Chengdu, located in central Sichuan Province, serves as the provincial capital of Sichuan, China. Known as the setting of "Shu" from the Three Kingdoms era, Chengdu attracts countless tourists from around the globe.
Sichuan Province, where Chengdu is situated, is famous for its spicy cuisine, being the birthplace of dishes like Mapo Tofu and Dan Dan Noodles. The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is also a popular destination. Nicknamed the "Land of Abundance" for its favorable climate, Chengdu offers many must-visit spots. Here are some top recommendations for exploring Chengdu. Use this guide when planning your visit!
1. Chengdu Wuhou Temple
Chengdu Wuhou Temple is a mausoleum related to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, originally dedicated to Zhuge Liang, the Prime Minister of Shu during the Three Kingdoms period in China, but later came to enshrine his lord Liu Bei and others. In 1961, it was designated a National Important Cultural Property.
Chengdu Wuhou Temple enshrines figures such as Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhuge Kongming, making it the ultimate tourist spot for fans of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. In addition, because this mausoleum enshrines Chinese heroes, it is visited by many Chinese tourists as well as foreign tourists.
Name: Chengdu Wuhou Memorial Temple
Address: No. 231 Wuhou Ci Main Street, Chengdu
Official/related site URL: https://www.wuhouci.net.cn/index.html
2. Jinli Ancient Street
Located right next to the Wuhou Temple introduced earlier, Jinli Ancient Street is a pedestrian street that recreates the old townscape. Jinli Ancient Street is not a large area, but it is popular with Chinese tourists and is always bustling with tourists. There are restaurants, souvenir shops, masked shows, and many Sichuan food stalls in Chengdu, so it is attractive that you can casually enjoy food while walking.
It is a place with a charming atmosphere even during the day, and it is fun just to walk around, but it is also recommended to visit after dusk as the red lanterns are lit up from dusk and it has a great atmosphere. There are many picturesque views, so it is a great place for taking photos. Also, since it is an area where many tourists gather, please be careful of pickpockets!
Name: Jinli Old Street
Address: No. 231, Wuhou Ci Main Street, Wuhou District, Chengdu
Official/related website URL: http://www.cdjinli.com/
3. Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base is a popular scenic spot for tourists because you can see cute pandas. It is said that pandas are most active in the morning, so we recommend visiting in the morning to see them moving around. The way they eat bamboo is very cute, and just watching the baby pandas' movements is heartwarming, so it will entertain tourists who visit. The park, which opened in 1993, is very large, and in addition to pandas, you can also see animals such as red pandas, black-necked cranes, and black swans.
Many tourists visit Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base by sightseeing tour or taxi, but if you are going, please check the shuttle bus that runs from Panda Avenue Station on subway line 3.
Name: Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base
Address: No. 1375, Bear and Cat Avenue, Outerbei Third Ring, Chenghua District, Chengdu City
4. Dujiangyan
Dujiangyan, built during the Qin Dynasty, is the world's oldest and most valuable flood control and irrigation facility. It was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as the fifth in Sichuan Province.
Chengdu did not have much water and suffered frequent droughts, but since the construction of Dujiangyan, it has enriched the land of Sichuan Province, including Chengdu. There is a suspension bridge over the Min River, so you can cross it. However, it is often crowded with tourists and can sway a lot, so please be careful when crossing when sightseeing.
Name: Dujiang Yan
Address: Park Road, Dujiangyan City, Sichuan Province
5. Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum
This is where Du Fu, a famous Chinese poet of the Tang Dynasty, is said to have spent the last four years of his life. It is currently open to the public as the Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum.
Of Du Fu's 1,400 poems, 247 were created here in Chengdu. The museum houses the house where Du Fu spent his later years and documents and has many valuable exhibits that are interesting in terms of culture and history.
The grounds are very large, with greenery, bamboo forests, and rivers. There are also several rest areas, so it is an attractive place where you can take your time sightseeing even if you don't know much about Du Fu. Why not take a stroll while thinking about what it was like back then? Compared to other tourist spots, there are fewer tourists, and it has a very quiet atmosphere, making it a hidden gem of a tourist spot.
Name: Dufu Caotang Museum
Address: No. 28 Caodang Road, Qingyang District, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province
Official/related site URL: https://www.cddfct.com/
6. Narrow Alley
"Kuanzhai Alley" was developed by incorporating modern elements into the old streets and buildings of the Qing Dynasty. As a fashionable and modern town, it is popular not only with tourists but also with young people in Chengdu. Kuanzhai Alley is a perfect mix
of old and new, and you can enjoy the chic sense unique to China. Everywhere you walk in the town is picturesque, and it is a fun area to take photos. There are many restaurants and souvenir shops, so you can enjoy eating while walking, so it is always crowded with tourists. At night, the atmosphere changes slightly to a stylish bar district, making it a recommended date spot.
