Top Reasons to Visit Chengdu Sichuan， Why Travel to Chengdu

Chengdu is a relaxing city with delicious Sichuan food and beautiful natural scenery like Xiling Snow Mountain, and it is one of the happiest cities in China, and also a city regarded as suitable for living.

Reading Guide:

What is Chengdu Famous for

Sichuan hot pot or Chengdu hot pot.

Sichuan gourmet. Famous Chengdu food are Sichuan noodles(Dan Dan Noodles), Szechuan beef, Szechuan style chicken(Bang Bang Chicken & Bo Bo Chicken), Sichuan shrimp, Mapo Toufu, and Long Chao Shou(Chengdu Wonton).

Chengdu beauty. Chengdu is a beautiful city with good-looking woman.

Chengdu panda. Chengdu is a home to China panda, and Chengdu is panda breeding base.

Chengdu surrounding tours. Chengdu is a transit city to Jiuzhai Valley, Huanglong, Mount Emei, and Garze.

Chengdu leisure city. Chengdu is a leisure city, and people in here live a low pace with a high happiness index.

→Recommended Tours:

→4 Days Best Chengdu Tour

→One Day Chengdu Essence Tour

Giant Panda China

Sichuan is home of giant panda, due to its special climate and geography. Giant panda is a national treasure in China, and loved by Chinese and people from all over the world.

♦ Is giant panda endangered?

Yes, giant panda anda is endangered animal, few in number. And the number of giant panda is growing up because human protection and panda bases.

♦ Where can I see giant panda?

Sichuan is the best place to see panda. Big cities in China like Beijing have pandas bred in zoo, and some cities in foreign countries also have pandas which are gifts from China.

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. In Chengdu, tourists and visitors could go to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to see those cute giant pandas: panda house, natural play-yard of panda, baby panda, what panda eat, and how panda play.

Wolong Panda Base, Bifengxia Panda Base, and Dujiangyan Panda Base are giant panda habitat, and totally worthy visiting. They are three pandas of China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center, which are paradise to pandas and they have beautiful natural sceneries. One disadvantage is they are a little far from Chengdu. Dujiangyan Panda Base is about 65 km from Chengdu. Bifengxia Panda Base is about 160 km from Chengdu, and 8 km from Ya’an city. Wolong Panda Base is about 63 km from Chengdu.

→Recommended Tours:

→Chengdu Giant Panda Volunteer Tour

→One Day Chengdu Panda Volunteer Tour

Chengdu Best Places, Beautiful Scenery in Chengdu

Xiling Snow Mountain

Xiling Snow Mountain is a site of World Natural Heritage, and habitat of Giant Panda, and a paradise for skiing. Xiling Snow Mountain is located in Dayi county, about 115 km from Chengdu downtown, which is 2-3 hours driving.

Xiling Snow Mountain has a height of 5353 meters, with the peaks' top covered by snow all year round. Xiling Snow Mountain scenery area is so big that it has many attractions, even hotels for tourist and visitors. Xiling Snow Mountain is not just one mountain, but many mountains, with great natural scenery of mountains in four seasons. Xiling Snow Mountain is famous for its ski resort with over 10 snow amusement programs, where people could enjoy skiing and also see beautiful winter snow scenery. Xiling Snow Mountain has a cableway with a length of 2500 meters and a fall of 1000 meters in height for tourists to enjoy spectacular mountain scenery.

♦ How to Get to Xiling Snow Mountain from Chengdu?

Option 1. By Bus/ about 2.5 hours. Take a bus to Xiling Snow Mountain from bus station like Chengdu Bus Station, Chengdu Chadianzi Bus Station, and Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station.

Option 2. By taxi or car. If you are in a group of 3 or more, you can take a taxi or charter a car.

Qingcheng Mountain

Qingcheng Mountain is a World Cultural Heritage site and a holy mountain in Sichuan. Qingcheng Mountain is located in Dujiangyan, about 68 km from Chengdu. Qingcheng Mountain is a home to Taoism, and with many Taoism temples and buildings. It is suitable for tourists who like to see natural scenery, or those who are into climbing, or people interested in Taoism culture.

