It was time to leave Chengdu. I had a flight that was scheduled to leave Chengdu just a little after midnight, so that meant I had the entire day to myself when I checked out of my hotel. After having a leisurely breakfast, I slowly packed my bags and checked out. And after doing so, I explored Chengdu for the last time. I ended up in Wangjiang Pavilion Park.
They say that if you’re looking for the soul of "Old Chengdu," Wangjiang Pavilion Park is exactly where you’ll find it. Located along the south bank of the Jinjiang River, it’s one of the city's three most famous cultural landmarks, together with Wuhou Shrine and Du Fu Thatched Cottage, both of which I also visited.
What makes this park special isn't just the architecture; it’s the fusion of Tang Dynasty poetry and one of the largest bamboo collections in China. I learned that the entire park is a tribute to Xue Tao, a legendary female poet of the Tang Dynasty. She was a woman of immense talent and wit who broke social barriers to become a respected peer of literary giants. She loved bamboo for its upright and modest character. In her honor, descendants turned the park into a literal "Bamboo Sea".
So yes, after exploring this area for a while, I slowly meandered away. Eventually, I found the exit, found myself some lunch, and used the remaining time to go back to the places within Chengdu that I enjoyed, to see them again one last time, before I headed back home. And when it was time to do so, I made my way to the airport, and caught a flight back to Europe.
This wraps up my series on China. This was a fascinating country, and I love to be back again.
