Ask the crew: Mike Chin’s guide to Chengdu

We asked Mike Chin, a Flight Purser with Cathay Pacific, about his favourite city, Chengdu. Here are the best things to do, eat and see in the Sichuan capital.

“You might visit Chengdu for the pandas but, trust me, you’ll stay for the food and scenery.”

Must-do

Without a doubt, witness the view from the top of Niubei Mountain. I remember looking out onto an endless, foamy sea of clouds; it was out of this world. You can reach the top of the mountain either by foot or off-road buggy. I chose to walk so that I could spend more time enjoying the view. My advice is to take it slowly; at 3,000 metres the air is thinner, so exercise becomes more draining.

Niubei Mountain is around a two-hour drive from Chengdu so you can visit in a day, but I recommend staying overnight in a glamping tent – it’s a unique experience. My tent had a transparent ceiling, which meant I could gaze up at the night sky.

Must-eat

Chengdu is famous for its spicy food, and the best place to try it is Kuanzhai Alley, where you’ll find lots of restaurants. I picked one at random and ordered grilled chilli fish. I can handle a bit of spice, but I was still sweating afterwards.

Along the same street is Li Shanshan Tea, which I noticed thanks to the queue of people outside. I tried the pistachio milk tea, which tasted wonderfully fresh after the spicy fish.

A tip for dining in Chengdu: download the Dianping app. It allows you to make restaurant reservations or pre-order food and is an amazing time-saver.

Must-pack

I’d recommend a pair of sunglasses . Up on the mountain, everything is white and fluffy, and the brightness can be harsh on the eyes. With sunglasses, you can comfortably enjoy the view.