Chengdu: Land of Abundance
Home of giant pandas, spicy Sichuan cuisine, and a relaxed lifestyle. Chengdu is the perfect blend of ancient culture and modern comfort.
Best Season
Mar-Jun, Sep-Nov
Daily Budget
$60-120/day
Language
Chinese/Sichuan dialect
Recommended Stay
3-5 days
Top Attractions
Panda Base 大熊猫基地
World's best place to see giant pandas up close
Arrive by 8am — pandas are most active in the morning
Jinli Ancient Street 锦里
Historic pedestrian street with snacks & souvenirs
Best at night when red lanterns light up
Wuhou Shrine 武侯祠
Honors the legendary Three Kingdoms strategist
Right next to Jinli — visit both in one go
Du Fu Cottage 杜甫草堂
The poet's peaceful former residence & garden
Quiet escape from the busy tourist streets
Wide & Narrow Alley 宽窄巷子
Teahouses, street food & face-changing opera
Watch Sichuan face-changing performance here
Dujiangyan 都江堰
2,200-year-old irrigation system, still working!
On the same side as Panda Base — combine both
Suggested Itineraries
Pick the pace that suits your travel style
Compact
2 Days · $300-500
Fast-paced, covers the essentials
- Day 1 Panda Base → Jinli
- Day 2 Wuhou → Wide Alley → depart
Standard
4 Days · $600-900
Well-rounded itinerary
- Day 1 Panda Base → Jinli night
- Day 2 Wuhou → Du Fu → Wide Alley
- Day 3 Dujiangyan day trip
- Day 4 Sichuan opera → depart
Relaxed
5 Days · $800-1200
Slow pace, immersive
- Day 1 Panda Base → Jinli market
- Day 2 Wuhou → Du Fu Cottage
- Day 3 Dujiangyan
- Day 4 People's Park → Opera
- Day 5 Shopping → depart
Recommended Hotels
Foreigner-friendly hotels with English service
5-Star
Ritz-Carlton Chengdu
成都丽思卡尔顿
Luxury in the city center
$180-300/night
Niccolo Chengdu
成都尼依格罗
Boutique luxury in Taikoo Li
$150-250/night
4-Star
Holiday Inn Express
成都智选假日
Reliable chain near Chunxi Road
$50-80/night
Traffic Hotel
交通饭店
Popular budget option near the bus station
$15-30/night
Where to Eat
From street eats to fine dining
️ Fine Dining
Shu Daxia 蜀大侠
Authentic Sichuan hot pot
Yu Zhi Lan 喻之兰
Modern Sichuan fine dining
Street Food & Casual
Chuan Chuan Xiang 串串香
Spicy skewers
Dan Dan Noodles 担担面
Chengdu's signature noodles
Local Favorites
People's Park Teahouse
Traditional tea & culture
Chen Mapo 陈麻婆
Legendary tofu since 1862
Getting Around
Getting around the city
Airport to City
️ Shuangliu CTU
- Metro Line 10: 40min ¥6 to city center
- Taxi: 30min ¥60-100
️ Tianfu TFU
- Metro Line 18: 50min ¥10
- Taxi: 60min ¥150-200
City Transport
Metro
12 lines cover all attractions. ¥2-9/ride. Use Alipay.
Didi
English-friendly. Cheap! Most rides ¥10-30.
Panda Bus
Direct tourist bus from city to Panda Base.
Bikes
Meituan ¥1.5/30min. The city is flat!
Local Tips
Insider knowledge for a smooth trip
Save Money
- • Jinli & Wide Alley are free!
- • Use metro, not taxi during rush hour
- • Panda Base tickets cheaper online
Apps
- • Didi for rides
- • Alipay for everything
- • Dianping for restaurants
️ Scams
- • Free tea invites = scam, avoid
- • Use Didi not street taxis
Internet
- • SIM: ¥70/7d/10GB at airport
- • eSIM: Airalo before you go
- • VPN: install before arriving
Emergency
110
Police
120
Ambulance
West China Hospital
Intl Hospital
Chengdu PSB
Lost Passport
Local Culture
Rich cultural heritage
Panda Capital
Chengdu is the world's panda capital
Face-Changing Opera
Unique to Chengdu — don't miss it!
Tea & Mahjong
Locals spend hours in teahouses
️ Sichuan Food
Famous for mala — numbing and spicy!