Chengdu was a stop I never expected to love as much as I did. We landed here on a layover between Melbourne and Istanbul, and even with just 24 hours to explore, I’m so glad we got to experience this city firsthand.
I visited in January and, honestly, although it was chilly, it turned out to be perfect tea weather and Chengdu is known for its tea culture.
It was ideal for walking around, exploring temples, shopping for panda souvenirs, trying Sichuan hot pots, and, of course, spotting pandas.
Chengdu has such a calm, charming vibe for a city of this size. You’ll find beautiful traditional temples, stylish cafés, spicy hotpot restaurants, and modern lit-up buildings all in one afternoon.
And don’t be surprised if you spot a panda hanging off the side of a mall. This is a city that knows how to balance ancient culture and modern fun. I lost count of how many panda taxis I saw in one day!
Whether you’re here on a stopover or planning a longer trip, here are the top things to do in Chengdu.
Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. This means that, at no extra cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you click on or make a purchase through these links.
⏰ Short on time?
👉 Prebook these activities
– Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket
– Evening food tour
– Sichuan Opera Shu Feng Yan Yun Evening Show Ticket
– Leshan Giant Buddha & Huanglongxi Old Town
👉 Reserve your airport transfer for ease here
👉 Best Area to Stay in Chengdu if It’s Your First Trip
($) Bloom Time Guest House
($$) Arnaya
($$$) Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain
Visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
Let’s start with what you came for, the pandas!
The Chengdu Panda Base is the city’s #1 attraction for a reason. It’s home to over 200 pandas, including adults, juveniles, and (if you’re lucky) adorable newborns. We spent around 3 hours here and loved it, even though not all nursery areas were open at the time.
Key tips for visiting:
- Arrive early ideally when gates open at 7:30 AM. Pandas are most active in the morning.
- Tickets must be booked in advance and require real-name registration. Prices are around 55–58 RMB.
- There’s a bit of walking between enclosures, so wear comfy shoes.
- Staff might hold a red “Panda here!” sign to help people locate pandas.
- Expect to spend 3–4 hours and lots of walking.
Don’t miss:
- The red panda section
- The bamboo forest boardwalk
- The large panda sculptures near the entrance
- The museum exhibit explaining panda conservation
Chengdu Panda Base Guide!
Best Time to Go, Tickets and What to Expect
I’d recommend reserving your Panda Base tickets before arriving in Chengdu
👉 Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket
Explore Wuhou Memorial Temple
This peaceful temple complex honours Zhuge Liang from the Three Kingdoms era and feels like walking through a historical painting. There are winding red walls, bonsai displays, and bamboo groves that give the whole place a quiet, mystical atmosphere.
Plan to spend 1–1.5 hours here, especially if you enjoy photography. It’s right next to Jinli Street, so you can combine both visits.
Wander Through Jinli Ancient Street
Jinli Street is a fun contrast to the calm of Wuhou Temple. This historic shopping street is lined with traditional-style buildings that now house tea shops, snack stalls, and souvenir stands.
There’s always something happening, we saw performers in costume and vendors handing out candied haws on skewers. Look out for traditional Sichuan wedding reenactments and Sichuan opera performances.
Experience the Kuanzhai Alleys
The Wide and Narrow Alleys (Kuanzhai Xiangzi) are beautifully restored and atmospheric. These three parallel alleys offer a mix of traditional architecture, quirky boutiques, and trendy cafés.
Each alley has a theme:
- Kuan Alley: Old-style teahouses and slow-living vibes
- Zhai Alley: Residential courtyard culture
- Jing Alley: Modern bars and nightlife
We loved strolling here at sunset when the lanterns began to glow.
Sip Tea at People’s Park
Chengdu is all about slowing down, and nowhere captures that better than People’s Park.
Spend time at one of the open-air teahouses near the lake, sipping jasmine tea while watching locals play mahjong and dance to Chinese pop songs. It’s a perfect slice of everyday Chengdu life.
If you’re there in the morning, you might spot:
- Tai chi practitioners
- Parents advertising their adult children at the “marriage market”
- Ear-cleaning services (yes, really!)
Visit Wenshu Monastery
One of the most peaceful spots we visited in Chengdu. Wenshu Yuan is a beautifully preserved Buddhist monastery with lovely courtyards, ancient trees, and a teahouse tucked inside.
If you’re looking for a quiet place to reset, reflect, or just escape the noise this is it.
Try Chengdu’s Famous Hotpot
You can’t come to Chengdu and not try hotpot.
Sichuan hotpot is spicy like, mouth-numbing spicy. But if you’re nervous, order a yin-yang pot with one spicy broth and one mild one.
Popular local dishes to try:
- Zhong dumplings (sweet, spicy, garlicky)
- Husband & wife lung slice (better than it sounds!)
- Dan dan noodles
Watch a Sichuan Opera (with Face-Changing!)
One of the coolest cultural experiences in Chengdu is the Sichuan Opera especially the face-changing performance.
Actors change masks mid-performance in the blink of an eye. It’s mesmerising. You can catch these shows at:
- Shufeng Yayun Teahouse
- Yuelai Teahouse
Shows are usually under an hour and include music, dance, and fire-breathing.
👉 Book tickets in advance for the Opera Show here
Take a Day Trip to the Leshan Giant Buddha
If you have an extra day, Leshan is a must.
The Leshan Buddha is the world’s largest stone Buddha statue, which is 71 metres tall and carved into a cliff face. Walk the stairways along the statue or take a boat cruise for a front-on view.
It’s about 2–2.5 hours from Chengdu by train or car.
Other Sights Worth Seeing
Chengdu is full of standout moments. A few more places to add to your map:
Must-See Highlights
- IFS Mall Giant Panda – Giant panda sculpture crawling over the mall
- Chunxi Road – Main shopping strip
- Wangjiang Lou Park – Bamboo groves and river views
- Sanxingdui & Jinsha Museums – Ancient gold relics and bronze masks
- Mount Qingcheng – Taoist mountain with temples and hikes
- Dujiangyan Irrigation System – A 2,000-year-old engineering marvel
Where I Stayed in Chengdu
Watch our hotel review staying at Xishu Garden Inn in Chengdu.
Best Area to Stay in Chengdu if It’s Your First Trip
($) Bloom Time Guest House
($$) Arnaya
($$$) Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain
FAQ: Visiting Chengdu, China. What to Know Before You Go
Pandas, Sichuan cuisine, tea culture, and its laid-back lifestyle.
Yes, at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. 👉 Book tickets
2–3 days is perfect, plus one day for a Leshan trip.
Spring (Mar–May) and autumn (Sept–Nov). Winter is quieter and great for tea!
Sichuan hotpot, dan dan noodles, Zhong dumplings, and local street snacks.
See the pandas, sip tea, explore Jinli Street, and watch the Sichuan Opera.
Yes! Even 24 hours is enough to visit the panda base and explore key sights.
The metro and Didi (rideshare) are both easy to use. Use Apple Maps for directions.
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