Perhaps the darkness is solely due to smog, but the sun never sets in Chengdu prior to 6p.

Smog or no smog, it's quite rare to actually see the sun out in Chengdu. It's always misty and overcast, which add to the air quality problem. Last winter, I unwittingly left the window of my hotel room open overnight (because it was quite pleasant, about 60F/17?C). I ended up waking up in the middle of sleep with a cough, something that had not happened to me by my best recollection.

The Panda Research Base is within city limits, but it's quite time consuming to get there and back because of the snarling traffic. I got there first thing in the morning, setting out before sunrise. I thought it was well worth the effort, because panda feeding time is around 8 or 9 am (check the website). They are active until about 10 am, and then fall fast asleep by the time the crowds arrive by tour bus.

Yes, see the pandas, the best time is in the morning.This afternoon, the pandas are resting in his room.from last May at the Chengdu Panda base, there cannot hold a Panda.

If you want to hold a panda, then you will have to go to the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda Dujiangyan Base. It's northwest of Chengdu. I did it in July and it cost 1800 RMB. I also volunteered to clean and feed the pandas which cost me 700 RMB. It was an expensive day, but worth the experience if you love pandas.

Chengdu is worth going if you really want to see Panda....

I would recommend Niccolo and Temple House as they are the best boutique hotels in the central city. However I will stay at Fairmont for one night.

I have been here several times for business and would not return to the city as a tourist except for the panda thing. The hot spots are not appealing to those of us who cannot handle spicy, oily food. The air quality is very bad. And the sidewalks are extremely unsafe - not because of crime but because people drive electric scooters on the sidewalk - silent killers. Not sure if this is unique to Chengdu but did not encounter this problem in Beijing or Hong Kong. Both of which have better, healthier food options. I did enjoy the face changer performance - well worth seeing if you find yourself here.

If I had 2 weeks in China I would visit Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and maybe Xian- Chengdu would be way down the list.

Chengdu is known for spicy food especially for the use of Sichuan peppercorns, so it's definitely not for everyone. But you can get hot pot with a different base besides the spicy oil one. There are also lots of different foods besides hot pot and I like the crawfish stir-fry. I have been to Beijing and Chengdu and haven't found one to be healthier than the other. Peking duck is the stand out dish in Beijing, but most of the northern dishes are not better. Hong Kong is a different story in itself in terms of culinary options. But I have dined at private restaurants in Chengdu that would be consider fine dining.

The air quality is bad in most Chinese cities and Beijing is known to be one of the worse. Chengdu and Beijing were about equal this year, but the nice thing with Chengdu is that you can go up to the mountains where the air is better.

As for the scooters on the sidewalk, I didn't really see much of that during my trips to Chengdu. I have been to Vietnam, where that kind of thing is a lot worse.