China Trip — Chengdu + Chongqing

Pre-arrange **early check-in** with hotel — arrive ~07:30, drop bags, sleep more. This is a recovery day; the red-eye is brutal.

Light walk at Chunxi Road (春熙路) — Chengdu's main shopping street. IFS mall has the climbing panda 🐼 icon.

Dan dan noodles (担担面) for a first taste — peanutty, sesame-forward, mild. Early night — you're still jetlagged.

Giant Panda Base (成都大熊猫繁育研究基地) — DiDi at 07:15 to beat tour buses (they arrive 09:30+). Pandas most active 07:30–10:00. Flat park, mum-friendly. Leave by 10:30.

Jinli Ancient Street (锦里古街) + Wuhou Shrine (武侯祠) — the best snack stalls of Chengdu's "old street" type. One shrine = temple quota done.

Face-changing opera (变脸) — unique to Sichuan, no equivalent anywhere. Book Shufeng Yayun (蜀风雅韵) near Wenshu Monastery — best English support.

UNESCO irrigation system built 256 BC — still working today. 1h away, hillside but flat paths, uncrowded. Gentler for mum. 🏆 Recommended.

The world's largest Buddha carved into a riverside cliff, ~1.5h HSR. Iconic but involves some steps to view the statue face-on — check with mum first.

Yulin neighborhood (玉林) — the real un-touristy Chengdu: teahouses, mahjong tables, street-food markets. Sit, order gaiwan tea (盖碗茶, ¥15–25), watch the morning pass.

Ma's Kitchen (马旺子) — 1 MICHELIN star since 1923, ¥80–120/pp. The non-spicy Sichuan classics here are outstanding (duck blood curd, sliced eel, crispy pork). Great for sister.

Sichuan hotpot (四川火锅). Always order split pot (鸳鸯锅, yuan yang guo) — one mild side, one mala side. Dip: sesame oil + garlic (香油+蒜) buffers the numbing.

Jinsha Site Museum (金沙遗址博物馆) — the mysterious Shu Kingdom (12th c. BC) bronze & gold artifacts. Flat, indoor, fascinating. Good rainy-day option too.

People's Park (人民公园) — Chengdu's pulse. Teahouses full of mahjong and chatter. Then stroll Chunxi Road 春熙路 for any last snacks + souvenirs.

Last Chengdu dinner — mapo tofu (麻婆豆腐) if you haven't hit it yet, order 微辣. Pack tonight — train to Chongqing tomorrow.

Check in near Jiefangbei (解放碑). Metro is excellent & cheap. Get oriented around Bayi Food Street (八一好吃街).

The real deal — Chongqing is hotpot's capital and it's sharper than Chengdu's. Split pot (鸳鸯锅) again, order 微辣 sides. Sister leans on the clear side.

Ciqikou Ancient Town (磁器口) — Ming-Qing flagstone streets by the river. Snacks: spiced peanuts, dried beef, stinky tofu.

Liziba monorail (李子坝) — the metro passes through a residential building; ride Line 2, photo from Exit 1. Then Yangtze River Cableway (长江索道) — ¥20, 5-min aerial crossing, best skyline value in town.

Hongyadong (洪崖洞) — the Spirited Away moment, lit 18:30–23:00. Best view from Qiansimen Bridge (千厮门大桥) — no stairs needed. It has internal elevators (11 floors).

Shanchengxiang (山城巷, Mountain City Alley) — historic hillside lane with escalators, city views without climbing. Or Three Gorges Museum (三峡博物馆) — flat, indoor, free, tells the big yellow-river-built-dam story.

Xiaomian (小面) — order 微辣. Or douhua fan (豆花饭) — soft tofu + rice + chili dip, ¥8–15.

Pack & check out. Airport by ~18:00 (Jiangbei 江北, metro Line 10 ~50min). CHILL — flights don't leave until 20:00.

Land Singapore 03:10. Home by ~4am. Sleep the whole day — you've earned it.