Chengdu Travel Guide

Destination overview Destination sketch Chengdu is on the edge of the fertile plains of the Red Basin in China’s Sichuan Province. Due to its agricultural wealth, Chengdu is sometimes called the “Heavenly Land of Plenty”. The Funan River bisects the […]

Destination overview

Destination sketch

Chengdu is on the edge of the fertile plains of the Red Basin in China’s Sichuan Province. Due to its agricultural wealth, Chengdu is sometimes called the “Heavenly Land of Plenty”. The Funan River bisects the city, although boat traffic, common until the 1960s, has all but vanished.

The Chengdu administrative area is home to more than 14 million people, with about 10 million of them in the Chengdu urban area. Chengdu has the reputation as a very “laid-back” city that emphasizes culture and relaxation. As a result of this and much green space, it is ranked one of the most livable mega-cities in China. It is credited with a good nightlife scene, and contains many new western style buildings in the large city center.

Best travel season

Summer weather is hot and humid, as the city is surrounded by small mountains to the east and sits in the Red Basin. Furthermore, an hour to the west lie the foothills of the mighty Tibetan Plateau and the fabulously scenic mountains of west Sichuan.
The city is famous for its lack of sun, so don’t come expecting to get a sun tan.
The best time to pay a visit is from March to June with pleasant spring weather. September to November with the coolness of autumn is also a right time. The rainy season is usually in July and August, with occasional storms.

Intercity traffic

Aircraft

Chengdu Shuangliu International Airpor

Ground transportation options include:

Metro Line 10 runs from the airport (separate stations at Terminals 1 and 2) to Taipingyuan, where you can transfer to Metro Line 3 and 7, and from there to other Metro lines.
Airport Shuttle buses operate between the airport and the city center, costing ¥10-15. The main line #1 stops at the Air China airline office in a side street just off Renmin Nanlu (2. Section) opposite to the entrance of the Minshan Hotel. There are three other routes but the service is not as regular or frequent, ask at the ticket desk outside the Arrivals lounge. The last bus leaves the airport around 1AM.
Taxi fare from the airport to the city center averages ¥45. There is no extra charge for luggage or additional passengers. When going from the city to the airport, add an additional ¥10 to cover the toll on the Airport Expressway. If you intend to take a taxi from the airport, head for the domestic arrival area and exit the terminal where you should see the official taxi stand where you can queue for marked, green-and-yellow or blue-and-yellow taxis. Usual advice applies when distinguishing between official and fake taxis; if a person is too enthusiastic about getting you into their vehicle, you may have to pay more. Use your common sense.

Train

Chengdu Station
Arrival method: Metro Line 1, North Railway Station
Officially called simply Chengdu Station, however, locals call it “Chengdu North Station” when Chengdu East was opened, and even the metro system do so. Handles most long distance services and most high speed trains to Chongqing.

Chengdu East Station
Arrival method: Metro Line 2, East Chengdu Railway Station
New station serving local Sichuan destinations (like Leshan and Shuangliu Airport) and some services east to Chongqing, Nanjing and Shanghai or north to Xi’an and Beijing. (Not to be confused with old freight station, slightly east of Chengdu North Station as marked on some older maps

Chengdu South Station
Arrival method: Metro Line 1, South Railway Station
For short distance trains to Leshan, E’meishan, Jiangyou, Dujiangyan and Shuangliu Airport.

Traffic in the city

Metro

The Chengdu Metro for for a single ride tickets from ticket vending machines (English available) with ¥1 coins or ¥5 and ¥10 notes. Ticket booths are also available if you don’t have suitable notes. A contactless metro card is available (card or panda keyring) which gives you a 10% saving on all journeys.
When entering the metro you need to put your bags through an x-ray machine. The ticket is flashed by the gates on the reader on your right side. You need the ticket to get out as well so keep it safe. When exiting the ticket is placed into a slot on the right side of the gate.

Sky train

A “Sky Train” (suspended monorail) service, the first in China, is being developed in Chengdu. Only a 1.4 km long test track is being used for trial runs.