► How to Get to Qingcheng Mountain from Chengdu

By train. Take train from Chengdu to Qingcheng Mountain railway station, then take bus No. 101 to Qingcheng Mountain scenery area.

By bus. Take a bus in any bus station in Chengdu

Qingyang Gong

Qingyang Gong is a famous Taoism Temple in China, and it has a long history for almost 3,000 years, first built in the Zhou Dynasty ( 1046 AD-256 AD). Qingyang Gong has many halls and buildings of Taoism, and the existing buildings were mainly built in the time period of 16677-1671. Qing Gong is recommended to tourists who are into Taoism culture and architecture.

Wuhou Temple

Wuhou Temple is a memorial hall built for Zhuge Liang who was a strategist to Shu country, a country in the Three Kingdoms period. Zhuge Liang is a talent with great gift in military strategy, and also a writer who had left us brilliant articles.

Sanxingdui Museum

Sanxingdui Museum is set up for Sanxingdui to exhibit unearthed relics from Sanxingdui Site which is a historic and cultural site. And it tells the history and culture of Ancient Shu Country. Those relics include bronze wares, gold objects, stone wares, and jade wares, and they were made thousands years ago. Sanxing dui Museum is recommended to tourists interested in China history, China culture and China relics.

→Recommended Tours:

→4 Days Chengdu, Dujiangyan and Mt. Qingcheng Tour

Chengdu to Jiuzhai Valley,Mount Emei, & Leshan Giant Buddha

Chengdu is the capital city of Sichuan province, center of Sichuan, and has convenient transportation to Jiuzhai Valley, Mount Emei, and Leshan Giant Buddha.

Jiuzhai Valley

Jiuzhai Valley has built its international name for its spotless beauty. I bet you must have heard it or see its unrivalled pictures. Jiuzhai Valley is famous as a wonderland and a pure world, which is composed of blue sky, white cloud, mountain,colorful forest, green river and lake. It is also a World Natural Heritage site under national protection. Jiuzhai Valley is about 520 km from Chengdu, accessible by flights and bus.

Mount Emei

Mount Emei is a famous Buddhism mountain, with gorgeous natural scenery. Mount Emei is 3099 meters hign, and has many Buddhism buildings on the mountain. Though climbing Mount Emei is hard, its breath-taking beauty is worthy this trek. Mount Emei is located in Emei city, about 160 km from Chengdu, accessible by train and bus.

Leshan Giant Buddha

Leshan Giant Buddha is a Buddha sculpture carved out of a mountain along river. Leshan Giant Buddha was first made in 713 and completed in 803, and it is the biggest sculpture of cliff carving in China. The Buddha has stood along the river for over 1,000 years no matter how the world changes. Leshan Giant Buddha is located in Leshan city, about 150 km from Chengdu, accessible by train and bus.

→Recommended Tours:

→6 Days Sichuan Tour to Leshan & Mt. Emei

→6 Days Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou Tour

→8 Days Highlight Sichuan Tour

Sichuan Gourmet

Sichuan food is very popular in China and also in foreign countries. While travelling in Sichuan, tourists should really try some Sichuan 8 Days Highlight Sichuan Tour. Most popular Sichuan food are Mapo Toufu, Pork lungs in chili sauce(Fuqi feipian), Szechuan style chicken, rabbit brain, Sichuan noodles and Sichuan hot pot.

►Sichuan food is renown for spicy, and peppers are putted in almost every dish people eat, especially in Sichuan hot pot. Szechuan sauce, Szechuan peppercorn and Pixian doubanjiang are popular condiments, and used to improve flavor.

►Mapo Toufu.

Mapo Toufu is a classic dish of Szechuan gourmet, with enormous fans in the world. Mapo Toufu is an easy-made dish, and everyone could make a Mapo Toufu dish.

Mapo Toufu ingredient: toufu, and ground beef(or minced pork meat).

