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BCBUSINESS.CA NOVEMBER 2017 BCBUSINESS 95 BEAR MAXIMUM (Clockwise from left) Giant panda at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding; Jinli Old Street; Chengdu city; park staff member photographs a panda cub; hotpot at Huangcheng Laoma; panda cubs; New Century Global Center; Sichuan opera at the Shufeng Yayun Teahouse to the Chengdu Municipal Government. Growth has been brisk and big. The supersize New Century Global Center, whose 1.7 million square metres make it the world's largest building by ‰oor area, opened in 2013. Under the steel structure's wavy roof trimmed with glowing purple lights are myriad oŒces, the new Žve-star Inter- Continental Chengdu Global Center hotel and a shopping mall with 3,200 stores. It all wraps around the Paradise Island Waterpark, which has an artiŽcial beach where the surf's up and the sun shines 24/7. This colossus sits at the core of the Tianfu New Area, a 1,578-square- kilometre modern metropolis in the making, whose amenities will include a high-tech hub. Manu- facturing is still a mainstay for Chengdu, but the city is attracting new investment by o•ering gov- ernment incentives for innova- tors and venture capitalists. Chengdu's California dreams are taking shape. At its Žrst so- called Žreside chat last December, Startup Grind Chengdu, a new chapter of the global community conceived in Silicon Valley in 2010, hosted more than 100 entrepreneurs and investors. Since then, the monthly events have featured companies such as Aus- tralia's Euclideon Pty Ltd., which claims that its hologram technološy will eclipse virtual reality in the gaming universe. It's too soon to tell whether Chengdu is primed to be a breeding ground for Chinese unicorns like e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and smartphone maker Xiaomi Inc. But it will always have its rock stars, the giant pandas. SEE Chengdu is the birthplace of Sichuan opera, whose folkloric acts have been performed in its teahouses since the 16th century. Forget what you know about classic Italian operas; the Sichuan version at Shufeng Yayun Teahouse is like a Chinese variety show, with shadow puppetry, singing and danc- ing, acrobats and Žre breathing. EAT The classic hotpot with lip-numbing (yet not always Žery) Sichuan pep- percorns is a staple in Chengdu. At Huangcheng Laoma, a chain of Chinese hotpot restaurants founded in Chengdu, bowls of Žsh heads, lotus root, pork balls and other raw delicacies roll by on a gleaming conveyer belt. Grab a few items to cook in your personal hotpot of bubbling peppercorn-spiced oil, then dip them in sauces made with garlic and peanuts. SHOP Traces of ancient Chengdu can be found in the renovated Kuan Xiangzi (Wide Alley) and Zhai Xiangzi (Narrow Alley) as well as Jinli Old Street, where vendors have been selling goods since the Qin Dynasty (221 to 206 BC). Both areas are crowded, yet there's an easygoing vibe, with quiet court- yards, characteristic red paper lanterns and lively entertainment such as puppet shows. Shop for jade jewelry, clothing made from silk brocade and panda-themed souvenirs. Stop to sip chrysanthe- mum tea, duck into a bar for a beer or sample snacks such as sugar candies studded with ‰owers—or, if you're adventurous, whole deep- fried birds that Žt in the palm of your hand. STROLL Find tranquility and tradition on the paths and shaded parks alongside Chengdu's narrow rivers. Wander to Chengdu Renmin Park (People's Park) to watch locals playing mah- jong or practising their morning ritual, tai chi.

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