! Chengdu's streets are hilly—expect 15,000+ steps daily. Heels will make you cry... ✅ Bring stomach medicine! "Mild" hotpot here = "medium" elsewhere. Ordering a split pot is nothing to be ashamed of! ✅ Visit the panda base early! Pandas nap in the afternoon but are active in the morning. Cubs are fed between 9-11 AM~ ✅ Wear light colors for photos at Wuhou Shrine's red walls! White or beige works best. Avoid tour groups (fewer people at noon). ✅ Jinli snacks are pricey. For authentic flavors, go to "Kuixinglou Street" or "Jianshe Road Snack Street"~ ✅ Dujiangyan + Mount Qingcheng can be done in one day. Combo tickets save money. Wear non-slip shoes (wet steps on the mountain). ✅ For tea, try "Heming Teahouse" in People's Park. 15 yuan for a cup of tea—sit all afternoon watching ear cleanings~