Mapo Toufu condiment: Sichuan peppercorn, pepper, doubanjiang, minced garlic, minced ginger, and chopped green onion.

►Sichuan hot pot.

Chinese people like to eat hot pot, especially in winter. In China, three styles of hot pot are very popular, Beijing hot pot, Sichuan hot pot and Chongqing hot pot. Sichuan hot pot is somewhat like Chongqing hot pot. The most important of Sichuan hot pot is the soup in hot pot, which will give eaters wonderful flavor. Except the soup, there are various of dishes prepared for eaters, including meats, vegetable, and noodles.

Most popular dishes to locals for Sichuan hot pot are cattle tripe, beef slices, duck intestine, and crispy meat. For those dishes, you could order what you want. But remember Sichuan hot pot is really spicy.

►Sichuan style chicken.

Bang Bang Chicken is a cold dish of chicken and chicken meat is in shreds. With various condiments, chicken could have different flavors. Sichuan noodles are regarded as Top 10 Noodles in China, which are full of Sichuan food style.

Chengdu Streets, Relaxing Life

In Chengdu, there are several streets, renown for their leisure style, old buildings and cuisines, such as Kuan Zhai Alley, Jinli Street.

Kuan Zhai Alley

Kuan Zhai Alley composed of three alleys, is located in Qingyang district, close to Chengdu People’s Park. It is a well preserved ancient street of the Qing Dynasty, and belongs to a historic and cultural area. In the alley stands houses in Siheyuan style, made by black and blue bricks and tiles.

Kuan Zhai Alley has many stores offering various services, where people could have a leisure day. Kuan Zhai Alley is a place where you enjoy Sichuan gourmet, drink cups of tea, and watch Sichuan Opera Performances.Kuan Zhai Alley is famous for Chengdu food and snacks, and in this alley, you could find street food and popular food restaurants.

♦How to Get to Kuan Zhai Alley

Metro: take metro Line 4 and get off from Kuanzhai Alley Metro Station

Public bus: Take Bus No. 51, No. 62, No. 70, No. 93, etc.

Jinli Street Chengdu

Jinli Street Chengdu, Jinli Ancient Street, Jinli Pedetrian Street are the same street, located in Wuhou district, and close to Wuhou Temple, and Jinli Street is a part of the Three Kingdoms culture. Jinli Street Chengdu is the oldest street in Chengdu, famous for over 1000 years, and it is a must-go street in Chengdu, with a name like Wangfujing Street in Beijing and Nanjing Road in Shanghai.

Jinli Street Chengdu is a length of 550 meters, full of food stores selling Sichuan gourmet to tourists and visitors. In Jinli Street, tourist could enjoy a wide variety of Sichuan food and snacks, drink tea and see Folklore performances.

How to Get to Jinli Street

Tourists could take bus No. 335, No. 1, No. 21, No. 334, etc.

Chengdu People’s Park

Chengdu People’s Park is a leisure park, popular to local people. Chengdu People’s Park has a river flowing through, square , tea house, flower garden, lake, and so on. Chengdu People’ s Park is a place where people have a leisure day, playing tachi, watching performances, drinking tea and chatting with friends.

How to Get Chengdu & Chengdu Transport

♦ Where is Chengdu China?

Chengdu is located in southwest of China, and it is the capital city of Sichuan province. Chengdu is close to Chongqing( about 400 km), Kunming in Yunnan province(about 900, 1 h 25 min flight), Guilin(about 1100 km, 1 h 45 min flight), and Zhangjiajie(about 880 km, 1 h 20 min flight).

♦ Chengdu Airport.

Chengdu has one airport, Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport. Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport has direct international flights to cities like Soul, Singapore, and Bangkok, and international flights with stay-over in another airport to cities like Paris, and Vancouver. Chengdu Airport has domestic flights to almost cities equipped with airports, and frequent flights to big cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xi’an, and Shenzhen.

♦ How Far is Chengdu from Beijing?

Chengdu is about 1800 km from Beijing, 2 h 55 min flight, and 10 h train.

♦ How Far is Chengdu from Shanghai?

