10D9N Work Play Trip To Chengdu & Shanghai
My 10-day work-and-play trip officially starts now! This is my first time traveling with colleagues to a new city—Chengdu—before we revisit Shanghai. Chengdu (a second-tier city) has a completely different vibe, with a much slower pace of life compared to Shanghai (a first-tier city). Even though it's my second time in Shanghai, it still feels like a whole new experience because the places to explore in such a massive city are endless. Here is my account of our team's adventures!
Day 1 Arrival
It was an early and exhausting start for me since my transiting flight was at 6:00 AM. This was actually my first time flying with a Chinese carrier—Sichuan Airlines. The food was pretty good, but the highlight of the flight was definitely the flight attendants serving Lao Gan Ma (China's famous chilli oil) to everyone. Before I knew it, they were continuously keeping everyone hydrated with drinks and tea throughout the entire four-hour flight.
Tianfu International Airport 成都天府国际机场
The journey from the airport to Chengdu city took a little over an hour. Driving at night was dangerously fascinating, as there were absolutely no streetlights on the wide highway. Instead, drivers had to rely entirely on their own headlights and the blinking reflectors along the roadside to guide them.
Hotpot 翠孃孃老火锅
What better way to enjoy the night than with a massive hot pot feast? Even though it was close to midnight, the crowds kept rolling in. I have to say, this is the absolute best yin-yang hot pot I've ever tasted! Nothing compares to that rich, flavourful umami broth made entirely from scratch with natural ingredients. The freshness of the vegetables, meatballs, meat slices, and duck blood was honestly beyond words. To top it off, the unique fried herb-and-vegetable dish with red sugar glaze was just as amazing!
Day 2 One Day Tour
Before the day tour started early this morning, I had a bowl of wontons that was as big as my face. It was incredibly comforting, filled with lots of cilantro and fried shallots—a combination I never expected to enjoy so much.
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
We started our day tour at the panda observatory! It’s a massive park filled with bamboo trees and a few scattered pandas who were mostly sleeping or lounging around. We even saw one poop something the size of a large piece of durian flesh! These lazy pandas were an absolute mood, making me wish I had all the time in the world to just relax and do nothing. As pandas are an endangered species, it was such an honour to witness them in a natural habitat. Their fur was far from perfectly white, but they were still absolutely adorable!
Bookstore Zhongshuge 都江堰钟书阁
The ceilings were lined with massive mirrors that created an optical illusion, making the space feel much bigger than it originally is. They utilised the small space so well through the structure and design, making it feel like a massive, actual library!
Sichuan Face Changing Opera 变脸
Although I didn't completely understand the storyline, it was a cultural show that originated in Sichuan. This style of opera can also be experienced on a smaller scale at any Haidilao restaurant.
Yangtianwo Square 仰天窝广场
We also visited a popular tourist spot where you can take a picture with a giant panda.
Chen Mapo Tofu 陈麻婆豆腐
Dujiangyan 都江堰
We spent most of our afternoon and evening exploring this area, which is actually a massive nature park built around an iconic river split. The incredible engineering channels fresh, clean water right into the city! The tour path loops beautifully around the entire site, starting with an epic bird's-eye view from the very top before winding all the way down to eye level with the rushing water. The scenery was absolutely stunning, and seeing how nature and history connect just like that.
Took a quick break with a strawberry tanghulu treat. By this point, I had walked nearly 20k steps!
Xiangfeng Village 翔凤村
I enjoyed a leisure walk through the village streets, passing by shops filled with souvenirs, clothing, food, and various knick-knacks.
Local Restaurant 太平张醪糟
This is such a unique, traditional spot serving the most intriguing menu I've ever seen! They actually serve wasabi oil as part of their dipping sauce mix. The brown sugar mochi and veggie wraps were amazing, and the noodles were perfectly QQ!
Blue Tears 蓝眼泪
Day 3 Chengdu Citywalk
This was one of the most memorable breakfasts of the entire trip. I especially loved the fermented rice wine tofu pudding 酒酿豆花. The signature dan dan noodles and the dumplings, which featured seafood in the broth, were beyond words. Even the savory tofu pudding was so good.
