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.


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Chengdu Attractions Visiting Routes for Reference

1 Day Plan: Downtown Chengdu Attractions
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (3 hours) → Wuhou Temple (2 hours) → Jinli Street (2 hours) → Wide and Narrow Alley (2 hours)

The panda base is a must for visitors to Chengdu. Here you can have a close contact with giant pandas, visit the museum, and watch a documentary film about the pandas. If you plan to stay a night, Chunxi Road and Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li are ideal places for dinner and shopping, while Jiuyanqiao and Lan Kwai Fong are popular bar streets for night owls.
2-3 Days Plan: Attractions in Chengdu & its Environs
Day 1: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (3 hours) → Wuhou Temple (2 hours) → Jinli Street (2 hours) → Wide and Narrow Alley (2 hours)
Day 2: Jinsha Site Museum (3 hours) → Thatched Cottage of Du Fu (2 hours) → Chunxi Road (1-2 hours) → Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li (1-2 hours)
Day 3: front hill of Mount Qingcheng (3 hours) → Dujiangyan Irrigation System (4 hours)

If you have three days, a day tour to the world heritage site Dujiangyan is highly recommended. As an ancient water conservancy system, Dujiangyan owns a lot of cultural sites, including Fulong Temple, Erwang Temple, Anlan Rope Bridge, and Yulei Pass. The nearby Mount Qingcheng is one of the four famous Taoist mountains in China. The back mountain of Qingcheng is larger, more tranquil, and suitable for mountaineering, while the front mountain is more popular among tourists for its many historical sites and Taoist palaces. If you still have interest in seeing giant pandas, Dujiangyan has a Panda Valley and a Panda Base for you to choose.
5-7 Days Plan: Panoramic Chengdu, Dujiangyan, Leshan & Emei
Day 1: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (3 hours) → Wuhou Temple (2 hours) → Jinli Street (2 hours) → Wide and Narrow Alley (2 hours)
Day 2: Jinsha Site Museum (3 hours) → Thatched Cottage of Du Fu (2 hours) → Qingyang Palace (1 hour) → Jiuyanqiao Bar Street (2 hours)
Day 3: Tianfu Square (1 hour) → People’s Park (1-2 hours) → Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li (1-2 hours) → Daci Temple (1-2 hours) → Chunxi Road (1-2 hours) → International Finance Square (IFS) (1-2 hours) → Dalongyi Hotpot (Taikoo Li Branch) (1-2 hours)
Day 4: Dujiangyan Panda Valley (2 hours) → back hill of Mount Qingcheng (5 hours)
Day 5: front hill of Mount Qingcheng (3 hours) → Dujiangyan Irrigation System (4 hours)
Day 6: Huanglongxi Ancient Town (3 hours) → Leshan Giant Buddha (3 hours)
Day 7: Mount Emei (a whole day)

With one week in Chengdu, you have enough time to do a side trip to Leshan. From Chengdu, there are high speed trains and buses to Leshan. You can spend a half day to visit the Leshan Giant Buddha statue, either on foot or by cruise as you like; and then if the weather is fine, it is highly recommend to take a bus or taxi to Mount Emei, spend one night on the mountain, because the sunrise on the golden summit of Mount Emei is beautiful and unmissable.
- Last updated on Jun. 07, 2023 by Catherine He -
Questions & Answers on Chengdu Attractions
Asked by cynthia yap from SINGAPORE | Apr. 07, 2023 00:30Reply
which mountain is worth to go in chengdu ?
hi I'm planning to go to chengdu city and i would like to visit any mountain . what would you recommend ? can let me know how to travel there in detail too... thank you .
Answers (1)
Answered by Mark | Apr. 09, 2023 22:56
00Reply


The most popular mountain around Chengdu is Mt. Qingcheng. You can take a bullet train to go there directly.

If you are not in a hurry, the further Mt. Emei is also recommended. It can also be reached by high speed train.
Asked by Thanawit chaiphiphat from THAILAND | Sep. 27, 2019 07:50Reply
I would like to know the weather Where are you want to go
what is the weather at the time 20-25oct 2019 at these 3 places
Songpinggou
Dagupingchuen
Bipinggou
Answers (1)
Answered by Adam from USA | Sep. 29, 2019 18:45
00Reply


The temperature of Songpinggou will be around 0-10C during that time. It will be cold and rainy so you need to bring some warm clothes and rain gears. I can't find Dagupingchuen and Bipinggou, but I think the weather condition will be pretty much the same.
Asked by podjana from THAILAND | Aug. 23, 2019 06:06Reply
Can I repeated use the entrance ticket of National reserve in CHINA?
I'm wonder in the Entrance ticket of The National reserve in CHINA.
such as Yading National reserve, Mount Siguniang, Dagu pingchuan[Dagu Glacier (Heishui County)].
Can I repeted used in another days
or I need to buy the new ticket in everyday?

Answers (1)
Answered by Gross from UNITED KINGDOM | Aug. 26, 2019 23:44
00Reply


The ticket is only valid for the day you buy it.
Asked by GEORGIAROSE | Nov. 09, 2018 02:02Reply
Travel to four sisters mountain
How long does the bus journey take from Dujiangyan Passenger Transport Center to Rilong and how long from Chengdu to Rilong?

Do you recommend booking tickets in advance? If so, can that be done online?

I live in Chonqing and will travel to CS to HST and then either from CD to Dujiangyan by HSR, or from CD to Rilong directly by bus.

I will want to visit Four Sisters Mountain/ surrounding valleys so want to travel the quickest route possible to Rilong from CD.

Best wishes and thanks! :)

GRM
Answers (3)
Answered by Alan from USA | Nov. 11, 2018 18:40
00Reply


From Dujiangyan to Rilong, the travel time is about 6 by bus.
From CD to Rilong, the travel time is about 5 hours by bus. Recently, you don't have to book online and you can buy the tickets when you arrive at the bus station.
Answered by GEORGIAROSE | Nov. 13, 2018 20:55
00Reply


Thank you for the information about the journey times.

Please can you tell me the name and location of the bus station in CD, where I can catch a bus to Rilong?

Is it possible to find out what time the buses to Rilong depart from CD each day?

Thank you very much!
Answered by Alan | Nov. 14, 2018 01:24
00Reply


The bus station name is Chadianzi Bus Station, located at No.289 West Sanhuan Road. You can take the bus from CD to Xiaojinxian and the bus will pass Rilong. You can tell the driver your get-off point in advance. The bus schedule is 07:30, 09:00 and 12:00.
Asked by Lyn Poh from MALAYSIA | Jul. 24, 2018 19:22Reply
Is it advisable to go Mt Emei during December?
Answers (1)
Answered by Fanny from GERMANY | Jul. 25, 2018 18:13
00Reply


It’s too cold and you are advised to go in spring or autumn.
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