The 8 Top-Rated Things to Do In Chengdu, China

The laid-back atmosphere of Chengdu is a complete contrast to the bustling city life of Shanghai or Beijing. With so many things to do in Chengdu, it’s a shame that the city doesn’t get more tourists. Of course, this also means that you’ll deal with smaller crowds as you visit the sites.

Known for its spicy hot pot dishes and Sichuan peppercorn, Chengdu is one of the best places to visit in China for foodies. It’s also UNESCO’s first-ever City of Gastronomy.

The city is best known as the home to a giant panda breeding centre and a wide range of historical attractions. But it also has a diverse cultural scene, fueled by the youthful students and burgeoning expat community. Within the city of Chengdu, the old and the new merge together seamlessly.

Don’t know where to begin? Start plotting your course with this guide to the best Chengdu attractions…

Got more travel plans on the horizon? Check out all of our other attractions guides featuring some of the world’s best travel destinations!

What to do in Chengdu

Watch pandas play at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

Start your Chengdu sightseeing tour with a trip to the panda facility. The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding started with just six giant pandas and now has over 80.

The research base focuses on panda conservation efforts, helping to educate the public about this famous Sichuan native. It’s the highlight of any trip to the city and a must-see for any extended China travel plan. Watch baby pandas rolling around and playing in their natural habitats.

Just make sure that you come early. Of all the top tourist attractions in Chengdu, the giant panda conservation facility remains the most visited. By midday, the area becomes packed with visitors.

Spend an evening shopping along Jinli Pedestrian Street

Jinli Street is the go-to destination when you don’t know what to do in Chengdu as it offers a little bit of everything. Try the spicy local cuisine, buy souvenirs from gift vendors, and walk past historic sites as you explore this lively pedestrian street.

It’s lined with small stalls and gift shops and opens to numerous side streets and alleyways with even more shops and markets. You can find a wide variety of items from trinkets to street food.

If possible, try to go in the evening. Chinese lanterns light up the street, highlighting the unique character of the old buildings and markets.

Shop for fashion and snacks with a trip down Chunxi Road

If you want to know where to go in Chengdu for modern shopping, travel down Chunxi Road. This major pedestrian street is full of bright lights, shops, and several malls.

You’ll find over 700 shops in the area, making it impossible to explore it all. It’s wider compared to Jinli Street and tends to feature modern goods instead of an assortment of knickknacks.

It’s incredibly crowded during the day but still worth the trip. Take your picture with the group of bronze statues at the north end of the road before working your way along the 1.1-kilometer stretch of shops and malls.

Marvel at the scale of the Leshan Giant Buddha

Located in the Mount Emei Scenic Area, the 71-meter stone statue of Buddha stares out over the Min River and Dadu River. Carved out of a cliff face between 713 and 803, the Leshan Giant Buddha is the tallest statue of pre-modern history.

The enormous Buddha is one of the more impressive things to see in Chengdu. To reach it, you’ll walk a long series of stairs that take you to a platform in front of the statue.

Surprisingly, the monks that constructed the statue had the foresight to carve massive drainage pipes. The drainage keeps rainwater from weathering the features, allowing the statue to remain in top shape over 1200 years later.

Relax with a traditional tea ceremony at Wenshu Yuan Monastery

Wenshu Yuan Monastery is easy to overlook due to the variety of Chengdu points of interest. It’s one of the older temples in the region and features traditional Chinese architecture of the era.

It’s a multi-storied building with several large halls. Of course, as you walk the grounds and halls, you’ll see a variety of Buddhist statues.

Entry to the temple is free and the café offers a traditional tea ceremony. Sit on bamboo chairs and take in the tranquil setting as you sip tea or eat a light meal. It’s peaceful, quiet, and one of the more beautiful spots in the region.

Enjoy the fresh air and scenic views from Mount Qingcheng

When searching for the top points of interest in Chengdu, you’ll need to spend time away from the city centre. Mount Qingcheng sits southwest of the city and includes 36 different peaks.

If you don’t want to walk, give your legs a rest with a trip on the cable car. It takes you up the mountain, providing a view of the surrounding area and the city below. You can then work your way back down the mountain, stopping to explore a few of the temples on the way.

