“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.”
So JP and I decided to visit university town Da Xue Cheng which is where the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute is located. Although the area is still part of CQ, I felt like I travelled to another city because unlike other metro trips, we passed by sparsely-inhabited areas and new construction zones after leaving the denser part of the city. The trip also took us about an hour.
Upon arriving, I immediately sensed the young, fresh energy distinct to university towns. Lots of kids on bikes taking photos, congregating in coffee shops, as well as families on picnics. Ofo, a bike rental company that rents out its bikes using a nifty app, just opened in the area, so you can see everyone, young and old, trying out the trademark yellow bikes.
We spent the entire afternoon walking around, and got to see the institute famous graffiti wall, went inside art galleries and walked through the commercial area populated by dress shops, flower shops, cafes and restaurants.
The place reminded me a little bit of Dumaguete and Silliman. Young energy, students with fresh faces and the vibe of a thousand bright futures that are just getting started made me miss home all of a sudden, not to mention the fact that the area is criss-crossed by walking lanes flanked left and right by different types of trees. if you're observant enough, you might spot the sculpted form of a woman in red, blue or yellow peeking through the trees. They're not spooky, but they add to the artsy vibe. Camera-toting groups are also a common sight.
The place reminded me a little bit of Dumaguete and Silliman. Young energy, students with fresh faces and the vibe of a thousand bright futures that are just getting started made me miss home all of a sudden, not to mention the fact that the area is criss-crossed by walking lanes flanked left and right by different types of trees. if you're observant enough, you might spot the sculpted form of a woman in red, blue or yellow peeking through the trees. They're not spooky, but they add to the artsy vibe. Camera-toting groups are also a common sight.
I definitely, definitely love this place, and this is already a favored weekend spot if and when we find the time again. Friends also recommended a few restaurants in the area that we should try, so that's another reason to go back.
A few shots of one of my favorite areas in Da Xue Cheng.
A few shots of one of my favorite areas in Da Xue Cheng.
travel, travel, travel, travel, travel, travel, travel, travel, travel, travel, travel, travel
PS: If you want to see Da Xue Cheng on film, watch the movie A Woman in the Shadow, a 2016 psychological thriller set in university which features it's most popular spots. Watched it last night only to realize it was the same place we visited a few weeks ago!
PS: If you want to see Da Xue Cheng on film, watch the movie A Woman in the Shadow, a 2016 psychological thriller set in university which features it's most popular spots. Watched it last night only to realize it was the same place we visited a few weeks ago!