China Unwrapped

Back on the Road  |  Chengdu, October 2026 

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China Unwrapped – A Little Detour!

I’m interrupting my usual China Unwrapped blog series for a bit of real life.

Rather than looking back at my adventures in China over the years, I’m back here again, seeing what’s changed, what hasn’t, and getting myself into the occasional muddle along the way.

First stop, Chengdu. Pandas, people, spicy food and a surprisingly complicated cup of coffee.

The history lessons can wait. For the next couple of weeks, you’re coming along for the ride! 😂

China Unwrapped – Back on the Road.

China Unwrapped – Back on the Road

Well, I’m back in China.

Landed in Chengdu on Saturday and gave myself a couple of days to wander about before the factory visits begin.

No real agenda. Just walking, looking, eating and occasionally wondering what on earth I’ve ordered.

First thing. It’s cheap. Really cheap.

Thirty minutes in a taxi for a fiver. Coffee for £1.30. A fantastic bowl of noodles and wontons for £1.80. Although I nearly lost the use of my lips after discovering that Sichuan’s idea of mildly spicy isn’t quite the same as mine.

The soup won. I surrendered.

I’ve walked miles. Seen the pandas, explored the shopping districts and wandered into neighbourhoods where Western faces are clearly a bit of a novelty.

There’s a Domino’s and a Burger King, but venture a little further and you could be in a completely different world.

What I love about travelling is how quickly your assumptions get challenged.

Men cleaning hotel rooms, women laying tarmac, elderly people working everywhere. People just getting on with things. I’m not going to pretend I understand how it all works after two days, but it’s fascinating to watch.

And the technology!

Everything is on your phone. Taxis, payments, ordering food. Brilliant when it works. Slightly less brilliant when you’re trying to explain that you want a double espresso with two sugars.

Apparently, I wanted an Americano. Then we had to negotiate hot or cold, large or medium.

We got there eventually. 🤣

One thing hasn’t changed. The people have been lovely. Friendly, helpful and generally amused by my attempts to communicate.

And here’s something I didn’t expect. I’ve actually managed to switch off from work for a couple of days. That’s probably the biggest achievement of the trip so far.

Tomorrow I’m off to Changchun, where the real work starts.

But Chengdu, you’ve been a lot of fun.

More from the road soon.