Things to see and do in Chengdu, China?

Rising as the capital of Sichuan, one of China’s most important provinces, it’s hard to name just one thing to see in Chengdu, as it’s one of the most iconic cities in the entire country. Here you can visit the charming and exotic pandas that roam the city; find inner peace in the Quinyang Temple; and lose yourself in the endless alleyways that preserve its most traditional essence.

Chengdu is one of the most renowned cities in China, not only for its adorable, speckled bears, but also for the peace that permeates its unique and irreplaceable temples, as well as the handcrafted tea served in the city’s many traditional tea shops. Read on and we’ll tell you all about what to see.

What are the best places to see in Chengdu?

1. Wenshu Monastery

Chengdu is a city of contrasts: spectacular skyscrapers adorn the centre, as if it were any other capital of the country, while in different corners of the city are hidden architectural pieces that preserve the most traditional essence of China.

This is the case of the Wenshu Monastery. A Buddhist temple that is a legacy from the time when the Tang dynasty was predominant. It is an enclave that, as well as offering free admission, is made up of gardens that complement the main structure of the building perfectly, conveying a peace that is virtually indescribable.

As a free entrance and a haven of peace in the middle of the city, the monastery is usually packed with devotees who come to pray and enjoy the spectacular space that this Buddhist temple has to offer. It’s definitely something to add to your list of things to do in Chengdu.

2. Tianfu Square, a historic square to see in Chengdu

Situated in one of the city’s busiest spots, Tianfu Square is often considered the nerve centre of Chengdu and, by extension, the Sichuan region.

Tianfu Square is an iconic gathering place in the city and is in a prime location, surrounded by iconic buildings, dining and entertainment venues, as well as various museums, where you can appreciate the essence of the city’s culture.

Dominating the centre of the square is a huge white sculpture of Mao Tse Tung, which once stood alone, but now shares space with several fountains and sculptures in the shape of dragons and other creatures. It certainly adds to the attractiveness of this place and makes it a must-see in Chengdu.

3. The Quingyang Temple and the Wuhou Temple

Of course, Wenshu Monastery is not the only religious building to be found throughout the city of Chengdu. Among the various temples lining the streets of Chengdu, there are two that require special mention: the Quingyang Temple and the Wuhou Temple.

If you let yourself get lost in the streets of the unique, strident and unmistakably Tibetan quarter, you’ll have the chance to stumble upon one of Chengdu’s most beautiful temples; none other than the Wuhou Temple. This monument honours historical figures who lived during the Three Kingdoms era.

A little further away from this unforgettable temple, you’ll find another haven of peace, where you can also taste the typical tea of the city of Chengdu, which is served right there, in the Quinyang Temple. This temple is of Taoist heritage and is the largest temple complex of its kind in the entire city of Chengdu.

4. The People’s Park, a unique place to enjoy tea in Chengdu

Among the most visited and admired places to see and visit in all of Chengdu, the People’s Park is undoubtedly one of the first that comes to mind when we think of these iconic places that await in the city. As such, it has become a landmark for locals and tourists alike.

Besides being able to wander around the park, enjoying the rhythm and magic that surrounds the city, this park is also home to one of the most important teahouses in the entire city of Chengdu. It is a very relaxing situation to appreciate all these different elements, while gazing at the lake that is located nearby.

The truth is that it is an ideal place to spend the last hours of your day visiting Chengdu, because as we explained, the whole essence of the park invites you to relax and let go of your worries, watching the last hours of sunlight falling on the trees and the surface of the lake.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see around Chengdu?

The Great Buddha of Leshan

It’s not all in Chengdu, as the entire Sichuan region and the area around the capital is full of magical places that take your breath away as soon as you set foot in front of them. Without a doubt, the Great Buddha of Leshan is one of those monuments that will not go unnoticed and will leave a lasting impression on you.

This Big Buddha has as its home the mountain on which it was carved more than ten centuries ago and its stature is impressive, as it is more than 70 metres high, from which it watches over the entire town of Leshan. It will take you a little over an hour to get there from Chengdu, but it’s a visit that’s well worth it.

Chengdú Panda Bear Tour

One of the most important reasons to visit Chengdu and the surrounding area is none other than to visit these endearing giant bears that call Sichuan province home. Panda bears are considered a national treasure in China and are recognised around the world, so if you’re in the vicinity, we recommend a visit to the Chengdu Giant Panda Bear Conservation Centre.

Unfortunately, due to their fame, these bears have fallen prey to malicious people, which has forced the government to take measures for their conversation and fewer and fewer bears have their home in the wild, as their habitat is shrinking.

Thus, about 10km from the city of Chengdu, there is one such centre that serves as a refuge for panda bears. Protection measures for the bears have been increased and certain practices are no longer allowed during the visit, but it’s still a magical experience to spend a few hours watching them.

What to see in 1 day in Chengdu

Chengdu hides many different places, not only in the city centre, but also in the surrounding areas, and that’s why we have thought of making a small itinerary so that you don’t miss any of the essential things to see and do in the city centre in 1 day.

We recommend that you start your visit at Tianfu Square, the nerve centre of Chengdu city, where you will also find a variety of accommodation and where many people choose to stay during their stay. After taking in the details of Chengdu’s city centre, the next stop is up to you, but it’s a good idea to visit the various temples and monasteries.

You can start with the Quinyang and Wuhou temples, then move on to Wenshu Monastery. If you’re exhausted, though, you can choose just one of them and finish your tour of things to see in Chengdu at the People’s Park.

Where and what to eat in Chengdu?

Gastronomy is one of the strong points of visiting a place like Chengdu, and that is why we have prepared a recommendation of some places where you can enjoy it:

• Café (InterContinental Century City Chengdu): A great place to enjoy a fusion of flavours from Japanese, Chinese and Thai food, where seafood shines.
• Star Lake Speciatly Restaurant: Excellent presentation and service bring Star Lake’s menu to life, with a variety of options to sample Sichuan food at its best.

Where to stay in Chengdu?

We have prepared a list for you with some accommodation for your days in the city, to make the process of choosing where to spend your stay in Chengdu a lot easier:

• Holiday Inn Express Chengdu Tianfu Airport Zone:As the name suggests, this hotel is located just minutes from the airport and is an excellent choice for accommodation, not only because of its enviable facilities, but also because of its excellent location. Prices for a weekend for two people are around €106.
• Chengdu Tianfu Sunshine Hotel: A comfortable hotel, with enviable city views and a unique style. The price for a weekend for two people is around €123.
• Sheraton Chengdu Lido Hotel: An excellent location, just metres from the centre and very close to the metro, is only surpassed by its unique decor. Prices for a weekend for three people are €185.

How to prepare what to see on your trip to Chengdu?

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
• Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat. You can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference.
• Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map. You can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post.
• Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need, and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of places you visited on your trip to the app. Recommend other travellers what things to do in Chengdu, China.

If you have any doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Chengdu