After exploring the eastern suburbs, I headed back to the centre of Chengdu. I got off the metro in Tianfu Square, but from there I walked westwards to go to People's Park. I wanted to check out an outdoor area, given that the weather was rather favourable that day.
Often described as the cultural heart of the city, People’s Park (Renmin Park) in Chengdu is less of a traditional botanical garden and more of an "outdoor living room" for the locals. Founded in 1911, it is the city's oldest public park and provides a window into the famously slow-paced Sichuan lifestyle. This is a large park, and I explored quite a few corners of the area.
For example, there is the Heming Teahouse. This century-old landmark is the most famous spot in the park. You can grab a low bamboo chair by the lake, order a gaiwan (lidded bowl) of jasmine or green tea, and enjoy unlimited hot water refills. It’s a prime spot for people-watching and soaking in the "noisy" yet relaxing atmosphere of clinking tea lids and lively chatter. While sipping tea, you’ll likely see "ear doctors" wandering with long metal tools. This unique Chengdu tradition involves a skilled practitioner cleaning your ears with various delicate instruments. I am told that this experience provides a a sensation many locals find incredibly relaxing. Nevertheless, it looked creepy and I didn't try it myself.
On the southern side of the park, there is the so-called Matchmaking Corner. This is where parents gather to post "resumes" for their unmarried children. These papers list details like age, height, income, and whether the child owns an apartment, as parents try to find suitable partners for their kids. And of course, there's the usual group of elderly people practicing Tai Chi and other slow-moving martial arts.
One can spend a leisurely afternoon here. There's plenty to do, including simply observing time pass by as the throngs of Chinese families entertain themselves in various nooks and crannies.
