Chengdu Travel Guide 2025

Why Chengdu Should Be on Your Travel List

Chengdu, located in the southwest portion of China, is the capital of Sichuan Province. One of the most popular locations for travelers, both international and domestic alike, Chengdu is best known as the home of the giant panda. However, there is so much more to this city than adorable wildlife. Chengdu is the center of traditional culture, a food lovers paradise famous for spicy Sichuan cuisine, and a modern city which still operates at a moderate pace. If you are looking for an all-inclusive chengdu travel guide, the following article will provide you with all the information you need for the best sights, attractions, activities, and cultural experiences that Chengdu has to offer.

Whether you are on the lookout for things to do in chengdu, developing a multi-day travel itinerary, or looking for hidden gems of Chengdu that are not mentioned in most travel guides, Chengdu is balanced enough between history, slowing down, and real adventure.

History and Culture Background

Chengdu has over 3,000 years of history. Chengdu has been inhabited without interruption since its founding in 311 BC. Chengdu was formerly the capital of the Shu Kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period and has always played a role in western Chinese agricultural, trade, and cultural. Chengdu is famous for its tea house culture, traditional Sichuan opera, and acting as a gateway to Tibet, and the western Sichuan highlands.

Recognizing this cultural context will help enhance your experience in Chengdu, as many chengdu sites incorporate this deep historical legacy.

Activities to Do in Chengdu

Visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base

No chengdu travel guide would be complete without mention of the pandas. The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is the most popular attraction, drawing millions each year. It is a short 30 minute taxi ride from downtown, and lets you see pandas from large young cubs to adults. If you want to see the pandas when they are most active, it is best to arrive in the morning.

Visit Chengdu’s Temples and Monasteries

Some of the best attractions that one can visit are Wuhou Shrine, dedicated to Zhuge Liang, and Wenshu Monastery, a Buddhist Temple that also serves vegetarian food. Both are important religious and cultural attractions you must see to help you decide what to do in chengdu.

Rest and Refresh in People’s Park

Chengdu is well-known for its easy-going, stress-free lifestyle, which you can experience first-hand at People’s Park. Here, you can sit and enjoy a cup of tea with the locals; watch people playing mahjong, or even have your ears cleaned, by traditional ear specialists (not joking). It is a cultural experience much more enjoyable than typical tourist activities!

Explore Jinli Ancient Street

Located near the Wuhou Shrine, Jinli Ancient Street is a reconstruction of ancient architecture from Sichuan Province, traditional Chinese food stalls and craft shops, and performances of traditional arts. What could be better than a mix of culture and entertainment in Chengdu tourist attractions?

Chengdu Attractions for Nature Lovers

Mount Qingcheng

Only 60 km from Chengdu, Mount Qingcheng is one of the birthplaces of Taoism. The mountain is covered with lush vegetation, has amazing hiking trails, and has ancient temples. The mountain is also a UNESCO World Heritage site and is listed with the Dujiangyan Irrigation System!

Dujiangyan Irrigation System

Over 2000 years ago, this marvelous piece of engineering is still in use today! Dujiangyan is designed to control flooding and irrigate the Chengdu plain. A visit to Dujiangyan is educational and inspiring. It’s one of the best chengdu china attractions if you love a mixture of history and nature.

Leshan Giant Buddha

Only a few hours away by train from Chengdu, a 71 meter high statue carved into a cliff is the biggest stone Buddha in the world! Leshan Giant Buddha also has boat rides available so that you can get a full view of the giant statue!

Things to Do in Chengdu if You Are a Foodie

Sichuan Hotpot

Chengdu is widely thought to be the food capital of China, and its hotpot is world renowned. Locals enjoy a variety of meats, vegetables, and tofu cooked in a pot of boiling spicy broth. Sichuan peppercorns round out the spicy broth. Hotpot is an experience that no traveler to Chengdu should miss.

Street Food

What to see in chengdu also involves food markets. You can find dishes like dan dan noodles, spicy rabbit head, and Zhong dumplings. For the adventurous eater, Chengdu street food snacks offer a roadside culinary heaven.

Teahouse Culture

Chengdu has thousands of teahouses where locals come to hang out. There is hardly anything better than to find a bamboo chair on the bridge of a teahouse and slowly sip your jasmine tea or green tea, while watching life move at a snail’s pace around you.

Chengdu Itinerary Ideas

3-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Chengdu & Travel by private car to Bipenggou
Day 2: Xiling Snow Mountain
Day 3: Dujiangyan Irrigation System

4-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Chengdu & Free time
Day 2: Chengdu → Dujiangyan Irrigation System
Day 3: Travel by private car to Bipenggou
Day 4: Xiling Snow Mountain

7-Day or Longer Chengdu Extended Trip

7-Day Chengdu Private Family Tour with Pandas & Leshan Buddha
9‑Day Relaxed Tour to Jiuzhai Valley & Yangtze River
10-Day Chongqing Chengdu & Beijing Private China Tour
12-Day China Discovery Tour: Chengdu, Zhangjiajie, Guilin & Shanghai
14-Day Chengdu & Jiuzhaigou Small Group Tour – Culture & Nature

The Nightlife and Modern Things

Chengdu is much more than ancient temples and pandas, it’s nightlife is exhilarating, and the modern offerings of cafes, bars, clubs, and live music venues are plentiful. Kuanzhai Alley is a good place to get started on your evening out due to the mix of older historic courtyards and trendy cafes. Chengdu’s youth comes alive in shopping areas like Taikoo Li and Chunxi Road.

Transportation and Travel Tips

Getting to Chengdu

Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and the newer Tianfu International Airport have direct flights to Chengdu from all over the world. From several high-speed rail links, Chengdu is easily accessible from other cities in China such as Chongqing, Xi’an and Beijing.

Getting around Chengdu

The Chengdu metro is modern, cheap, efficient and consists of numerous lines. Buses and taxis can also be found everywhere. If you only need to go a short distance, biking or walking is the best way to get around, especially on Chengdu’s relaxed streets!

The Best Time to Visit

Spring and autumn are generally seen as the best time of year to travel to Chengdu as the weather can be mild. It can be hot and humid in the summer, and even though it is known to be milder during the winter months compared to northern China, it can still be cold.

Travel Tips

Language: Mandarin is the official language, but there is English signage in many tourist areas.
Currency: The currency is the Chinese yuan (RMB).
Safety: Chengdu is mostly a safe place to be, but it is best to keep watch on your belonging in busy areas.
Connectivity: Wi-Fi is available in most of the hotels and cafes, although many international sites may need a VPN.

In Conclusion

Chengdu is full of history, culture, nature and food. From the famous panda base to the lesser-known teahouses, the beautiful Taoist mountains to the busy food markets, Chengdu has something for every type of traveler. This chengdu travel guide should not only have covered the important places to see, but the long-tail experiences that make this city truly unique. Whether you are looking for things to do in chengdu, looking to find the best chengdu attractions, or simply wanting to enjoy a slower pace in one of China’s most hospitable cities, Chengdu will surely not disappoint!

With so many chengdu tourist attractions to choose from and countless stuff to do in chengdu, this guide ensures travelers can create an itinerary that combines history, culture, food, and relaxation for a truly memorable journey.