Chengdu Attractions: Complete guide to the Best Places to See & Things to do in Panda City

Chengdu (say CHUNG – DOO), the capital city of Sichuan province, is one of our favourite places in China. We came in search of the top Chengdu attractions: cute pandas and fiery hotpot, but Chengdu swept us away with so much more than that.

Culture, nature and food are what we are all about, and Chengdu delivered! Together with Hangzhou, is our favourite city in China, and something tells me that we’ll be back for more.

While there are incredible things to do in Chengdu, one of the reasons why we like Chengdu so much is how laid-back it is. One of the best things to do in Chengdu is simply to relax at one of the many teahouses, stroll around in the stunning parks, and of course dive into that exquisite Sichuan cuisine.

We enjoyed visiting Chengdu a lot, and we’re sure that you will also find it very interesting and rewarding. In this blog, we will share with you the best Chengdu attractions, things to do, and of course the hottest food to eat. We will also show you our 4 day Chengdu itinerary for you to copy or adjust as you see fit.

BEST CHENGDU ATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO

Visit the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding & Research Base

The number one Chengdu attraction is the Giant Panda Breeding and Research Base, or simply the Chengdu Panda Base. Pandas are more often than not the only reason why people visit Chengdu – it’s an absolute must-see.

There are several places to see pandas around Chengdu, but the most popular and the easiest to visit is the Chengdu Panda Base (成都大熊猫繁育研究基地). This panda base is located just 10 km from downtown Chengdu, and it’s very easy to visit on your own.

Visiting the Panda Base is wonderful, not only for the cute pandas but also for the dense bamboo forests, ponds, streams and gardens. It feels almost as if you’re observing these rare and endangered animals in their natural habitat. The base is home to over a hundred pandas, from newborns, toddlers, teenagers to adults.

Other than giant pandas, you can also see red pandas. These equally cute animals are actually not family of the panda as previously thought, nor related to raccoons or bears, but in fact a unique genus on its own.

Visit the Panda Base first thing in the morning. Pandas are lazy buggers and spend hours sleeping. They are nocturnal and most active at night (when the base is closed to visitors) and during the twilight hours. Arrive here as soon as they open to see them awake and active. Around 10:00 most pandas were climbing up trees for their beauty and cuteness naps.

Also, it’s a lot less crowded first thing in the morning.

Info for Visiting the Panda Base

The easiest way (other than taking a taxi) is to get one of the yellow HiPanda buses from outside Panda Avenue subway station. From here, it costs RMB 2 to the entrance of the Panda Base.

We took a HiPanda shuttle to Jinli street when we were done with the pandas. Look for the yellow bus selling tickets outside the Panda Base entrance. From here, the HiPanda shuttles run to various Chengdu attractions throughout the city, so there is no need to return to Panda Avenue Subway station first.

Entrance fee: RMB 55 (We got free entrance because we visited on Christmas Day – thank you Chengdu!)
Opening hours: 7:30-17:00
Tour Option (With Klook): Hotel pickup with English speaking guide to the Panda Base, followed by a visit to Dufu’s Thatched Cottage and Wuhou Temple 

Stroll, Shop & Eat Street Food on Jinli Ancient Street

Picturesque and atmospheric, Jinli Street is a wonderful place to spend an hour or two and should definitely be on your Chengdu itinerary. Strolling along the narrow alleys will take you past stunning, traditional architecture and some delicious street food.

Make sure to stop and see how sugar people (糖人) are made. This traditional folk art uses hot, liquid sugar to make 3d figures. It’s almost like glass blowing, except that you get to eat the artwork when it’s done. It’s quite entertaining to see these figures come to life.

Jinli Street is also a very good place to pick up some unique Chengdu souvenirs. The shops and galleries are welcoming and waiting with calligraphy, paper-cut figures, lacquer products and the local speciality: Shu-embroidery.