Bus

Chengdu has an extensive bus system. At each bus stop, there is a list of the bus lines coming through on this road, and on some city maps the whole network is displayed. However, the bus lines and maps only use Chinese characters, and even if the bus announces the station, it will usually only be in Chinese. Tickets are ¥1 for non-aircon (now very rare) and ¥2 for air-conditioned buses. The fare is paid by putting the exact amount to a metal box next to the driver. No change is given, so make sure you have exact change. Normally, you enter via the front door, and alight by the rear door. On the new articulated buses, you can enter at either the front or rear door, with the middle door designated for alighting only.

Taxi

Official taxis are either green or blue and are equipped with meters. An available taxi will display an illuminated sign with Chinese characters in its dashboard. The meter is turned on by tilting the sign, make sure the driver does that and if not, you can try to do it yourself and the driver usually gets your point. Some taxi drivers may try to offer you a fixed price but don’t take it unless you know it’s cheaper than with the meter on. Taxi drivers don’t speak English nor do they understand the map, so have an address written in Chinese with you. Drivers don’t know many street names so it’s best to have the address to some well known place close to your destination.

Bicycle

Most guest houses have bicycles for hire. Check for technical problems before starting out unless you want to be held responsible for it later. If you leave your bicycle, do so in one of the designated “bicycle parks”, where it will be guarded over for a small fee. If you can not find such a place, be sure to lock it securely against some structure. Be careful as the bike traffic flow can be intense.

Attractions

Jinli Ancient Street

This neighborhood is part of the old city of Chengdu; it features hotels and small stores built in an old-fashioned style. Antiques are sold in a variety of different stores. It is very popular among both tourists and locals, especially at night, with many bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. You will find a lot of famous local snack food over there, prices ¥1-10. Restaurants and bars in Jin Li are more expensive than outside. There are also antique hotels in there. Some consider Jin Li is to be tourist trap, which is partly true. However, this ‘new old street’ offers regional and fairly affordable street food specialties as well and can be combined with a visit to the Wuhouci Temple.

Kuan Zhai Alley

Kuan Zhai Alley is one of the top three historic preserve districts in Chengdu City. It is formed by three alleys called Kuan Alley (Wide Alley), Zhai Alley (Narrow Alley), and Jing Alley. The major buildings in this site are courtyards and ancient style streets. This district had been renovated from 2005 to 2008. And now, it is a cultural site consisting of 45 Qing Ming Dynasty style courtyards, modern villas and gardens, as well as theme hostels.
Kuan Alley is the representative of the very local culture in Chengdu. Local presidents, phoenix trees, inns and the old tea houses, all of these make Kuan Alley become a unique site. Kuan Alley is a symbol for modern people to memory the past Chengdu.

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

What you could not miss in Chengdu is the world famous Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding which is located about 25km out of Chengdu City. This huge institution replicates the natural habitat of the giant panda and is dedicated to preserving and increasing their population so they will not become extinct. You are able to get real close-up to some pandas and photograph them as well as the so-called lesser red pandas which really look and act like raccoons.

One of the biggest attractions is the panda breeding center where you can watch the baby pandas through glass in their playpens. You are not allowed to photograph the baby pandas, as the flash can hurt their eyes. Another highlight is the video you watch about the reserve and panda reproduction and learn how a panda gives birth to a baby cub. The baby just slides out and at the first time mothers don’t know what it is, so it is common for them to accidentally kill the baby as they swat it around if the researchers can not help out in time. In all, it is nice to see all in the panda breeding center.

It’s best to visit the base in the mornings as early as possible. You’ll see most action from the pandas between 8am and 11am – after that they’re likely to be sleeping. And, while you might not want to plan your whole trip around it, if you visit the base in September or October you’ll be able to see newborn pandas in the nursery.

Thatched Cottage of Du Fu

Thatched Cottage of Du Fu is the former residence of the famous Tang Dynasty poet, Du Fu. Compelled by poverty and social upheaval in the year of 759 A.D., Du Fu moved from Gansu Province to the outskirts of Chengdu and built a thatched hut.