IFC street
We enjoyed a morning stroll along Chengdu’s famous shopping street, though we skipped the milk tea shops since we were still full from breakfast. Tea is an integral part of Chengdu’s culture, and the city is renowned for its wide variety of teas. Complimentary tea is served at most restaurants and food outlets, which I truly appreciate as someone who enjoys drinking tea. I only began exploring the diverse world of Chinese tea in recent years, and learning about its health benefits has made me appreciate it even more.
Louis Vuitton Maison 路易威登之家太古里
We stopped by the iconic Louis Vuitton exhibition, which featured striking car installations displayed within a traditional architectural space. The contrast between contemporary art and heritage architecture created a truly fascinating and memorable experience.
It’s a creative concept that reimagines traditional architecture as a modern shopping hub while preserving its cultural charm.
Kuanzhai Alley 宽窄巷子
We ended the day exploring the city's charming ancient town, where time seemed to slow down. Locals and visitors alike relaxed at cafés and along the streets, sipping tea and chatting with friends. The atmosphere was laid-back, and there was a quiet sense of contentment as everyone simply enjoyed the moment. It was the perfect way to end the day and experience daily Chengdu.
Chengdu -> Shanghai
We boarded another Chinese carrier, China Eastern Airlines, for the next leg of our journey. While the in-flight meal wasn't quite as good as the one we had on Sichuan Airlines, the flight was comfortable enough for the short two-hour journey. A special shoutout goes to the delicious yogurt drink—it was refreshing and great for the gut during travels. It certainly helped keep travel constipation at bay!
Quan Ji Hotel 全季酒店
We stayed in Shanghai's Pudong district, the city's modern financial hub. The skyline is dominated by towering office buildings, shopping malls, and countless eateries, giving it a vibrant and contemporary feel.
Hu Xiaopang Lobster 沪小胖龙虾
This was my first time trying xiao long xia (crayfish), the iconic dish that somehow seems to make a cameo in almost every C-drama! Peeling the shells took a bit of effort, but the rich, flavourful sauce made every bite worth it. At this point, I've honestly run out of adjectives to describe all the amazing food we've had on this trip. The smashed cucumber was refreshingly crunchy, while the buttered corn was perfectly seasoned and incredibly addictive.
Day 4-10 Work, Exhibitions, Cafes
SIAL Exhibition
Visiting my first large-scale F&B exhibition was an incredible experience. The event was packed with the latest trends, innovative technologies, eye-catching packaging, and emerging flavours from around the world. I was amazed by the sheer scale of the exhibition and the endless rows of booths. Although it was impossible to see everything, every conversation with the exhibitors was worthwhile, giving us fresh ideas, valuable industry insights, and inspiration.
Xihe Yayuan Peking Duck Restaurant 羲和雅苑烤鸭坊
A Chinese restaurant serving iconic Jiangsu dishes like squirrel fish and Peking duck. What caught my attention was the beautiful tableware — intricate pieces that were displayed in vintage cupboards, adding so much character and charm to the dining experience.
秦大宽 陕西手工面
Known for its Shaanxi-style handmade noodles, especially the biang biang mian. These thick, hand-pulled noodles are a Northern Chinese specialty, and they were absolutely incredible—chewy, flavourful, and deeply satisfying. Even thinking about them now makes me crave another bowl.
Chinese Fast Food Meal 快餐
When the day at the exhibition gets too hectic, here's a quick lunch meal. Not the best quality of meal but enough to beat the walks.
荣记饭团
Morning breakfast with a Guo Lu Den rice ball—it was a little different from the Taiwanese version, but just as satisfying. I also had some egg rolls and da bing, which were equally tasty and made for a great start to the day.
Starbucks Reserve Roasters
The largest Starbucks Roastery in the world! The grapefruit tea refresher I ordered was beyond words — it was such a unique and refreshing drink. There's hint of tea and coffee blends, which were light and balanced, with a subtle hint of fizz from the sparkling element and a touch of fruity sweetness.