Find Zen Between the Red Walls of Wuhou Temple

The Wuhou Temple, at the entrance to Jinli street, is one of the most popular attractions in Chengdu and it’s easy to see why. This remarkable temple dates from the Three Kingdoms period and is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places in Chengdu.

The complex consists of several buildings and gardens. For us, the most spectacular element was the winding red walls that lead you from one section to the next. The contrast of the red walls and the green of the bamboo and the simplicity of the bonsai trees is something quite remarkable.

Wuhou Temple is not only one of the best photography places in Chengdu, but you’ll possibly find zen somewhere between these red walls and leave in a contemplative frame of mind.

It’s easy to get templed-out, so if you see only one temple in Chengdu, make it the Wuhou temple. It’s definitely worth it, especially for the exquisite gardens.

Take a Day Trip to the Giant Buddha of Leshan

Size matters, it really does. At 71 meters tall, the Leshan Giant Buddha is the largest stone Buddha in the world. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it’s an incredible sight and makes for a great day trip from Chengdu.

The Leshan Giant Buddha was built between 713 and 803 during the Tang Dynasty and is completely carved from the side of a red cliff that overlooks the confluence of the Minjiang, Qingyi and Dadu rivers.

A monk believed that a Buddha overlooking these rivers would help calm down the waters and help to keep ships safe travelling up and down the rivers. It is said that so much stone was removed from the cliff and dumped into the water during the construction process that it did in fact alter the flow and slowed down these rivers.

While the enormous Buddha is the main attraction, the surrounding area is equally stunning. Paths crisscrossing the mountain will take you through lush vegetation to temples, shrines and pagodas. Wear comfortable shoes, as you’ll be walking a lot.

There is a HiPanda bus leaving from outside Chunxi Road subway station in Chengdu at 8:30 that will take you all the way to the Leshan Buddha. Tickets cost 109 RMB and it takes about 2 hours to reach Leshan.

Entrance fee to the Leshan Giant Buddha in winter: RMB 80 (cash only- no Wechat or Alipay)

Spot the Panda Climbing Up the IFS Mall

Unless you’re loaded, this high-end shopping mall is not a stop for shopping in Chengdu. However, do come here if you want to see an enormous panda climb up a building.

The giant panda, created by artist Lawrence Argent, is an iconic Chengdu attraction and another good photography spot. You’ll see the panda climbing up the facade of the IFS mall, almost like an Asian version of King Kong, as you approach the main entrance.

For the best photos, ride a series of spectacular escalators to the rooftop garden. From the rooftop garden, you’ll get to look the giant panda right in the eye and get that perfect Chengdu photo too.

Explore Kuan Zhai Alley

Also known as the Wide and Narrow Alley, Kuan Zhai Alley is another great pedestrian-only area to explore. Originally built during the Qing Dynasty (1700 AD), these lanes and streets have been given new life and are now chock-a-block with teahouses, Sichuan opera theatres, cafes, bars, art galleries, restaurants and street food vendors.

Kuan Zhai Alley is a nice area to spend a few hours and immerse yourself in Chengdu culture.

See a Chengdu Face-Changing Show

For something extremely entertaining and unique, you really shouldn’t miss a Chengdu face-changing show! It will blow your mind and you’ll be left wondering for years about the secret behind the Sichuan face change. Seeing a face-changing show is definitely one of the best things to do in Chengdu.

A face-changing performance is usually part of a Sichuan opera, but if you don’t feel like sitting through an entire show (which can go on for two hours), then there are many venues on Kuan Zhai Alley where you can see a shorter, but equally impressive, face-changing show.

We decided on a random theatre, paid for our ticket and got front row seats. Before the show started we ordered green tea, which came with a thermos and a plate of sunflower seeds to nibble on.

The very entertaining show consisted of some hand shadows, traditional dancing, some light acrobatics, a short but really funny magic show, a calligraphy presentation by a local artist, and of course the real reason why we came: a Chengdu face mask changing show.

The face changer did a few dramatic moves on stage, changed faces a few times and then got off the stage to meet the audience. After shaking hands, he would change his face – right there and then IN FRONT OF YOU.

