From Emei Mountain: A Two-Day Trip to LuoDai in Chengdu

We took the 0800 bus from Jiaoda- Emei and got off at the first stop in Chengdu. From there we caught a taxi to the bus station. It did not take long to find out about the bus to Luodai since there were buses leaving every thirty minutes or so. Figure we had some time so we walked across the street and had a lunch of jaodz and noodles. Not so good but better than nothing.

The trip to Luodai took about an hour and cost around 6 Yuan. We got off the bus and followed a group of people to the start of the Luodai Ancient Street. Figured we might as well find a hotel so we asked around and found the San You Hotel just a few hundred meters from the entrance to the ancient street. The place was comfortable and at around 120 Yuan, reasonable. So we start our visit to Luodai and its ancient street.

Places And Sites

This is the interior of the San You Hotel where we stayed. It is right at the front of the ancient street. It had a beautiful inner court with three stories of Ming style architecture. The actual court was nothing but a water garden and was a bit small. It gave us a good idea on how we will be constructing our own Chinese courtyard in Thailand later on.

Chinese doors are always picture worthy and Luodai was no exception. Here a series of beautiful doors serve as an entrance to a closed store that appeared to be a food store of some kind.

This pagoda was located across the street from the "other" entrance to Loudai street. We saw it when we returned from our visit to the Great Wall. This "great wall" was just replica of the real thing and served as a tourist site for people to climb, kick back and ride horses. Actually it was of little interest but only cost one yuan a piece to go their by bus. We took a van back for a total of 20 yuan.

There were restaurant area in just about all the side streets along the main ancient street. We meandered our way down several of them and I found this interesting combination so I took a picture of it. Those are chopsticks drying out for the next round of customers.

Another beautiful Chinese door but this one has a cute poster, or rather, a pair of cute posters. I could not resist the colors of the posters with the wood background.

Art Photo - Brown Doors

This was on one of the guild building in the middle of street. Massive and very impressive.

A doorway into a beautiful garden setting. We never did get back to check this garden out.

Art Photo - Guilded Red Doors

We were told about the "great wall" so we decided to take the one yuan bus trip to see what it was all about. Of course, it was fake great wall for tourists. Nice picture though, don't you think.

Tourists doing touristy things like riding horses.

While Sunee was making movies, this 84-year-old lady was helping her with the focusing. Actually this lady was very friendly and answered our questions about the area. Yep, the place is new and built for tourists.

We are tourists. This is a tourist place so . . . a tourist picture.

More tourist stuff.

The trip back to Loudai street was quick and painless after our introduction to the painfully cheezy "great wall." Both the great wall and Luodai Street are commercialized, the difference is that Luodai has some real stuff in it.

Strange sculpture for a Chinese ancient street.

And if you thought the above picture was strange, check this one out. Actually this was in a store that sold ceramics on Luodai Street.

Center of the street seemed to be this cement pagoda. Not too pretty but nicely shaped.

All you ever wanted to know about the town.

One of the three or four guild halls still standing in the ancient town. Remember the big dragon?

Art Photo - Welcome In

This led into a courtyard with a theater and other shops. Also many tourists were running around getting their pictures taken in period costumes or really very victorian costumes. The tourists seemed to love this stuff wherever we go in China.

Art Photo - Brass Knockers

Art Photo - Tennis Shoes and Mop

Theater inside the large courtyard I imaged earlier.

The official stele of the area or maybe not. It is a nicely done piece though.

Art Photo - Butcher Shop

Nice building at the end of the ancient street.

Anyone interested in a little carnival action?

People

We bought a really nice Xun from this guy. That is what he is playing.

For weddings

They pay five yuan and get their pictures taken. Another wedding set up, obviously.

Hakka transportation along the street in Luodai.

Choosing the right gourd can be difficult but Sunee always comes through.

Camera work.

Had to take a picture of Sunee in front of these authentic steles. Yep, they are part of the original, none commercial Luodai. My guess is they are at least Ming Dynasty.