Chengdu is famous for its giant pandas, spicy Sichuan cuisine, and a laid-back lifestyle. But it also offers you a blend of history, culture and fashion, from Sanxingdui Museum, Face-changing show to trendy streets like Taikoo Li in Chunxi Pedestrian Street.
If you're not sure where to start planning, this guide might help, from things to do, itinerary, shopping to transportation, weather, accommodation, and more.
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- Chengdu Things to Do
- How Long to Spend in Chengdu
- Best Time to Visit Chengdu
- How to Get to Chengdu
- Where to Stay in Chengdu
Chengdu Things to Do: Highlights You Shouldn't Miss
Encounter Lovely Pandas
Chengdu is a city of pandas, so the panda base is a must-visit. Visit in the early morning, and you'll see pandas at their most active.
Chengdu Panda Base is the top pick. It's closest to the city center, and you can see the most pandas of all ages. For a less-crowded visit and a deep experience, consider Dujiangyan Panda Base with its panda volunteer program. Read more about how to choose a panda base.
Also, enjoying some panda-themed activities is also fun, such as an afternoon tea with panda desserts, Panda ink painting (beginner-friendly), or even trying to plant bamboo (pandas' food).
Recommended Panda Tours:
Stroll on Chengdu's Popular Streets for Food and Shopping
The must-visit places for first-timers are Jinli Ancient Street and Wide and Narrow Alleys. You can find various food and take photogenic pictures there. Jinli has more historical feelings and is best visited at night, while Wide and Narrow Alleys are more popular but touristy.
Also, for some local food streets with fewer crowds, you can consider Jixiang Street, Kuixing Street, or the area around Wenshu Monastery.
If you prefer some modern and trendy spots, Chunxi Road and Dongjiao Memory are all best for shopping, and punch the card of some popular photo spots to show on your social media. Find more top shopping areas in Chengdu.
Join Chengdu Locals' Laid-back Life
Laid-back lifestyle is part of Chengdu's identity. As you walk, you'll easily find locals sipping tea or playing mahjong. Pull up a chair to join, and slow down yourself in the leisurely vibe.
People's Park is always the top choice for many visitors. It's lively with many public outdoor social activities. You can join locals for a tea, and also dance, sing, do Tai chi, and more. See our 1-Day Chengdu Lifestyle Tour.
But I also personally recommend Qingyuan Community. It's quieter and best for you to explore local artistic hobbies, such as snuff bottle acrobatics, Sichuan embroidery, and calligraphy.
If You're Interested in History and Culture
These spots may hit you, and show you the unique culture and history of Sichuan and Chengdu:
- Shu Feng Ya Yun: Watch a Sichuan Opera face-changing, and try traditional massage and ear-cleaning.
- Wuhou Shrine: Dive into Three Kingdoms history, capture the photogenic red walls and bamboo paths.
- Sanxingdui Museum: Discover ancient Shu civilization, and see the iconic bronze relics like the bronze tree, the bronze mask, and more.
- Du Fu Thatched Cottage: Explore the former home of China's great poet in a tranquil garden setting.
Explore the Brilliant Nightlife and Take Night View Photos
Visit Twin Towers and the bamboo fountain on SKP Mall. They are best for catching the magical modern night views of Chengdu. Both spots are located close and convenient to visit together.
The lit-up Anshun Corridor Bridge is also best for photos, and you can also explore the nearby lively bar streets.
How Long to Spend in Chengdu
Spend 1–2 days exploring Chengdu's city highlights. One day for panda, local life and popular streets like Jinli Ancient Street. The other day for exploring Chengdu's culture and history.
Dujiangyan, Mount Emei, and the Leshan Giant Buddha each require at least a full day to visit. And for Jiuzhaigou, 2-3 days is enough.
You can also combine the nearby Chongqing (magic 8D city), Zhangjiajie (Avatar Hallelujah Mountain) and Western Sichuan (Tibetan scenery). You may get ideas from the top places to visit near Chengdu.
A Classic 7-Day Chengdu Itinerary with Jiuzhaigou
This one-week itinerary covers Chengdu's highlights, and connects you to popular nearby attractions. Here's an itinerary we recommend:
- Day 1: Chengdu arrival, IFS climbing panda statue on Chunxi Road
- Day 2: Chengdu Panda Base, People's Park, Wide and Narrow Alley food tour
- Day 3: Leshan Giant Buddha
- Day 4: Mount Emei
- Day 5: Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou, visit Huanglong Scenic Area
- Day 6: Jiuzhaigou day trip
- Day 7: Jiuzhaigou to Chengdu, departure
Based on our on-field trip to Chengdu, this itinerary offers the best balance of pace. It's also packed with highlights like panda, food, and UNESCO sites. However, it's not set in stone. We can tweak it based on what you like.
Day 1-2 Chengdu City Highlights
It's worth spending 2 days in Chengdu city. During this time, you can visit the pandas, experience local laid-back lifestyle in People's Park, and have a food tour in Wide and Narrow Alleys.
You can also check out some of Chengdu's most iconic photo spots, like the climbing panda statue at Chunxi Road, and the cyberpunk-style bamboo fountain in SKP Mall.
IFS Climbing Panda in Chunxi RoadIf you're a big panda fan, we recommend spending an extra day to visit Dujiangyan. There are two panda bases to visit.
