Top Recommended 25 Places to Visit in Chengdu
As described in most travel books, Chengdu is most wildly known as “the Hometown of Giant Panda” and an important transportation hub to UNESCO World Heritages around - Leshan Giant Buddha, Mount Emei and Jiuzhaigou. It is a “laid-back”city reputed being “A Land of Abundance”with beautiful nature, long history, distinctive culture, leisure life, creative spirit and puissant vitality.
China Discovery carefully selected Chengdu’s Top 24 Must-visit Tourist Spots to help you have better insight into essence of culture and relaxation of Chengdu. Your Chengdu tour can be fun and unforgettable if visiting different kinds of places of interests, including Giant Panda Base, top parks and museums, great cultural sites, ancient streets and towns, shopping malls, etc.
When in Chengdu, do as the locals do. See the cute pandas in breeding base, enjoy relaxing tea time in Renmin Park, find inner peace in Wenshu Monastery, taste Hotpot and authentic Sichuan Cuisine, watch a face-changing of Sichuan Opera and witness modern prosperity in Taikoo Li. Each spot is an excellent miniature of Chengdu and you will love the trip exploring them.
Chengdu Attraction Map
- Top Chengdu Tourist Attractions
- Featured Activities
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No.1: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (Xiongmao Jidi)
Type: Nature & Parks, Wildlife Areas
Recommended Length of Visit: 3 ~ 4 hours
Chengdu Panda Base no doubt is the TOP ONE must-visit tourist attraction for all travelers to Chengdu. The breeding center is the only place focusing entirely on the critically endangered giant pandas in Chengdu. In the beautiful park, you will see adult pandas and the newborn babies, red pandas, eating bamboos, climbing trees, playing with friends, lazy but very adorable. Museum and exhibits inside give interesting facts about the rare species. Early morning visit is highly suggested to see the active panda and avoid the crowds.
☞ 1 Day Chengdu Panda Private Tour - Iconic Essence of Chengdu
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No.2: Jinli Ancient Street
Type: Sights & Landmarks, Historical Walking Areas, Points of Interest
Recommended Length of Visit: 2 ~ 3 hours
Jinli Ancient Street was the oldest and the most commercial street during ancient Shu Kingdom. Now it is one of most famous downtown attractions in Chengdu, rebuilt based on residence of Ming and Qing Dynasties, presenting “Three Kingdoms Culture” and Chengdu folk culture. Various stores lined along the old street sell Shu Brocade and Embroidery, lacquer products, handicrafts, Chinese calligraphy and paintings. Foodies can have a quick “taste” of Chengdu life here by eating all sorts of local snacks. Evening with lots of red lanterns on is the best time to get nice photos and a alive night market.
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No.3: Wenshu Monastery
Type: Religious Sites, Sights & Landmarks
Recommended Length of Visit: 2 hours
Built for over 1,400 years, Wenshu Monastery is a great tranquil and peaceful temple hidden in the bustling city center. Anytime you visit the temple, you can see many prayers worshiping and lighting incense. It is a typical Sichuan style wooden construction, which displays many precious Buddhist relics, ancient cultural heritages and handwriting exhibits. After seeing the exquisite architectures, learn Buddhist culture and sense the sacred atmosphere, you can enjoy a break in tea house and vegetarian restaurant nearby. Outside the temple, there are many featured souvenir shops, local snake bars, locals activities in Wenshu Fang where you can take a stroll and catch a glimpse of Chengdu culture.
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No.4: People's Park Chengdu
Type: Nature & Park
Recommended Length of Visit: 1 ~ 2 hours
Renmin Park, or People's Park, is one of the city's best places to observe local life. During the daytime, as well as weekends, the park is always filled with locals, especially many senior couples dancing with various styles of music, playing chess, musical instruments, Mahjong or cards in a tea house, strolling leisurely with friends and practicing Tai Chi, making ear cleaning. Some will show their wonderful calligraphy and painting. You can wander along the willow tree-lined road, join the locals or take a cup of tea in the famous Heming Tea House, enjoy a leisure afternoon like the local people. The park is free to tour when no special shows held, and definitely is the perfect way to experience the real leisure lifestyle.
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No.5: Wuhou Temple
Type: Historical Site, Museum
Recommended Length of Visit: 3 hours
Wuhou Temple is a shrine integrated with tombs of Liu Bei, the king of Shu during the Three Kingdom period, and Zhuge Liang, the Martial Marquis of Shu. It is the only temple with the Emperor’s tomb and his official’s tomb integrated together. If you are familiar with the history of this period then this will be fascinating. If you're not, you'll still enjoy the beautiful bonsai gardens and marvel at the fact that the tomb of Liu Bei, the King of Shu Han, has remained untouched for more than a 1000 years.