Qingyang Gong

Chengdu Qingyang Gong is a famous Taoist temple in southern China. Found in the 9th century, Qingyang Gong is a sprawling center of Taoist studies that still has a very active community of monks, Chinese traditional medicine doctors, music teachers, Tai Chi Chuan classes, and an excellent vegetarian restaurant. According to legend, this is the place where Lao Tzu, the author of the Tao Te Ching descended from the heavens. The temple was first established though in the Tang dynasty around 880 AD, but was destroyed in the Ming Dynasty. Since then it has undergone many re-constructions and phases, but it has always been an important center in the birthplace for Taoism.

Wenshu Temple

Wenshu Temple is located in Chengdu downtown, covering an area of 90 mus. It is a famous Buddhist temple and the provincial cultural relics protection unit in Sichuan. It is also one of the four Chinese zen Buddhism Sadhana Spots in China.

It used to be Miaoyuanta Courtyard. In Song Dynasty it was renamed “Xinxiang Temple”. Later it was destroyed in the war. It was said that, during Qing Dynasty, someone saw red light appearing in the night. The local government sent people to Legend of the Qing Dynasty was Yomi red light appears, the government sent people to have a look and they saw the statue of Manjusri Bodhisattva was in the red light. Because of it, the temple was renovated in 1697 and finnaly named Wenshu Temple ( Manjusri Bodhisattva’s Chinese name).

Wangjiang Tower Park

The Wangjiang Tower is the most magnificent building in the park. It is a four-floor architecture with a height of 39 meters. Built in Qing Dynasty Guangxu Period, each floor is decorated by the animal clays and characters carvings. Wangjiang Tower is dedicated to Xue Tao, a poetess in the Tang Dynasty. A Woman in the past lacked social status and therefore it is all the more fascinating.

Chengdu People’s Park

Chengdu People’s Park is located in downtown Chengdu Ancestral Street Shaocheng Road, and is a comprehensive garden in collection of cultural relics and entertainment. Park was built in 1911; the park has the Jinshui Creek, Goldfish Island, Miniascape Garden and other famous tourist attractions. Chengdu People’s Park is a comprehensive park with garden, culture, cultural relics protection, patriotism education, leisure and entertainment in a whole. And Chengdu Park is the national “AAAA” class tourist attractions.

Jinsha Ruins Museum

Jinsha Museum of Ancient Ruins located in the northwest of Chengdu, is the museum established in the Jinsha ruins site, and is also a museum to show categories of ancient Shu culture in Sichuan area during Shang and Zhou dynasties. The museum set up projects and construct at the end of 2004, officially opened on April 16, 2007. It consists of the relic hall, exhibition hall, visitors center, cultural relic protection and restoration center, Jinsha theatre, garden area and other parts. It is a collection of education, research, leisure in one of the modern garden museum. And it is iconic landmarks shows a long history of Chengdu. Jinsha ruins are the first major archaeological discovery in China during the 21st century, in 2006 was named the national key cultural relics protection units.

Tianfu Square

The site of Tianfu Square was nearby the imperial palace of ancient Chengdu. It was redesigned and reconstructed in the new era, but still using many traditional cultural and artistic elements.
Tianfu Square in Chengdu is in the shape of oval, and divided into two parts by an S-shaped line in the middle, thus making it a big Taichi motif. Two elaborately-designed statues named Twin Fish Eye Dragon Rising Statues located separately in the east and west are the fish eyes on the taichi motif. The west statue is a musical fountain, 10.8 meters high and entwined by a 58-meter-long dragon symbolizing Yangtze River. While the east statue on the sunken square is a several-layer waterfall, 17.2 meters high and entwined by a 40-meter-long dragon symbolizing Yellow River. The sunken square, surrounded by many stores and restaurants are the ideal place to shop and have a rest.

Sichuan Museum

Sichuan Museum is part of the Chengdu Huanhuaxi historical and cultural scenic area and one of the top museums in Chengdu. Built in 1941, the museum preserves numerous cultural treasures that are mainly unearthed in Sichuan. Therefore, it reflects the essence of Sichuan culture and the different historical periods of Sichuan from over 5000 years ago to the ancient Shu Kingdom and to Qing Dynasty.

