What It Was Like Living in Chengdu, China: My Study Abroad Experience
Updated: Jul 24
Welcome to Part 2 of my Chengdu, China blog! If you haven't read Part 1 yet, you can read it here!
In Part 1, I talked about my first impressions of Chengdu, the incredible Sichuan food, and the biggest culture shocks I experienced when I first arrived in China.
While the food was one of my favorite parts of my time abroad, there was so much more to discover. Living in Chengdu gave me the opportunity to see everyday life in China, explore places I never could have seen on a short trip, and learn more about a culture completely different from my own.
From figuring out where I would live to visiting pandas, hiking Mount Qingcheng, and exploring one of the largest buildings in the world, my summer in Chengdu was full of unforgettable experiences.
Study Abroad Housing
Life in China was entirely different than what I expected.
When I first found out I would be studying abroad in Chengdu, I thought I would be living in a dorm room on campus. However, after arriving, we found out there wasn't enough space available for my roommate and me. Instead, we ended up living in a hotel not far from campus for the six weeks we were there.
Honestly, it ended up being a pretty great experience.
One of the biggest perks was that our room had a Western-style toilet, which we were very thankful for. It was one of those small things that you don't think about until you are somewhere completely different from home.
The room was powered by one of our key cards. This meant that one key card had to stay in the room at all times to keep the electricity running. If one person left with the key card, the other person would suddenly have no power.
Another interesting thing about our room was that we had an electricity allowance. Luckily, we never ran out, but some of our classmates did experience running out of electricity and had to figure out what to do.
The room itself was pretty simple. We didn't have dressers, so we lived out of our suitcases for the entire six weeks. It wasn't a huge problem, but it definitely made organizing our clothes more difficult.
Unexpected Hotel Life
One thing I loved about staying in the hotel was that we had maid service.
Unlike living in a dorm where you would need to buy your own toilet paper, towels, and other necessities, those things were provided for us.
The only challenge was communication. Since we didn't speak much Mandarin, there were sometimes misunderstandings. There were a few mornings when we were woken up because someone was trying to clean our room before we were ready.
The hotel also had an amazing breakfast.
This was one of those unexpected perks that made your day. Having breakfast included wasn't something we were expecting, but it quickly became something we looked forward to every morning.
Learning to Adapt
Laundry was probably one of the more interesting parts of living abroad.
The hotel did have a washing machine on the roof, but like many places around the world, there was no dryer. We had to figure out how to wash and dry our clothes differently than we were used to in the United States.
There were also times when we washed clothes in our room's sink and shower.
It wasn't always convenient, but it became part of the experience. When you live somewhere new, you quickly learn to adapt and figure things out.
A Night Out in China
Experiencing nightlife in China was unlike anything I had experienced before.
The place we went to most often was called Jellyfish Club, also known as Jellyfish Cocktail Bar and Club. It was a really fun place to go with friends because they had tables, private sections, and a completely different atmosphere than clubs I had been to in the United States.
One thing that surprised me was how affordable it was compared to going out in America.
Many vodka-based drinks with mixers, like vodka cranberry or vodka with orange juice, were free for women. The only thing that typically cost money were shots. It was such a different nightlife culture than what I was used to, and it was definitely an experience I won't forget.
If you are looking for a fun night out in Chengdu, this is definitely a place worth checking out.
The Blind Massage Experience
One of the most unique experiences I had in China was getting a blind massage.
My roommate and I discovered these massages and immediately thought, "What exactly is a blind massage?" We had to try it.
The massage is performed by men who are blind. They have helpers who assist them, but they are able to use their understanding of the human body to provide the massage.
One thing to know is that you remain fully dressed during the massage. The entire experience was also extremely affordable. It only cost around 45¥, which was very inexpensive when converted to US dollars.
I wouldn't say it was the best massage I have ever had, but it is absolutely one I will remember for the rest of my life. It was such a unique cultural experience that I don't think I would have found anywhere else.
Exploring the World's Largest Building
One of the most impressive places I visited while in Chengdu was the New Century Global Center.
This massive multipurpose building is one of the largest buildings in the world by floor space, and seeing it in person is difficult to describe.
The building has shopping, restaurants, hotels, an IMAX cinema, an Olympic-sized skating rink, and even a massive indoor waterpark with an artificial beach.
The waterpark even has large screens designed to mimic sunrise and sunset, creating an experience unlike anything I had ever seen before.
The size of this place is almost impossible to comprehend. There is so much inside that you could easily spend an entire day exploring and still not see everything.
If you visit Chengdu, I highly recommend adding the New Century Global Center to your itinerary. It is one of those places that you have to see to understand just how massive it really is.
Meeting the Pandas
You cannot visit Chengdu without talking about pandas.
Pandas are a huge part of Chengdu's identity, and visiting a panda sanctuary was one of the experiences I was most excited about.
Before this trip, I had never seen a panda in real life. Seeing them up close was incredible.
They are just as adorable as you would imagine. Watching them climb bamboo and trees was both funny and fascinating. They are such unique animals, and it was easy to understand why they are so loved.
If you ever have the chance to visit a panda sanctuary in Chengdu, I highly recommend it.
One thing to remember, though, is that while pandas look cute and cuddly, they are still wild animals and can be dangerous.
Hiking Mount Qingcheng
Another incredible experience during my time in China was visiting Mount Qingcheng.
Mount Qingcheng is located in Sichuan Province and is one of the most beautiful places I visited during my study abroad experience. While the scenery alone makes it worth visiting, what makes this mountain truly special is its deep connection to Chinese history and Taoism.
Mount Qingcheng is considered one of the birthplaces of Taoism and has been an important spiritual site for thousands of years. The mountain is known as one of the most famous Taoist mountains in China and is home to many ancient temples and structures hidden throughout the forests.
One of the most important temples on the mountain is the Shangqing Palace, which sits near the top of Mount Qingcheng. This Taoist temple has a long history and has been rebuilt and preserved over generations. Visiting the temple was such a unique experience because it was not just a hike through nature, but a chance to see a place that has been spiritually significant for centuries.
The mountain has an elevation of 4,134 feet. You can either hike the stairs through the forests and woodlands or take a gondola part of the way before continuing the hike to the very top.
The hike itself is very manageable. One thing that surprised me was seeing many women hiking the mountain in small heels. It was very different from hiking mountains in the United States, where people usually show up in hiking boots and athletic clothing.
Another unique part of hiking Mount Qingcheng was that there were vendors along the trail selling food and drinks.
One of the most popular things they sold was cucumbers.
At first, I didn't understand why someone would want a cucumber while hiking, but once I bought one and took that first bite, I completely understood. It was refreshing, hydrating, and exactly what I needed during the hike.
Everything about Mount Qingcheng was beautiful. The scenery, the history, and the culture made it unlike any mountain I had visited before. It was one of those experiences where you realize you are standing somewhere that has been important to people for generations.
Final Thoughts on Living in Chengdu, China
I highly recommend visiting China if you ever get the opportunity.
My time studying abroad in Chengdu completely changed my perspective on travel and experiencing other cultures. It is one thing to visit a country for a short vacation, but it is completely different when you get to live there and experience everyday life.
China was not what I expected, and that was one of the best parts.
From navigating a language barrier and adapting to a different lifestyle to trying new foods and exploring incredible places, every experience helped me grow.
My summer in Chengdu is something I will always remember, and I hope you get the opportunity to experience this amazing country for yourself someday.
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