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My first encounter with Chengdu was a misty weekend in November. My company had suggested that to further my career I might consider relocating to Chengdu from Beijing, and before jumping into the assignment, I wanted to see what I would be getting into. I was skeptical—after all, any Beijinger will tell you there is no finer city than their hometown. I desperately needed to find the answers to some pressing questions: would I be able to find a comfortable pub on Friday nights? What about my beloved bagels and New York style pizza? Quality of life issues will vary from person to person, mine may be a little specific.

Bill Fisher, General Manager of Hilton Chengdu.

I was immediately impressed. Within thirty minutes of leaving the airport the taxi driver brought me to the Tongzilin neighborhood for lunch. Nestled along clean, leafy-green streets I found a great selection of outdoor cafes, and I was intrigued to see so many locals and expats sitting outside enjoying their Saturday afternoon. I took a seat, ordered my lunch, and while watching people come and go I realized a very important facet of Chengdu: Chengdu people really enjoy life.

"This is how Chengdu people enjoy life." It was a spring afternoon and I was sipping green tea from Mount E'Mei in Chengdu’s People’s Park with new friends from Chengdu. We were recovering from a fantastic dim-sum brunch with local flavors and needed time to digest before a delightful Japanese dinner at their restaurant. "Chengdu people enjoy drinking tea, sitting by the river and talking. It’s very important for us. We like to live a good life, a natural life." Having settled into Chengdu a month before, I was immediately taken in by my colleagues and their friends. There had been a banquet at one house for Chinese New Year’s Eve, and the next day I was given a lesson in making jiaozi at another house. The third day was spent in the countryside for a rustic lunch, and an afternoon of orange-picking and card playing. I reflected on my friend’s words and realized that I, too had found a different way of living in Chengdu. I was appreciating local tea—I never drank tea before!—and finding more excuses to enjoy weekends exploring the city and the surrounding countryside. Life was really improving.

I am frequently asked what it is that attracts me most to Chengdu, and it's really difficult to say. The New Yorker in me enjoys the pulse of the city; be it upscale dining and fancy cocktails at one of the new restaurants or hotels or going for local hotpot in one of the hundreds of local joints. My outdoorsy side has found weekend after weekend of entertainment in one of the many local heritage sites from hiking in Mount E'Mei or admiring the giant Buddha at Leshan Mountain—all easily accessible by train from Chengdu's city center. If I had to put my finger on it though, I would have to say it’s all about the quality of life and living among people who seem genuinely happy.

The author is the General Manager of Hilton Chengdu..

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