Friday, 23 October 2026
This morning, I took the subway train to Liziba Station. Just like Hanoi Train Street, there’s nowhere else where you can find so many people gathering together to watch trains going into a building (we also have that in good old KL). After that, I walked and climbed hundreds of stairs from street level to get up to Fotuguan Park. Then I joined hundreds of other visitors on the Skywalk to Eling Park (the Skywalk is only one way, i.e., one cannot access the Skywalk from Eling Park) then spent some time in Eling Park. The Skywalk is free; one only need to show passport to get the ticket with QR code from the tourist service office.
After that, I walked down to Eling subway station and rode the subway to Guanyinqiao where there’s a pedestrian street. It took me some time to locate the halal eatery in Guanyinqiao Food Street where I had my lunch before returning to my room I ventured out again in the late afternoon and headed for Raffles City. Then I walked to Qiansimen Bridge and joined hundreds of others waiting for the Honyadong lights to come on at 18:30.
I was excited when I came across a supermarket that sells goods at bargain prices (a bit like Busy For You shops I found in Yunnan, but some items cost less than at Busy For You). I also found a halal restaurant quite close to my hotel with more competitive prices but I didn’t have dinner as I wasn’t that hungry.
The hotel manager left a bag of snacks for me outside my room tonight. I did notice I was entitled to a free tour but didn’t pursue it. So maybe this was an alternative to the free tour.
Walked 31,580 steps or 19.9 km and walked up and down wayyy too many stairs (57 stairs according to my iPhone) on my third day in Chongqing.
Saturday, 24 October 2026
This morning, I checked out from the hotel, rode the subway and checked into another hotel close to Chongqingxi (Chongqing West) Railway Station. I had an early morning train tomorrow and didn’t want to be anxious about missing the train (the subway starts operating at 06:32 and I wouldn’t make it in time. I could get a Didi or taxi but don’t want to worry about being in a traffic jam or road diversion or closure. The power sockets at this hotel were different but the owner kindly Kent me his phone charger.
I went out in the early afternoon and met Lala again at Xiejiawan and we had lunch at an Uyghur restaurant. Then we walked around the area and Lala treated me to tea and dessert. We parted ways at 17:00 and I made my way to Danzishi and walked to Danzishi Old Street and stayed for the drone show that takes place every Saturday evening from 20:30. The show lasted 20 minutes. When the show was over, I returned to Danzishi station and rode the metro back to Chongqingxi.
Walked 15,550 steps or 8.9 km on my fourth day in Chongqing.
Sunday, 25 October 2026
I checked out early this morning and was in the train bound for Leshan within ten minutes of leaving my room (that’s how close the hotel is to Chongqixi Railway Station!). Arrived in Leshan and then wandered to find my hotel. It took me a short while to locate the hotel. My room wasn’t ready and I was supposed to be able to check in by 10:00. The manager consulted her boss before upgrading me to another room. I had some breakfast and rested while waiting to perform afternoon prayers.
I left my room in the early afternoon and walked to Leshan Bus Station where I caught the 13:35 bus K1 to Giant Buddha. The fare was ¥2. I got down at the North Gate and walked to the park shuttle bus. I’d purchased tickets to the Giant Buddha and the park shuttle (one-way) on Trip.com beforehand. I got down one stop further than I should so I walked back 300 metres. Then I joined the other visitors queuing to enter and once in, climbed up steps to the viewing platform. As usual, there were many people there because the 71-metre tall Giant Buddha of Leshan is a part of the Mount Emei Scenic Area UNESCO World Heritage Site.
I wandered around the area then followed signs and walked down to Nine Bends Plank Road. We had to wait for about ten minutes before we could proceed to Buddha’s feet because the path is narrow. One could also take the boats to view the Giant Buddha from the river but the pier is further.
I spent 90 minutes at the Giant Buddha before leaving via the East Gate. It took me about 20 minutes to walk from the East Gate to the North Gate and I just about managed to catch the K1 bus back to Leshan Railway Station. I asked the driver if the bus accepted Alipay but she waved me through.
I returned to my room and stayed in. There was no halal eatery around the area but I’d packed ramen so I had a cup of that for dinner.
Walked 15,630 steps or 11 km in Leshan.
Monday, 26 October 2026
Another early start for me today. I checked out and rode the 07:21 train to Chengdudong. Yes, back in Chengdu to conclude my unfinished business, heh. This time, I bought the train ticket from Railway 12306. There were many passengers who didn’t have a seat and were standing in the aisle and at the doors. A lot of them got down at Chengdunan station.
I’d booked a hotel near Chengdudong Railway Station as I planned to take the train to Huanglong Jiuzhai early the following morning. I walked to the general direction of the hotel and had problems finding it at first. The hotel had messaged me yesterday enquiring when I expected to arrive so I expected to be able to check In immediately. I was not happy when I was told that rhe room I booked had to share bathroom with another room. The manager said if I wanted to change to a room with private bathroom, I’d have to pay extra. I asked if there was any room with private bathroom where I didn’t have to pay the price difference. After all, I’d been offered free room upgrades at various hotels in China before. Finally, she managed to find a room for me and I’d have to wait for the cleaning lady to clean the room first.
It didn’t take long and she showed me to the room about ten minutes later. The floor was still wet from being mopped. I was therefore not amused to find hairs on the round table. I didn’t want to make further noise but took a photo so that I could mention it in my hotel review. I stayed until it was time to perform afternoon prayers. Then I walked to the Muslim restaurants near the hotel (one was in the connecting building but I decided to venture further and had lunch at the second restaurant).
After lunch, I took the metro to People’s Park. There were so many people there, and it was a weekday too. I spent an hour there then made my way to Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street on foot. I stumbled upon a road selling modern wedding dresses, then Qingshiqiao Market, then a road selling seafood while walking towards Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street. After browsing shops there, I walked to Anshun Bridge before taking the metro back to Chengdudong.
The autumn has definitely arrived in Chengdu but the temperature was still bearable and mild.
Walked 24,060 steps or 16.7 km on my first day back in Chengdu.
To be continued