Get your culture fix with a trip to Wuhou Memorial Temple

Even if you’re crunched for time while visiting Chengdu, the Wuhou Memorial Temple deserves a spot in your itinerary. It’s near the Tibetan Quarter and Jinli Street close to the centre of the city.

It’s a huge complex with a variety of smaller temples and a sprawling park. Walk around and appreciate the architecture before stepping inside some of the temples. You can view a variety of ancient relics and even join a tour for more information about the history of the area.

When you’re done checking out the temples, the complex exits out to Jinli Street, placing you at one end of the popular pedestrian shopping street.

Walk the streets of the preserved Huang Long Xi Ancient Town

Some of the best places to visit in Chengdu include the various ancient towns. Dating back to 400 BCE, the region has lots of old towns and villages to explore, including Huang Long Xi Ancient Town.

If you only have 24 hours in Chengdu, visiting this ancient town may be hard. It’s about 50 kilometres from the city centre and named after the river that flows through it.

Over 1700 years old, it’s one of the oldest restored towns in the Sichuan Province. Walk ancient cobbled streets and wood wharves before exploring the curving alleys that wind through the town. It’s got a series of shops, mostly selling souvenirs and knickknacks.

Where to stay in Chengdu for sightseeing

When planning out your sightseeing experience, one of the biggest challenges is choosing where to stay in Chengdu. Like many Chinese cities, Chengdu sprawls over an absolutely massive area. For most travellers, the city centre, especially the areas of Qingyang and Jinjiang, is the best place to start your accommodations search. Here are a few of the best hotels in Chengdu…

10 Facts You Should Know Before Traveling to Chengdu

Two pandas in Bifengxia Giant Panda Base Two pandas in Bifengxia Giant Panda Base

Chengdu is known for being the home of China's most famous creatures, the cute giant pandas.

Regarded as one of China's most livable cities, there is something for everyone in this thriving capital of Sichuan province. Here are some things you should know before you go...

1. Chengdu's home of the Giant Panda.

Chengdu is most famous for being the home of China's magnificent giant pandas.

Tourists both locally and internationally flock to the panda centers of Chengdu to view these unique creatures in their natural habitat.

There are four panda bases around Chengdu. If you want to see pandas only, Chengdu Panda Base near the city is right for you. If you want to join a panda volunteer program, Dujiangyan, Wolong and Bifengxiacan be your options.

Find details on the Top 4 Places to See Pandas.

2. The food is known for its spice!

If you ask anyone in China where to find the spiciest food, they will tell you in Sichuan.

Chengdu is famous for its spicy hot pot and many other mouth tingling dishes. This is because of the world famous Sichuan peppercorn that is grown in the region.

The spice gives a numbing feeling to all the dishes it is used in, which is a great favorite with the Chinese palate. It may take some getting used to at first, but the spicy food of Chengdu is a regional cuisine not to be missed.

3. Chengdu is one of the most leisurely cities in the world.

What you will see in People's Park in Chengdu. What you will see in People's Park in Chengdu.

Chengdu is a city known for leisure and entertainment, and its people live a slow pace of life. It is the perfect place for elderly people to live easily.

In Chengdu, you will seldom see people who are in a hurry. You will mostly see people chatting, playing mahjong, and drinking tea.

Mahjong is one of the most important daily necessities for Chengdu’s locals. In summer, mahjong tables often stretch for hundreds of meters along the riverbank.

People's Park is the best place to experience the laid-back lifestyle in Chengdu.

Follow a local guide to experience Chengdu's unique laid-back culture.

4. Sichuan opera is a classical Chinese art form.

Sichuan opera face changing Sichuan opera face changing

Chengdu is an excellent place to witness a performance of a traditional Sichuan Opera. Sichuan Opera is categorized by its circus-like elements.

Regular features in Sichuan Opera include acrobatics, fire spitting, and illusionists. The magical face changing in Sichuan opera is a celebrated tradition and part of one of oldest regional opera cultures.

This unique performance is practiced almost exclusively in Sichuan and the best masters of the art can be seen in Chengdu.

5. Ancient sites tell of China's religious and engineering developments.

Leshan Giant Buddha Leshan Giant Buddha

Many of the ancient sites around Chengdu reflect the influence of Buddhism, as well as the agricultural history of the region.

Giant statues of the Buddha, such as the one in Leshan, show the enduring presence of Buddhism on the area.

