Chengdu Attractions - Things to Do

Chengdu is a famous historical and cultural city in southwest China, owning two world heritage sites: the world natural heritage of Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries is the no. 1 attraction of Chengdu, while the world cultural heritage of Dujiangyan and Mount Qingcheng is a must-see near the downtown.

Most tourists would like to stay in Chengdu for 1 or 2 days, to explore the popular tourist spots in the downtown area, including the must-go Panda Base, the Wuhou Temple in memory of Zhuge Liang, the Thatched Cottage of Du Fu (an ancient poet), the Taoist site Qingyang Palace, the Buddhist shrine Wenshu Monastery, and the 3,000-year-old Jinsha Site.

There are also several wonderful Chengdu attractions in the environs. If you have 2 to 4 days, a visit to Dujiangyan Irragation System and Mount Qingcheng would be worth your time. If you plan to stay longer, you may have a chance to feel the slow pace of life in Chengdu, spending 3 days to enjoy an in-depth downtown tour, while leaving some time to travel south to Leshan and Mount Emei, or far west to the scenic Jiuzhai Valley (Jiuzhaigou).

What’s more, UNESCO's Creative Cities Network has named Chengdu the “Capital of Gastronomic Delights”. Visitors can try the delicious local food at Jinli Street or Wide and Narrow Alley during traveling.

Top 5 Chengdu Attractions

1Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

Highlights:

• Must see in Chengdu, to know the hometown of pandas.
• It is the nearest panda base of Chengdu, owning more than 100 giant pandas!
• Beside adult pandas, you can visit the delivery rooms, seeing small and cute newborn panda babies and cubs.
• It is a professional breeding and research institution, reproducing a similar wild living environment of giant pandas, with bamboo forests, lakes, streams, and lawns.

2Wide and Narrow Alley

Highlights:

• Famous food street of Chengdu.
• A popular historic and cultural block of Chengdu; dating back to the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911).
• It is composed of Wide Alley, Narrow Alley, and Well Alley.
• A good place to experience the old folk customs of Chengdu.

3Jinli Street

Highlights:

• Just on the east of the Wuhou Temple.
• The oldest business street of Chengdu.
• It is also a popular food street where you can taste local snacks like Dan Dan Noodles, Longchaoshou Wonton, and Bean Jelly.
• Lively night scene, with various pastimes in teahouses, cafes, and bars.

4Wuhou Temple

Highlights:

• China’s most influential museum of the Three Kingdoms relics.
• First built in 223AD, it has a history of 1800 years.
• The temple is in the memory of Zhuge Liang (181 - 224), the prime minister of the ancient Shu Kingdom, and Liu Bei (161 - 223), the first emperor of Shu Kingdom.
• The complex consists of four parts: Zhaolie Temple of Shuhan, Wuhou Temple, Huiling Mausoleum, and Sanyi Temple.

5Dujiangyan Irrigation System

Highlights:

• World cultural heritage site.
• It is the world's oldest grand water conservancy project still in use, which is characterized by water diversion without a dam.
• Built by Li Bing and his son from 256 BC to 251 BC during the Qin Dynasty, Dujiangyan is more than 2,000 years old.
• It is composed of three parts: Fish Mouth Levee, Feishayan Spillway, and Baopingkou Inlet.

 Chengdu One Day Tour from $119
 2 Days Chengdu Private Tour from $269
 11 Days Small Group Tour of Beijing - Xi'an - Chengdu - Shanghai from $1988

Special Recommendations: Attractions near Chengdu

Wolong National Nature Reserve

Leshan Giant Buddha

Mount Emei

Jiuzhaigou National Park

You May Like

China Giant Panda

10 Best Places to Visit in Chengdu for First-time Visitors

Top 10 Things to Do in Chengdu