Chillaxin' in Chengdu

We have been in Chengdu for a few days now, and figured the time was right to provide a little snapshot on how we have been spending our days. Unlike other cities we have been to, this one is more laid back, not having loads of sites to see. Instead we spend our days checking out areas of the city that are supposed to be cool, walking for hours to backtrack because we get on the wrong buses, eating and then having a few drinks.

The city has a new metro line that opened in October that runs north to south. It is the first of 7 lines I think, which will make travelling here much easier. Food here is great, and we have settled into a routine of one local meal, one meal more like home (mashed potatoes are hard to resist when its cold and you have only eaten rice for almost 2 months), and local snacks each day(breakfast is usually an orange or banana and free green tea in our room before heading out). We have also found some great options for nightcaps before heading home.

Probably our favorite among them is The Bookworm. First opened in Beijing by an American, the Bookworm was a small one room place with a few books for loan and a small resto on the side. An Irish journalist discovered the spot and together they grew the business without loosing the atmosphere. The Chengdu branch was opened in 2006 as a place where locals and ex-pats alike could come to "eat, drink, read" as their slogan says. The Chengdu Bookworm is a cafe/resto with great food, good coffee and wine and a full service library with about 10,000 books for loan, free wi-fi and live jazz on Fridays. There are also a good selection of books for sale. Think a cozy, independant Chapters with food and drinks, a cozy, welcoming charm and friendly helpful staff. It is definately a place that we would frequent regularly if we were working here, as many ex-pats seem to do. And for those mothers who need to get their gossip updates (you know who you are!!) while visiting their children working here, they even have an up to date selection of People, In Touch and Life & Style for purchase!

It is easy to find off the main subway line, so if you are going to be in Chengdu, stop in for a drink.