Likewise, the structure and ancient sites of the city such as Dujiangyan Irrigation Project, Jinsha Ruins reflect its history as an important seat of culture and agriculture.

6. Chengdu is the birthplace of the Chinese tea culture.

Our client is experiencing Chengdu's tea culture. Our client is experiencing Chengdu's tea culture.

China's tea culture originated in Chengdu. The earliest tea trade was in Chengdu, dating back more than 3,000 years.

Chengdu has more teahouses than any other city in the world. It is said that people in Chengdu can drink the equivalent of up to seven Hangzhou West Lakes (6.38square kilometers) of tea every year.

Follow our local guide to discover the relaxing teahouse culture by learning tea etiquette.

7. Chengdu locals speak a different dialect of Mandarin.

In many parts of China, the language being spoken differs from the standard set in Beijing.

Provincial dialects are often difficult to understand and differentiate between, even for native speakers.

In the Sichuan province this dialect is known as Sichuanese.

Learning to pronounce key phrases in this specific dialect will help you to navigate your travels with ease. While many locals may also speak and understand the standard Beijing dialect, it is helpful to learn a bit of the local style. With a little practice, you will be able to impress all that you meet with your local accent

8. Chengdu has the biggest building in the world!

The New Century Global Center is about twice the size of both the previous mall record holder in Dubai and the biggest mall in Guangdong called the New South China Mall. It is designed to be a self-contained town.

It's 99 meters (325 feet), 18 floors high, and a colossal 1.5 million square meters (16 million square feet) in area. Built in 2013, it contains a water park, IMAX theater, and 2 hotels with 1,000 rooms, as well as many, many shops.

9. You should visit in fall for the best experience.

Visiting Chengdu in the summer is a popular trip for local Chinese tourists, which often means sites will be crowded as well as hot. The temperatures in Chengdu often resemble the spice of its food - sweltering!

Visiting in the fall ensures you avoid the sweltering summers, gloomy winters, and the rainy season from spring to summer. Fall provides cool temperatures and easier transportation for visitors looking to see the most Chengdu has to offer. (Just avoid the National Day and Mid-Autumn holidays.)

September to November offers the peak in optimal weather for visitors looking to explore in comfort. Learn more about the weather and climate of Chengdu before planning your own experience.

10. Chengdu's name hasn't changed for over 2,000 years.

Chengdu is an ancient city with a history of more than 3,100 years. The name hasn't changed for more than 2,000 years, which is a wonder in the history of Chinese cities.

Beijing had different names in different dynasties -perhaps more than 20 names.

Our Popular Chengdu Tours

Let China Highlights plan a unique Chengdu experience for you today. Choose from one of our pre-designed trips, which feature the best Chengdu has to offer. Or try out a custom tour designed specifically with you in mind.

Here are some Chengdu itineraries for your reference (all of them can be customized):

Top 10 Fun Facts about Chengdu - It Is Not Just the Hometown of Pandas

Top 10 Fun Facts about Chengdu - It Is Not Just the Hometown of Pandas

Once you’ve visited the city of Chengdu, you will hesitate to leave it. It’s not only the home of cute panda bears but is the liveliest city in China. From parks to teahouses, you can feel its laid-back lifestyle in every corner of Chengdu. On a rainy day, eating a spicy hot pot with the locals will warm you up. Sunny days are a wonderful time to see some adorable pandas. There are a lot of things to do in Chengdu. Read the following fun facts before your Chengdu discovery trip.

1. Chengdu Is Famous for Being the Home of Giant Pandas

You can’t ignore the various panda patterns and symbols in Chengdu. Giant pandas are the superstars of Chengdu and you should certainly visit them if you are going to their home. There, you can not only see a lot of pandas of different ages in one place but you can also view these popular creatures in their natural habitat. There are two main breeding centers in Chengdu: Chengdu Panda Base and Dujiangyan Panda Base.

Chengdu Panda Base is the largest panda base in the world and you can see over 50 pandas there, ranging from panda cubs to adult pandas. Winter is the best time to visit Chengdu Panda Base because you can avoid the big crowds that are encountered during summer.

Dujiangyan Panda Base is further away than Chengdu Panda Base, being about 1½ hours away from Chengdu’s city center. Even during the peak season, you can enjoy a quieter experience at this panda base and view pandas outdoors.

