Written by Natalia |
Tianfu Square, standing at the very heart of the city, is renowned as a cultural and spiritual center of Chengdu, where ancient history and modern ambition converge. As its name “Tianfu” (天府) carries the meaning “Land of Abundance,” the square itself becomes a reflection to Sichuan’s fertile plains and Chengdu’s 2,300-year legacy as a thriving metropolis. Surrounded by skyscrapers, museums, and shopping malls, this square is certainly a must-visit if you plan to travel to Chengdu.
About Tianfu Square
- ChineseName: 天府广场
- Tickets: Free
- Opening Hours: All day
- Recommended Visiting Time: 1~3 hours
- Address: East Renmin Road, Jinjiang District, Chengdu, Sichuan
- Best time to visit:All seasons
Why to visit?
This free attraction perfectly encapsulates the essence of Chengdu. Here you can explore Chengdu’s unique culture or shop in the busiest commercial districts. Tours to Chengdu is only completed with experiencing this blend of history and contemporary energy.
Design and Layout
Covering 88,000 square meters, Tianfu Square is a rectangular plaza paved in light granite. At the northern end stands a 30-meter-tall statue of Chairman Mao, facing to the south and waving his right hand to the entire city. The square’s centerpiece is divided into East and West sections by the curving tai chi diagram surrounded by traditional Bagua (Eight Trigrams) patterns, symbolizing the Taoist philosophy deeply ingrained in Sichuan’s culture.
The eastern section features a sunken plaza area with stepped seating, often used for public gatherings and cultural performances. An the western section showcases impressive water features including a 120-meter-long dragon-shaped fountain and twelve cultural relief walls depicting Sichuan’s history.
Beneath the ground, you can immerse yourself in a huge maze of shops and restaurants, but most importantly, as one of the busiest transportation hubs of Chengdu, travelers can take subway line 1 and 2 at Tianfu square station to reach to every corner of the city. While above ground, the golden Sunbird sculpture standing in the heart of the square—recreates the iconic 3,000-year-old Sanxingdui artifact—is spreading its wings in the breeze, linking modern Chengdu to its ancient Shu Kingdom roots.
Top Nearby Attractions
Chengdu Museum
Built in 1958 and renovated in 2016. With nearly 300,000 cultural relics, the museum forms a comprehensive historical continuum from the Neolithic Age to the Republic of China era.
- Location:5-min walk southwest of Tianfu Square
- Entry:Free admission (bring ID/passport), prior booking required.
- Must-see:Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD) pottery figures and Qing Dynasty (1644–1912) embroidery
- Other Tips:Rooftop teahouse with square views
- Opening Hours:Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM); Friday and Saturday (Weekend Children’s Museum): 9:00 AM to 8:30 PM (last entry at 8:00 PM); Closed on Mondays (except on public holidays)
Sichuan Science & Technology Museum
Features 600+ interactive exhibits across aerospace, robotics, and traditional Chinese innovation zones, making science accessible to all ages.
- Location: On the right north sideof Tianfu Square (Behind the statue of President Mao)
- Entry:Free admission (online booking required 1-3 days in advance)
- Must-see: Tianhe core module replica (China’s space station), earthquake simulator, and panda ecology exhibit
- Opening Hours: 9:20 AM-5:00PM Closed on Mondays (except on public holidays)
People’s Park
Established in 1911, People’s Park is one of the first public parks in Chengdu. A living museum of Chengdu’s local life where century-old teahouses coexist with matchmaking corners and dance groups of elder people. It’s always a good choice to spend a leisurely afternoon time with your friends and family in People’s park.
- Location: 15-min walk west or 5-min metro ride (Line 2)from Tianfu square
- Entry: Free (no ticket required)
- Must-see: Heming Teahouse (1920s) for traditional tea service and ear cleaning
- Other Tips: Rent a paddle boat (50rmb/hour) on the artificial lake
- Opening Hours: 6:30 AM-10 PM daily
Kuanzhai Alley
Three preserved Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) lanes transformed into a cultural complex where boutique shops blend with courtyard museums. Here you can immerse in authentic Chengdu folk culture by day and vibrant nightlife after dark, while savoring the city’s legendary street food at every turn.
- Location: 15-min via Metro Line 4(needs transfer if travelling from Tianfu Square station)
- Entry: Free (some special exhibitions charge 30-50rmb)
- Must-see: Face-changing opera shows
- Other Tips: Visit early morning (7-9AM) to see locals’ authentic alley life
- Opening Hours: 24/7 (shops 10AM-10PM)
Kuanzhai Alley
Huangcheng Mosque
Chengdu’s oldest mosque (built 1655, rebuilt 2003) combining Islamic architecture with Sichuanese elements, serving the local Hui community. It is also one of the most well-known Islamic mosques in southwest China.
- Location: 10-min walk east of Tianfu Square
- Entry: 10rmb
- Other Tips: Try halal foodat nearby shops after visiting
- Opening Hours: 9AM-11PM
Shopping and Entertainment
Shopping
As the square is located in the city center, there are plenty of shopping places nearby. If you want to have some affordable retail experience with local brands, it is recommended to visit the stalls in the underground area. However, there are also places housing high-end international brands, such as shops on the famous commercial street Chunxi Road (5 min travel by subway).
Entertainment
The square itself transforms into an entertainment venue at night, there will be the musical fountain shows everyday from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Nearby, the Sichuan Grand Theater hosts world-class performances ranging from Sichuan opera face-changing shows to modern symphonies—check their schedule for English-friendly performances.
Food and Night life
Whenever you feel you’d like to taste some local foods, head straight to the underground food court for authentic Chengdu snacks like spicy dan dan noodles or sweet glutinous rice balls. Go to Chunxi Road after dark, there will be speakeasy-style bars and late-night hot pot joints. For a quieter evening, Yulin District (10-minute taxi ride) offers hidden jazz clubs and craft beer pubs favored by locals.
Recommended Route to Visit Tianfu Square
Begin from the square’s centerpiece—the Sunbird sculpture, allow yourself 15-20 minutes here for photos and to appreciate the surrounding yin-yang pavement design.
Then you can spend 1-2 hours in the museums. It’s a perfect way of appreciating Chengdu’s cultural heritage and history, but remember to check the museums’ opening hours and booking requirements.
Next you can head to People’s Park or Chunxi Road for the rest of your day, depends on which kind of local life you prefer to experience.
How to Get to Tianfu Square?
- Subway:Lines 1 or 2 to Tianfu Square Station.
- Taxi: Show “天府广场”to drivers.
- Bus: Take bus No.16, 45, 53, 61, 64, 138 and get off at the Tianfu Square East.
