Our hostel in chengdu is simple but clean and really friendly staff. As always in China, finding a room big enough for 5 is hard… this one sleeps 4 with a large double and bunk beds. Boy blue and middle man are just about young enough to top and tail still but not sure how many more trips we can do it for.

Up early.. today’s plan is whirl wind tour of chengdu highlights… as we are still keen to escape the city. First stop pandas!

We had been advised to get up early and go for its opening at 8! This is to see the pandas at their most active and also to avoid the crowds.

We arrived bang on 8 and it was already busy at the entrance but not far into the sanctuary it was possible to take the windier paths away from the crowds. It was a very pleasant morning walking through the bamboo forests and panda enclosures. Even skeptic husband came round and enjoyed the experience.

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We learnt that pandas only give birth at one time in the year, that they have no thumbs and that they get as much food down their front as boys.

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They are probably the least camouflage animal I have seen, easy to spot in even when trying to hide like these ones!

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Along with the actual giant pandas there are thousands of miniature stuffed versions attached to various wearable garments of the human onlookers. Ear muffs, head bands, hats, bags and clip on ones we saw attached to pretty much every part of clothing… it’s pretty much panda mania.

The boys favourite however was the red pandas, smaller, with much longer bushy tails… they were pretty cute.

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By 10 o’clock the place was started to get packed so After a quick sausage break…

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It was onto the cultural side of chengdu. The first of what I think will be many monasteries this trip didn’t fail to impress. Wenshu had the calm serene feel you would expect and was a pleasant retreat from the craziness we had just left with the pandas.

I did my usual quick reminder of the rules about visiting sacred places in the taxi but it probably wasn’t needed. As they are always so respectful and interested in places like this. Full of questions and wanting to understand the beliefs they can see embodied in place. It does make me proud and once again grateful that we can show them these wonders.

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Wildlife and historical building – check! Next local cuisine. The problem was we could only find tea shops… another thing Chengdu is famous for but not gonna help stop a boy blue (and husband) getting hangury. We wandered past a the same local musician three times, playing a traditional lute like instrument (maybe a Sanxian) whose music choices made us smile (despite the hunger). 1st time he was playing twinkle little star, 2nd time – Frère Jacques and 3rd time (completely out of place in a Chinese ancient street in the middle of a humid and sticky July) was Jinngle Bells?

Luckily we did find a restaurant with some yummy food for the boys. These buns and meat (beef I think) were their favourites.

Humid and sticky we headed back to the hotel for a rest and showers before tonight’s Chengdu cultural finale. The Chengdu Opera.

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From the moment the three kings showed us the way in, to the dancing, acrobats, magicians, puppets and fire breathing, the eldest two were captivated. Boy blue made it about 3/4 of the way through and somehow managed to sleep through the last bit of cheering and dramatics. All in Chinese but a fab evening to a fab day.

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Tomorrow is a travel day as we venture out to the mountains. Emei Shan here we come/