Last Updated on February 20, 2026 by Home in the World
China is an utterly fascinating travel destination, with so much to offer in terms of history, culture, landscapes.. the list goes on. If you’ve considered visiting (or have visited) in the past, the first ports of call will likely be Shanghai and Beijing, the country’s flagship cities. And understandably so. They were mine too.
But if you’re looking to go beyond these two megapolises, they have an equally worthwhile counterpart nestled deep in Sichuan province, in central/western China, bordering Tibet.
That city is Chengdu, the fourth largest in the country. A leafy city of warm people and spicy food, where cutting-edge futurism meets ancient Buddhism. Where the vibe is a little more chilled, despite its population of ~22 million. And, perhaps most famously, where some of the world’s best work is being done to protect the precious, endangered giant panda and red panda. A veritable treasure trove of diverse experiences.
Read on to find out what my recommendations and suggestions are for things to see in Chengdu, based on my own trip there in 2025. And if you’re serious about planning a trip to this part of the world, consider checking out my general tips for visiting China, as well as downloading my free one-page quick guide to Chengdu.
This article is also featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours and Articles in Chengdu. You can also read more about the GPSmyCity concept in this blog post.
Chengdu Panda Research Base
If there’s one thing Chengdu is known for, it’s got to be giant pandas. The temperate bamboo forests of south-west China are their homeland, and Chengdu in particular has a number facilities that have been doing great work over the decades to protect and boost the population of this utterly adorable but sadly heavily endangered species.
I personally visited the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, which is located about a 30-40-minute drive from the city centre (I recommend taking a taxi or Didi door to door, as public transport is a bit fiddlier).
The complex is HUGE, so don’t expect to see it all in one day (though there is a little train that can shuttle you around if walking is an issue – because there is a lot of walking). But you don’t necessarily need to see all of it, because a lot of it is just panda enclosures, albeit with slightly different settings.
If you just want to see pandas, you’ll be able to get your fill pretty much anywhere in the park. And trust me, you’ll be spending hours standing and watching them, especially the cubs, because they are just SO CUTE.
These research bases are among the few places in the world where you can see both adult pandas AND their cubs, because zoos tend to only have adults, at best. Plus, there’s the added bonus of being able to see the equally adorable and highly elusive red panda (which is not actually related to the giant panda).
I read that the panda cubs were supposedly more active in the morning, but I booked an afternoon ticket and they were happily romping around and causing cheeky havoc for hours.
It was so wonderful to be able to witness these wonderful creatures in the lush, beautifully maintained facility of the Panda Research Base, which also offers other educational facilities, volunteering opportunities, and of course plenty of panda-themed food, drinks and merch.
Tickets are also extremely reasonably priced; I paid CNY 55 (~USD 7), while seniors (65 years and over) and children are free. If, like me, you don’t have access to the official WeChat account, I advise booking through Trip.com (N.B. this can be done no more than 7 days in advance of your visit).
That’s what I used; it’s one of the recommended official options for tourists and was extremely easy. Choose from a morning (7.30am-midday) or afternoon session (midday-5pm), and remember to bring photo ID with you (e.g. passport) on the day, as this will be checked when entering.
The giant pandas are undoubtedly one of the best things to see in Chengdu, and if you’re only in town for a short while, make this your top priority. I highly recommend visiting the Panda Research Base, and would revisit in a heartbeat. As an alternative, there is also the Dujiangyan Panda Base a bit further out of the city, which I did not visit myself, but which I have heard is also excellent.
Either way, make the pandas #1 on your list of things to see in Chengdu – I guarantee it will be one of the best days you’ll have. It’s an experience that’s so unique to this part of the world, and a true privilege to be able to spend time around these beautiful, crazy creatures in what is a fabulous facility.
Daci Temple
Just adjacent to the modern skyscrapers and luxury boutiques of the Taikoo Li shopping district (see next item for more info) is the old walled complex of Daci Temple. While the largest Buddhist monastery at the time was originally built on this site during the Tang dynasty (AD 622), most of the current complex dates back to the Qing dynasty.
It’s like stepping into a different world – one of serene, incense-filled courtyards where locals come to quietly worship and Buddhist monks come to chant amongst the cypress trees. Where ornate pavilions housing religious artefacts are framed by leafy gingko trees and lush pot plants, amidst a backdrop of tall glass buildings from the 21st century. It’s quite the juxtaposition!
