I’ve been talking about Chengdu on this blog a lot recently, for one simple reason: it’s the BEST! This post will cover what to do in Chengdu China, with a sample itinerary that will help you to cover all of the bases.
Itinerary Covering What to Do in Chengdu China
I’d recommend at least 4 days in Chengdu. That will be enough time to hit most of Chengdu’s points of interest. But if you can do a week, that’s even better!
This post will go over a four day itinerary just like the one we followed while we were in Chengdu. But I’ll also add on three extra days of travel plans for those who may have more time to spend in Chengdu.
So without further ado, here’s your itinerary covering what you’ll wanna do and see in Chengdu China!
Day 1: Panda Reserve and Hotpot Dinner
I like to get the most important sites done and dusted while I’m still energetic about being in a new city. So on Day 1, make your way to the Panda Reserve in Chengdu China!
The Panda Reserve is a very relaxed experience, but it may require a lot of walking. So wear comfortable shoes and bring water!
After the Panda Reserve, make your way back towards your hotel and find a local hotpot restaurant. This is the perfect way to celebrate your first evening in Chengdu!
The locals love to crowd these restaurants on any given night of the week, and after trying their favorite foods, you’ll certainly understand why!
day 2: Leshan Giant Buddha
After yesterday’s walking, your body will be warmed up for the adventure of the Leshan Giant Buddha! You won’t wanna miss your opportunity to see this UNESCO World Heritage site!
Taking a bullet train from Chengdu’s downtown will get you to Leshan city in about 40 minutes. Thankfully the railway stations are directly connected to Chengdu’s subway station, so they’re very easy to find and get to.
This is a moderate-physical activity day, so get lots of rest the night before and eat well before going. And get yourself ready to have your mind blown!
This incredible and MASSIVE sculpture completed over 1200 years ago will take your breath away. I know plenty of people who skipped this attraction since it required a commute, but I’m telling you, it’s WORTH IT!
Day 3: Jinsha Museum and Kuanzhaixiangzi ALley
After yesterday’s activity, a slower day at the museum is not only a great way to relax a bit, but it’s also just an amazing experience! I’m not usually a huge museum person, but I could have stayed at this museum all day!
Jinsha Museum centers around an ancient sacrificial site found just over 20 years ago near Chengdu’s city center. Amazing excavation efforts have uncovered so many beautiful and awe-inspiring pieces of the past.
After spending your morning (or afternoon!) there, make your way to Kuanzhaixiangzi Alley for dinner and for Chengdu-style entertainment!
Be sure to try some street food, catch a Face-Changing show, and snag some souvenirs while you’re here! Whether there in the morning, noon, or night, Kuanzhaixiangzi Alley provides plenty to do and see.
day 4: City Center And People’s Park
Chengdu’s city center hosts a plethora of museums, as well as a Muslim mosque! Catch a train or subway to Tianfu Square station (or walk if your hotel is close!) and enjoy a day of sightseeing at the museums.
There are also several massive malls, if you’d rather spend a day shopping, and plenty of snacks/drinks/restaurants to keep you full as you go.
An hour or two before dusk, make your way to People’s Park, a beautiful garden memorial to veterans and fallen soldiers of World War II. A few beautiful sculptures and plaques provide insight into the garden’s origin.
But mostly, there are beautiful ancient structures, meticulously kept greenery, lovely mosaics, and lots of elderly and children enjoying the outdoors.
There are also teahouses and face-changing shows available here, in case you didn’t get enough of that on Day 2! (We enjoyed shows and tea at every location we could find, and enjoyed it every time!)
Now, if you have just a few days to spend in Chengdu, you can stop here! 4 days is really sufficient to get to the major sites.
HOWEVER, if you have a few more days to kill (hooray!) here’s a recommended itinerary for those days:
Day 5: MOUNT QINGCHENG & DUJIANGYAN IRRIGATION SYSTEM
As with Leshan, this site is both a UNESCO World Heritage site, and also requires a train to get to it. As with before, trains can be accessed directly from the subway system.
Sprawling reservoirs and massive mountains make for photo-worthy views and excellent fresh-air time.
The story behind the massive irrigation undertaking are also fascinating, and will definitely make you appreciate Chengdu even more than ever!
Day 6: Wenshu Monastery and Jinli Street
Within Chengdu’s downtown, the beautiful Wenshu Monastery will allow you to step back in time into China’s ancient era. As Chengdu and Leshan are a large hub for Buddhism, you’ll be able to see rituals practiced here.
As it’s near the downtown, it’s quite easy to make your way to Jinli street for another shopping and sightseeing opportunity, similar to Kuanzhaixiangzi Alley.
Day 7: Traveler’s Choice!
I love a spare day to just walk around the city and people watch, or even better, to go back to a site that I especially enjoyed!
Sometimes a second visit to a place can be even better than the first. Maybe your initial visit there was overwhelming or you didn’t get to see everything. So take this chance to go back before that place is behind you!
If you don’t feel a need to revisit anything, then you can always visit Tianfu Square for mall shopping/people-watching, or just enjoy Chengdu’s relaxed and lovely pace of life.
So that’s my recommended take on what to do in Chengdu China! For us, this itinerary was the perfect amount of activity, and let us see everything we wanted to see. As always, feel free to get in touch in the comments or using the icons at the top of this blog if you have more questions!
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