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china
My Chengdu © shupian, thinkdo, silver-john / Shutterstock
By Wang Yuanchang
© Illustration by Anne Smith
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Oryx September 13
Kuan-Zhai Xiang Head to the ancient street of Kuan-Zhai Xiang (‘Wide-and-Narrow Alley’), built in 1718 during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor, to taste a host of dishes, in restaurants such as Long Chao Shou and Chuanbei Liangfen. For an unmissable dish, try san da pao (three big cannons), a sweet dish made with from sticky rice, brown sugar, sesame, and beans. The names comes from the act of throwing these sticky little snacks against a metal tray: ‘bang, bang, bang’!
SMILE
Increased Baggage Allowance First Class is now 50 kg Business Class is now 40 kg Economy Class is now 30 kg Qatar Airways has 3 flights a week from Doha to Chengdu, China.
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Chengdu Panda Base Wildlife conservation has received an enormous boost this year with several births around the world of giant pandas, the endangered Chinese icon of the conservation movement. Zoos in Atlanta, Taipei, Vienna, and Washington DC welcomed panda cubs, while Edinburgh Zoo is preparing for the possible arrival of the first panda cub born in Britain. All the world’s pandas are on loan from China, and many were raised at Chengdu Panda Base, the leading scientific research and breeding centre for the endearing animals. Those who can’t visit themselves can take a virtual peek, with Google just announcing it has added the Panda Base to its Street View, and live streaming of the giant pandas now also available at ipanda.com
Changing Faces Sichuan opera is also a must for travellers who want to learn about traditional folk art performance. The operas have three distinct features, known as Changing Faces (where performers switch masks to change roles), Spitting Fire (which takes years to master and is quite literal), and Rolling Light (clown-like comedy while balancing a lighted flame on one’s head). As well as the live performers, Sichuan opera also includes puppetry. Seeing the performers inject life into the wooden dummies to create an engaging and lifelike character is always a favourite.