You absolutely must…
You absolutely must…visit the pandas
The panda is China’s iconic emblem and as such this breeding base on the outskirts of Chengdu is very well maintained. Researchers, vets and animal keepers busily assist with the animals’ well-being and an easy to follow path leads you past pandas in various environments and stages. V. cute!
You absolutely must…try the monkey brains
Whoa there, I thought this was a Buddhist thing! Vegetarian restaurant menus have to be seen first, sampled second and finally enjoyed as you realize that all the incredible sounding dishes are actually meat free! Try the restaurant inside the Wenshuyuan Buddhist Temple and you won’t be disappointed.
You absolutely must…bargain hunt
You’ll find plenty of blankets, trestle tables and suitcases presenting all kinds of wares from hand-carved figurines to waving Mao watches. Be careful what you buy isn’t going to fall apart the moment you step off the plane however, for the keen eye, some antique bargains can still be had.
• Traditional Chinese décor and an oasis of calm within the busy streets of Chengdu.
• Very close to the popular Wenshuyuan Buddhist Temple which provides the opportunity to explore Buddhist culture whilst relaxing in the temple grounds.
• The hotel restaurant, spa and tea room are excellent and perfect for beginning or finishing your day.
The Whole Story
For discerning guests who believe in enjoying peace and tranquillity without compromising on style.
The décor is typically Chinese and, as you might expect from the name, elements of Buddhism are prevalent throughout the hotel. Friendly and helpful staff are always on-hand to assist with every element of your stay including any questions that you may have about the nature of Buddhism.
As you begin to explore you’ll find hidden pockets and nooks that are just right for contemplation and the interior courtyard is especially serene. Other facilities include a well-being centre, complete sauna and spa, which will gently assist with any difficulties that you might have getting into the laid back swing of things.
If you’re worried about losing your charming new aura over dinner then threat not, the Rong Zhai Restaurant serves wonderful vegetarian cuisine in keeping with the Buddhist doctrine.
Once you step outside of the hotel you’ll be thrown into the busy river of Chinese street life which quickly flows catching everything and everyone in its path. However, although you’re situated in the central business district this is a relatively calm area thanks to the proximity of the Wenshuyuan Buddhist Temple.
Buddhist followers and tourists alike are attracted to the temple grounds to enjoy the peace and tranquility of parks, incense and praying monks. This is a great place to spend a morning and the vegetarian restaurant menus are a testament to life without meat.
Further afield the panda sanctuary is well worth a visit and trekking in the surrounding hillsides is possible for the more adventurous.
Back at the hotel you can finish your day with a relaxing cuppa at the Jian Cha teahouse which will top off your contentment levels and leave you ready for more!
The Rooms
All of the 35 guest rooms and suites at the Buddha Zen Hotel are immaculately finished using the finest quality threads and silks. Precious antiques juxtapose with contemporary amenities to create a thoroughly interesting and stylish living space. Minimalist elements of Feng shui are aesthetically pleasing and well chosen wall decorations add to the aura of calm. Most rooms have 2 singles beds, a balcony, a private bathroom and are 30 sq metres in size which gives guests the freedom to relax at their leisure. Suites are a generous 52 sq metres and consist of a king size bed or four-poster, en-suite bathroom, separate living room and a private balcony.