I didn't feel that we could ask Tony and Steve to do the same walk again tonight, so Ian and I headed out on our own just to take some photos.
This is the raised crossing we use for direct access into the department store but what these two were carrying in their polystyrene boxes we don't know.
Sitting on the floor along the walkway was a lady selling these, which at the time we had no idea what it was. Back home I looked it up and I think it is Cordyceps sinensis, a caterpillar fungus from the Tibetan high plateau, known as “winter worm, summer grass”. This traditional Chinese herbal medicine earned its nickname because it is a parasitic fungus that infects the larvae of a caterpillar during the winter months. The fungus then grows and eventually replaces the entire caterpillar body, emerging as a long, slender, grass-like structure in the summer. Cordyceps sinensis has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries and is believed to have various health benefits, including boosting immunity, improving stamina and energy, and supporting respiratory health.
Much easier - cherries.
Chengdu takes its giant panda association very seriously and there are many, many shops and stalls selling pandas in all shapes and sizes.
We bought small fridge magnet ones for the girls and one for us.
In the big department store was this strange table full of potions and bubbles - once again we have no idea what it was about.
These delightful giant pandas were just outside a large hotel.
Not a welcome sight anywhere in the world - good job Tony and Steve weren't with us as they're real cat lovers.
This is the Taikoo Li district, a fusion of an upmarket shopping mall and an old Daci Buddhist temple.
I think these shell animals were outside a Dior shop and for some reason the security guard objected to me taking photos.
Which of course I completely ignored!
This is a Ziku Tower, a 7.6m double-layer hexagonal structure blocked up with dark fire bricks and ornately carved with writings and paintings. The tower was used as a place to burn inscribed parchment, all of which was historically revered and as a sign of respect it was disposed of in this way.
This sign on a boarded up shop had just a minor typo.
Whilst there may be restrictions in some areas of life here in China, there is certainly none when it comes to dress - we've seen the most outlandish outfits.
Into the older part now but I can't find much info about the buildings.
Hard to see, but these are all glass Buddha statues.
I love the rubbish bins, so in keeping with the area.
It was fairly quiet, just a few people around lighting candles and doing their devotions which of course I made sure not to photograph.
More glass statues.
This walkway looks nothing but it was beautifully lit up with purple lights.
I think these are just stylised giant pandas.
Evening tai chi by the river.
Riverside illuminations.
It was nice to get warm smiles and permission to photograph these two.
It seems to me that most people enjoy being crowded together and the busier somewhere is the more people queue to enter.
More delicious fruits for sale.