Sichuan Cuisine Museum

Sichuan Cuisine Museum is located in Pixian Ancient Town, the western suburb of Chengdu. Pixian was an important commercial town on the Southern Silk Road, with a long history of over 3000 years. The museum of Sichuan Cuisine is so far the only cuisine museum in the world. It introduces not only the Sichuan Cuisine culture, but also the local wines, teas, architecture, Sichuan opera and so forth, with around 6000 exhibits. Covering an area of 2.7 hectares, the building of Sichuan Cuisine Museum is of typical West Sichuan dwelling house and looks like a distinctive classical garden of China. The museum is mainly divided into six parts: the collection hall, the demonstration and interactive hall, the tea house, the temple of Kitchen King, the exhibition hall of Sichuan cuisine food materials and the processing tools hall.

Luodai Ancient Town

Luodai ancient town is located in Luodai Town, Longquanyi district of Chengdu, only 18 km from downtown Chengdu, 10 kilometers north of Longquan Town, is the most intact hakka ancient town near Chengdu, known as the “The first town of Hakka in the world”. It is located in the Longquan mountains midway Second Emei Mountain foothill, was built in The Three Kingdoms Shu-Han period, the legend is that Shu-Han Emperor Liu Chan’s jade belt fell into the octagon well near the town, so it gained the name Luo Dai (belt falling). 90% of the residents in the town are Hakka, so it also known as “The first town of Hakka in West China”. With very thick, ancient culture, the one thousand year old street and hakka folk houses in town are well-preserved, old street is in the pattern of “a street with seven alleys”; On both sides of the streets lined with shops, is a typical of the Ming and Qing dynasty architectural style. As it were, Luodai Ancient Town is the concentrated history of hakka immigrants, which has historic, architecture, culture, and science value.

Sanxingdui Museum

Sanxingdui Museum (Three-Star Piles Museum) is located in Northeast of Three-Star Piles archeological site, west of the famous cultural city of Guanghan, on the bank of Jian River (commonly called Yazi River), 40 kilometers (about 24.9 miles) north of Chengdu City. Covering an exhibition area of 4,000 square meters (nearly 1 acre), and opened in October 1997 this is an archeological museum with excellent modern facilities. The cultural relics preserved here were mostly unearthed from the Three-Star Piles site.

Three-Star Piles site is a cultural relic of the ancient Shu (Sichuan). It is an important archeological discovery which changed the people’s understanding of ancient history and culture. If you want to visit a place to know more about Chinese Shu (Sichuan) culture, make it this one, for the civilization shown by the cultural relics can be called a true wonder.

Chunxi Road

If one travels to Chengdu for the first time, Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street is a place that should not be missed. Located in Jinjiang District, this road in a broad sense covers an area of about 200,000 square meters (2,150,000 square feet). It stretches to the east of Beixin Street, the west of Hongxing Road, the south of Zongfu Road, and the north of East Street. The street was originally built in 1924 to connect two commercial centers, the East Street and Mercantile Corporation. After nearly 100 years of evolution, it is now not only the center of fashion in Chengdu, but also a place that brings together delicious snacks from all over the country.

Huanglongxi Ancient Town

Huanglongxi can be dated back to the Western Han (206 BC-24 AD). During the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280), the town was of great military importance to the south of Chengdu (the capital of Shu Kingdom). Story has it that it was guarded by troops when Zhuge Liang, famous strategist, statesman and ideologist, led a southern expedition. The loss of this expedition speeded up the collapse of Kingdom of Shu. As a Cheng Xiang (an ancient term for prime minister) of the Shu Kingdom, he was famous in Chinese history for his talent to foresee with divine accuracy.

Jiuyanqiao Bar Street

Located in Jinjiang District and along Jinjiang River, Jiuyanqiao Bar Street is famous for its nightlife. There are hundreds of bars here with different styles and sizes, some are peaceful, some are lively; some can only accommodate several tables, and some can hold hundreds of people. No matter which one you prefer, you can thoroughly enjoy yourself here and all of your pressures will go away.

Jiuyanqiao Bar Street is named for the nearby Jiuyan Bridge which is over 400 years old. The bridge has nine holes and the bridge floor is paved with blue stones. The whole bridge is in Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) style, measuring 120 meters (384 feet) long and 25 meters (82 feet) wide. Under the north of the bridge is a road, shaping the whole bridge as a half flyover road.

