Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, is a city that beautifully blends history, culture, and modernity. From ancient relics to cute pandas, from spicy hotpots to relaxing teahouses, there’s something for every traveler. Let’s dive into the ultimate guide to experiencing Chengdu like a local.
Must-Visit Attractions
Historical and Cultural Sites
Jinsha Site Museum
Get up close to archaeological excavation sites. The museum’s garden is also beautiful, and it’s conveniently located in the urban area.
Sanxingdui Museum
Marvel at the mysterious bronze artifacts like the Bronze Sacred Tree and the Bronze Mask with protruding eyes. The real objects are even more stunning than pictures, so be sure to listen to the explanations.
Dujiangyan Irrigation System
Learn about this amazing ancient water conservancy project. You can also explore the nearby Guanxian Ancient City and see the famous “Blue Tears” scene.
Wuhou Shrine
Pay tribute to Zhuge Liang and immerse yourself in the culture of the Three Kingdoms period. Admire the garden art and take photos with the iconic red walls and bamboo forests.
Chengdu Museum
Start your cultural journey here, where you can find the essence of Chengdu’s thousand-year history. Remember, most museums are closed on Mondays.
Modern and Scenic Spots
Panda Base
See the beloved giant pandas. There are many “star” pandas, but note that they are less active on hot days, so you might not see many. It’s best to go early in the morning when they are most active.
IFS International Finance Square
A famous landmark. Take a photo with the giant panda sculpture on the 7th floor, right next to Chunxi Road.
Tianfu Art Museum
It’s super beautiful for photos during sunset. There are often free exhibitions, and it’s cool in summer.
Dongjiao Memory
Previoulsy a factory and now a hub for trends, known as a top spot for asthetic, industrial style city walks. There are many nice shops for art lovers.
Nine-eyed Bridge
Home to various unique bars and clubs, perfect for young people. The night view is great for strolling and taking photos.
Shufeng Yayun Sichuan Opera House
Enjoy Sichuan opera (this is where you can watch those viral performers changing masks super quick), sip tea, and have some snacks. The interactive sessions make for a full experience.
Local Lifestyle Experiences
Old Teahouses
Sit in an old teahouse, drink tea, and chat. Listen to the locals share stories (“longmenzhen”), it’s really interesting.
Yulin Street
A living area made up of many streets, full of food, coffee shops, and markets, brimming with local charm.
Culture Park
More recommended than People’s Park to experience the real urban life of old Chengdu.
Attractions to Skip or Visit Casually
Du Fu Thatched Cottage
Du Fu was a famous poet from the Tang dynasty. The 50-yuan ticket is relatively not cost-effective if you are not interested in the poet, but you can go for ancient-style photos.
Wide and Narrow Alleys
A commercial pedestrian street with distinctive architecture. You can take a quick look but it’s not recommended to buy things here as the snacks are mostly not tasty and expensive.
Tianfu Square
Just a square with a commercial street and subway underground. There are Chengdu Museum and Science and Technology Museum nearby, so you can visit if you pass by.
People’s Park
It’s crowded on hot days and lacks a sense of relaxation. Indoor places are relatively more recommended.
Jianshe Road
Many shops have closed down. There are few old snacks, mostly internet-famous snacks.
Jinli
A pedestrian street with nice night views. You can go if you visit Wuhou Shrine, but there are many hawkers and the shouting is exaggerated.
Transportation Tips
- Subway: Taking the subway is more convenient than driving in Chengdu. Most attractions are accessible by subway, and the routes are clearly marked.
- Scenic Shuttle Buses: For attractions like the Panda Base and Sanxingdui, you can take scenic shuttle buses from Chunxi Road and other areas. Check the official information for details.
Food Guide
Chengdu is a paradise for food lovers, especially if you love spicy food. Here are some must-try spots:
- Pengpeng Ma Old Hotpot: A local hotpot under a residential building near Wide and Narrow Alleys. The boss makes the broth himself, with plenty of beef tallow. It’s fragrant, numbing, and spicy! The boiled tripe is very flavorful, and the braised fat intestines and beef are spicy and tender. Signature dishes: spicy braised platter, three-piece set of hairy belly, duck intestines, and yellow throat, lemon shredded thousand-layer tripe, handmade tender beef slices…
- Yue Fugui Old Hotpot: Near Chunxi Road, a must-eat hotpot when you’re there. The main braised beef is tender and flavorful, really delicious. Many locals eat here, and the taste is authentic. Signature dishes: braised beef, braised pork, braised pork head, crispy tripe, tender beef slices, handmade meatballs.
- Cui Rangrang Old Hotpot: One of the most popular hotpots in Chunxi Road, with many repeat customers, mostly locals. The environment is like a community “fly restaurant”, full of urban atmosphere, and the dishes are fresh and distinctive. Signature dishes: fire cheese fresh meatballs, handmade beef slices, meteor fried rice, tender chicken feet, tender pork knuckles.
- Old Mother’s Pork Knuckle Soup: The red oil is super fragrant, and the pork knuckle is extremely tender. Especially when dipped in sauce! It easily falls off the bone with a light bite! There’s also millet pepper sour and spicy pork knuckle soup, which is super appetizing every time! It’s suitable for all ages. Signature dishes: kidney bean pork knuckle, sour and spicy pork knuckle, hotpot meat, pickled pepper chicken offal, twice-cooked pork.
- Hongxing Restaurant: Every older Chengdu local has chosen this restaurant for family celebrations and holiday gatherings at least once. Their dishes have classic Sichuan flavors, and the environment is also very good. The elderly and children in the family all like it very much. Signature dishes: garlic shrimp, Hongxing chicken, eel vermicelli, steamed pork with rice flour, chicken bean curd, Mao Xue Wang.
Tips for spicy food newbies:
- Prepare digestion tablets and stomach medicine in advance.
- Avoid having ice drinks right after eating spicy food, as it can easily cause an upset stomach.
General Travel Tips
- Tickets: Tickets for Sanxingdui must be purchased online in advance.
- Museums: It’s recommended to listen to audio guide when visiting the museusms.
- Chunxi Road: Don’t pay attention to people who take the initiative to approach or hand you flowers.
- Rhythm: Don’t plan your itinerary too tightly. Slow down, walk around, and enjoy the laid-back life of Chengdu.
- Nightlife: Chengdu is more vibrant at night, so take time to explore the city after dark.
