Arriving in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, feels like stepping into a parallel urban reality — one where the roar of engines is gone, replaced by the quiet hum of electric scooters, and where life spills out onto the streets in a vibrant, communal rhythm. This is not a city of silence, but of soft sounds and loud humanity — a place where tradition and modernity coexist in a delicate, sometimes chaotic, balance. The Sound of Silence: Electric Scooters Rule the Streets One of the first things you notice in Chengdu is the lack of noise. At noon, when traffic should be at its peak, the city moves in near-silence. No diesel rumbles, no engine roars — just the faint whir of electric two-wheelers weaving through wide avenues. These scooters are everywhere. Some are covered in transparent plastic shells, others rigged with umbrella frames to shield riders from sun or rain. They zip past in every direction — on roads, sidewalks, and even against traffic in dedicated lanes. It’s a chaotic ballet of movement, where rules exist but are often ignored. Drivers honk relentlessly, scooters ride on pedestrian paths, and semaphores are treated more as suggestions than commands. Crosswalks? Purely decorative. It’s not malice — it’s a culture of improvisation, where survival depends on awareness, not regulations. Yet, despite the apparent disorder, there’s a strange harmony. No one seems truly angry. It’s as if everyone understands the unspoken code: move fast, stay alert, but don’t take it personally. Life on the Streets: A Communal Way of Living By evening, Chengdu transforms. Families and friends spill out of homes and shops, setting up makeshift tables and chairs on sidewalks. The city becomes an open-air living room. People eat steaming bowls of rice and spicy Sichuan dishes, sip tea, and chat for hours. Children play, elders watch, and the rhythm of daily life unfolds in full view. It’s reminiscent of Roman neighborhoods in the 1980s — intimate, communal, alive. I ate at a tiny stall tucked in a courtyard: braised pork with vegetables, served with rice. The owner stood outside, bowl in hand, inviting passersby to join. No sign, no menu — just food, warmth, and hospitality. There are no beggars on the streets. Public spaces are clean. And there’s a visible respect for the elderly — they’re not hidden away, but celebrated, present, part of the city’s pulse. Riverside Rhythms: Music, Dance, and Whirling Tops Along the Jinjiang River, Chengdu reveals its soul. In a small stone amphitheater, a woman plays an electric keyboard while a man beside her blows soulful notes from a saxophone. A small crowd gathers, listening quietly — a spontaneous concert under the open sky. Nearby, an older woman exercises alone in the middle of the road, her movements slow and deliberate. Two elderly ladies dance to music from a portable radio, lost in their own world. Then, a sharp crack — like a whip. Curious, I follow the sound. On the riverbank, three men and one woman are striking metal tops with leather whips. The tops — cylindrical, colorful, and spinning fast — dance across the pavement. Each strike keeps them spinning. It’s a traditional game locals call “Tua Lo” (possibly Tuo Luo, 拓螺 or 打陀螺 — “whipping spinning tops”). The woman, short-haired and sturdy, swings her whip with fierce energy. She tires, then redoubles her effort. The top spins closer to me — I step back, half-laughing, half-nervous. They invite me to try. I do — awkwardly at first, then with growing enthusiasm. It’s surprisingly physical, almost cathartic. A release of energy, a form of play that doubles as exercise. Through gestures and smiles, the woman tells me she’s been to Phi Phi Island in Thailand. She shows me photos on her phone, proud and happy to share. Language doesn’t matter. The moment speaks for itself. The People of Chengdu: Curious, Open, and Present What stands out most in Chengdu is the human connection. While not everyone speaks English, many are curious — especially the younger generation. A girl stops me while walking her dog, eager to chat. Others smile, wave, or simply watch with friendly interest. There’s no arrogance, just a kind of cultural self-assurance — a quiet belief that their way of life is complete, even if it’s different. They don’t expect you to speak Chinese, but they appreciate the effort to engage. And you should. Because in Chengdu, a smile, a gesture, a shared moment — that’s the real language. Final Thoughts: A City That Lives Chengdu is not easily defined. It’s chaotic yet peaceful, modern yet deeply traditional, fast-moving yet relaxed, noisy in spirit, but quiet in sound. It’s a city where people work hard, eat well, and live together — not just in homes, but on streets, in parks, by rivers. Where an old woman can whip a spinning top like she’s fighting a personal battle and then laugh and invite a foreigner to join. This is real China — not the one in guidebooks, but the one that breathes, moves, and welcomes you in