'Enjoy life like a giant panda' – that's the motto in the panda-packed city of Chengdu in south-west China. According to locals, there are three ways to do that: 1) eat all day 2) kick back and relax 3) get frisky once a year. Erm...
CHENGDU RESEARCH BASE OF GIANT PANDA BREEDING
Pandas hate hanky panky, so Chengdu's research base of panda breeding is doing its best to address that with, well, research into their love-making habits (or lack of). The aim is to encourage the pandas to get it on, but in the meantime, you can go and have a look, and pay extra to stroke them (that's as far as the petting goes here).
JINLI STREET
Sichuan cuisine is typically spicy, to help counteract the humidity in the air. The result? Prepare to be a sweaty, chubby mess. If you like to snack, head to Jinli Street for chicken feet, rabbit head and ducks' tongue (there's stalls dishing out pastry parcels and steamed buns if it gets a bit much). China is the world's biggest consumer of beer, and here you can see why – it's served from huge glass beer towers and guzzled from tiny shot glasses, meaning you never really know how many you've knocked back. Your hangover awaits...
PEOPLE'S PARK
In the centre of the city is People's Park, a glimpse into the every day lives of residents. Here you can have your ears cleaned in the tea-house, sing some karaoke, or try some light exercise (old folk line up in the park's main square and dance – it's like line dancing but with serious faces instead of smiles). If you're looking for love you'll find it here. Forget tinder: parents advertise their single children with signs detailing the requirements from their future son/daughter-in-law: "Must not be be fat, must not wear glasses, must be very rich." If you fit the bill you can give the parents a call and they'll decide if you're worthy of a date.