Chengdu is about 1950 km from Shanghai, 3 h 15 min flights and 30+ h train.

♦ How to Get to Chengdu Downtown from Chengdu Airport?

Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is about 20 km away from Chengdu downtown, and it is within 30 min driving.

Tourists and visitors could take airport express bus to Chengdu Downtown.

Take taxi.

Take public bus, take metro, or take inter-city train.

♦ How to Get to Jiuzhai Valley from Chengdu?

Option 1. By flight/ about 1 hour. Take flight from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport.

Option 2 . By bus/ about 9 hours. Take a bus from Xiananmen Bus Station or Chadianzi Bus Station to Jiuzhai Valley.

Chengdu 144-hour Visa Free Transit

Chengdu 144-hour Visa Free Transit Policy is implemented from January, 1st, 2019, and citizens from 53 countries like Austria, and Belgium enjoy 144-hour visa free transit in Chengdu on the following conditions.

♦ Conditions for Chengdu 144-hour visa free transit

Citizens from specified 53 countries

Valid international travel documents

Connected international flights to a third country with 144 hours

Enter and leave from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport

Staying in Chengdu no more than 144 hours.

♦ How to apply Chengdu 144-hour visa free transit:

Necessary materials: valid passport, connected international flights to a third country

Fill in entry card and get checked by staff from China Immigration Inspection to get temporary entry permit.

► Recommended Readings:

Top Reasons to Visit Sichuan

Top Reasons to Visit Hong Kong

How to plan a trip to Chengdu?

Best Places to visit in Chengdu

What to do in Chengdu

5 Reasons Why You Should Visit Chengdu

Following the 2019 World Police and Fire Games, the 2021 Summer Universiade and many other international sports events, the south-western Chinese city of Chengdu successfully won the bid to host the 2025 World Games. The World Games is usually held one year after the Olympic Games and athletes mainly compete for non-Olympic events. " I'm looking forward to coming back again to appreciate the landscape of the city as a tourist," said Max Bishop, the Vice President of the International World Games Association (IWGA) after his inspection trip to Chengdu. Chengdu may not have the gorgeous palaces like Beijing or Terracotta Warriors like Xi'an, but it is as worthy of your time as any other spot in China. In fact, there are so many reasons for you to visit this charming city.

Giant Pandas

When it comes to Chengdu, the giant panda may be the most attractive thing in the city. This lovely creature with its distinctive black and white coat is adored by the world and considered a national treasure in China. As such, its image has been widely used in international games, for example, appearing as one of the five mascots of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Also, the logo designed for the Chengdu 2025 World Games displays the initial C of Chengdu and the figure of a panda ear.

Pandas eating bamboo in Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

In the wild, pandas live in thick bamboo forests high up in the mountains of central China. However, now you can see them up close in several well-known giant panda reserves, including Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Dujiangyan Giant Panda Base, Wolong Shenshuping Giant Panda Base and Bifengxia Giant Panda Reserve. If the weather is not too hot, pandas are allowed to stay outdoors during the day. You can see them playing, eating, climbing and sleeping. Giant pandas spend half of their day eating and most of the rest of the day is spent in their sleep. They are very flexible and can hold their chubby bodies in a variety of positions: snoozing on their side, back, or belly, either sprawled or curled up.

Sichuan Cuisine

Chengdu is a paradise for foodies, and here you can taste the authentic Sichuan cuisine, one of China's Four Great Cuisines. Sichuan cuisine is famous for its numbness and spiciness. If you like spicy food, you should try the mapo tofu (tofu fried with minced meat, chili and Sichuan peppercorns), kung pao chicken (a dish with chicken, peanuts, and hot pepper as the ingredients) and the most popular hot pot. If you don't like the very spicy flavor, you can ask the chef to cook for you with less or no chili.

Delicious Chengdu food

Also, you can sample diverse roadside snacks in the food courts of Chengdu, such as barbecue, kebabs, stinky tofu, fried potatoes, dandan noodles, pineapple rice, etc. To try these delicious foods, it's best to head to Jinli Old Street and Kuanzhai Alley which are packed with a large number of bars, restaurants, and traditional delicacies.

