Chengdu, China: home of spicy foods, cuddly pandas, rich cultural experiences, and multiple UNESCO World Heritage sites! Sounds amazing? It is!! In this post, I’ll cover the Top 10 things to do in Chengdu China.
Cultural Sightseeing: The #1 Thing to do in Chengdu China
1. See the Pandas
Okay, I’ll be honest…all of my friends’ pictures of the pandas in Chengdu were quite underwhelming. However, seeing them in person was easily one of my FAVORITE parts of Chengdu. I would honestly say it’s a MUST.
Far from just a “panda zoo”, the Chengdu Panda Reserve is committed to helping pandas out of their endangered status. So you learn a LOT while going through the reserve, and it really makes you love the fluffy dudes.
We could have watched them for hours (especially the baby pandas and red pandas!). It’s a joy-giving experience, and also gives you so much appreciation for China’s efforts to preserve these beautiful animals.
2. Jinsha and museums
Chengdu just discovered its most major historical sites in this 21st century, and seeing what they’ve dug up is SUPER cool! I’m not a huge history person, but I honestly loved the Jinsha Museum.
There are plenty of other museums to check out, as well. In Tianfu Square (Chengdu’s city center) there are several museums and also a massive library.
If you’re a person who likes educational experiences, you’re in luck! Chengdu has no shortage of them, and they’re definitely worth visiting.
3. Temples and Monastaries
As with many of China’s cities, there are still so many touches of years past preserved throughout the city.
If you’re into art AND culture, temples are the place for you to go! Ancient Chinese architecture and art meets age-old practices.
Check out the Wenshu Monastery in downtown Chengdu, or the Zhaojue Temple, Daci Temple, or Baoguang Temple just outside of the city.
Try Local Entertainment
4. Face-changing show
I know, the name sounds weird. It sounds cooler in Chinese, as it rhymes (bianlian). But trust me, the face-changing show is something you DON’T want to miss while in Chengdu!
Performers wear traditional Sichuan Opera clothes and masks, but in the blink of an eye (literally), BOOM! They’ll have a new mask.
Seriously, people–I FILMED this show, and even when slowing it down on my phone, I still couldn’t see where the change was happening! It’s like a Chinese performance and magic show all rolled into one.
The best part: these shows sometimes come for free with the purchase of a cup of tea at a teahouse. Locals love this part of their culture, and take so much pleasure in sharing it with foreigners.
So watching a face-changing show should DEFINITELY be a priority on your top 10 list of things to do in Chengdu China!
5. Teahouses & Parks
Chengdu has a very calm pace of life, and the entertainment which the locals enjoy follows suit. Local people gather in teahouses for a cup of locally grown green tea and a chat with friends.
We spent almost an entire afternoon in a teahouse watching the various entertainment shows they had. In my opinion, enjoying an afternoon in the same way the locals do is a key experience to understanding any city.
So while in Chengdu, make sure to get yourself to a teahouse!
Try New Foods
6. Hotpot
No trip to Sichuan is complete without some cuisine tourism! Sichuan Province, where Chengdu is located, is famous for its crazy spice levels.
The most canonical Chengdu dish is Sichuan hotpot. At designated hotpot restaurants, a large soup wok is filled with red hot pepper broth (don’t worry, you can get a “split bowl” with half mushroom broth and half spicy).
Basically, you order the veggies and meats you want to eat, drop them into your steaming bowl of Sichuan goodness, cook them through and dunk them in your dipping sauce…and voila! Welcome to the world of hotpot!
If you’re not into spicy eats, don’t get scared off! There’s plenty of other delicious local dishes which you’re bound to love.
Chengdu’s culinary opportunities should DEFINITELY be on your own list of top things to do in Chengdu China. You can read more about all of Chengdu’s best eats here!
Visit Chengdu’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites!
7. Leshan Giant Buddha
Located about forty minutes by bullet train outside of Chengdu, this incredibly site is DEFINITELY worth the effort to get to it!
While it’s mostly steps rather than hiking trails, you will definitely clock in 15-20k while walking all throughout the incredible temples and down to the base of the Giant Buddha.
This is another one of those experiences that you really can’t miss while in Chengdu. So make sure to head to the Giant Buddha for a breathtaking experience!
8. Mount QingChen & Dujiangyan Irrigation System
Another local marvel, the incredible agricultural feats done near Mount Qingyuan are awe-inspiring, and leave little room for wondering why Sichuan is so agriculturally productive.
As with Leshan, you’ll need to take a bullet train to get there. But it’s really hardly more effort than taking a subway around the city is.
A great option for getting outdoors and moving, Mount Qingchen will allow you to soak in the beautiful mountains of Sichuan province.
This massive wonder definitely earned its spot on our list of top 10 things to do in Chengdu China!
Shopping
9. Kuanzhaixiangzi alley
Who doesn’t need souvenirs? Kuanzhaixiangzi Alley has everything you need, from panda stuffed animals to t-shirts and magnets. You’ll need to haggle with vendors, though. They always start at 2-3 times the actual value.
Not only are there plentiful shopping opportunities here, but you can also easily find restaurants, street food, even a Starbucks.
Best of all, there are several teashops with face-changing shows along the street! Kuanzhaixiangzi Alley is a win-win, in my opinion: a one-stop location for entertainment, culture, and shopping!
10. Tianfu Square
Wanna do some shopping for yourself, as well? Tianfu Square has tons of options for you!
There are several massive malls standing around the perimeter of the city center, with plenty of big-name stores that you’ll be familiar with (from designer to chains like H&M).
There are food courts and spas in these areas as well, so you’ll have plenty of options for some self-care after running all over Chengdu to see its best tourist areas.
Chengdu is the perfect city to visit, whether for a weekend getaway or a week-long exploration. This list of my Top 10 Things to Do in Chengdu China was made with help from my friends who are local to the area, so trust me: this is the good stuff!
Have so much fun on your journey, and as always, get in touch with me via email or Insta if you need help planning your own trip!
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