without saying a word. More than a gateway to pandas and Sichuan spice. It’s a city of contradictions and connections. Come for the food. Stay for the people. And let the spinning tops remind you: sometimes, all it takes is a little whip to keep life moving. Travel Tips for Visiting Chengdu  Best Time to Visit: Spring (March–May) and Autumn (September–November) for mild weather. Must-Try Food: Hotpot, Dan Dan Noodles, Mapo Tofu. Don’t Miss: Jinli Ancient Street, Wuhou Shrine, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Local Tip: Walk the riverbanks at dusk — that’s when Chengdu truly comes alive. Language: Mandarin is standard; English is limited but growing in tourist areas. Link to the official tourism site: Travel China – Chengdu Photos by Guglielmo Zanchi – Pluto

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The House Collective stages a series of cross-culture collaborative artistic performances at the brand’s properties in Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, and Chengdu. The House Collective by Swire Hotels, a group of refined, highly individual hotels in Asia, has launched the 2021 edition of its biennial art programme, ‘Encounters Across Cultures,’ which celebrates the immeasurable creativity that comes through multicultural collaboration. The House Collective–comprising The Opposite House in Beijing, The Upper House in Hong Kong, The Temple House in Chengdu, and The Middle House in Shanghai–has invited artists from around the world to come together to create and explore the concept of space and movement. Following over a year of restrictions and lockdowns, the  desire  to  collaborate and create across cultures in a meaningful way was an inspiring force behind this programme. The 2021 edition, which has been almost two years in the making, celebrates that sense of togetherness across borders that we have all been so deeply craving. “Art and culture are actually a core part of who we are  and  what  our  Houses  represent. We created Encounters Across Cultures because we think that an important element of creativity is access to points of view different from  your  own.”  Clarissa Tam, art programme lead at The House Collective. An encounter between dance and architecture – 2021 edition The theme of this year’s programme will be realized through interactive video installations that– coupled with varying styles of dance movements–will complement the work of the esteemed architects behind each House. The installations will encourage viewers to appreciate the spaces they spend time in and even find new ways to experience them. Following last year’s unexpected lockdowns–and the heightened impact that space and architectural design has had on our emotions–these installations will bring to life a timely sentiment that breaks  the  barriers  of languages and borders. “Through dance, this art programme explores how movements can be a captivating medium for perceiving, experiencing, and articulating architecture. It hopes to remind us to slow down and observe the details, to dive into our surroundings. To be present within the space. To look up.” – Patsy Lo, curator and producer of the art programme Spread across the four Houses, the series of installations will tell the story of art across cultures in two chapters – the first between Shanghai and Beijing and the second between Hong Kong and Chengdu. Hong Kong Serenity Meets Chengdu Contrasts –  23 September through 31 December The second chapter will take place at The Upper House in Hong Kong and then move to The Temple House in Chengdu. This chapter will seek to highlight the distinctly different architectural styles of The Upper House (which epitomises André Fu’s sense of understated luxury) and The Temple House (which blends Qing dynasty structures with contemporary design) through the contrasting styles of ballet and hip hop. As a way to showcase the different energies and personalities between the two cities, Ballerina, Hennes Yuen from the Hong Kong Ballet and Hip-Hop dancer, Wan Siming from Chengdu will weave together their unique disciplines of dance. Directed by Leo Liu with choreographed movements by Yuh Egami (of the Hong Kong Ballet) and Andrea Carrucciu (who played MacBeth in the show Sleep No More), Ballerina Yuen leads the audience through the serene sanctuary above the city that is The Upper House – while hip- hop dancer Wan Siming channels the young creative energy of the city’s hip-hop culture through the contemporary design aesthetic of The Temple House. Through the video installation, the audience will experience the dancers embracing their differences and creating harmony with each other. “Each of The House Collective’s four properties are highly individualized in location and culture, and this year’s Art Programme celebrates these distinctive and authentic cities while also showcasing the universal connection they share to  cities  around  the  world  through  art,”  Said Dean Winters, Managing Director for Swire Hotels.