Jinli Old Street

Cultural Heritage

As a national historical and cultural city, Chengdu displays its traditional cultural heritage such as Sichuan opera, Buddhist culture, Shu embroidery, Bamboo-over-porcelain ware, etc.

Sichuan opera is one of the principal regional dramas in China, and its history can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty (618 AD-907 AD). Face-changing, one of the special effects of Sichuan opera performance, is used to reveal the changes of inner feelings and thoughts of the characters in the play, so as to achieve a strong performance effect. It is highly recommended to watch a Sichuan opera show in Chengdu.

Face-changing art of Sichuan Opera

Leshan Giant Buddha and Mt. Emei, together listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are the "Mecca for Chinese Buddhists". Leshan Giant Buddha is the largest and tallest stone Buddha sculpture in the world with a height of 71 meters. It is chiseled into the cliff and took 90 years (713 AD-803 AD) to complete.

Leshan Giant Buddha

Mt. Emei is one of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains in China. A massive statue of Samantabhadra sits at its summit. You will have a chance to visit many ancient Buddhist monasteries and precious cultural relics here. Its steep terrain and stunning scenery also make it become a famous scenic area, summer resort, and recuperation place.

The statue of Samantabhadra at the summit of Mt. Emei

Shu embroidery, also known as "Sichuan embroidery", is one of the four famous embroideries in China and regarded as a specialty of Chengdu. It is a traditional Chinese craft in which figures and patterns are embroidered on silk or other fabrics by using silk thread. Due to the impact of the geographical environment, local customs, culture and art, Shu embroidery has formed its own unique style with bright colors and exquisite stitching.

Slow Living

If you have to add a tag to Chengdu, it may be "slow". For locals, basking, playing mahjong, drinking tea and chatting are also their serious business. Tea houses can be found nearly everywhere. Chengdu People's Park is one of the favorite places for local people to go for leisure. Only if you have been here, have you truly tasted the local lifestyle. The park is always full of people playing chess and mahjong, drinking tea and reading under the shade of the park's shelters.

People drinking tea in Chengdu People's Park

When you come to Chengdu, just slow down your hurried pace, treat yourself as a local and integrate into the local life; find a small teahouse and order a cup of tea, then learn to play mahjong, read a book or chat with friends.

Nature's Beauty

Apart from the rich culture, leisurely life and delicious food, you will be lost in wonder at Chengdu's natural beauty. You can pay a visit to the Qingcheng Mountain nearby, also known as Green City Mountain because the towering peaks covered with a dense forest of ancient trees are thought to resemble the city battlements. Besides, Chengdu is a central city and a transfer station connecting various scenic spots all around. Many tourists head here first to have a rest and get ready for their trips to other spots in Sichuan.

A lake in Jiuzhaigou

Colorful pools in Huang Long

With convenient transportation, you can easily travel from Chengdu to see the serene and limpid lakes in Jiuzhaigou, then visit the colorful calcified pools and golden snub-nosed monkeys in Huang Long, marvel at the snow mountains and vast meadow in Daocheng Yading...

The beautiful scenery of Daocheng Yading

So, there's no reason why it shouldn't be next on your destination list. What are you waiting for? Just simply fill in the blanks on our inquiry page and let us customize a unique tour for you. See you in Chengdu!

9 reasons to visit Chengdu when China reopens

(CNN) — While China still hasn't announced solid plans to reopen its border to international leisure travelers, there's no harm in starting to dream about your next visit now.

There are hundreds of worthy destinations in the country catering to all tastes. Appearing arguably at the top of that list is Chengdu, the capital of southwestern Sichuan province and the perfect jumping off point for those in search of a mix of stunning natural scenery, wildlife -- it's the panda capital of the world, of course -- and some of the most incredible food on the planet.

In recent years the city has expanded its offerings, which include a number of new projects tourists will want to experience -- including a flashy new international airport and several architecture marvels.