The nearest subway station is "Tonghuimen Station", about a 5-minute walk away. It is easily accessible even for tourists visiting Chengdu for the first time.
Name: Kanko Alley
Address: East of Tongren Road, Qingyang District, Chengdu City, west of Changshun Street
7. Monjuin Temple
Founded around 1,500 years ago during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, Monjuin is a historic spot well worth seeing. It was burned down by war towards the end of the Ming Dynasty but was rebuilt to its current form as a Buddhist temple.
It is one of the largest Zen temples in China. There are many devout worshippers, and you may be able to see them when you visit Monjuin Temple.
Name: Wenshuin Temple
Address: No. 66, Wenshu Monastery Street, Qingyang District, Chengdu City
8. Jinsha Ruins Museum
The Jinsha Ruins Museum was designated an Important Cultural Property of China in 2006 after the discovery of golden masks dating back to 1200-1500 BC. Currently, the excavation site is covered with a dome and serves as a comprehensive museum in its original form. Many items, such as everyday items, animal bones, remains, and pottery, have been discovered and are on display at the museum. It's a must-see spot for archaeology and ruins fans.
The museum is set up like a park, and there is a lot of greenery at the back of the building. It's a recommended tourist spot with pleasant areas for strolling.
Name: Jinsha Site Museum
Address: No. 2 Jinsha Site Road, West Chengdu
Official and related website URL: https://www.jinshasitemuseum.com/
9. Aries
Located in the west of Chengdu city, Qingyang Palace is the largest Taoist temple in Chengdu. Its name comes from the fact that Laozi, the founder of Taoism, came to this place with a blue sheep. It was built in the Tang Dynasty but burned down, and the current building is said to have been rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty.
There is a sheep statue at the entrance, and visitors stroke it while praying, so it is polished to a shiny finish. Please try stroking it!
The grounds are very large, and you may be overwhelmed by the sheer scale. It is also a place where you can enjoy beautiful architecture, and even if you are not interested in Taoism, it is a great place to spend some relaxing time when you are tired of sightseeing in Chengdu. It is close to the Wu Hou Temple and Du Fu Caotang, which are two of Chengdu's must-see tourist spots introduced earlier, so be sure to visit them together.
Name: Qingyang Palace
Address: No. 9, West 2nd Sec., First Road, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan Province
10. Mount Qingcheng
Mount Qingcheng is located at about 1,260m above sea level, about 70km from Chengdu. The surrounding peaks are said to resemble a castle, and the trees remain green throughout the year, giving it the name Mount Qingcheng.
Mount Qingcheng is divided into two parts, the Front Mountain and the Back Mountain. You can climb it by trekking, but the ropeway is recommended as there are thousands of steps and paths. The Front Mountain is home to many cultural assets and ruins, and the main tourist attractions are Jianfu Palace, Natural Paintings, Tianshi Cave, Chaoyang Cave, Zushi Hall, and Shangqing Palace. The route from Jianfu Palace to Shangqing Palace is popular.
The Back Mountain is a magnificent and rugged mountain with beautiful nature. It is a recommended spot with beautiful nature, but be sure to wear comfortable shoes as you will be walking a lot.
Name: Mt. Seishiro
Address: Qingcheng Mountain, Dujiangyan City, Sichuan Province
11. Little Lhasa
Sichuan Province, which borders the Tibet Autonomous Region, is known as the gateway to Tibet. Chengdu also has a Tibetan town, and the area that spreads out in front of the Wuhou Shrine gives you a taste of Tibet.
The Little Lhasa area, also known as Little Tibet, has a different atmosphere from the rest of Chengdu. It is filled with Tibetan monks in robes and Tibetans in traditional costumes. There are also shops selling Tibetan cuisine and souvenirs. During your stay in Chengdu, be sure to visit Little Lhasa, where you can experience Tibet while still in the city!
Name: Kolasatsu
Address: Chengdu City Xizuang Street
12. Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street
The largest downtown area in Chengdu is the Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street. It is a pedestrian-only area with everything from department stores to private shops, so it is popular with locals and tourists alike. There are many stores aimed at young people, but it is also fun to stop by and look for souvenirs while sightseeing in Chengdu.
Name: Chengdu Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street
Address: Chunxi Road, Jinjiang District, Chengdu City
◎Summary of Recommended Tourist Spots in Chengdu
We have introduced 12 recommended sightseeing spots in Chengdu. Chengdu is a big city, so it has not only natural beauty and world heritage sites but also urban attractions.
The recommended tourist seasons are from March to June and from September to November. Spring and autumn are the best seasons for traveling. If you are going to Chengdu in winter, the air is dry, so it is useful to bring throat lozenges with you. Also, enjoying meals in Chengdu, the home of Sichuan cuisine, is one of the best parts of traveling.
There are many sightseeing tours to Chengdu, but it seems that many people also visit on their own. Be sure to consider Chengdu as your next travel destination.