Panda in Dujiangyan Panda Base Panda in Dujiangyan Panda Base

2. Spicy Food Is an Essential Part of the Chengdu Lifestyle

If you want to taste the spiciest food in China, it must be Sichuan cuisine in Chengdu. The most famous spicy Sichuan dishes include spicy hot pot, peppery chicken, mapo tofu, and kung pao chicken. No matter which Sichuan dishes you order, they will invariably be spicy. The dishes may give you a numbing feeling at first, but you will fall in love with the food after you get used to the spicy taste. Bear in mind that lunchtime is the best time to taste local dishes because the Chengduese usually have dinner with their friends at night and you will experience long queues at that time.

Chengdu Hot Pot Chengdu Hot Pot

3. Chengdu Is Known as the Heavenly Land of Plenty

Sichuan Province has always enjoyed the reputation of being a “Heavenly Land of Plenty” due to its excellent geographical location and beautiful natural environment. Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, is worthy of this reputation. The Chengdu Plain has become a developed area of agriculture and handicrafts since the construction of the Dujiangyan Irrigation System – a water conservancy project – which was completed during the Qin Dynasty. Chengdu was also the main area for government bodies relating to food and tax. Chengdu is still one of the most important cities in China; however, the locals still enjoy their laid-back lifestyle. You will be amazed by such a different lifestyle in Chengdu, especially if you have previously been to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.

Dujiangyan Irrigation System Dujiangyan Irrigation System

4. China’s Largest Building is Located in Chengdu

The largest building in China – the New Century Global Center – is located in Chengdu. This large architectural structure is 100 meters tall and 500 by 400 meters in size. The building houses offices, conference rooms, a university complex, an IMAX cinema, and a pirate ship. The most popular attraction in the complex is a water park, which offers a 5,000-meter beach and a large screen displaying sunrises and sunsets as the horizon. Music is played there at night and you can also enjoy beautiful light shows.

The New Century Global Center The New Century Global Center

5. The Chengduese Speak a Local Dialect

You can feel Chengdu people’s love for their city by their language. It’s common for foreigners to be confused by the Chengdu dialect, and even Chinese people can’t understand it sometimes. Don’t worry though because they can understand Mandarin very well.

Drink tea in Renmin Park Drink tea in Renmin Park

6. Paper Money Was Originally Created in Chengdu

Jiaozi was the earliest form of paper money in the world, having been used in the Northern Song Dynasty (over 1,000 years ago). People had to carry heavy coins to purchase daily supplies before jiaozi came into the world. Merchants understood the disadvantages of iron coins and wanted to change the form of money used. Paper was light and easy to carry, making it the best material to make money from. Paper money was a great invention and most countries still use it today.

7. Many High Mountains in Chengdu Are Impossible to Climb

Chengdu is in Southwest China and Tibet is to its west. There are many high mountains in the west of Chengdu, which are difficult to climb. These include the 7,556-meter-high Mount Gongga, the 6,250-meter-high Mount Siguniang, and the 6,032-meter-high Mount Xiannairi. Covered with snow throughout the year, those who love the outdoors face high altitudes and a severe natural environment when they climb these mountains.

Gongga Mountain Gongga Mountain

8. Sichuan Opera Is an Exciting and Classical Chinese Art to Experience in Chengdu

If you like Chinese culture, Sichuan opera is key to learning about Chengdu’s history and its ancient stories. If you want to find something interesting to experience in Chengdu, Sichuan opera is fun to watch. Fire breathing performances, illusionists, and acrobats will dazzle your eyes.

9. The Biggest Stone-Carved Buddha in the World Is 2½ Hours Away from Chengdu

Except for giant pandas, the Leshan Giant Buddha is the most popular attraction when visiting Chengdu. If you want to explore the Chinese Buddhist culture, the Leshan Giant Buddha is no doubt an ideal place to witness the process of China’s peak period of Buddhism. Built during the Tang Dynasty, this huge Buddha is the biggest stone Buddha sculpture carved from a cliff. You can experience a strong feeling of solemnity and peace when you are next to the Buddha’s feet.

10. Fall Is the Best Season to Visit Chengdu

The humid climate is the most evident feature of Chengdu, no matter whether it’s winter or summer. Summer in Chengdu is unbearably hot. Among the four seasons, fall is the best time to visit Chengdu as this is when panda cubs have just been born and the landscapes are at their most colorful.

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