Whether you're traveling for business or just dreaming about post-pandemic travel, here are nine reasons Chengdu should be part of your itinerary when China reopens to the world.

It's the happiest city in China

Chengdu has been voted the happiest city in China for 12 consecutive years. Li Mengxin/Xinhua/Getty Images

If visiting a place with happy locals is a priority for you, there's no better city to hit than Chengdu.

Chengdu has been voted the happiest city in China for 12 consecutive years by an annual survey conducted by Oriental Outlook, a Shanghai-based magazine affiliated with state news agency Xinhua.

The survey results combine big data, questionnaires, site visits and expert opinions and take into account everything from income and medical services to the standards of city living.

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Chengdu's pandas are getting a cool new home

The new Panda Pavilion at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding will open early next year. Courtesy Atelier Ping Jiang/EID Arch

The home of Chengdu's most adorable residents and biggest attraction -- the pandas -- is getting a major upgrade.

Opening in early 2022, the new Panda Pavilions at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding are a collection of ring-shaped buildings nestled within the facilities.

"We are extremely impressed with the natural environment of the site, surrounded by undulating hills and covered with dense green lush woods," says Ping Jiang, the mastermind behind the Panda Pavilions and design principal of Atelier Ping Jiang / EID Arch , during an interview with CNN Travel about his visit to the site.

The cedar-clad, light-filled spaces are "inspired by the natural landscape of Chengdu's prairies" and "an animal-friendly environment."

The Panda Pavilions house the bears' indoor and outdoor activity spaces and living quarters, along with staff administrative offices and supporting facilities.

"Also, the pavilions provide interactive exhibition and education spaces designated for panda research and preservation," says Jiang.

It's got one most beautiful bookstores in China

Chengu's stunning new Zhongsuge bookstore. Shao Feng

Shanghai-based Architecture Studio X+Living is known for building some of the most beautiful bookstores in China and their latest opening in Chengdu is no exception.

The new location in Dujiangyan, the northwestern part of Chengdu, is the second Zhongshuge bookstore in the provincial capital. The first, which opened in 2017 in central Chengdu, is modeled after terrace fields.

Inspired by Dujiangyan's ancient irrigation system -- the oldest of its kind in the world -- the new whimsical bookshop features meandering floor-to-ceiling walnut bookshelves and high and low arches.

The mirrored ceiling makes the hallways look like a kaleidoscope.

"Dujiangyan is a city with flowing landscapes. The magnificent dam project and the magnificent mountains and waters have become the cultural landscape that I want to express in Zhongshuge," X+Living's founder and chief designer, Li Xiang, tells CNN Travel.

"I hope that the beautiful environment of the bookstore can attract more people who do not love books, and awaken their interest and memory in reading."

There's a spectacular new mega airport

Opened earlier in 2021, Tianfu International Airport is one of the largest new airports in China. VCG/Getty Images

One of the world's most eye-catching new airports, Chengdu's Tianfu International Airport is as modern as it gets.

Beginning operations in 2021, Tianfu International Airport is the largest civil airport to open as part of the country's 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020).

With a total of six runways (only three have been completed as part of its first phase), the mega airport is expected to handle up to 60 million passengers per year by 2025.

Travelers can experience an array of cutting-edge technologies at Tianfu, including facial recognition software, self-check-in kiosks and AI robot concierges.

The shopping and dining options are incredible, too.

It's a global food capital

Sweet water noodles, a Chengdu specialty. Adobe Stock

The first-ever city to be certified as a City of Gastronomy by UNESCO in 2010, Chengdu's gastronomic prowess is undeniable.

So much so that Michelin is set to add Chengdu as its fourth city guide in mainland China after Shanghai, Guangzhou and Beijing, with a guide due to come out in 2022, according to a post on the Michelin's official Weibo channel

Many flock to the capital city of Sichuan for the tongue-numbing spicy hotpots but the now famous mapo tofu comes from here too. The addictive dish of minced meat and diced tofu in spicy chili and fermented broad bean oil is said to have been invented in Chengdu more than a century ago.

