Explore Chengdu

📅 Best Time to Visit Chengdu

• Spring (March-May): Mild weather, with beautiful flowers blooming in parks and gardens.
• Autumn (September-November): Clear skies, comfortable temperatures, and vibrant fall foliage.
• Avoid: The summer months (June-August) due to high humidity and crowds.

✈️ How to Get to Chengdu

• By Air:
  • Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) connects to major cities across China and international destinations like Tokyo, Singapore, and Bangkok.
• By Train:
  • High-speed trains link Chengdu to cities like Beijing (8 hrs), Xi’an (4 hrs), and Chongqing (2 hrs).
• By Bus:
  • Long-distance buses run to/from nearby regions in Sichuan and beyond.

📍 Top Attractions in Chengdu

1. Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (成都大熊猫繁育研究基地)
   • Home to over 80 pandas, it’s a must-see for animal lovers.
2. Wuhou Shrine (武侯祠)
   • A memorial to the famous Three Kingdoms period hero Zhuge Liang, with beautiful gardens and ancient relics.
3. Jinli Ancient Street (锦里古街)
   • A traditional Sichuan-style street full of crafts, snacks, and souvenirs.
4. Leshan Giant Buddha (乐山大佛)
   • The world’s largest stone-carved Buddha, located just outside Chengdu.
5. Dujiangyan Irrigation System (都江堰水利工程)
   • A UNESCO World Heritage site, an ancient engineering marvel that dates back over 2,000 years.
6. Mount Qingcheng (青城山)
   • A sacred Taoist mountain, perfect for hiking and exploring tranquil temples.
7. Sichuan Opera (川剧)
   • Experience the face-changing performance, a unique tradition in Sichuan’s theatrical arts.

🎟️ Activities to Do in Chengdu

• Visit the Panda Sanctuary: Spend a day observing pandas at play, or try feeding them at the Chengdu Panda Base.
• Tea House Experience: Relax at a traditional tea house and experience Sichuan tea culture with performances like shadow puppetry or face-changing.
• Cooking Class: Learn to make iconic Sichuan dishes like Mapo Tofu or Kung Pao Chicken in a local cooking class.
• Night Markets: Explore Kuan Zhai Alley or Wuhou Street for street food and local crafts.
• Hotpot Dining: Indulge in the spicy hotpot that Chengdu is world-famous for.

🏨 Accommodation in Chengdu

Luxury:

• The St. Regis Chengdu – Elegant accommodations with world-class amenities and a central location.
• Sichuan Hotel Chengdu – A luxury hotel combining traditional Sichuan architecture with modern comfort.

Mid-Range:

• The Loft Boutique Hotel Chengdu – A stylish boutique hotel with artistic décor and a great location.
• Fraser Suites Chengdu – Ideal for both short and long stays with spacious apartments and great services.

Budget:

• Chengdu Flipflop Hostel – A popular backpacker hostel with a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
• Sichuan Wanderer Hostel – A cozy, budget-friendly place with a convenient location.

🍜 Food and Restaurants in Chengdu

Chengdu is the food capital of China, renowned for its Sichuan cuisine, famous for bold flavors and spicy dishes.

Must-Try Dishes:

• Sichuan Hotpot (四川火锅): Spicy broth filled with a variety of meats, vegetables, and tofu, often seasoned with Sichuan peppercorns for a unique numbing sensation.
• Mapo Tofu (麻婆豆腐): Soft tofu cooked in a spicy, bean-based sauce with minced meat.
• Kung Pao Chicken (宫保鸡丁): Stir-fried chicken with peanuts, chilies, and Sichuan peppercorns.
• Dan Dan Noodles (担担面): Spicy noodles topped with chili oil, ground pork, and vegetables.
• Chengdu-style Dumplings (成都小吃): Try dumplings at local street stalls, often served with spicy chili sauce.

Top Restaurants:

• Chengdu Taste (成都味道): A popular restaurant for authentic Sichuan hotpot and other regional dishes.
• Huangcheng Laoma (皇城老妈): Known for Chengdu-style hotpot and its spicy broths.
• Chen Mapo Tofu (陈麻婆豆腐): The original spot for Mapo Tofu, famous for its bold, spicy flavor.

🏮 Local Culture in Chengdu

1. Laid-back Lifestyle:
   • Chengdu is famous for its relaxed pace of life—locals enjoy tea-drinking, mahjong, and slow living.
2. Tea Culture:
   • Chengdu is known as the "City of Tea". Visit the Chengdu Wenshu Monastery for an authentic tea-drinking experience.
3. Taoism:
   • Mount Qingcheng and other sites in Chengdu are key centers for Taoist culture.
4. Sichuan Opera and Face-Changing:
   • Experience the face-changing performance at Sichuan Opera, a traditional art form where performers quickly change their masks during the performance.

🌆 Modern Chengdu

• Chengdu blends the old and the new: it’s home to cutting-edge technology and shopping malls alongside its historical landmarks.
• The city has a thriving arts scene, with many art galleries, music festivals, and cultural events throughout the year.
• The Chengdu Global Center is one of the world’s largest buildings and includes everything from a water park to shopping malls.

Booking information