Dujiangyan Travel Tips
Dujiangyan Panda Base is ideal for volunteer programs, while Panda Valley offers an up-close view of the pandas. If you're just visiting, each takes about half a day, so it's possible to see both in one day.
You can also pair one panda base with another nearby attraction, such as the ancient Dujiangyan Irrigation System, or a famous Taoist mountain, Mt. Qingcheng.
Day 3-4 Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei
Both Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei are just about a 2-hour drive from Chengdu. A day trip to each is available, so you won't need to change your hotels.
Day 5-6 Jiuzhaigou
We usually recommend setting aside two days for Jiuzhaigou, including travel time to get there. That way, you'll have a full day to properly explore the park. It's best to go in early. Try to enter as soon as the park opens (8:00 am) to avoid the crowds.
Jiuzhaigou in autumn, the peak seasonThe visiting of Jiuzhaigou relies on shuttle bus. The buses stop at most of the spots. However, not all of them allow you to get on or get off. What's more, it is a very large attraction, and it could be a little difficult if you cannot read Chinese.
A local guide will really helpful if you want to explore more efficiently. He/she would help arrange your visiting route, and tell you which spots this season are worth spending more time on.
Best Time to Visit Chengdu
Chengdu is great to visit all year round, but the best times are spring and autumn, especially from March to April with flowers, and mid-October to early November with autumn leaves. The weather is mild (10-25°C/50-77°F), and there's less rain, fewer tourists, and more reasonable prices.
Based on our real experience：
When we visited in March, the weather was sunny and there weren't many tourists. Chengdu was warm at 29°C (84°F), so just a T-shirt and light jacket were enough.
However, Jiuzhaigou was much colder, around 5°C (41°F) in the morning and up to 26°C (79°F) at noon. We wore sweaters and windbreakers, and just took off the outer layer when it got warm.
Summer is hot and crowded in Chengdu, with temperatures often rising above 30°C (86°F). At some panda bases, the pandas are moved indoors once it gets over 26°C (79°F). And in July and August, you'll see many student groups due to the summer holidays.
Holidays like May Day and National Day are also peak seasons. It is crowded, and hotel prices and airfares will go up. So book 1–3 months in advance if traveling then.
Winter, from December to February, is quite cold (3-13°C/37-55°F) in Chengdu, and not so pleasant for travel. However, it's nice for skiing on Xiling Snow Mountain or Bipenggou, and cheaper.
How to Get to Chengdu
By Flights (International or Domestic Flights)
Chengdu has two airports: Shuangliu and Tianfu. Most direct international flights land at Tianfu, such as those from Singapore and Malaysia.
For domestic flights, both airports are used for major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. But for some cities like Zhangjiajie or Guilin, flights usually land at Tianfu.
If both airports are available, it's better to choose Shuangliu. It's closer to the city, 40min by car, and has a direct metro line to downtown.
Tianfu Airport is about 1-1.5 hours away by car. If you're landing there, we recommend avoiding public transport and going for a comfortable private transfer instead.
By Bullet Train from Nearby Cities
The bullet train is also convenient. It's closer to the city center, and the boarding process is simpler than at airports. For nearby cities like Chongqing or Xi'an, it only takes about 3 to 5 hours by bullet train to Chengdu.
Chengdu has four railway stations, but most trains to Jiuzhaigou, Chongqing, and Xi'an depart from Chengdu East Railway Station. It's also conveniently located, just about 30 minutes from the city centre (Chunxi Road) by car, or 25 minutes by direct Metro Line 2.
Getting around downtown Chengdu is easy with metros, buses, and taxis. If you're travelling with family and prefer a private car, we can arrange one for you.
Getting from Chengdu to Nearby Attractions
Jiuzhaigou: The high-speed train is the most recommended. It only takes 2 to 2.5 hours. You can also take a 1-hour flight, but getting to and from the airports usually takes more time overall.
Leshan & Mount Emei: You can take a high-speed train (1-1.5 hours), or go by car/taxi (2-2.5 hours). Trains may require a transfer, while driving can take you to the scenic area directly.
Dujiangyan & Wolong: The most convenient and fastest way is by private car, taxi, or shuttle bus. It takes around 1.5 to 2.5 hours to get to the scenic spots directly without a transfer.
Recommended Tours:
Where to Stay in Chengdu
For convenience in transport, shopping, and dining, we recommend staying in the city centre or near major commercial areas. These places offer more hotel options, often with better quality：
In Chunxi Road: If you prefer the best location and high-end hotels, consider Chunxi Road. Located in the city center, it's convenient for getting around, shopping, and dining. But due to its prime location and more hotel choices, hotels tend to be pricier and get booked out quickly.
Near the Wide and Narrow Alleys: it's slightly away from the city center, but also a lively area and convenient to get around. You'll find many boutique courtyard hotels and food stalls with a strong local vibe. However, the hotels also tend to be pricey here.
Near Wuhou Shrine (Jinli area): it's a bit farther from the city center, but quieter and more affordable. There are many budget-friendly hotels and traditionally decorated hotels. Also, the nearby Jinli Ancient Street is lively and packed with local good eats.
Travel Chengdu Your Way!
Chengdu not only has beautiful natural scenery but also spectacular historical sites. And if you are planning a trip to Chengdu, seeing some giant pandas should never be missed. See the following recommended Chengdu tours for inspiration: