Where to live in ChengDu - Close to nature???

Posted in: Forums > Living in Chengdu • 7 posts • Newest

• • LF_Aristotle69
    December 22, 2009
    30 posts
  • Hi again,

    In a related vein to my post of yesterday, I'd like to ask for advice on which area of the city would be best to live if I'm looking for proximity to a natural environment. I'm moving to ChengDu in 5 or 6 weeks time.

    Preferably near a big forest for hiking and mountain biking... but, failing that close to a large scenic park for jogging around.

    If possible it should be within bike riding distance (<=1hour by bike) of somewhere that is away from the big city, and, if not a forest, at least somewhere that has a quiet, rural feel to it...

    The other side of the coin is that I still want to be within a 30 (light/normal traffic) or 45 minute (heavy traffic) bus ride of my school, which is about 1km S-W of TianFu Square.

    Also, can anyone give me a link to a map of the soon to be opened 1st Subway line?

    Cheers,

    LFA

• • LF_Aristotle69
    December 22, 2009
    30 posts
  • I just found this old thread from May, which is some help.

    http://www.gochengdoo.com/[...]

    Also, where are the squash courts around ChengDu?

    Cheers,

    LFA

• • iraglassismyhero
    December 23, 2009
    74 posts
  • there are numerous parks around the city, but not really any proper natural areas within the 3rd ring road, and even for miles outside the 3rd ring is really just suburbs and wasteland. although, come to think of it, you might want to check out sanshengxiang, a suburb of chengdu known for its flowers...not sure about bike trails, etc. though. i've just last week moved to the east side (not a particular expat hotspot at this time) and live within five mins walking distance of the free park surrounding the industrial civilization museum. plan to go on Christmas morning for a walk as it looks really nice. typical chinese style it seems, but a bit more open than those downtown. other than that, i've heard that (i think) tazishan park is supposed to be the best for outdoor activities like jogging, biking, picnicking, etc. but might be another one. pretty sure it's one on the east side though. anyway, good luck!

• • Kent Law
    December 23, 2009
    2 posts
  • West of Chengdu may be fit for you, more grass and trees, fresh air,less noisy, convinent transportion. Also, are some good school there.

• • LF_Aristotle69
    January 7, 2010
    30 posts
  • Thanks for the advice guys.

    I finished my scouting trip to ChengDu successfully and found a suitable apartment a block back from DaShi West Road about 15 minutes walk (through a hospital) south of HuanHuaXi Park.

    Nice apartment on a quiet street with lots of little shops and restaurants, as well as banks, hospital, dentist nearby, and there's a Carrefour about 25 minutes walk away to the N-E on ErHuan West.

    I'll be a ChengDu ren in 2.5 more weeks!

    Seems like a really nice, easy-going city, but the smog is pretty heavy. Is it always like that? Or, only in winter? Has it just not rained heavily for a long time?

    LFA

• • cdycy
    February 2, 2010
    4 posts
  • west of Chengdu,there is a HuanHuaXi Park.but it's not a big forest.

• • LF_Aristotle69
    February 6, 2010
    30 posts
  • Cheers cdycy and all of you for your advice.

    I agree, the west side of ChengDu seems right for me!

    Actually, I chose an apartment (near DaShiXi Road) about 20 minutes walk away from HuanHuaXi Park. It a nice park, lots of green with plenty of tallish trees and bamboo.

    I've also discovered that there's a 4 court tennis centre secreted away behind a tall hedge built on top of an underground carpark on the southern edge of the park near the old looking bridge over the canal.

    The friendly staff there will try to find you a social hitting/playing partner too, or you can get a private coach for 80/100 rmb/hour (100rmb is for a formal lesson, 80 for hitting practice with coaching advice) on top of the court cost.

    LFA
    PS. PLENTY of shopping choices here too! Ito Yokado, RenRenLe, SuNing, GuoMei, Carrefour, RenHe ChunTian, Metro, AuChan all withing a 1 hour walk... well... maybe Auchan's about 1.5 hours walk... but, that's what bikes are for...

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