Chengdu
About Chengdu
Chengdu is the laid-back capital of Sichuan province, where 2,300 years of history meet spicy modernity. Once the heart of the ancient Shu kingdom and later a Song-dynasty silk hub, today it is famous for pandas, mah-jongg tables on every sidewalk, and a food scene that runs on chilli and numbing pepper. The city style is 'slow living at high spice': teahouses pour endless jasmine, bamboo steamers hiss with dumplings, and DJs spin over hot-pot tables. Local specialties: mapo tofu, 'fly-restaurant' hot pots, dan-dan noodles, and the iconic rabbit heads that locals devour like chicken wings.
大熊猫繁育研究基地 | Chengdu Panda Base
Meet 200+ pandas, including newborns; open 7:30 a.m. for active bears.
武侯祠 | Wuhou Shrine
3-part museum of Zhuge Liang & Liu Bei plus red-walled Instagram corridor.
锦里古街 | Jinli Ancient Street
Lantern-lit snack lane next to the shrine; try sugar-painting and shadow puppets.
宽窄巷子 | Kuanzhai Alleys
Qing-dynasty hutongs turned hip quarter of bars, craft beer and ear-cleaning stalls.
杜甫草堂 | Du Fu Thatched Cottage
Peaceful bamboo gardens where the Tang poet once lived; free poetry readings.
青城山 | Qingcheng Mountain
Birthplace of Taoism; hike misty peaks and visit ancient temples.
都江堰 | Dujiangyan Irrigation System
2,200-year-old UNESCO engineering marvel still watering the Chengdu Plain.
金沙遗址博物馆 | Jinsha Site Museum
3,000-year-old Shu-kingdom gold sunbird and ivory artifacts.
人民公园 | People's Park
Watch locals dance, boat on the lake, sip tea at century-old Heming Teahouse.
春熙路 & IFS | Chunxi Road & IFS
Neon shopping strip plus rooftop panda sculpture.
文殊院 | Wenshu Monastery
1,400-year-old Zen temple with incense halls and veggie canteen.
望江楼公园 | Wangjiang Tower Park
Riverside bamboo park honoring Tang-dynasty poetess Xue Tao.
九眼桥酒吧街 | Jiuyanqiao Bar Street
Riverside neon of craft beer, live music and mah-jongg clubs.
成都动物园 | Chengdu Zoo
Classic zoo with pandas, tigers and daily animal shows.
339电视塔 | 339 TV Tower
339 m tower with revolving restaurant and glass-floor observation deck.
明婷饭店 | Ming Ting Restaurant
1997 'fly restaurant' famous for crispy pork and fish-fragrant eggplant.
三无饭店 | San Wu Canteen
No-name, no-menu, no-frills; order by pointing at woks.
汇川鱼馆 | Huichuan Fish House
Tiny alley joint for spicy boiled fish with bean sprouts.
老妈兔头总店 | Master Ma Rabbit Heads
Spicy rabbit heads & cold beer; locals queue at midnight.
冒椒火辣 | Mao Jiao Huo La
6-mao skewers in chili oil; cold pot style.
陈麻婆豆腐 | Mapo Tofu Ancestor
160-year-old shop that created the dish.
永乐饭店 | Yongle Restaurant
35-year family kitchen; must-order liver & kidney stir-fry.
鸡毛店 | Chicken Feather
14-year neighborhood hit—spicy chicken & pot-edge buns.
皇城坝牛肉馆 | Huangcheng Beef
Muslim 'fly' spot for soft steamed beef & tomato soup.
康二姐串串 | Kang Erjie Skewers
30-year alley stall; choose skewers, dip in sesame-chili sauce.
贺记蛋烘糕 | He Ji Egg Puff
Crispy egg puffs filled with pork floss or chocolate.
春阳水饺 | Chunyang Dumplings
Hand-folded pork & shrimp dumplings in red-oil broth.
曾哥烧烤 | Brother Zeng BBQ
University-back-door grill open 10 p.m.–3 a.m.
牛华八婆麻辣烫 | Niuhua Eight Sister Spicy Hot Pot
DIY skewers simmered in beef-tallow broth.
张烤鸭·冒烤鸭 | Zhang Roast Duck & Duck Hotpot
Half duck roasted then buried in spicy hotpot.
High value, low price local experiences
川剧变脸课堂 | Sichuan Opera Face-Changing Class
60-min backstage lesson; take home your own mask.
熊猫保育志愿者 | Panda Volunteer Day
Feed pandas, clean enclosures; ¥700 incl. uniform & certificate.
茶馆采耳 | Teahouse Ear Picking
Relax with jasmine tea while a master cleans your ears; ¥30.
蜀绣手作 | Shu Embroidery Workshop
Stitch your own panda handkerchief; ¥80.
功夫茶艺体验 | Kung-Fu Tea Ceremony
Learn long-spout pouring; ¥50 incl. tasting.
川味火锅速成班 | Hot-Pot DIY Class
Market tour + cook your own broth; ¥180.
老茶馆评书 | Storytelling Teahouse
Hear Sichuan dialect tales while sipping cheap tea; ¥10.
宽窄巷子汉服夜游 | Hanfu Night Walk
Dress in Tang dynasty robes, free photos under lanterns; ¥90.
都江堰放水节 | Water-Release Festival
Join the ancient spring irrigation ritual; free on Qingming Day.