Meanwhile, Zhong dumplings (meat dumplings in a special chili oil and sweetened soy sauce) and sweet water noodles with chili peppers and peanut crumbs are two other local dishes visitors should try.

Not into spice?

Two other must-haves include smoked duck with sweet, crispy skin and savory meat, and tofa -- a silky and sweet tofu pudding with various toppings.

The arts scene is taking off

The Chengdu Biennale runs unil April 6, 2022. Chengdu Biennale

Since the founding of the Blue Roof Artistic Center in 2003, a disbanded artists' quarter, the city has transformed into the art and culture capital of China's southwestern region.

Some of the most internationally renowned contemporary Chinese artists, like Zhou Chunya and Zhang Xiaogang, now have studios in Chengdu.

This year, Chengdu's art scene will get another major boost.

The 400,000-square-meter Tianfu Art Park, an art-themed urban park in central Chengdu, will open with two new museums: the Chengdu Tianfu Art Museum and the Chengdu Museum of Contemporary Art.

Both operated by the Chengdu Art Academy, the Tianfu Art Museum will focus on local arts whereas the Chengdu Museum of Contemporary Art will emphasize international forward-thinking work and promote the global development of Chengdu's art scene.

Kicking off the openings of these events is the Chengdu Biennale ( on from now to April 6, 2022), which takes place within the park and inside the two museums.

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The city comes alive after dark

Chengdu's vibrant nightlife is one of its biggest attractions. Kiszon Pascal/Moment RF/Getty Images

But there's more to the city's nightlife than its famous pub crawls, live music venues and nightclubs.

The residents of Chengdu also appreciate a quiet night out at a local teahouse in an alley, sipping hot drinks and playing cards while watching Sichuan operas.

It's a window to ancient China

The pretty Jinli Street is a 550-meter pedestrian road. Getty Images

Chengdu may only have been on the international radar for about a decade or two, but it's been a prosperous city for over 2,000 years. Fun fact: It claims to be the only city in China that hasn't changed its name for about 2,300 years.

To travel back in time to ancient China, visitors should head to Sino Ocean Taikoo Li. Smack in the heart of the city, it's multi-use commercial and retail complex centered around the 1,400-year-old Daci Temple.

Many of the historic buildings' grey bricks and tiled roofs have been restored while contemporary low-rise architecture naturally blends in with the surroundings.

And then there's, Bitieshi , a beautifully restored Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) courtyard house set inside the Temple House , a boutique hotel that pays tribute to the area's rich history.

For some classic flavors, the recently opened Jinli Ancient Street is a 550-meter pedestrian road filled with shops selling snacks.

With a history that dates back 2,000 years, it was modeled after architecture from the Qing Dynasty.

It's also a city focused on the future

The Zaha Hadid-designed Unicorn Island. VCG/Getty Images

There are plans to turn Chengdu into a "Western China Science City" -- namely a leading demonstration area for innovation and entrepreneurship in China, according to a government statement.

Travelers visiting the "Science City" can expect to see many examples of eco-conscious and avant-garde architecture created by some of the most renowned firms in the world.

Among these is the world's first "Unicorn Island," a Zaha Hadid-designed complex dedicated to incubating the country's next high-tech unicorns -- privately held start-up companies valued at over $1 billion.

There will also be a low-carbon Future Science and Technology City , created by the Office for Metropolitan Architecture and Gerkan, Marg & Partners (GMP). Part of the grand Science City plan, the high-tech city will boast an aviation academy, educational complexes, laboratories and a business center for innovative companies.

After you've marveled at the modern architecture, take a ride on Chengdu's fully-automated Metro Line 9 and see stations created by J&A and Sepanta Design, or ride the futuristic glass-bottom panda sky train

Zhongtang Air Railway, the latter, debuted back in June. The train, painted to resemble a panda, has a see-thru bottom and offers 270-degree visibility (the top is not transparent).

It's the world's first energy tourism air rail test line (translation: an aerial suspended rail train using lithium battery power packs for traction power), and is about 11.5 kilometers (about 7 miles) in length.