Going to Chengdu China. Any tips for local sites and expatriate hangouts and good restaurants?

Chengdu food is hot, spicy, succulent, and crisp. On Wangping Street, Meiling Road and Yangxixian Street, are numerous restaurants serving hot-pot and original Chengdu dishes. Among them, the three run by scholars are most distinctive. Chuandong Laojia Restaurant (Eastern Sichuan Hometown) was founded by Er Mao, a poet of the Miao ethnic minority. Having inherited his mother's cooking skills, he developed a series of new dishes that blend the flavor of Sichuan and Miao ethnic food. The Xiangjichu Restaurant, which was established by another poet, Li Yawei, enjoys brisk business for its savory dishes and rustic-style service, and He Nong, a man of letters, is an exponent of home cooking, and has created the trademark of new-style Sichuan dishes --- Baguo Buyi Restaurant (Sichuan Commoner).

More facts about Chengdu, http://www.easytourchina.com/chengdu/index.htm

I am very pleased to give you some tips on traveling in Chengdu. Chengdu is a beautiful and attractive city. There are so many things to do in Chengdu .You can visit the Wide and Narrow Alleys, Du Fu's Thatched Cottage, Jinli Ancient Street and Leshan Buddha etc. You can eat in Zhong’s Dumplings Restaurant, Da Rong He Restaurant and The Old Dock Hot Pot Restaurant etc. I really recommend you to trip in Chengdu, the city will prove to be a worth visiting place itself.

I suggest you downloading an App on lvpad.com as your personal tourist guide.The App contains various information about China's tourism attractions and cities, including where to live and eat, where to shop as well as the brief introductions of the highlights of tourism attractions. I am sure it will be a great help for you.Wish you enjoy your trip in Chengdu. Hope my answers help.

As the province of Heaven's Home, Chengdu gathers the essence of various local snacks. And as the city of migration, it also collects all favors throughout the whole country. Chengdu food plays an important role in Chinese treasury of cooking techniques. Chengdu cates have a long history with various breeds, rich local colors and are abundant in variety: fresh pastry, stewed meat in seasoning, fried duck, steamed stuffed bun…all those snacks are made with favors of sweet.

The Spiced Fish Stew in Sichuan is very delicious. You can not miss it. I tell you how to make it.

Method: Rinse the fish fillets and cut each into 3 pieces. Dry the fish well with a clean kitchen cloth. Combine the fish with the marinade in a large bowl and set aside for about 30 minutes. Prepare the salad base in a bowl.

Heat up some oil in a wok or heavy skillet and slowly stir in the marinated fish. Cook until fish just starts to turn white, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

Pour off the frying oil, leaving about 2 tablespoons in the pan. Add in hot bean sauce and stir until fragrant. Stir in ginger, garlic, half scallion sections, chilli flakes, half of each Sichuan peppercorns and dried chilli. Stir over the medium heat until their fragrance is fully released. Drizzle in rice wine and light soya sauce. Continue stirring. Pour in stock, adjusting the heat to high, and bring to a boil. Season it with pepper, salt, chicken powder and white sugar. Return fish to the skillet and cook for about 3 minutes. Turn off the heat and pour the fish stew into the prepared bowl with salad.

Heat up 200 grams of oil in another pan. Add in another half peppercorns and dried chilli. Stir till fragrant over the slow heat. Pour over the fish and garnish with the curled, drained spring onions or coriander leaves.

Chengdu is famous for spicy hotpot and the odds are most restaurants will do it.

As general information on Chengdu I suggest you read

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/chengdu...