Notes from
the ground.

Practical writing from the province we know. Not “ten things to do”, but the hour, the street, the order to eat things in.

Chengdu8 min read

The first 48 hours in Chengdu, without the checklist

A two-day landing that leaves room for tea, pandas and the particular pleasure of doing less.

DLDarren LinOctober 18, 2026

8 notesNewest first

Food & drink9 min read

Mala is a balance, not a dare. A practical guide to hotpot, noodles, tea and the phrases that make dinner easier.

Altitude10 min read

Chengdu is 500 m. Tagong is 3,700 m. Yading’s lakes are above 4,500 m. Here is how to make that jump safely.

Landscapes8 min read

Autumn colour, winter closures, timed entry and a shuttle strategy that keeps the valley feeling wild.

Culture8 min read

How to dress, walk, photograph and behave in the Tibetan areas of western Sichuan — without turning people into scenery.

Practical8 min read

High-speed trains, mountain buses, private drivers and the roads where the map is optimistic.

Culture6 min read

Ordering, refills, ear cleaning and the art of sitting still in a city that runs on tea.

Practical9 min read

The unglamorous details that decide whether a Sichuan trip feels easy: entry rules, mobile payments, tickets, connectivity and what to carry.

Still curious?

The slow letter

New field notes, route ideas and the occasional strong opinion about breakfast.