Be prepared to be blown away – and be prepared to try in vain to crack the secret to the art of Sichuan face changing.

Find a Date in People’s Park

Looking for love in Chengdu? Want to see undiluted local culture at its best? If you answered yes to any (or both) of these questions, then People’s Park is the place to be.

This gigantic park seems to be the social glue that brings the people of Chengdu together. Here you can see young and old enjoying their lovely city, whether that is by doing ballroom dancing, playing Chinese chess or mahjong, singing, practising calligraphy, rowing boats on the lake, or simply enjoying the sun and fresh air.

You’ll find the quirky Marriage Market in one section of the park. Think of it like Tinder, but your parents are in charge of swiping left or right.

In Chengdu’s marriage market, family members will post handwritten signs with information about their children, nieces or nephews, and the requirements that interested partners should have. This always includes education level, minimum salary, whether they own or rent a house and car.

My sign might read:

Man

Average looking. 187cm tall. Born in 1980 with average job and salary. Teacher by day and pretending to blog at night.

Looking for unmarried women between 18-25 of age. Must be a Party member.

Not shorter than 134cm.
NO BAD HABITS!

Must hold degree from an average university. Older women ok if she has a car and house.

Grandparents and parents will then find a spot and stake their poster for interested partners. Once the post is up, one will stay with the sign to welcome suitors, while the other will go in search of possible matches.

ALL OF THIS IN A TIME AND DAY AND PLACE WHERE EVERYTHING IS DONE ONLINE! It is utterly mind-boggling, and a fascinating glimpse into the lives of normal Chinese.

Drink Tea & Relax at Heming Tea House

Chengdu is the city with the most teahouses in China. One of the best things to do in Chengdu is simply to spend a few hours at one of these teahouses and relax. You can easily spend half a day or more at one of the Chengdu teahouses and simply sit back while people watching from the comfort of your little bamboo chair.

Heming Teahouse (鹤鸣茶社), sitting on the edge of the lake inside People’s Park, is one of the best and most atmospheric teahouses in Chengdu. People have been coming to this Chengdu institution for over a hundred years for their tea fix, to relax and to socialize.

Many different teas are available on the menu, which your waiter will bring to your table with a large thermos. The thermos is bottomless and can be refilled until the cows come home, so you can really spend the whole day here if you want.

Getting your ears cleaned followed by a vigorous shoulder massage is another must-do when you visit any of the Chengdu teahouses. I got an ear cleaning at Heming teahouse which was quite an experience!

The shoulder massage was …electrifying, and either the caffeine kicked in or the massage did its job, but I felt like a new person (and a better listener 😂 ) when I left Heming teahouse.

Eat the Hottest Sichuan Cuisine in Chengdu

Finally, the oh so damn hot but good stuff! Sichuan cuisine is world-renowned for its WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!!!!!??? level of spiciness. The best thing to do in Chengdu is to dive right into all that pepper and fire and eat your way through, as much as you can and as often as you can.

Joining a food tour is the best way to get acquainted with the good stuff from Sichuan.

Chengdu proudly boasts the title of UNESCO City of Gastronomy (just like Macau), for its unique culinary culture and traditions.

Sichuan cuisine is a marriage of everything good, and the beauty of it is how that UNBELIEVABLE spiciness balances out with sweet, sour, bitter and salty.

The use of Sichuan pepper (known in China as mala) is what sets Sichuan cuisine apart from other spicy food. The pepper is so spicy, that it actually numbs your tongue. But you can relax, it’s not nearly as bad as it sounds. The spicy food of Sichuan is so good, and you must absolutely give it a try.

You must eat Sichuan hotpot when you come to Chengdu – it’s the city’s most famous dish. Hotpot is a communal affair, and it’s great fun to spend time with family or friends while boiling and dipping away into the hotpot.

If you really want to have hotpot but lack the language skills, worry not. This Chengdu Food Tour has you covered.

