Airasia is now flying to Chengdu. That is good news..
Previously the only choice for those in SE Asia to get to Chengdu is either to fly SIA from Singapore or hop onto Southern Airlines or some other. This reminds me of my Chengdu taxi experience and the unforgettable taxi woman.
Beware of those illegal taxis. It was a few years ago but I think the situation today is still the same.
I did not know what came over me. Possibly it was the thought of saving a few yuan as I was almost down to my last after returning from Lhasa. Previously I had used the taxi which I hired from the official airport counter. What a bad decision and a horrible experience!
Two things told me it was going to be bad. The person I thought was the taxi driver turned out to be but a taxi tout. I followed this tout to a taxi parked away from the terminal and it was not “my” taxi. It was a minivan shared with other unsuspecting passengers.
As the van moved off, other things gave me bad vibes. The driver was a rude uncouth lady and was she foul mouthed! She could smoke, drive and talk on the cell phone at the same time.
Before I boarded she said she knew where my hotel was but when she started driving and talking on the phone asking me for directions to my hotel, I knew I was in trouble.
And she had to the cheek to ask for the fare as she drove. Wisely I refused to pay until I see my hotel. (people, remember this-never pay until you get to your destination)
Chengdu city center is a short ride from the airport. My ride turned out a little longer. She had no clue where she should go. Then she started getting nasty blaming me for the mess. To cut this story short, she chased me out of her van. Just like that, “Get off!” But you know where? It was in the middle of the road at a flyover.
Needless to say, that left me a very negative image of Chengdu women illegal taxi drivers. Aaargh… but really Chengdu is a really nice place. 130km away is the Wolong Natural Reserve, the city of the giant panda bear
To be fair to Chengdu and all other taxi drivers, if things have changed, drop us a word.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks to Air Asia I will be on my way next year. Go see, experience Chengdu again to change your whole foul perception of Chengdu
Good for you..good for you! China is Asia so make sure to pack your street-smart sense along with you. Surely you are going to have fun – JiuZhaiGou, Omei Shan, Lhasa. You make all of us envious!