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Destinations / China

Chengdu

Chengdu (成都)

Pandas, teahouses and fiery Sichuan food

foodnaturefamiliesbudget
Plan your trip to ChengduSee the top 10
20,937,757Population
Chinese (Mandarin, Sichuanese)Language
CNYCurrency
4 daysIdeal stay
$90-150Typical day

Chengdu is Sichuan's laid-back capital, famous for giant pandas and spicy food. Teahouses and parks set a relaxed pace. It is a base for the Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei.

Where to start

Top 10 things to do

Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.

  1. A large park where pandas live in leafy enclosures. Mornings are when they are active.

    Half dayTime needed
    about $8-10Cost
    yesBook ahead

    Entry fee in CNY, around 55 yuan at last check.

    Tip. Arrive at opening.
    Official siteSee on the map

  2. A busy park with teahouses and dancing. Ear cleaners roam.

    1.5 hoursTime needed
    about $2-5Cost
    noBook ahead

    Park is free; a pot of tea costs a few dollars.

    Tip. Join locals with tea.
    See on the map

  3. Restored Qing lanes with snacks and shops. It is lively.

    1.5 hoursTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Evening visit.
    See on the map

  4. Shows with masks changed in a flash. Fire spitting too.

    1.5 hoursTime needed
    recommendedBook ahead

    Ticket tiers.

    Tip. Shuyu Opera House.
    See on the map

  5. An active Buddhist monastery with vegetarian food. It is peaceful.

    1 hourTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Try the vegetarian restaurant.
    See on the map

  6. Pedestrian street next to Wuhou Shrine. Snacks abound.

    1 hourTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Lit at night.
    See on the map

  7. Temple to Three Kingdoms heroes. Gardens are pretty.

    1.5 hoursTime needed
    about $6-8Cost
    noBook ahead

    Entry fee in CNY.

    Tip. Pair with Jinli.
    See on the map

  8. A 71 meter Buddha carved into a cliff. Boats show it whole.

    Full dayTime needed
    about $10-15Cost
    recommendedBook ahead

    Entry fee in CNY, which varies by season and route.

    Tip. High-speed train about 1 hour.
    See on the map

  9. Archaeological museum with gold Sun Bird artefact. Excellent.

    2 hoursTime needed
    noBook ahead

    Paid entry.

    Tip. Pair with Sanxingdui.
    See on the map

  10. Bronze Age masks and figures of a lost culture. They are strange and stunning.

    Half dayTime needed
    about $8-12Cost
    yesBook ahead

    Entry fee in CNY.

    Tip. About 1 hour by car.
    See on the map
Map: OpenStreetMap contributors.
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Ready-made itineraries

Choose how many days you have.

Chengdu in three days

Pandas and city day, temples day, then Leshan.

  1. Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda BreedingHalf day · about $8-10
  2. People's Park teahouse1.5 hours · about $2-5
  3. Kuanzhai Alley1.5 hours · Free
  4. Sichuan Opera face-changing1.5 hours
  5. Wenshu Monastery1 hour · Free
  6. Jinli Ancient Street1 hour · Free
  7. Wuhou Shrine1.5 hours · about $6-8
  8. Leshan Giant BuddhaFull day · about $10-15
  9. Jinsha Site Museum2 hours
  10. Sanxingdui MuseumHalf day · about $8-12
Beyond the city

Day trips

Dujiangyan

Ancient irrigation system.

37 mi · Train, about 30 minutes

Mount Qingcheng

Taoist mountain.

43 mi · Train, about 1 hour

Mount Emei

A sacred mountain with temples and monkeys; best with an overnight.

93 mi · High speed train to Emeishan, about 1 hour then bus

Pingle Ancient Town

An old town with bamboo forests.

62 mi · Bus, about 2 hours

Huanglongxi Ancient Town

A quiet river town with old streets.

25 mi · Bus, about 1 hour

Plan your dates

Weather and seasons

Best: March to June and September to November. Mild temperatures.

Busy and priceyShoulderQuiet and cheaper

Temperature

Daily high and average, by month

32°50°68°86°104°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecDaily highAverage

Rain

Typical inches per month

0.00.81.62.43.13.94.75.56.37.17.98.79.4JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

January

51°F
Typical daily high
Average42°F
Rain0.5 in
About2 rainy days
Sun strength1.9 kWh/m²

Quiet season. Lower prices, fewer crowds.

Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.

Main events

Jan

Chinese New Year temple fairs

January or February

Fairs at Wuhou Shrine and Qingyang Palace.

Year

Sichuan food events

Varies through the year

Food festivals and hot pot events in the city.

Sep

Mid Autumn Festival

September or October

Moon watching and mooncakes.

Oct

Golden Week

October 1 to 7

China's national holiday with heavy crowds.

Going on specific dates? A Hodolog trip shows the forecast and the usual weather for your exact days. Request access
Know before you go

At a glance

4/5
Safety

China is at US State Department Level 2 (increased caution) due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws; Chengdu is safe for visitors.

3/5
Walkability

Central areas are walkable, but it is spread out.

5/5
Public transport

Large metro; pay by app.

Pick your base

Where to stay

The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.

Map: OpenStreetMap contributors. Shapes where OpenStreetMap has a boundary; dashed circles mark areas it only has a point for.
123456

1. Chunxi Road

$$

Best for: first-timers

Central shopping area.

2. Wenshu Monastery area

$$

Best for: budget

Old streets.

3. Taikoo Li

$$$

Best for: luxury

Upscale.

4. Kuanzhai Alley area

$$

Best for: culture lovers, couples

Old style streets nearby.

5. Jinjiang District

$$

Best for: nightlife, food lovers

Riverside with bars and restaurants.

6. Wuhou and Jinli area

$$

Best for: history lovers

Close to temples and old streets.

Getting there and around

Main airportChengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU), 34 mi from the center
To the centerMetro Line 18 or taxi takes about 40 to 60 minutes.
Around townMetro and DiDi.
Ride appsDiDi
Taste it

What to eat

Hot pot

Spicy broth with numbing peppercorns.

Mapo tofu

Spicy tofu.

Dan dan noodles

Spicy noodles.

Skewers (chuan chuan)

Small skewers cooked in broth.

Good to know

PlugsType A, C and I, 220 V
Tap waterUse bottled water
TippingTipping is not customary in China.
PaymentsMobile payments rule; set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before arrival, and carry some cash.
EtiquetteQueue patiently and avoid political topics. Keep voices low at temples.
  • Check visa-free and transit rules for your nationality before travel.
  • Google, WhatsApp and many Western apps are blocked; plan maps and messaging.
  • Carry your passport for trains and attractions.
  • Many sights need real-name advance booking.
  • Carry your passport for ticketed attractions, as it is needed to enter.
  • Book panda base and popular sights ahead on holiday periods.
  • A VPN is not allowed to be sold, so plan for limited access to Western apps.
  • Sichuan food is very spicy; ask for less spice (wei la).

A short history

Chengdu has been settled for over 2,000 years and was the capital of the Shu kingdom. The nearby Dujiangyan irrigation system dates from around 256 BC. The city printed some of the world's first paper money. Today it is western China's economic hub.

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Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.

Plan Chengdu