17 Interesting Things To Do in Chengdu, China
Chengdu (sometimes romanticized as Chengtu or “The Heavenly Land of Plenty”) is a massive city serving as capital for the Sichuan Province. It was once the capital of the ancient Shu Kingdom around 400 B.C.E.
Now, Modern Chengdu is a well-structured city spiraling out along the famed fertile Chengdu Plains. The city itself is very flat, making it easy to walk, bicycle and navigate through the area. The Funan River cuts through the center of the city, allowing for interesting skyline reflections at night.
The most famous aspect of Chengdu is the notoriously popular Panda Breeding and Research Centre, located somewhat outside the city. Additionally, pandas are heavily promoted in the city, with toys, art, plushies, collectibles and vials of panda hair sold almost everywhere.
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Advice When Visiting
Generally, Chengdu is roughly three hours away from Chongqing by car or train. Tickets can be purchased at stations, but it is easier to use WeChat travel, provided a local can help with translation.
China has numerous hotels and hostels which are specifically reserved for Chinese citizens. Be sure to verify which hotels allow foreigners or go through a company when booking.
Chengdu’s Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is one of the country’s most dedicated organizations to the preservation of Giant Pandas. Unfortunately, in the past, the facilities offered tourists the chance to hug the pandas (for a large donation). I strongly advise against this. Generally, strange physical contact with animals on a regular basis increases stress, creates health and immunity problems and makes non-domesticated animals extra reliant on humans.
Top 17 Things to Do in Chendu, China
Famous Tourist Activities:
Tianfu Square – A large square in Chengdu, this is a huge shopping center with a uniquely elegant spiral statue in the heart of the city. If seen from above, it makes an enormous yin and yang symbol. It’s a popular meeting place and landmark.
Jinli Street – An old town, Hutong shopping street with traditional trinkets such as calligraphy, pottery and charms. The artwork here is wonderful and there are many small festivals, especially on the weekends.
Anshun Lang Bridge – A bridge arching over the Jinjiang River. This bridge is an impressive structure with elegant lights, smooth arches and traditional Chinese houses sitting atop it. It is one of the most famous landmarks in the city.
Du Fu Thatched Cottage – The celebrated Chinese poet has a museum dedicated in the location where his original cottage existed. It’s in a beautiful area and is decorated with his most famous poems. His humble, recreated abode is surrounded by a tranquil 24 acre park.
White Pearl Tower – A large light tower built during China’s steady economic boom. The tower is a popular landmark.
Outdoor Points of Interest
People’s Park – A large lake park with rowing boats and quiet willow trees. There is a feature in the park called Love Wall where people look for their soulmate.
Qintai Road – An exceptionally well-decorated street in the city with tapered, curved roofs, lots of dragon artwork and traditional Chinese lamps hanging everywhere.
Submerged Great Wall – Part of the Great Wall of China is currently underwater thanks to the construction of a reservoir. It can still be visited by diving with scuba gear.
Mount Emei – One of the four famous Buddhist mountains of China, it’s an extremely popular summer destination with gilded elephant statues
Cultural Points of Interest
Wenshu Yuan Monastery – A Tang Dynasty Monastery with many pieces of artwork and calligraphy. There is the skull of a famous monk as well as a unique pagoda and tea shop.
Black Goat Palace – Qingyang Palace – A beautiful pagoda and garden area. It’s generally quite busy. Tickets are ten yuan for adults and can be bought on arrival. Additionally, the famous Wuhou Shrine is located within.
Wuhou Shrine – The most famous shrine in the city (and certainly the most photographed). Surrounding the shrine area, the wavy red walls are iconic. The shrine is the burial site for both Shu King Lie Bei and his extrodinary minister, Wuhou. It is the only temple in China with a King and Minister buried side by side.
Kuan, Zhai and Jing Xiangzi – These are the traditional, perfectly maintained historic alleys of Chengdu. The buildings are well cared for and the functional streets are pleasant to walk down.
Strange Things to Do
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding – This is the most famous feature of Chengdu. The panda breeding center is dedicated to the preservation of the species. However, people are allowed to hug the pandas. Again, I recommend against this, since most modern research suggest this unnecessarily stresses the animals out.
Leshan Giant Buddha Statue – Not a part of Chengdu, this day trip leads along a river to an enormous seated Buddha carved of red stone embedded in a cliff face. The structure is caked in greenery and moss.
Du Fu KFC – The Kentucky Fried Chicken Franchise in China has an exhibit dedicated to Du Fu, a venerated eighth century poet. The (operational) KFC here has a 3D holographic pyramid image of his hut in the various seasons.
Magical Face Swaps – Theater Face Changes – Part of Sichuan Opera culture is a famous stunt using a special kind of “flipping mask” which shows a characters changing mood in a Sichuan performance. There are many theaters, both local and national which portray this unique style of theater.
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