I recommend spending at least an hour or so exploring the complex. And, as this is a religious site, be mindful of dressing modestly.
There is also a gorgeous tea-house courtyard at the southern entrance, which is a great place to explore Chengdu’s rich tea-house culture.
And on your way out, don’t forget to reach up and rub your hand over the giant Chinese characters on the wall facing Taikoo Li for good luck and prosperity. You can see how worn they are from all the rubbing (see bottom left photo above)!
🕒 Opening hours: 8am-5.30pm
💵 Entry charge: Free
Taikoo Li
China is one of those unique destinations that truly spans the gamut from ancient history to the ultra modern.
The Taikoo Li commercial precinct in Chengdu falls into the latter category, with its mix of high-end shops and restaurants.
I personally have no interest in luxury fashion brands, but I still enjoyed walking around and admiring their impressive shopfronts, especially given they are housed in traditional western Sichuan-style buildings with Post-Industrial design.
Taikoo Li also has quite a lot of public art, from quirky murals to colourful sculptures to dancing fountains, as well as plenty of beautiful flower displays (particularly if you visit in spring, as I did).
I was surprised to see there was even a suspended spherical art installation by Australian artist Belinda Smith!
And definitely don’t miss the huge video billboards with incredible 3D visuals of adorable pandas. They create the illusion of depth through their advanced technology, without viewers needing to wear any glasses or other devices. I may or may not have stood at that street corner watching multiple cycles of the 3D pandas..
So even if modern stuff isn’t really your thing, I’d still recommend having a wander around the open-air shopping precinct that is Taikoo Li – just for the vibes! It’s definitely still one of the main things to see in Chengdu for tourists.
Because it does represent the new, high-tech and wealthy China, which, whether you like it or not, is now certainly part of what makes up this complex country’s unique identity.
Fangsuo Bookstore
Now here’s a little gem for lovers of books and unusual architecture looking for things to see in Chengdu!
Fangsuo Commune Bookstore is located in the basement level of Chengdu’s Taikoo Li shopping district (mentioned in more detail above), and it really is a cavern of treasures.
I say cavern because that’s kind of what it felt like inside. Taiwanese-born architect Chu Chih-Kang designed it as a ‘Sutra Depository’, an underground place for storing knowledge – inspired by the location near the Daci Temple (detailed above), where famous Chinese Buddhist monk Xuanzhang resided before embarking on a spiritual journey to India.
The architecture definitely has a raw, almost industrial feel, with imposing concrete columns, bookcases in lofts and a lot of exposed structural elements.
And it’s not even just a bookshop! Despite its quiet, library feel, it also houses beautifully presented gifts and accessories, artworks, plenty of panda merch (this is the home of pandas, after all), a coworking space and café.
It is intended as a place for locals (or visitors) to come and read, relax and enrich their mind.
In fact, ‘Fangsuo’ literally translates to ‘place and direction’, harking back to ‘A place to dwell is the direction the heart goes’ by Xiao Tong, a Tang Dynasty author.
If you enjoy exploring bookstores and other kinds of quirky spaces on your city travels, definitely pop into Fangsuo if you happen to be in Chengdu. I absolutely loved it!
🕒 Opening hours: 10am-10pm daily
Kuanzhai Alley
Kuanzhai Alley, a.k.a ‘Narrow and Wide Alley‘, is actually 3 ancient streets of restored traditional Qing Dynasty buildings that are now home to eateries, gift shops and tea houses.
Some also have cute art & decorative elements, with panda motifs never too far away!
It’s lively and colourful, and the air is filled with the sounds of restaurant touts calling out to customers and unfurling fans with a loud crack.
It’s obviously a very popular place but in terms of Western tourists I only saw a small handful while I was there (Chengdu in general didn’t feel very touristy apart from the panda research base).
I particularly loved the leafy courtyards that doubled as boutiques. Some even had turtle ponds in them! They were like little sanctuaries away from all the hustle & bustle of the main street.
If you’re planning to visit this part of the world and are looking for things to see in Chengdu, definitely make a stop at Kuanzhai Alley. I’d recommend spending an hour or 2 there.
People’s Park
In the already leafy city that is Chengdu (with minimal street pollution despite its population of ~20 million people thanks to virtually all vehicles being electric), the People’s Park, a.k.a. Renmin Park, takes things to the next level by adding an extra dose of lush greenery.
