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My family and I recently went to China, specifically Chengdu, for one week. In this post, I’ll be sharing the places we visited — though I won’t dive into every single detail, because I want to shamelessly promote a travel ebook I bought for the trip! The ebook is in Malay, so only get it if you can actually understand Malay (unless you enjoy staring at mysterious symbols and pretending you know what they mean). The QR code below will take you straight to the ebook’s website. Personally, I found it super useful — it gave me the confidence to explore Chengdu without looking like a completely lost tourist.

The ebook really covers almost everything: transport tips, basic Mandarin app, hotel and halal food suggestions, and even a virtual tour! Basically, it’s like having a very organised friend in your pocket — but one who doesn’t complain when you ignore their advice. So if you’re curious, check out the link!

#1. Chengdu SKP, bamboo tower

We started with the Bamboo Tower at Chengdu SKP. Fun fact: Chengdu SKP is actually the largest sunken mall in Asia. (Yes, “sunken.” No, it’s not sinking. It’s just built that way.) We skipped the mall itself and went straight to the garden area, where the Bamboo Towers are. Also called the Bamboo Fountain or Tower of Life, it’s basically a water-and-light show disguised as modern art.

The lights change colour, the water dances dramatically, and the whole thing feels like the fountain decided to get a degree in architecture. Walking through it looks fun, but unless you’re auditioning for a shampoo commercial, bring a raincoat — otherwise, you’ll leave wetter than your average Sichuan hotpot broth.

#2. Jiuzhaigou National Park

Next up: Jiuzhai Valley National Park in northern Sichuan! This place is massive — two giant valleys, countless waterfalls, lakes that look Photoshopped, and even a few villages tucked inside. I think it’s one of the most famous national parks in China… though maybe I should actually visit the Great Wall before making sweeping statements like that.

Honestly, the scenery is on another level. I’d say it rivals Switzerland — minus the overpriced cheese fondue. I took about a thousand photos, but none of them do it justice. Some views are just too stubborn to fit into a camera lens.

#3. Kuan Alley and Zhai Alley

Kuanzhai Alley, also known as the Wide and Narrow Alleys, is a refurbished block of old Qing Dynasty houses turned into a tourist hotspot. It sits right in the middle of Chengdu city, making it the perfect place to wander after dinner (or in my case, before second dinner).

I went at night, so I didn’t catch the full charm of the place in daylight — but what I did enjoy was tea tasting. Yes, they have proper tea-tasting tables lined with teas of every flavour imaginable. It felt a little like wine tasting, except instead of trying to sound smart about “hints of oak,” you just nod and say, “Wow, this one really tastes like… tea.” Still, it was a fun and memorable experience!

#4. Zhonshuge Bookstore

Inside a mall in Dujiangyan, we found Zhongshuge — a bookstore that doubles as an optical illusion. The interior design is so striking that you feel like you’ve walked into a kaleidoscope made of books. They even have a coffee shop inside, making it a dangerous place for bookworms who can lose both time and money very quickly.

Sadly, I couldn’t actually buy anything because the books were all in Mandarin. (Buying a book you can’t read is a level of optimism I wasn’t ready for.) But if you’re in Dujiangyan, Zhongshuge is definitely worth visiting — even if it’s just to sit in the café and pretend you’re pondering the meaning of life while surrounded by unreadable literature.

#5. Giant selfie panda

As the name suggests, it’s basically a giant panda… taking a selfie. And honestly? It looks shockingly real. Since pandas are kind of China’s national brand ambassadors, it makes sense to see them everywhere — statues, souvenirs, cartoons, you name it. But if you actually want to see real pandas, I’d recommend heading to the Panda Base, where you can also spot the adorable red pandas strutting around like they own the place.

As for me, I didn’t go because I’m not exactly a panda enthusiast… unless we’re talking about Po from Kung Fu Panda. If you haven’t watched those movies yet, I’m sorry, but our friendship may be in jeopardy.

#6. Guangxi ancient Town

Guangxi Ancient Town is a popular tourist spot thanks to its rows of shops built in traditional Chinese architecture. Now, here’s the thing: when I look back at my photos, the place kind of just looks like… well, a town. But trust me, in person it was stunning. My photography skills clearly failed me.

There’s also a temple you can climb (with a small entrance fee), and the area is surprisingly Muslim-friendly, with a mosque and several halal food options. Nothing like a little spiritual and culinary balance while sightseeing!

#7. Nanqiao bridge, Dujiangyan

This is the famous Nanqiao Bridge, known for its “blue tears” river. The river is actually part of one of the oldest irrigation systems in the world — I’m 90% sure of that fact, but don’t quote me in your history essay. What I am sure of is how fast the water flows. If anyone falls in, survival odds look… slim. Basically, it’s a beautiful view with a side of mild existential dread.

#8. Bipenggou

Bipenggou is a scenic mountain area more than 3,000 meters above sea level. Getting to the top involved a bus ride followed by an electric car ride, both of which were thrilling for all the wrong reasons — fast speeds, sharp zigzags, and my stomach questioning all my life choices.

Because of the altitude, altitude sickness is a real risk here. I’m not going to explain the medical details (Google it, I’m too lazy), but trust me — just buy the mini oxygen tanks sold at the base of the mountain. They’re cheap, and they might just save you from gasping like a fish out of water. You can thank me later.

#9. huanglongxi ancient town

Another ancient town, but unlike Guangxi, this one isn’t very Muslim-friendly. It’s just outside Chengdu, so it’s easy to reach, but honestly, I wouldn’t put it at the top of the list. The architecture is nice, but unless you’ve completely run out of things to do, you could probably skip it without any regrets.

#10. Leshan Giant Buddha

Behold, the Leshan Giant Buddha! I didn’t read up on the history (school flashbacks ruined history for me forever), but it’s undeniably impressive. You can either take a boat tour or a hiking tour to see it. Given the scorching heat that day, we went with the boat option — best decision ever.

It’s a bit of a journey from Chengdu’s city centre, but I think it’s absolutely worth the trip. After all, how often do you get to casually gaze at a 71-meter-tall Buddha carved into a cliff?

#11. Huangcheng Mosque

Finally, Huangcheng Mosque, right in Chengdu’s city centre! I didn’t take any photos because I was too tired and only popped in quickly to pray before heading out. (The photo above is actually from another mosque in Dujiangyan — sorry, not sorry.)

Still, it’s worth mentioning because it’s an important spot for Muslim travellers. The mosque is conveniently located at Tianfu Square station, and the surrounding area has plenty of halal food options. Spiritual pit stop + lunch? Perfect combo.

And that wraps up my Chengdu trip! 🎉 Thanks for reading — I hope you enjoyed following along. If you’re planning a trip to China and you understand Malay, I’d definitely recommend the travel ebook I mentioned earlier. It’s packed with practical tips and saved me from getting hopelessly lost more than once.

Alrighty, that’s it for now — see you in my next post!