Chengdu Travel Guide
Pandas, teahouses and China’s most famous cuisine — the relaxed capital of Sichuan province.
Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan and one of the most enjoyable cities in China for visitors. It has a slower, more relaxed rhythm than Beijing or Shanghai, and it is famous above all for two things: giant pandas and food.
The city is also a natural gateway to western China. Chengdu is the main departure point for trips to Jiuzhaigou, the Tibetan plateau and the Sichuan countryside, and it is an easy high-speed rail hop from Chongqing.
Two days is enough for the city itself. Give it three or four if you want to include day trips to the Leshan Giant Buddha or Mount Qingcheng.
Top Things to See and Do
Giant Panda Base
The best place in the world to see giant pandas. Arrive at opening time, when the pandas are most active.
Jinli Ancient Street
A rebuilt historic street with snacks, teahouses and souvenir shops. Tourist-heavy but atmospheric in the evening.
People’s Park Teahouses
Sit with locals over a cup of jasmine tea and watch the city slow down. A genuine Chengdu experience.
Sichuan Hotpot
The city’s signature meal — numbing and spicy. Plenty of restaurants offer milder broths for first-timers.
Wenshu Monastery
A working Buddhist monastery in the city centre, with a popular vegetarian restaurant attached.
Leshan Giant Buddha
A 71-metre Buddha carved into a river cliff, about two hours away. A classic day trip from Chengdu.
Best Time to Visit
Chengdu is humid and often overcast, with mild winters and warm, sticky summers. March to June and September to November are the most comfortable months to visit.
Getting There and Around
Chengdu has two airports: Tianfu International (TFU) for many international routes and Shuangliu (CTU), which is closer to the city. The metro system is large and easy to use. High-speed trains connect Chengdu to Chongqing in about 1.5 hours and to Xi’an in around 3.5 hours.
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Hotels in Chengdu
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Panda Base Tours
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