Wujiang Road 吴江路
The famous bakery butterfly & creamorous was located on this street. The breads & pastries were impeccable overall.
Prada Rong Zhai 荣氏老宅
Located in one of Shanghai's affluent neighborhoods, Prada Rong Zhai is a beautifully restored French-style mansion that has been transformed into a cultural and lifestyle destination. The area houses restaurants, concept stores, cafés, and exhibition spaces, making the streets lovely place to wander even if you're not shopping.
Yu Xing Ji 裕兴记
I came here for two Shanghainese classics: crab roe noodles and a crispy pork cutlet. The noodles were rich, savoury, and full of crab flavour, while the pork cutlet added a satisfying crunch that complemented the meal perfectly.
Sam's Club
A members-only warehouse club where almost everything is sold in bulk.
Holiland Bakery
One of China's most popular bakery chains, Holiland pairs innovative pastries with a sleek, futuristic interior. The beautifully curated displays felt more like an art museum than a bakery.
Gelato 野人先生
The matcha gelato was a standout—rich, creamy, and packed with an intense matcha flavour without being overly sweet.
Warehouse
An incredibly Instagrammable restaurant serving beautifully presented, over-the-top dishes. Every plate was a feast for the eyes, and while some dishes impressed more than others, the creative presentation and stylish atmosphere made it a memorable dining experience.
3 Towers View 上海三件套
One of Shanghai's most iconic viewpoints, offering a perfect view of the city's three tallest skyscrapers standing side by side. It's a must-visit photo spot, especially when the skyline lights up after sunset.
Long Time Ago Lamb Skewers (很久以前羊肉串)
Famous for its automated rotating skewer grills—and the complimentary cooling patches for your forehead, a thoughtful touch when you're grilling over hot heat. The skewers absolutely lived up to the hype. Every meat & veggie skewer was perfectly marinated, tender, and packed with flavour, making it one of the most memorable meals of the trip.
Skyscraper from New Pudong & Old Pudong
The iconic Shanghai skyline never gets old. This time, I had the chance to admire it from both sides of the Huangpu River, taking in the striking contrast between the futuristic skyscrapers of Pudong and the historic charm of Puxi.
Maison Gingko 文杏馆
Nanjing West Road Palmier Cookies
One of my favourite snacks in Shanghai. The palmier cookies are at their absolute best when they're fresh from the oven—warm, crisp, buttery, and quite addictive.
Wei Xiang Zhai 味香斋
I finally got to try authentic sesame sauce noodles (麻酱面). While the dish was a little underwhelming—the sauce-to-noodle ratio left it feeling a bit dry—I still enjoyed the rich, nutty sesame flavour and satisfyingly chewy noodles.
Grandma Handmade 阿嬷手作
The yang mei 杨梅 fruit refresher was perfect on a humid day.
Bund Park 滨江大道
Cycling through the city park became the highlight of my free time after work. There was something incredibly fulfilling about exercising while taking in such beautiful scenery. The 6.2km ride (approx. 50mins) from one end of the park to the other was absolutely worth it, with every turn offering a new view to enjoy. I couldn’t help but wish my hometown had a similar park where I could spend my evenings cycling, unwinding, and soaking in the beauty around me.
Mo Zhu Sushi 墨竹寿司
After refreshing myself from the ride, we made our way to the airport. My legs were the good kind of sore, and I ended up having the best sleep on the overnight flight. This sushi set came to the rescue for my hungry tummy — and it was honestly so good! It came with a mix of salmon, smoked pork, chicken, and faux crab, and every piece had its own unique flavour. Highly recommend trying this if you’re looking for Japanese cuisine in China on Meituan.
This trip was filled with food and bursts of flavours I had never experienced before. It was an eye-opening journey, getting to taste and see another side of the world with the team. I'm so ever grateful for the opportunity and till then, see you on my next adventure! *The Didi driver uncle was incredibly kind and friendly, even taking a moment to wish me well and remind me to stay safe as I made my way to the airport alone.
All photos by Prisc
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