First built in 1911, these sprawling parklands in the centre of the city are the perfect place to spend a couple of calming hours in nature, soaking up the wonderful community vibe – because it’s a very popular spot for locals to hang out.
I particularly loved watching them, particularly the elderly, dance under the trees to traditional Chinese music. The culture here is such that older members of society are still very active and encouraged to get out and about, being part of social groups and community recreation in public spaces.
Other things I enjoyed at the People’s Park included walking among its colourful lantern-strung walkways, sitting by the peaceful lakes where local families gently paddle in row-boats, admiring the beautifully manicured flower displays and art sculptures, and savouring delicious tea in the sanctuary-like tea-house gardens set amongst nature.
There’s so much to love about the People’s Park in Chengdu. It was honestly such a lovely way to spend an afternoon. We were among only a handful of Westerners that I saw, and we attracted more than a few curious but friendly looks and shy hellos from the locals.
If you’re looking for things to see in Chengdu, definitely add the People’s Park to your list. You won’t regret it!
Wenshu Monastery
Another wonderful example of Buddhist temple architecture in Chengdu is Wenshu Monastery, dedicated to Wenshu (Manjushri), the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. Built during the Tang dynasty, it continues to be an active monastery to this day, and you are sure to see locals worshipping and lighting incense when you visit.
It is a sprawling complex of multiple lush courtyards, five grand halls with their distinctive black and red colour schemes, traditional tea houses and tranquil gardens home to a thriving turtle population (fun fact: Chengdu is actually nicknamed the Turtle City because its original architect apparently defined its borders by following a turtle’s tracks).
Having passed through these, you will eventually reach the Wenshu Pavilion itself, an imposing three-storey structure with winged roofs and bright red lanterns, surrounded by beautifully manicured greenery. As I walked past it, I could hear the Buddhists chanting inside, which made the experience all the more special and authentic.
I believe there is also a vegetarian restaurant on site, but I did not see it.
Not far from this pavilion is the eleven-tiered Thousand Buddha Pagoda, which you are encouraged to walk around in a clockwise direction. Several offerings had also been left there when I visited.
Having explored the monastery grounds, I also recommend stepping outside its striking yellow and red walls and spending some time in Ji Yuan Fu Street and the surrounding neighbourhood, where buskers and street merchants add vibrancy to the streets. There is also a number of eateries, souvenir shops and market stalls selling Tibetan jewellery, making it quite a fun place to walk around.
The monastery grounds are open daily and are free to enter, and I recommend allowing at least 1-2 hours to explore them and the nearby streets. Definitely add Wenshu Monastery to your list of things to see in Chengdu!
🕒 Opening hours: 6am-7pm daily
💵 Entry charge: Free
Tianfu Square
Tianfu Square is the literal heart and centre of Chengdu.
It’s a relatively large square (the city’s largest, in fact), with beautifully manicured gardens and grand water features surrounded by numerous high-rise buildings, museums, video billboards and the obligatory statue of Mao. There’s also a subway station on the lower level.
Unsurprisingly, it is often used to host cultural events and performances. And, as with most major squares in China, there is a police presence – both human and robotic (!), but it’s nothing to be intimidated by. We walked past a number of patrolling police officers and they were all perfectly friendly.
I’d say Tianfu Square is worth strolling around for a short while, or longer if you want to sit and people-watch. At one point while we were there, the fountains came on and saxophone music that sounded like Kenny G started playing through loud speakers!
It’s also only an approx. 15-minute walk from the gorgeous People’s Park (see above), which I highly recommend visiting. So consider combining both on the same day.
Other options worth considering
The above list of things to see in Chengdu is based purely on what I managed to fit in during my visit to the city. But it has plenty more to offer, and some of the other attractions I would like to have seen, and which you might like to consider, include:
Jinli Street, an ancient shopping street filled with eateries; Anshun Bridge, the city’s iconic bridge that also houses a restaurant and looks like a floating Chinese palace; the Tower of Life illuminated bamboo-like art installations at SKP Mall; the Dujiangyan Zhongshuge Bookstore, a surreal library about an hour out of the city (I really regret not being able to see this!); and the day trip to the Leshan Buddha, the world’s largest stone Buddha, carved into a rock face.
Getting around Chengdu
Chengdu has a comprehensive subway system that I am sure would be very efficient to use. I had intended to try it, actually. But we ended up using Didi everywhere, because it was so convenient and affordable. N.B. Uber is not available in China. To use apps like Didi while out and about, I recommend getting an eSIM like this one.