Xiling Snow Mountain

Xiling Snow Mountain is located in Dayi County, about 95 kilometers (59 miles) away from the Chengdu urban area. Covering an area of 375 square kilometers (145 square miles), it is one of the world natural heritages, a habitat for giant pandas, a great site for skiing, and a national key scenic spot. The mountain top is covered with snow all year round. Measuring 5,346 meters (17,539 feet) above sea-level, it is the highest peak in Chengdu area.

The name of Xiling (western mountain) is derived from the well-known poem “My window frames the snow-crowned western mountain scene; my door oft bids farewell to eastward-going ships” by the famous poet Du Fu of the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907 AD).

Food

he spiciest food in Chengdu is hotpot (also called steampot or steamboat), although the tradition originated in Chongqing, so it is not really Chengdu food. Sichuan hotpots are basically a big pot of soup and spices simmering in a hole in the middle of your table. Patrons choose from a large selection of meats, vegetables and other add-ins. Most popular include: lamb, mushrooms, beef, tofu, quail eggs, potatoes and various others (pork, green vegetables, fish balls, carrots, and even pig’s brain!) You can choose spicy pot or non spicy pot. With spicy hot pots, unlike eastern hot pots, the soup is NOT for drinking; instead, fish out your cooked items with chopsticks (do not fish the liquid out with a spoon, it is too spicy even for locals to drink; the fished out vegetables will be spicy enough), dip them in the small bowl of oil provided to each person, and enjoy.

You may also find the local food too oily or too salty for your taste, and may want to advise your server accordingly.

There are also a lot of weird local snack type of food, such as spicy dragon prawns, spicy snails, Chongqing duck neck, Bangbang chicken, spicy rabbit meat. These ones are so delicious and you must try them. But you need to ask a local to take you to the right place. Quite often you will find that the small restaurants and shops offer the most delicious and cheapest food. If you want to find even cheaper food options, street vendors are the way to go (though the Chengdu police have been doing their best to extinguish this long tradition and you may have trouble finding them these days). Serving everything from barbeque to steamed breadrolls they are a cheap and offer a great option for a quick bite to eat.
There are a number of stalls and hole in the wall type places all over town. Food here is dirt cheap, expect to pay no more than ¥8 for a meal, and the quality is good. Things to be on the lookout for are spicy bowls of breakfast noodles, double cooked pork, and dozens of dishes coated in “mala” the Sichuan chili spice famous the world over.

Accommodation

The vast majority of Chengdu’s mid-range hotels are not affiliated with a national or international brand and generally charge ¥300-700. The hotels in this category can generally put up the facade of the more luxurious hotels, but often suffer noticeably from deferred maintenance or haphazard customer service. Many are geared mostly towards Chinese and Asian tour groups. The hotels listed below are the best of the bunch with lobby staff who speak at least a basic level of English and usually offer a free Chinese breakfast.
Chengdu’s luxury hotels provide world class service at very reasonable prices. Business and leisure travelers can expect, at a minimum, to find fluent English speaking staff, Western and Chinese restaurants, full conference facilities, business center, sauna and concierge service at all of these hotels. Room rates are US$115–200 per night for a standard or deluxe room. The Kempinski and the Jin Jiang Hotel are generally the lowest price within this category.

Shopping

Chinese alcohol, tea and local food also deserve a try. Wuliangye, Luzhou Lao Jiao, Quanxing Da Qu and Jiannanchun are all top-ranking alcohol brands. Jasmine tea, Maofeng tea, hot pickled mustard tuber, mix-flavoured horsebean, Lao Cheng Du (Old Chengdu), Dengying (shadow) dried beef (so thin that light can shine through it), Liu Yang Gou dried beef, etc, can be gifts for friends back at home. In particular, there is something special about Dengying dried beef. More than 80 years ago, a Mr. Liu made a living by selling picked beef. When his business dragged, he was forced to create new products. Thus a thin sliced dried beef came into being. Mr. Liu set up a stall, placing a lamp behind his sliced dried beef. This attracted people and the crispy hot beef became popular. (*Check your country’s Customs restrictions before buying foods to take home.)

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