Over the last 6 months Chengdu's most popular nightlife destination has become a single building in the South of the city, near the US Consulate. It's called the Poly Center, and was originally developed as a high-end residential and commercial building in a lucrative and prosperous part of the city.

Since it opened last year though, it has become dominated by a single type of business: bars and clubs. On some floors there are half a dozen bars and clubs next to each other which makes jumping between venues easier than I've ever seen it, anywhere. It's amazing how hands-off Chengdu is. This would certainly not be allowed to happen in Beijing or Shanghai. When visitors come from out of town to Chengdu I always take them here, and they always think it's amazing. Because it is.

It's like a multi-million dollar property development that once launched has gone completely hands off. This certainly isn't the first time I've seen something like this in China, but it might be the first time I've seen it to this degree. Step inside the elevators at the Poly Center and this is what you see.

Chengdu Poly Center
Chengdu Poly Center
Chengdu Poly Center

Here's what two of the most popular venues inside the Poly Center look like: NASA & Here We Go.