☞ 4 Days Chengdu History & Culture Tour with Wuhou Memorial Temple
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No.6: Kuanzhai Alley
Type: Sights & Landmarks, Historical Walking Areas, Points of Interest
Recommended Length of Visit: 2 ~ 3 hours
Kuanzhai Alley is a famous historical and cultural site that consists of three paralleled streets from Qing Dynasty (A.D. 1636-1912). Along the alleys is the rich culture of Chengdu old life. Visiting here to enjoy the traditional buildings, local snacks, tea, etc. to have an unforgettable experience in Chengdu.
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No.7: Du Fu Thatched Cottage
Type: Historical Site, Museum, Traditional Chinese Garden
Recommended Length of Visit: 2 ~ 3 hours
Being the former residence of Du Fu, a great poet in the Tang Dynasty (A.D. 618-907), Du Fu Thatched Cottage is a famous museum combined with memorial temple and celebrity’s old house as well as cultural temple with ancient-style architecture and tranquil garden. It has been ranked as National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit and National 4A Scenic Spot.
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No.8: Jinsha Site Museum
Type: Museum, Historical Site
Recommended Length of Visit: 2 ~ 3 hours
Jinsha Ruins was found in 2001 with numerous relics of 3000-year-old Shu Kingdom in the western Chengdu. Over the actual archaeological dig site, the Relic Hall of Jinsha Site Museum was built. In the Exhibition Hall of the museum, the objects that excavated from the site are displayed. The highlight of Jinsha Site Museum is the Gold Band with Sun and Magic Birds, which is the new symbol of Chengdu.
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No.9: Qingyang Palace
Type: Religious & Historical Site, Sights & Landmarks
Recommended Length of Visit: 1 ~ 2 hours
Qingyang Palace is a Taoist temple nationwide known where Dao Zang Ji Yao, the most integrated collection to research Taoism is stored. In spite of its location in the busy center of Chengdu, Qingyang Palace makes an unexpected quiet and peaceful temple to take a glimpse of Taoism in China.
☞ 3 Days Chengdu & Mt. Qingcheng Taoism Tour with Qingyang Palace
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No.10: Xiling Snow Mountain
Type: Nature & Parks, Outdoor Activities, Ski & Snowboard Areas
Recommended Length of Visit: 1 ~ 2 days
Situated in west suburb of Chengdu, Xiling Snow Mountain is an ideal winter destinations in Chengdu, where you can enjoy boundless forests covered high mountains, and see beautiful ice and snow world and have awesome skiing experience during winter. Prepare well for the long cable car journey uphill.
☞ 2 Days Xiling Snow Mountain Ski Tour
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No.11: Sanxingdui Museum
Type: Museums
Recommended Length of Visit: half a day
In Sanxingdui Museum, there are numerous exquisite objects of bronze ware, jade ware, stone ware, gold ware and so on, which are so diverse in shape and unique not only in China but throughout the whole world. These unearthed relics well reflect a glittering chapter in ancient Shu history, as well as the primitive faiths.
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No.12: Sichuan Museum
Type: Comperhensive Museum
Recommended Length of Visit: 2 ~ 3 Hours
Sichuan Museum, located near Du Fu Thatched Musuem and Huanhuaxi Park, is a big comprehensive museum with over 70 years’ history and more than 320,000 cultural relics. It is a provincial museum and a national first-class museum exhibits the valuable paintings of Zhang Daqian, bronze wares, ceramics, jade wares, Sichuan embroideries, Buddha statues, culture and history of Sichuan. In Chengdu, the museum is an important cultural site open to public freely and a good window to know Sichuan’s rich culture and long history.
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No.13: Tianfu Square
Type: City Square, Sights & Landmarks, Points of Interest
Recommended Length of Visit: 1 ~ 3 Hours
Located in center of Chengdu, Tianfu Square is the largest urban square in this city, which has the similar layout and role as Tiananmen Square in Beijing. There is commercial center and subway station underground, and museums (Chengdu Museum, Sichuan Science & Technology Museum) and big shopping malls around. The 30-meter-tall Statue of Mao Zedong can be seen in the right north. Tourists and locals like to visit this palace and take pictures recording their trip.
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No.14: Chengdu Museum (New Building)
Type:Museum
Recommended Length of Visit: 2 ~ 3 Hours
The New Hall of Chengdu Museum, located in the west of Tianfu Sqaure, was open to public in 2016. The 5-storey new modern buildings aims to introduce Chengdu intensively and comprehensively. Get a free entry with valid passport, you can visit the floors to see special exhibitions, cultural and historical exhibitions and display of very localized shadow plays and puppet shows. Spend some times here to get the developing history of Chengdu and unique folk customs of the city.