Chengdu food, however, doesn’t end at hotpot. You should also try the Mapo doufu, dan dan noodles or Lazi Ji (crispy fried chicken pieces and a mountain of red chillies).

Read our complete Chengdu Food Guide here to see what to eat and where to get it!

Admire the Anshung Bridge at Night

Wondering what to do in Chengdu at night? The city has amazing nightlife, but if you’re looking for some sightseeing after dark then the best place to go is the Anshung Bridge (安顺桥).

The Anshun (peaceful) bridge is particularly pretty when lit up at night. There is also a fancy restaurant on the bridge, which might be nice if you’re looking for a romantic dinner.

If you’re still looking for nightlife after seeing the bridge, there is a Bar Street full of bars and clubs just downriver from the bridge.

Mingle With the Locals at the Old Teahouse in Pengzhen

The Old Teahouse in Pengzhen (双流彭镇老茶馆) is without a doubt one of the best cultural things to do in Chengdu or even the whole country.

It seems as if time had stood still here. A wall completely covered with a mural of Chairman Mao watches over the entire teahouse, while kettles steam and bubble away on a stove in the middle of the room.

Old men drink tea, chat, play cards and smoke pipes in the early morning light. This is the absolute best place for photography in Chengdu if you’re looking to capture some local life and culture. The surrounding streets have even more teahouses, men walking their songbirds and barbers cutting hair.

Chinese photographers are in the loop, and Phengzhen has recently become popular with small groups of photographers or photography workshops. The locals don’t seem to care though and go about their business as usual.

They were quite surprised to see a foreigner here, and some would direct me to the best viewpoints or would pose to have their pictures taken. For now, the Old Teahouse in Pengzhen remains blissfully authentic and the people are welcoming and friendly.

I hope it stays that way.

See more pictures from our visit to the Old Tea house in Pengzhen, and learn how to get there yourself.

Our 4-Day Chengdu Itinerary

Here is what we did with our 4 days in Chengdu. We arrived on the high-speed train from Xian, settled into our hotel and had a nice dinner at Chen Ma Po Doufo on day 0. So our itinerary only really starts on the day that we started sightseeing in Chengdu.

Our 4-day itinerary for Chengdu is relaxed and you won’t feel like rushing from one place to the next.

Yes, you can see the main attractions in Chengdu in 2 days, but that would be an insult to the city’s laid-back charm.

DAY 1:

• Panda Base
• Jinli Street
• Wuhou Temple

DAY 2:

• Go on a day trip to the Leshan Giant Buddha

DAY 3:

• IFS mall
• Kuan Zhai Alley
• People’s Park
• Heming Teahouse

DAY 4:

• Phengzhen
• Departure to airport

Where to Stay in Chengdu

Chengdu has accommodations for every budget, personality, and preference. For sightseeing in Chengdu, the best place to stay is around Tianfu Square, as it is central and has excellent transportation options.

We stayed at the fantastic Sfeel Designer Hotel, right in Tianfu Square with easy access to the subway. This modern boutique hotel feels like an upmarket art gallery from the moment you arrive. The marble lobby is adorned with some thought-provoking photography that welcomes guests. The staff are friendly and always willing to help.

The room is clean and spacious and has all the amenities one expects from a boutique hotel. We really liked the Nespresso machine in the room. On the first night, the concierge also delivered a few chocolate truffles to our room. A good buffet breakfast is offered every morning.

Visiting Chengdu in December

We visited Chengdu over Christmas after spending a few days in Xian. Chengdu has a mild climate in winter, and it was definitely not freezing cold.

However, in China central heating is only available north of the Yangtze River…and Chengdu is just south of it. You’ll be fine with a lightweight down jacket or a thick hoodie. You definitely won’t need gloves or hats.

Overall, December is our favourite time to travel in China, as China does not celebrate Christmas. Everyone will be at work or in school, which leaves all the attractions mostly crowd-free. Entrance fees are also cheaper during the winter months.