







 



<rss version="2.0" xmlns:beenthere="http://ivebeenthere.co.uk/beenthere-rss">
    <channel>
        
                
        <title>Been there | Tips</title>
        
        <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/</link>
        
        <description>
            Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love,
            live in or have just visited - are what make this guide.
        </description>
        
        
            <item>
                
                
                <title>Barber shops</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7947</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Many of these are not noted for their singing quartets, or even any evidence of a pair of scissors. Worth knowing that plenty of them have back rooms for a little more (less?) than your average 'short, back and sides'. <br><br>If you go to a hairdresser's that actually does cut your hair, chances are you will get your hair washed, your scalp massaged very nicely and a decent haircut.  If it's 30 rmb for a bloke's haircut and wash, all in, then that's pricy. It's a bit of luxury, but allow about an hour. Otherwise, pay 3 to 5 rmb at a cheap (genuine barber) place on the street, and it will be much quicker.]]></description>
                
                <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7947</guid>
            </item>
        
            <item>
                
                
                <title>Sichuan Art Gallery</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7913</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[A couple of RMB/yuan for entrance to the gallery up the stairs. Art book shop downstairs, and art supplies on sale in the lobby. Occasional visits from international artists/exhibitors.]]></description>
                
                <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7913</guid>
            </item>
        
            <item>
                
                
                <title>Hot pot</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7525</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Classic Sichuan (and Chongqing, where hot pot is even spicier) food. Large bowl of soup/sauce in the middle of the table, perched on a gas hob/burner.  Most often the metal bowl has a barrier vertically across the middle, so that a red, spicier soup is in one half, and a white, less spicy soup is in the other. Fans of the spicy half and the less spicy half can dine together, and of course you can mix and match.<br><br>Your group orders food, which is brought to you so you can decide what to put into the bubbling soup. Sliced pork and beef, vegetables, doufu, and mushrooms are all standard fare, and you can also get kidneys, liver and many other body parts for the soup. A very sociable way of eating.  <br><br>Some places do a 'buffet' deal where you pay one price per person (rather than paying for the food you order), and you stroll up to the buffet table to get the food bits - good for your first hot pot, and this overcomes ordering problems. The buffet deals are pricier, but usually include beer and red wine and soft drinks.<br><br>Hot pot (huo guo) restaurants are on almost every vaguely lively street. One town we were in had seven hot pot restaurants.]]></description>
                
                <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7525</guid>
            </item>
        
            <item>
                
                
                <title>Sim's Cozy Guesthouse</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7041</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[This is a great place. The bedrooms are spartan but clean. The place has a rather wide-open feel to it, unlike most clautrophobic hostels. The best part is the food: Sim's has the best food of any hostel I've been to, and it's cheap (8-15 yuan) with big portions. Also, there is often cheap barbecued food on the street outside.]]></description>
                
                <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7041</guid>
            </item>
        
            <item>
                
                
                <title>Da Ci Temple</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6818</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Recently restored, the temple of mercy/compassion is little visited by tourists, despite being in the centre of Chengdu. Aside from its main purpose, this temple has a very lively yet relaxing teahouse (various teas, average price 5-8 Rb) and there’s a folklore museum. Some outstanding statues/carvings. 3 Rmb to get in. Open 9am to 6pm.]]></description>
                
                <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6818</guid>
            </item>
        
            <item>
                
                
                <title>Getting into town from the airport</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6674</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Some airlines offer a free trip into Chengdu with their minibuses, if you have flown with their airline. Sichuan Airlines is one.  If you have paid more than 500 rmb for your ticket, they offer the free minibus service. Worth asking the airline, or ask the air crew. If you are in a hurry, though, just take a taxi.]]></description>
                
                <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6674</guid>
            </item>
        
            <item>
                
                
                <title>Buses</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7911</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[If you haven't got a bike, take the bus. Air conditioned buses normally cost 2 rmb, normal buses cost 1 rmb. Can be crowded, and pickpockets abound, but if you're careful you will be OK. Get on, and if you can't see a ticket seller by the door, find a seat and they will find you.  Often free seats at the back of buses, if you can squeeze past people to get there. If you are cycling, don't expect buses to stop for you. Either they can't or won't, or both.]]></description>
                
                <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7911</guid>
            </item>
        
            <item>
                
                
                <title>Cycling in Chengdu</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7893</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Chengdu is pretty much flat. Cycling around Chengdu is easy and often quicker than taking a taxi. You can park your bike outside shops, and/or at bike parks - you will see rows of bicycles on the pavements. You normally pay (2 jiao - 0.2 rmb - is usual fee) when you return to collect your bike. Often the 'bike warden' will tell you what time he/she is going home. Lock your bike. Never a guarantee that it won't be stolen, but locking your bike to something is of course a good idea. <br><br>If you can't hire a bike, just buy one - 200 rmb should get you a really good one. 'Pre-owned' impromptu markets are around town, but they may not be all that legal.]]></description>
                
                <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7893</guid>
            </item>
        
            <item>
                
                
                <title>Le Cafe Panam(e)</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6092</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Cafe Panam is a small French Bistro and one of a kind in Chengdu. While it doesn't serve the local cuisine it is a hot spot for French speaking Chinese, and those who just want a nice glass of wine.]]></description>
                
                <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6092</guid>
            </item>
        
    </channel> 
</rss>
