Explore Sichuan in June

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#19 -- Thanks, @xiaocai. Sounds like a good thing to do.

#20 -- Good idea @jbradfor.As it now stands, when I am in the planning phases of a trip, I spend several hours discussing things with my (one-to-one) teacher, since that way I at least learn the Chinese names for these places to which I will soon be going and for the attractions I hope to see. Nothing in the world more stupid or embarrassing than going to Leshan and then trying to ask directions to "Big Buddha" because I don't know how to say “大佛”。

We also talk about related history, the food and culture of the region to which I'm going and such. I learned how to say Genghis Khan in Chinese. She and I do internet searches together in Chinese during class time. We have also talked specifically about taking trains, planes, and buses as well as hotel and restaurant vocabulary. We use Chinese maps in working out routes.

We also occasionally make up little skits dealing with common travel situations. She recently found a book in the library giving the text of more frequent "overhead announcements" in train stations and on trains plus in airports and on the planes. She reads them as 听力 practice. That's been unexpected fun. They often use very stiff and formal language; quite different from ordinary conversation.

I write out an itinerary in Chinese along with comments on why I want to go to these places, what I hope to see or do or learn. That's composition practice. She helps me revise and expand it. I write "mini-essays" on things like how the section of the Great Wall I saw in Shanxi compares with the sections of it I saw in Gansu or near Beijing.

Since speaking is easier for me than writing, I often first tell her something during the day and then try writing it up at home that night. I remember struggling to explain how the Fujian Toulou round houses were constructed. Took a couple pages. I remember trying to explain how the beaches in Qingdao differed from those in Sanya.

Then, when when I get back to Kunming, we review and discuss what I've seen and experienced. Even show her some photos as a platform for talking about these places and things and learning to read and write some new words. I put some of the new material into Anki for review and possible future use. I recently learned the words for dust storm in Ningxia and sand storm in Nei Mengu. Learned some new air pollution terms in order to describe Taiyuan, Shanxi. I knew how to say coal mines, but not steel mills.

I try to use my China travels as a way to learn some new practical language as well as a way to use things I've already learned previously in other contexts. It has taken some "push" to convince my teachers that these tasks are as important to me as finishing another chapter of the tedious official textbook. But when I put it to them properly, they gamely play along. However, some teachers get "into it" better than others.

[jbradfor]

That's a great study plan. Especially the review after the trip to reinforce what was learned.

since that way I at least learn the Chinese names for these places to which I will soon be going. Nothing in the world more stupid than going to Leshan and then trying to ask directions to "Big Buddha" because I don't know how to say “大佛”。

Very true. I remember getting off the bus in 洛帶, looking around and thinking "where's the old city?". I asked a person where is the old city, but he was really confused what I way trying to say. 老市 was a failure (too close to 老師， 老是， 老實), 很舊的地方 got me close. "古镇?" he eventually said. 對對對. I would have been a lot less of an idiot if I had planned better.

[jbradfor]

Well? How was the trip?

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#23 -- Thanks for asking! Had a great time overall with only a couple minor hiccups. Spent my time mainly in and near Chengdu, plus Emeishan and Leshan. Didn't go to up north to Jiuzhaigou/Hunaglong because rainstorms were moving in at the time I would have been there. Hope to see those spots later in the year.

As usual, once the trip got underway, my itinerary went out the window and I just played it by ear in a less tightly structured fashion. Getting around seems to always take more time and energy than I think it will, and I hate to rush along just ticking things off a mental “to do list.”

Went to the Panda Breeding Research Base early enough to see them feeding and moving around (arrived about 8:15 a.m.) Was on the alert for taxi tricks thanks to your blog post, @jbradfor, but the driver used the meter and it cost 41 RMB from central Chengdu. Took the bus back into the city afterwards, when time was at less of a premium.

Dujiangyan Irrigation Project by train was a pleasant half day trip. Visited Jinsha Museum grounds 金沙博物馆 and enjoyed that place a lot. The “Ebony Forest” 乌木 there was an unexpected bonus. Also spent some enjoyable, low-key hours at Dufu's Thatched Cottage 杜甫草堂 and at Wuhou Si 武候寺, memorial to Liu Bei 刘备 and Zhuge Liang 诸葛亮. Drank tea with some old folks who were discussing Mao Era politics.

Took a bus to Emeishan 峨眉山 where I spent three pleasant days hiking around on the mountain visiting monasteries. One day took the cable car up to Jinding 金顶 (the peak.) Rode a bus over to Leshan 乐山 and eventually managed to see the famous 大佛 Big Buddha.

Got misdirected first by clever touts to the "Far Eastern Buddha Theme Park" and wasted a lot of time there. These jokers board the #13 Leshan city bus and divert you to a cluster of souvenir shops and small restaurants near the entrance to that second rate park. They create confusion about which entrance is which. This one is a long way from the actual Big Buddha. Very slick operation. My only consolation was that most of the Chinese tourists got tricked by their ruse as well as this one foolish foreigner. Need to be alert there and not just follow the pack.

Rode the bus from Leshan back to Chengdu. Pouring rain by now. That was the point at which I would have continued to Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong had the weather been good, but they were having storms as well, and heavy rain was supposed to continue several more days.

Am already thinking about another Sichuan trip to see the things I didn't manage to include this time. Researched several places I would still really like to visit. I found the food delicious, and the people friendly. Chengdu itself made a very favorable impression as a pleasant and highly liveable city. Plus the metro was easy and convenient to use.

Appreciate the helpful suggestions quite a few of you gave beforehand.