What can you say about China’s beers? Beer experts across the globe have never been quick to compliment Chinese produced beer. To lay it out plainly, even the best beers in China still have a light flavour and are mediocre, at best. Let’s put this way: If ... Read More>>

I am under the firm conviction that if you put most of the flavours of Sichuan cuisine on a sheet of computer paper, it would still be good. Don’t question it. I’ve tried. Anyway, there are times for any Chengdu expat when you just need a good Western ... Read More>>

Before beginning this article, I was thinking about the lines from that Hank Williams song, Family Tradition: “Why do you drink? Why do you roll smoke?” He sang. We all have our own reasons, but there is one thing expats in Chengdu can agree on: this city ... Read More>>

It wasn’t until 2009, my second stint in China, that I discovered the awesome thing known as all-you-can-eat buffets in Chengdu, Sichuan. What I stumbled upon was a Thai Barbeque in my home city of Chengdu that offered an all-you-can-eat and drink deal for ... Read More>>

There are many words and images that come to mind when you think of Chengdu: spicy Sichuan food, terrible weather and bad traffic, an abundance of sexy girls, ease and comfort in lifestyle, mahjong, teahouses galore and clubs, clubs and more ... Read More>>

Sichuan is home to some of the spiciest Chinese cuisine, including the famously spicy Sichuan hotpot. Eating hotpot in Chengdu is mandatory for those visiting the city. For those living here, anything short of loving it is sin. There are tons of great ... Read More>>

Many visitors come to Chengdu for the temples, the shopping, the restaurants and sightseeing. Wenshu Temple and surrounding area has all that and more. Lined with quaint buildings in the ancient Chinese architectural style, each part of this fascinating ... Read More>>

Like most other Western foods in Chengdu, or China for that matter, many vegetarian restaurants never seem to get it quite right. However, there are a few that are surprisingly good, even if their menus overly emphasise tofu-based dishes. That’s fine, if ... Read More>>

Pizzas are a staple for many Western travellers, and Chengdu has a lot of expats looking for pizzas. Pizza is a little taste of home, a link to sanity and the “real world.” So the question arises: where can one get a good pizza in Chengdu? Read More>>

When you live in a city with a reputation for idleness and a love of leisure, it’s not hard to find an excuse to relax or a teahouse in which to do so. But there are some times when a game of mahjong and a bag of sunflower seeds just don’t do the trick; ... Read More>>

Many consider Chengdu to be the gateway to Tibet, so it is only reasonable that visitors to Chengdu would want to visit the Tibetan Quarter. Chengdu’s Tibetan Quarter, or Little Lhasa, is located in the south-west of Chengdu, near the First Ring Road. It ... Read More>>

Think you can’t find grainy Dijon mustard or a 6-pack of Corona just because you’re living in the middle of Southwest China? Think again! Chengdu is getting increasingly foreigner-friendly and when it comes to the imported staples expats miss so dearly, ... Read More>>

My favourite part of Chengdu cuisine has always been the snacks. There is such a diversity of taste, type and texture in all these delicious xiaochi, one could spend their whole life enjoying Chengdu snacks and it would not be a wasted life. Below is an ... Read More>>

The long Mid-Autumn weekend coming up provides a chance to get away and relax for just a little bit longer. These Chengdu weekend getaways will provide a change in scenery，an increase in air quality and recharge your batteries for the winter. Read More>>

Some of the questions that any foreigner in Chengdu for any length of time will be asked a thousand times each are, “Do you like Sichuan food?”, “Have you tried hot pot?”, and “Can you handle spicy food?” I certainly hope that your answer to all three ... Read More>>

If you've lived in Chengdu for any length of time, you've probably acclimated yourself to the local flavours. If you're like me, you may even be at the point where any time you travel away from Sichuan, you find yourself craving a bit of ma laon your ... Read More>>

There have been a number of times when I have heard Chengdu expats complaining that Chengdu doesn't have X, Y, or Z. While there are certainly areas in which Chengdu is lacking, often it's more of an issue of knowing where to look. There was a time when the ... Read More>>

Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name, and sometimes you need to go where know one knows who you are. When it comes to bars, Chengdu has both types. Here’s a list of Chengdu’s chillest bars, and a few crazier ones thrown in for good ... Read More>>

In the ten years since I first came to Chengdu, there have been many attempts at establishing the international food front. Numerous aspiring entrepreneurs have tried to open restaurants in Chengdu, only to see them dwindle and disappear. Recently, however, ... Read More>>

Can you believe there was ever a time when people felt that strongly against coffee? Luckily, in Chengdu, coffee is becoming more and more commonplace. Cafes are becoming a regular hangout, especially when they have free WiFi so people can show off their ... Read More>>

Many of the whirlwind China tours don't really leave enough time to fully appreciate everything in Chengdu. If you are planning on going to Chengdu, but don't have much time, these are some of the top tourist spots you definitely do not want to miss. Read More>>

The long Mid-Autumn weekend coming up provides a chance to get away and relax for just a little bit longer. These Chengdu weekend getaways will provide a change in scenery，an increase in air quality and recharge your batteries for the winter. Read More>>

One of the questions that pops up regularly on Chengdu forums is, “Where can I find a good gym in Chengdu?” Keeping in mind that “good” is a relative term, this overview of some of Chengdu’s gyms and fitness clubs should get you pointed in the right ... Read More>>

Chengdu residents could only dream of rare and mysterious polar animals and swimming in harmony with sharks and other marine animals – until now. After 4 years of construction, Chengdu Polar Ocean World has finally opened to visitors on July 28th. And at ... Read More>>