Your guide to Chengdu
Chengdu highlights
Sichuan food
Chengdu is the spiritual home of Sichuan cuisine. Traditional flavours built around the distinctive heat and tingle of Sichuan peppers appear everywhere, from long-running street food stalls to landmark eateries. At the same time, a new generation of chefs is reworking familiar dishes into inventive tasting menus that draw diners from across China.
Giant pandas
Chengdu is one of the best places in the world to see giant pandas. At the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, you can watch the cuddly-looking bears in carefully recreated environments designed to support conservation and research efforts. Plan ahead, as some viewing areas close on set days to give the animals a break from the crowds.
Ancient history
Chengdu’s history stretches back thousands of years and traces of the past remain throughout the city. The Sanxingdui Museum displays Bronze Age artefacts, whilst Wenshu Monastery preserves centuries of Buddhist tradition. At Yongling Mausoleum, you can explore the above-ground tomb chamber of a Shu emperor and see one of the best-preserved royal tombs in China.
Chengdu: Know before you go
| Language | Mandarin Chinese |
|---|---|
| Currency | Chinese yuan (¥) |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (CST) |
| High season | July - August and October |
| Low season | January - February |
Find the best time to go to Chengdu
Weather in Chengdu
March – May: Long, warm days make spring one of the best times to visit Chengdu. Expect bigger crowds and higher prices during these balmy months.
June – August: Summers are hot and humid. But thankfully, Chengdu has plenty of air-conditioned museums and restaurants that are worth a visit in any season.
September – November: Temperatures start to drop during autumn, and crowds increase, especially around the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. Be prepared for a lively atmosphere to take over the city.
December – February: Winters in Chengdu are cool and overcast. The constant cloud cover can keep the tourists away, so if you prefer a quieter travel season, this is an ideal time to visit.
Events in Chengdu
Panda Lantern Festival (January): Giant illuminated lanterns light up the city during this annual celebration of Chengdu’s most famous resident. Many displays take the form of pandas, creating colourful nighttime scenes that draw crowds after dark.
Dragon Boat Races (June): Teams of rowers race long, dragon-shaped boats through local waterways as part of this traditional festival. Alongside the competition, you’ll notice locals marking the occasion by eating ‘zongzi’, sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves.
Chengdu Marathon (October): Tens of thousands of runners from around the globe thunder through the Chengdu streets on race day. Not a runner? Post up at one of the city’s viewing spots, dotted throughout parks and historical sites, to cheer on the athletes.
The best neighbourhoods in Chengdu
Yulin
This is where to stay in Chengdu if you want to immerse yourself in the city’s creative side. Explore Fanghua Street, a chic cluster of wine bars, boutiques and cafés. The mixed-use Cultural and Creative Park houses artists' studios and pop-up events celebrating everything from books to vinyl. At night, order a cocktail at one of the neighbourhood’s cosy bars.
Good for: Culture, shopping, nightlife
Qingyang
This central neighbourhood is filled with hotels and easy metro connections, making it an ideal base for first-timers. You’ll be close to major sites like People’s Park, the city’s sprawling green space, as well as the bustling commercial corridor of Tianfu Square. And the must-see Chengdu Museum is just steps from the square.
Good for: First-time visits, museums, green spaces
Wuhou
Get a sense of old Chengdu in this historic neighbourhood. Wuhou Temple, rebuilt in 1672, is home to an emperor’s tomb and remains one of the city’s most significant historical sites. Nearby, Jinli Street recreates the atmosphere of a Qing dynasty neighbourhood, with restored alleyways lined by traditional architecture, souvenir shops and stalls serving Sichuan specialities.
Good for: History, architecture, souvenirs
Things to do in Chengdu
Family friendly
The Tianfu Greenway lets the family see a different side of Chengdu. This traffic-free cycling route passes rivers, lakes and rural landscapes, with stretches of greenery extending for miles beyond the city centre. In spring, blooming cherry trees add extra colour. Public bike-share stations throughout the city make it easy to join the route.
Take in the culture
Museums in Chengdu span thousands of years of history as well as the city’s creative scene. The five-storey Chengdu Museum traces the city’s past through ancient artefacts, folk traditions and cultural treasures, whilst the A4 Art Museum focuses on contemporary work. Don’t miss a ‘bian lian’ performance at the Shufeng Yayun Sichuan Opera House, where performers switch masks with astonishing speed.
Places to eat
Restaurants in Chengdu range from century-old institutions to market stalls. Try ‘mapo tofu’ at Chen Mapo Tofu, which claims to have created the famous dish, or settle in with a pot of tea at Heming Teahouse. For a broader taste of the city’s food culture, head to Yulin Comprehensive Market, where vendors serve a wide range of Sichuan specialities.
Nightlife
A good night out might start on Jiuyanqiao Bar Street, where bars and clubs sit close enough together to make a spontaneous crawl easy. The city’s craft beer scene has also taken off in recent years, particularly in Yulin. There, you’ll find breweries and taprooms pouring house-made beers alongside rotating selections, with patios and casual gathering spots keeping things relaxed.
Shopping
This is a great city for traditional handicrafts. Shu embroidery, a detailed textile art made with silk thread, is one of the region’s best-known crafts, and the Chengdu Shu Brocade and Embroidery Museum sells authentic examples. For a broader selection, browse the shops along Jinli Street, where you’ll find everything from bamboo weaving to panda-themed souvenirs.
Beaches
Whilst you won’t find a sandy beach in Chengdu, there are plenty of opportunities to cool off by the water. When temperatures soar, locals head to one of the city’s pools, accessible for a fee. Tongzilin Pool, with shade trees and cocktails, has a more adult vibe. Kids will enjoy Mengzhuiwan Pool, equipped with colourful slides and splash zones.
Get ready for Chengdu
Budget
Many of Chengdu’s museums are free, and there’s no shortage of cheap eats at casual food stalls. An inexpensive meal can be had for around 20 Chinese yuan (¥), whilst a cappuccino costs about ¥19 and a domestic beer is around ¥10. A short taxi ride typically costs about ¥12.
Day trips from Chengdu
Travel about 40 minutes to the town of Pengzhen, where Guanyin Pavilion teahouse has been serving locals for generations. For something more active, head to Mount Emei, a sacred mountain dotted with temples. A combination of trains and a cable car will get you to the summit in about three hours.
Getting around Chengdu
Chengdu’s metro system makes it easy to get around the city. A Tianfu Tong card can be used on both the metro and public buses. Public bike-share stations are also widespread, with bikes unlocked through mobile apps. For destinations beyond the reach of public transport, rideshares are readily available. Didi is the most widely used rideshare app in China.
