Written by Natalia |
Besides Beijing and Shanghai, Chengdu is another popular China destination you should definitely visit. It is most famous for being the home of the adorable giant pandas. Doesn’t matter if it is your first or in-depth China tour, Chengdu is a good place to go to see unique local sceneries and regional Chinese culture.
Chengdu is the hub of Southwest China. Located in Sichuan Province, it is on a flat terrain surrounded by many rivers. It is called “the Land of Abundance” because of its rich natural resources. The city has a history of over 3,000 years as the birthplace of Shu civilization. Follow us to discover the top 15 things to do in Chengdu.
1. Tour Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
Visiting the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is the best thing to do in Chengdu because you can see the cute pandas in person. The research base has the most ideal living environment for giant pandas. You can see them going about their lives and learn about panda conservation efforts on your Chengdu panda tour.
2. Taste Authentic Hotpot on a Chengdu Food Tour
Hotpot might be one of the most famous Chinese foods. You have to try the most authentic hotpot when you travel to Sichuan because it is originated there. The broth is made with lots of local peppers and spices. Challenge yourself and experience the signature Chengdu “mala” flavor, which means spicy and numbing. All kinds of foods can be cooked in hotpot like meat, vegetables, and seafood to make an exciting feast.
3. Amaze at Sichuan Opera and Face-Changing Performance
Seeing Sichuan Opera is a unique thing to do in Chengdu. It is a traditional art form of the region. The face-changing technique is a classic and widely popular part of the show where the actors change their masks in the blink of an eye. You’ll be amaze at their skills, costumes, and performance. You can see a Sichuan opera at local tea houses and in Kuanzhai Alley.
4. Explore Interesting Museums in Chengdu
If you’re wondering about what to do in Chengdu, you should visit the many museums there. History lovers may have heard about Sanxingdui Museum. It has become well-known in recent years. It has a large collection of relics from the mysterious Sanxingdui civilization from 3,000-5,000 years ago. You might have seen pictures of the massive bronze sculptures or the gold masks.
The nearby Jinsha Site Museum is also worth visiting when you travel to Chengdu. It has exhibitions on the ancient Shu Kingdom from 2,900-3,200 years ago. Besides history museums, there’s a museum dedicated to Sichuan cuisine. Sichuan Cuisine Museum has learning, cooking, and tasting sections. It’s a great culinary and culture experience.
5. Discover Local Life at People’s Park
People’s Park, or Renmin Park, is the best place to find local life on your Chengdu tour. The people of Chengdu are famous across the country for leading a leisurely lifestyle. Life is slow and full of sunshine, fun, friends, mahjong, and tea. On a good day at People’s Park, you’ll have a chance to observe the scene. Make sure you visit Heming Teahouse and have a cup of tea yourself.
6. Trace Chengdu History at Wuhou Memorial Temple
Wuhou Temple is a memorial of the famous chancellor Zhuge Liang during the Three Kingdoms period. It’s an important historical site as well as a good place to learn about local history.
7. Stroll Through the Ancient Streets of Chengdu
Chengdu has many historic streets that have been economic and cultural hubs of the city since ancient times. The two most famous ones are Kuanzhai Alley and Jinli Street. Modern Chengdu life takes place on these streets among traditional architecture. You can find great restaurants, fun stores for shopping, local teahouses, cafes, and all kinds of other interesting places.
Recommended Classic Chengdu Tours:
- 3 Hours Hotpot Dinner and Sichuan Opera Show Night Tour
- 2 Days Chengdu Panda Tour
- 3 Days Chengdu City Tour
8. Witness the Dujiangyan Irrigation System
Dujiangyan is a popular city for day tours from Chengdu. And the highlight there is the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, an ancient project that has been in use for over 2,200 years. You will be amazed at the stunning views and the ingenuity of the local people in history.
9. Take a Hike in Qingcheng Mountain
If you travel to Dujiangyan, you should also pay a visit to Qingcheng Mountain. It is an important Daoist site with gorgeous views. It’s a great place for some fresh air and quiet time outside the city.
10. Marvel at Leshan Giant Buddha
If there’s a list of what to see in Chengdu, Leshan Giant Buddha is definitely ranked among the top. It is a 71-meter-tall (233 feet), huge stone statue carved into the cliff. The construction of it took about 90 years since the Tang dynasty. Seeing it in person will be an overwhelming and unforgettable experience.
11. Visit the Holy Sites of Mount Emei
Mount Emei is a famous holy land of Buddhism. You can stop by many religious sites like the Golden Summit, Baoguo Temple, and Qingyin Pavilion as you hike up the mountain. Take in the calm and spiritual atmosphere alongside the beautiful views.
12. Uncover Hidden Gems in Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong
Jiuzhaigou National Park and Huanglong Scenic Area are two of the most gorgeous sites in Sichuan, and they’re close enough to Chengdu that you can totally take a side trip. There’re alpine lakes, waterfalls, dense forests, and snow-capped peaks. The sceneries change colors with the seasons. It would be a shame to miss the beautiful views.
Recommended Chengdu Side Tours:
- One Day Dujiangyan Panda and Mt. Qingcheng Tour
- 4 Days Chengdu Panda Volunteer Tour with Leshan Giant Buddha
- 7 Days Chengdu Natural Exploration Tour with Mt. Emei & Jiuzhaigou
13. Experience Exciting Chengdu Nightlife
You won’t run out of fun things to do in Chengdu, even at night. The modern metropolis has many busy streets with restaurants, bars, and other entertainment. Or you can take an evening walk, watch an opera, try some street snacks.
14. Join the Busy Shopping Scene
Chengdu has two commercial blocks that are famous across the country, Chunxi Road and Taikoo Li. There’re high-end shopping malls and fun little stores to explore. You can buy some souvenirs here to bring home.
15. Observe the Local Religious Scene at Wenshu Monastery
Discovering Buddhism at Wenshu Monastery is the best free thing to do in Chengdu. It is still one of the most important and busiest monasteries in the region, even though it’s been around for over 1,000 years. You’ll find it right in the downtown area of Chengdu with lots of locals worshipping and burning incense. Blessings for one’s studies are said to be especially effective at Wenshu Monastery.
Related reading: How to plan a Chengdu Tour
