So finally, yesterday afternoon we made it back safe and alive to our comfortable apartment in Hangzhou from Chengdu. When initially entering Chengdu from JiuZhaiGou, we felt the obligatory lack of interest and disgust with polluted cities as most people might feel when they leave a pristine protected natural habitat to enter a bustling polluted human habitat.

However, that was shortly replace by our awe of their exquisite hotpot, which originated from Chongqing (pronounced Choang Ching) and spread to  Chengdu. One of the best hotpots I've ever had, and I'm talking about the spicy one (which I almost never touch, unless I had no choice). 

Besides that, was my awe of how tastefully Chengdu kept it's Chinese architecture and design even with modern buildings, toll booths and such, as if they are truly proud of their ancient culture, architecture and design. What most impressed me was the cleanliness, newness and Chinese style of the shopping streets of Kuan Xiang Zhi (Broad Alley) and Zhai Xiang Zhi (Tight Alley). These allies can be equated to the Hutongs in Beijing and Nontangs in Shanghai, however the Chengdu Xiang Zhi's appear newer and much more well planned, styled and yet, depicted the Tang Dynasty style influence on its new buildings.  When we went to these two allies, it had Chinese style, but modern venues with good lighting, ambiance, environment and all with beautiful Chinese influenced architecture.

Other than Suzhou, Chengdu seems to be the only other city that I have traveled to in China, that seems to be proud of their cultural heritage and has beautifully integrated ancient Chinese design with modern architecture.  Beijing and Shanghai have a lot to learn from Chengdu.

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