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In alignment with Swire Properties’ SD2030 vision, The Temple House has prepared a series of sustainable seasonal celebrations and festive decorations. This year, The Temple House in Chengdu, China, presents “Dreaming of Christmas” with whimsical elements created from recycled materials. A 6-meter Christmas tree constructed from the up-cycled wooden floor planks collected from the guest room renovations will also be on display in the courtyard of the House. The metal structure of the Christmas tree was reused again this year, and will continue to be reused for many more years to come.  As an annual tradition since 2016, the Christmas tree-lighting ceremony will be held on the evening of 23rd November. Prestigious guests, including government officials from the Austrian Consul Commercial Affairs, media friends and the general public will be invited to celebrate the tree lighting ceremony. Artificial snow scenes will be created in order to create the winter wonderland experience. A dreamy Advent atmosphere will kick off with traditional Christmas cookies, followed by performances from the students of Léman International School, the children of Soong Ching Ling Kindergarten and Woo Zeal Acappella Choir.  Going forward, The Temple House will continue to celebrate the festive season with “sustainability” and “community” as the focus.  About The Temple House  The Temple House is part of The House Collective and is located in the heart of Chengdu within the Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li, a bustling open-plan shopping area. The 100-room House and its 42 serviced residences form an integral part of the city government’s conservation project to preserve the surrounding heritage buildings next to the thousand-year-old Daci Temple. Elegant bamboo trees frame the House’s entrance, which is set in a beautifully restored hundred-year-old Chinese courtyard built in the Qing Dynasty. MI XUN houses the award-winning spa, which includes a pool and fitness centre, as well as the teahouse serving vegan Sichuan cuisine. The Temple House also offers a dynamic collection of outlets including The Temple Café – the all-day dining restaurant and French bistro, TIVANO – an authentic Italian restaurant, and Jing Bar – a lively bar featuring live DJs. 

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China, a short five-letters name, yet in these five letters dwells the name of the largest and most powerful nation in Asia, the fourth in the world in size. A country rich in history, culture and art, a country that for one reason or another, most people wants to visit, fascinated by books, films and comics that have always presented China to the world in their own way. From Marco Polo to the Kung Fu movies that were a big hit in the past, to the well-known Last Emperor in Bertolucci’s masterpiece; from Mao‘s Little Red Book of Thoughts to Corto Maltese’s trip from Hong Kong to Harbin, nearly each one of us, for one reason or another, has been attracted by this partly mysterious country caged, up to a few years ago, by an inaccessible ‘forbidden door’. Those were different eras, of course, because China has always been there; not always visible to the world perhaps, but always present, like a Damocles’ sword which we need to confront with sooner or later. “China is near”, it is often said; perhaps with a hint of fear by those who see this majestic nation as a looming threat, or with a certain admiration by those who are moved by its arts and culture. Huge amounts of people queue up to see the XiAn terracotta warriors when they are taken to exhibitions around the world; many who passionately follow the Maoist ideals that made ​​inroads in the 70s, still look with pride and hope at the affairs of the homeland of non-soviet communism. Personally, the fascination for China reached me almost 20 years ago when I was living in Italy and China was not close at all, but was in fact approaching thanks to my relocation to Asia. I started to see China in the countless Chinatowns of the places I was passing through: Bangkok, Penang, Kuching. Extending my gaze beyond an impenetrable horizon, I saw, or rather I imagined, its far shores from the Thai banks of the Mekong River; I saw its door, no longer forbidden, at the border posts in Macao and Hong Kong, countries that belonged to China but that have already been barbarized by the previous presence of foreigners. China was always there, almost within reach, an open door inviting me to enter, whispering in my ear: “come in, come.” Like Oscar Wilde, I too ‘can resist everything except temptations’, and China is an unfair temptress, setting traps during years and years, throwing hooks and waiting for my arrival, patient as a Chinese citizen, sitting on the edge of that proverbial river. And I, for years, watched China secretly, as one peeps the generous cleavage of a busty lady, playing indifference, pretending not to show interest yet admiring, with the corner of one eye, this shrewd Lady of the nations with the air of one who still feels too inexperienced to enjoy its grace. Now that I am a grown up and mature enough to court her, and my approach is just a few days away, I realize China is so terribly big that the preparation of a journey inside its borders presents a hardship far greater than difficult visa applications. “Where do I start?”, is the question that has been haunting me for the last few days. I look at a map, I read a name without conviction, then I say: “I want to go there”, then the eye continues to run greedily on the same map, I read another name and with equal conviction I add: “Yeah, I also want to go there”. But time, as you well know, is an evil tyrant, and the little of it I have at my disposal forces me to make some hard choices. There is an infinite number of names, and they all convey feelings, exoticism, culture and somehow poetry. I need to pick one, and one only. In the end I choose Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province…

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