Chengdu, known as the city of leisure, is famous for its 'slow living' lifestyle. Locals here enjoy tea-drinking, playing cards, strolling around, and eating delicious food. In Chengdu, whether it's the bustling commercial streets or the small lanes, you can feel a relaxed and enjoyable way of life.
The shopping venues in Chengdu are diverse, ranging from high-end luxury to affordable goods. Whether you want to shop and eat, or simply experience the city's leisurely life, shopping in Chengdu is definitely a pleasure.
Hello I'm Fifi, a local girl. My Chinese name, "Fei Fei飞飞," was given by my grandfather, hoping I could fly out of Chengdu and the mountains. However, my mom changed it to the more feminine "Fei Fei菲菲." So, as "Fifi," who is somewhat "stuck" in Chengdu, I've been introducing this leisurely and beautiful city to visitors from all over the world since 2018. From a poor small town to a prosperous metropolis, I've witnessed the vitality of this city and been gently sheltered by it. I hope to share this strength and beauty with every guest who comes here.
1. Taikoo Li (太古里)
- Address: No.8 Zhongshamao Street, Jinjiang District, Chengdu
- How to Get There: Take subway line 2 or 3, and get off at Chunxi Road station.
- Opening Hours: 9:30am—10:00pm
Taikoo Li is one of the most famous high-end commercial complexes in Chengdu. It features a unique blend of temple and modern architecture, and brings together many international luxury brands, designer brands, and high-end lifestyle stores, as well as a rich cultural atmosphere, making it a symbolic location for fashion and culture in Chengdu.
Art exhibitions, cultural activities, and fashion shows are often held here, attracting numerous art enthusiasts.
In addition to shopping, Taikoo Li also has many high-end restaurants, popular cafes, and dessert shops. From Michelin-starred restaurants to local specialty foods, you can find it all.
The Daci Temple, a millennium-old ancient temple in the center of Taikoo Li, coexists harmoniously with the commercial district, adding a layer of quiet and ancient beauty to the bustling shopping center.
2. Chunxi Road (春熙路)
- Address: Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street, Jinjiang District, Chengdu
- How to Get There: Take subway line 2 or 3, and get off at Chunxi Road station.
- Opening Hours: 9:30am—10:00pm
Established in 1924, Chunxi Road is the oldest commercial street in Chengdu and remains the city's commercial center today. Chunxi Road has witnessed nearly a century of Chengdu's development history and is a must-visit place in Chengdu.
Chunxi Road is a shopping paradise for Chengdu locals. From high-end luxury goods to affordable fast fashion, Chunxi Road can satisfy the needs of different consumer levels.
For example, the IFS, which focuses on high-end brands, is a famous spot for taking photos with the climbing panda sculpture. There are also discount stores for sports brands and wholesale clothing markets like Jiulong Mall.
Additionally, you can find various local specialty shops here, where you can purchase vacuum-sealed local delicacies such as hand-torn beef, sausage bacon, Sichuan peppercorns, rabbit heads, and duck necks.
Shopping Tip: If you want to purchase local meat specialties, check whether your home country allows them to be imported. Most meat products are not allowed to be carried into the country.
3. Jinli (锦里)
- Address: No. 231, Wuhouci Street, Wuhou District, Chengdu
- Transportation:
1. Subway Line 3: Get off at Gaoshengqiao Station, exit from Exit D, and walk for about 10 minutes to reach Jinli.
2. Subway Line 5: Get off at the Provincial Orthopedic Hospital Station, and walk for about 10 minutes to reach Jinli.
Jinli is adjacent to Wuhou Shrine. If you want to bring local gifts for your friends and family, you can visit Jinli. It is known for its ancient architectural style, strong folk atmosphere, and rich specialty shops.
Here, you'll find many shops, snack stalls, and handicraft shops with Sichuan characteristics, making it a great place to experience Chengdu's traditional culture and local life. Check out our 7-Day Chongqing and Chengdu Tour with Wulong and Dazu
Here are some specialty shops and recommendations in Jinli.
Traditional Handicraft Shops:
- Shu Embroidery Shop: Shu embroidery is one of China's four famous embroideries. You can find exquisite Shu embroidery works such as screens, clothes, and handkerchiefs, with exquisite craftsmanship and vibrant colors.
- Bamboo Weaving Shop: Sichuan has a long history of bamboo weaving. Here, you can buy various bamboo woven products such as baskets, fans, and decorations, all with a strong local flavor.
