Marie's Answer

The main Chengdu Panda Base gets 50,000 visitors on weekends—you'll see pandas, but through a sea of selfie sticks. I'll get you there at 7:30am when they're most active and hungry. Better yet, I know about the Dujiangyan Panda Base volunteer program—you'll wear the keeper uniform, prepare bamboo, and get within meters of the pandas. It's the experience most tourists don't even know exists.

Marie's Answer

Sichuan 'mala' (numbing-spicy) is an art, not an assault. The secret is the numbing Sichuan peppercorn—it actually helps you handle heat. I'll start you with 'xiao la' (mild) dishes like Kung Pao Chicken, then graduate to the real stuff. There's a 40-year-old fly restaurant near Yulin that locals swear by—the owner adjusts spice levels perfectly for newcomers. And I'll teach you the magic words: 'wēi là' means mild, 'bù yào là' means no spice.

Marie's Answer

Jiuzhaigou reopened with daily visitor caps—actually making it BETTER than before. The key is timing: go in late October for golden leaves reflected in turquoise lakes, or April for waterfalls at peak flow. I'll plan your route to hit Mirror Lake at 8am before the crowds, and show you the lesser-visited Zechawa Valley where you might have entire lakes to yourself. Skip the tourist buses—some trails are still walkable.

Marie's Answer

Forget the fancy teahouses in Jinli—those are for tourists. Real Chengdu life happens at Heming Teahouse in People's Park, where elderly locals play mahjong, get ear cleanings, and gossip all afternoon. The tea is 15 yuan and you can stay for hours. I'll introduce you to a 'cai er' (ear cleaner) who's been practicing for 30 years—it's oddly relaxing. This is the Chengdu that hasn't changed in decades.