Five prominent Greek content creators embarked on an unforgettable journey through Chengdu this week, immersing themselves in the vibrant tapestry of Sichuan's capital. Their five-day odyssey, commencing July 1st, offered a sensory feast blending ancient traditions with modern dynamism.
From the tranquil morning rituals in People's Park to the dazzling lights of Chengdu’s futuristic skyline, the group documented their encounters with Chengdu's unique blend of relaxation and exhilaration. Their cameras captured moments steeped in heritage and buzzing contemporary energy, consistently punctuated by exclamations of "amazing" as they delved into the city’s renowned laid-back charm and profound cultural depths. This exploration promises to showcase Chengdu's allure to their vast European audience.
Ancient Arts Come Alive
The pulse of Chengdu’s daily life greeted the influencers at People's Park. By 9 AM, the park hummed with activity: groups practiced the graceful movements of Baduanjin, while others reclined in bamboo chairs at the iconic Heming Teahouse, savoring steaming cups of tea. The creators instantly connected with this embodiment of Chengdu’s famed leisure culture.
A traditional sugar painting artist captivated them, deftly transforming molten sugar into intricate shapes like a delicate butterfly with swift strokes of a copper ladle. Later, at Heming Tea house, the ritual of tea took center stage. Influencer Eleni, hailing from a Greek musical family, drew parallels between Chengdu’s tea culture and Greece’s coffee traditions, noting the shared importance of social connection over a warm beverage. She reflected on her father's hours spent chatting with friends over coffee, seeing echoes in the tea house's convivial atmosphere.
The undisputed highlight, however, was the mesmerizing Sichuan Opera face-changing performance. Gasps filled the air as masks shifted in a blink, revealing a spectrum of emotions – joy, sorrow, anger. Twin sisters and Greek Tourism Ambassadors Marianna and Sophia, seasoned travellers familiar with China, were utterly enthralled. "Seeing so many expressions appear and vanish instantly, it’s pure magic!" Marianna exclaimed. Their deep engagement with Chinese culture only heightened their appreciation for this intangible heritage.
The afternoon transported them further back in time within the historic lanes of Kuanzhai Alley. Sophia carefully selected a vibrant crimson Hanfu robe, its elegance a tangible link to China’s imperial past. Donning the traditional attire, she felt a profound connection to the culture’s richness. "Every corner reveals something profound. Experiencing Hanfu firsthand is incredible," Sophia shared, already eagerly anticipating the next leg of their journey: meeting Chengdu’s most famous residents.
Seamless Exploration Enabled
Chengdu’s commitment to welcoming international visitors shone throughout the influencers' experience. Gerasimos, another creator in the group, effortlessly purchased ice cream and drinks using his European-issued UnionPay card, highlighting the widespread acceptance of international payment systems across Chengdu’s tourist hotspots like Kuanzhai Alley and People's Park.
A UnionPay representative confirmed the focused effort to enhance the payment experience for overseas cardholders in key tourist destinations like Chengdu, ensuring seamless transactions covering dining, shopping, attractions, and entertainment. This convenience is part of a comprehensive "full-link convenience solution" implemented citywide.
From the moment their flight from Athens touched down at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport – itself newly connected to Greece via a direct route launched just days prior on June 30th – bilingual signage and announcements guided them. AI-powered translation kiosks offering ten languages stood ready at arrival gates, while smart translation devices and multilingual audio guides were readily available at major cultural sites like the upcoming visits to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and the Jinsha Site Museum.
The ease of access is paying dividends. Sichuan Province witnessed a remarkable surge in inbound tourism in 2024, with international visitor numbers jumping nearly 170% year-on-year, contributing to over 704 million total tourist visits. Chengdu is continuously refining its visitor infrastructure, undertaking projects like adding bilingual signage to 100 key public restrooms near cultural attractions. This focus on accessibility, combined with the direct air link bridging Chengdu and Athens, positions the city perfectly to capitalize on its growing popularity as a top-tier global destination.
For influencers like Marianna, Sophia, Eleni, Gerasimos, and their companions, Chengdu offered not just sights and sounds, but a flawlessly smooth journey into the heart of Sichuan’s culture, leaving them eager to share the wonders of this truly "amazing" city with the world. Their adventure culminated in sweet anticipation, sugar paintings held carefully as edible souvenirs, tangible memories of a city where ancient rhythm meets modern beat.