- Paper Cutting Shop: Chengdu's paper-cutting art is known for its delicate knife work and auspicious patterns. You can buy various paper-cutting works in the shop and watch the performance of paper-cutting artists on site.
- Seal Carving Shop: Design your name font and carve your own seal.
Specialty Snack Shops:
- Three Cannon Shots: A traditional snack made of glutinous rice. It is named for the "bang, bang, bang" sound made during the cooking process. It is soft and sweet but not greasy.
- Sugar Painting Shop: Sugar painting is a traditional folk art. Artists draw various patterns on a stone slab using sugar syrup, such as dragons, phoenixes, flowers, and birds. It is both an artwork and an edible dessert.
- Zhang Fei Beef: Named after the famous Three Kingdoms general Zhang Fei, this spicy beef jerky is one of Chengdu's specialty snacks.
Sugar Painting ShopCultural and Souvenir Shops:
- Three Kingdoms Culture Theme Shop: Jinli is adjacent to Wuhou Shrine, so there are many shops themed on the culture of the Three Kingdoms, selling cultural products related to historical figures such as Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei.
- Panda Theme Shop: The shop sells a variety of panda dolls, stationery, ornaments, etc., which are very suitable as souvenirs or gifts.
- Traditional Costume Shop: The shop sells traditional costumes such as Hanfu and cheongsam. You can rent or buy them to experience the ancient culture.
Folk Experience Shops:
- Shadow Puppet Shop: Shadow puppetry is a traditional Chinese folk art. In the shop, you can watch shadow puppet performances and buy shadow puppet crafts.
- Pottery Shop: You can experience pottery making firsthand and feel the charm of traditional handicrafts.
Shadow Puppet ShopSpecial Folk Performances:
- Copperware Shop: The shop displays traditional copperware craftsmanship. You can watch the process of craftsmen making copperware and buy crafts such as copper pots and bowls.
- Dough Figurine Shop: Dough figurine is a traditional folk art. Artists use colored dough to pinch various characters and animal images, which are lifelike.
4. Buying Pandas
If you want to buy panda souvenirs in Chengdu, here is a buying guide:
Inside Panda Bases:
There are many places selling panda souvenirs inside each panda base. Most of them are brand shops with a wide variety of panda dolls and related products. They offer a variety of styles and good quality, but the prices are relatively high. See our 7-Day Chengdu and Jiuzhaigou Fairyland Tour.
Panda Shops at the Entrance of Panda Bases:
There are many panda doll shops at the entrance of each panda base. Their styles are mostly imitations of the brand shops inside the panda bases. Although the quality is not as good as the brand shops, it's not bad either. The prices are half of those in the brand shops, and you can also bargain with the shop owners.
Kuanzhai Alley:
There are two places in Kuanzhai Alley where you can buy panda souvenirs at wholesale prices.
One is in Narrow Alley, called "Panda Courtyard". The pandas here are of good quality and the prices are cheap. see our 8-Day Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou and Chongqing Tour
The other is in Kuanzhai Alley Square. 100 meters to the left facing Kuanzhai Alley, there are many small shops selling panda souvenirs. The prices of the panda souvenirs here are cheap. Although the quality is slightly inferior, if you take the time to look around, you can still buy cost-effective souvenirs.
5. Luxehills CPI (麓湖CPI)
- Transportation: Luxehills is quite far from downtown Chengdu, so it's recommended to take a taxi. Navigate to CPI (North Entrance) and you can get directly to the entrance.
- Subway: Exit C of Hongshi Park Station on Line 1. Walk 1 kilometer.
If you want to visit some non-brand shops, like to hunt for exquisite and stylish clothing, and enjoy taking photos, you can visit Luxehills CPI.
Luxehills CPI in Chengdu is a commercial area within a park, giving the impression that the shops naturally blend into the forest, with every step offering a new scene. Each building and landscape design is delicate, niche, and unique.
The area promotes a lifestyle that is pet-friendly, cycling-friendly, and art-friendly, with "park commerce" as the main consumption scene. It houses over 60 lifestyle brands, mainly revolving around retail, lifestyle, art galleries, select shops, and light catering.
Each shop is small but exquisite in decoration style, perfect for finding beautiful clothes and taking stunning photos.
We Can Help You Shop in Chengdu
Make the memories last by taking something back home for yourself, friends, and family.
Our tour guides know good places to shop for your to-buy list.
We are more than happy to create a tour for you based on your interests and requirements. See our popular Chengdu tours below for inspiration.