Being driven door-to-door to wherever you wanted to go just made things so easy. And, since almost all vehicles in Chengdu are electric, using a car is not bad for the environment either. Every vehicle we had was a premium BYD or similar (even the premium services only cost a few dollars to get around the city), with friendly drivers.
As mentioned in my China travel tips post, be sure to use the China version of Didi, not the international one (which I initially made the mistake of doing). The China version can be used in English and I generally found it to be very easy and reliable.
We did use a normal taxi on our first day because I thought it would be fine to pay with Alipay, but when that didn’t work because it didn’t recognise my non-Chinese credit card and the kind driver had to scramble to a nearby shop to find change for my cash payment, I decided to stick with DiDi and it didn’t disappoint.
So my recommendation for getting around Chengdu would be Didi, with the subway as a backup option.
Getting to Chengdu, and where to stay
As one of China’s largest cities, Chengdu is relatively easy to get to, especially from within Asia. If flying from outside of Asia, you may have to transit in cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong or Guangzhou. Its main airport is Chengdu Tianfu (TFU). I flew there on Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong.
You can find suitable flight connections by searching on Skyscanner or Trip.com to find and compare the best fares.
High-speed trains to Chengdu are also available from major Chinese cities such as Beijing (around 7-9 hours), Shanghai (around 10 hours) and neighbouring Chongqing (around 1 hour). You can book trains to Chengdu here.
In terms of accommodation, I personally stayed at the Ritz-Carlton Chengdu, and have written a comprehensive review of it. But you can find other properties suiting your needs by searching below:
Final thoughts on things to see in Chengdu
Chengdu actually blew me away. It was SUCH beautiful city – so leafy, so clean, such wonderful people, and such a fabulous mix of ancient culture, cutting-edge modernity… and pandas! I cannot recommend it highly enough.
If you’re intimidated by the thought of visiting China in general, I encourage you to read my China travel tips, as it really is an enriching and worthwhile place to visit. And if you do decide to visit, make sure you add Sichuan Province’s capital to your list.
I hope the above article has given you a few insights and inspiration for things to see in Chengdu. And if you’ve already been, what did you think of it? Is there anything else you’d add to the list? Feel free to let me know in the comments!
** This post, like everything else on this website, has been written entirely by me. No ChatGPT or any other AI tool has been used. It takes longer to create, but I value 100% human-generated content and I hope you do too! **
Before you go…
Consider following me on Instagram, where I post regularly about travel around the world, and subscribe to my monthly newsletter for travel inspiration, news and book recommendations delivered straight to your inbox.
For more Chengdu and general China content, I recommend reading my tips for travelling to China, as well as checking out my China section, where I also have older posts from my previous trips to Shanghai and Beijing.
You can similarly download my free, one-page Quick Guide to Chengdu, which concisely summarises everything you need to know about visiting Chengdu.
For more Asia travel content, feel free to check out my posts from Cambodia, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea, plus my older travel memories (more narrative style than blog style) from Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia and Singapore.
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A superbly informative post on, what sounds like, a fascinating destination
Thank you. It’s such a beautiful, underrated city!
Ooooh the bookstore! That’s my bag. I’ve only explored a little of China and hope to see more – will save this guide for a future trip, thanks!
Yes, it’s such a cool little place! If you like books, you’d definitely love it. Hope you can get to Chengdu one day!
I’d love to explore the Fangsuo bookstore and People’s Park while visiting.
They were 2 of my favourite things too!!
Oh, that bookstore and the Dujiangyan library I would love to see. But on top would of course be the giant panda’s!
Ohh yes, you can’t go past the pandas. And the Fangsuo shop is gorgeous too. I really regret not being able to visit the Dujiangyan Library though. Something for next time, I guess!
I have not yet visited China but you inspire me with this article. This city looks lovely – a perfect blend of city sophistication and nature! Your stay at the Ritz Carlton sounds amazing.
Ohh I cannot recommend China highly enough. It’s a fascinating place. I’ve been 3 times and it’s always been amazing. And Chengdu truly is an underrated gem. I really hope you can visit one day (and do stay at the Ritz-Carlton if you can!)
What a beautiful trip! The scenery looks amazing. I love the pictures of the pandas and the red panda! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for reading and glad you liked it! There is so much to see there. I hope you can visit one day!