After an eventful start to our journey, the night progresses without a hitch, apart from the ridiculous 4.30am arrival time in Chengdu! We have arranged for the hostel to collect us from the station so as to avoid trying to negotiate our way across a new city when we are bleary eyed and half asleep given our experiences at previous Chinese railway stations. There is man waiting with our name on a board and we are whisked into a minivan and arrive through some large doors into a covered courtyard at just after 5am. On first impressions this was going to be a good stay, however, we rapidly change our minds! Our family room has 1 double for all of us, is filthy and is trading on it's previous excellent owners and their reputation. After some fruitless negotiations we settle the girls into bed and David and I take advantage of the free wifi and electricity and rapidly find alternative accommodation. Just to be on the safe side David takes a taxi (easily this time) across town to check before returning to collect us. We leave quietly and no one bats an eyelid!
The Wenjun Mansion is beautiful and the staff are super, super helpful. Breakfast is included, there is a bed for everyone and it is better placed. Phew! We spend the rest of the day recovering after the early morning excitement and planning our next few days!
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