Alex in the City | Chengdu Staycation 3

Chongqing- The Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle is located in southwestern China, where the twin core cities of Chongqing and Chengdu provide the driving force in promoting coordinated regional development. During the Chinese National Day Holiday, iChongqing reporter Alex and his wife visited Chengdu and experienced the passion and prosperity of the megacity. 

In this episode, Alex explored the elements of Chengdu in the city, such as the Kuanzhai alleys representing the houses of Chengdu and giant pandas, and he even experienced the Tarot cards that young people like.

Situated in downtown Chengdu city, Kuanzhai Alley or Wide & Narrow Alleys consists of Kuan Alley (Wide Alley), Zhai Alley (Narrow Alley), and Jing Alley. The three streets are the left part of the buildings after the chaos of war in the Qing Dynasty (A.D. 1636-1912). Still maintaining the original looks for hundreds of years, Kuanzhai Alley has been attracting millions of tourists with the typical buildings in ancient Qing style of quadrangle courtyard, Chengdu local snacks, the life of old Chengdu, etc. Moreover, fashionable bars with many young singers and various restaurants are abundant in Kuanzhai Alley, making this place a combination of traditional Chinese culture and modern life.

With only 1800 left in the world, the giant panda is one of the most vulnerable species on earth. Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding was founded in 1987. It started with six giant pandas rescued from the wild, and by 2008 it had 124 panda births, and the captive panda population was grown to 83. A strategy dubbed panda diplomacy and the seal of approval a gesture that signifies and seals a long-term trusting relationship with another country.

Click the video and Alex will guide you through the city further.