So, I had this trip planned to Chengdu a while back. You know, everyone raves about the pandas, and rightfully so, they’re incredible. That was the main draw for me, gotta be honest. But here’s the thing, I’m also a massive basketball fan. Can’t go too long without either playing a bit or at least catching a game. So, my little side mission for this Chengdu trip was to somehow squeeze in some basketball. Pandas and hoops, that was the unofficial theme.
Panda Overload (the good kind!)
First things first, I hit up the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Man, what an experience. Seriously, these creatures are just something else. Watching them laze around, munching on bamboo, the little ones tumbling over each other… it was pure joy. I must have taken a thousand photos. Spent a good chunk of the day there, just soaking it all in. You could really lose track of time. But eventually, that familiar itch started – the call of the court.
The Great Chengdu Basketball Hunt
Alright, panda mission accomplished, or at least the first phase. Now for the basketball. This part, well, this part was a bit more of a challenge than I expected. It’s not like back home where you can find a decent public court pretty easily. I started by asking around at the hostel, then tried some locals using my very broken Mandarin and a trusty translation app. Got a few confused looks, some shrugs. I guess “panda-gazing tourist suddenly wants to play basketball” isn’t a common request.
I spent a good afternoon just wandering, exploring different neighborhoods. Saw a few schoolyards with hoops, but they were usually locked up tight, especially since it wasn’t school hours. It was getting a bit frustrating, I won’t lie. I was thinking, “Am I really going to be in this cool city and not shoot a single basket?”
Success! And Sweaty Palms
Just when I was about to give up and resign myself to just watching NBA highlights on my phone, I stumbled upon it. Tucked away behind some apartment buildings, there was this outdoor concrete court. Nothing fancy, mind you. The paint was faded, nets were a bit tattered, but there were people playing! A proper pickup game was in full swing.
I kind of lingered on the sidelines for a bit, feeling a little awkward. You know how it is, new place, don’t know anyone. But basketball folks are usually pretty welcoming. After a game finished, one of the guys, probably sensing my eagerness, gestured me over. “You play?” he managed in English. “Yes! Love to!” I replied, probably a bit too enthusiastically.
- The game was fast-paced, more than I expected.
- These guys were skilled, had some nice moves.
- Communication was mostly smiles, head nods, and the universal language of “good pass” or a groan after a missed shot.
It was hot, I was sweating buckets, and my shots were a bit rusty, but man, it felt good. Just running the court, being part of a game. It’s funny how you can connect with people through something like sports, even with a language barrier. We played for a couple of hours until it started getting dark.
More Than Just Pandas
Looking back, that impromptu basketball game was one of the highlights of my Chengdu trip. Of course, the pandas were magnificent, absolutely unforgettable. But finding that court, playing with local guys, that added a whole different layer to the experience. It wasn’t just about ticking off tourist spots. It was about those little unexpected adventures, the human connections, however brief.
So yeah, that was my “Chengdu Pandas Basketball” adventure. Went for the iconic bears, ended up finding a cool community on the court. Definitely a trip I won’t forget. It just goes to show, sometimes the best parts of travel are the ones you don’t plan meticulously.
