So, back in 2008 I spent a year in China, most of it in Chengdu. I was there on May 12th.
For a while, I stayed in a hostel in the north part of the city, and had a girlfriend who lived in the south part, and used to walk the whole length of the city center nearly every day.
I found I quite liked the city, especially the river. In fact, when I wasn't walking from north Chengdu to the south side and back again, one of my haunts was the river bank.
Someone I know visited Chengdu last year and said that the river is now very polluted and stinky.
I mean, it was polluted when I was there, but according to him, it's become very difficult to ignore the smell.
Since we were both in Chengdu in 2008, I am inclined to believe him, but can anyone corroborate this?