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No.15: Shufeng Yayun Opera House Chengdu
Type: Concert, Opera, Shows
Recommended Length of Visit: 1.5 ~ 2 Hours
Chengdu is the best destination to watch a Sichuan Opera, and Shufeng Yayun Opera House is one of the best theatre to enjoy a local Sichuan Opera as well as other Sichuan folk shows. When night falls, enter the ancient style court, order a cup of tea and enjoy amazing face-changing, fire spitting and entertaining Sichuan folk shows. The special skill and costume and make-up surely amuse you. You may see the backstage preparation and wear one costume and take photo for such a memorable experience.
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No.16: Shu Brocade and Embroidery Museum
Type: Museum, Cultural & Historical Heritage Site
Recommended Length of Visit: 1 ~ 2 hours
Shu Brocade and Embroidery Museum, also called Shu Brocade Institution, is the only professional place in China to show all the processes of Shu Brocade hand-weaving and the history and culture of Shu Brocade and Embroidery. Here you can touch the beauty of Shu Brocade and embroidery across time and space and watch textile workers weaving process. The little shop inside offers items at good quality and reasonable price.
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No.17: Sichuan Cuisine Museum
Type: Specialty Museum
Recommended Length of Visit: half a day
Sichuan Cuisine is world famous and here it is the themed museum reveal popular ingredients and classic dishes of Sichuan Cuisine. The Sichuan Cuisine Museum is an “Eatable” museum, where visitors can taste many kinds of local snacks, see ancient table containers, tour old street, witness the magic turning of raw material to spicy sauce and even attend a cooking class to make typical Sichuan dishes.
☞ 1 Day Chengdu Tour with Giant Panda & Cooking Experience
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No.18: Chunxi Road
Type: Pedestian Street, Shopping Center, Sights & Landmarks
Recommended Length of Visit: 1 ~ 2 hours
Chunxi Road is located at the center of Chengdu. It shows the most prosperous and fashionable appearance of Chengdu and is the "3rd pedestrian street in China" with various stores, shopping malls, delicious food and hotels. It lies next to Kaikoo Li and is the paradise for shopping and taste Hotpot and classic Chengdu snacks.
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No.19: Wangjianglou Park
Type: Historic Site, Nature & Park
Recommended Length of Visit: 1 ~ 2 hours
Situated in an agreeable environment surrounded by flourishing woods and luxuriant bamboo bushes, Wangjianglou Park is huge park by the river and in the aprk there are wide-known cultural sites built to memorize Xue Tao, a celebrated poetess in Tang Dynasty (A.D. 618-907).
☞ 4 Days Chengdu History & Culture Tour with Wangjianglou Park
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No.20: Taikoo Li
Type: Shopping Mall, Sights of Landmarks, Points of Interest
Recommended Length of Visit: 2 ~ 3 hours
Chengdu Sino ocean Taikoo Li Chengdu ( Taikoo Li for short) is close to Chunxi Road and Daci Temple. It is an open shopping center in the traditional West Sichuan styled buildings, gathering a series of international luxury brands, fashion brands and fine dining western style restaurants.
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No.21: Baoguang Temple
Type: Religious Site, Sights & Landmarks
Recommended Length of Visit: 2 ~ 3 hours
Allegedly first built in Eastern Han (A.D. 25-220) dynasty, Baoguang Temple is one of the “Top Four Buddhist Temples in West China” with its long history, large scale and quiet environment since Qing dynasty. Storing about 500 statues of arhat and 13 Sarira, this temple is always popular among tourists and Buddhists.
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No.22: Huanglongxi Ancient Town
Type: Historical Site, Sights & Points of Interest
Recommended Length of Visit:2 ~ 3 hours
Huanglongxi Ancient Town, lies in south suburb of Chengdu, is a good-reputed ancient town with over 1700 years of history. It still retains its rustic charm with ancient buildings (old streets, temples, residences, trees, Buddhist caves, etc) and old folklore custom. For its rich natural landscape resources and humanistic and cultural tourism resources, it is famed as Historic& Cultural Town, the Hometown of Chinese Folk Art (Fire Dragon). Locals love to have family tour with kids in Huanglongxi during weekends.
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No.23: Luodai Ancient Town
Type: Historical Site, Sights & Points of Interest
Recommended Length of Visit: 2 ~ 3 hours
Located in eastern suburb of Chengdu, Luodai Ancient Town is the largest Hakka community in southwest China, which has a history of 1800 years. Praised as the Best Hakka Town in China, Luodai Ancient Town showcases the well-preserved Hakka residency, old street and many Guild Halls. Inside the town, you can find many local street food, souvenir shops, as well as some local farmers selling fresh vegetables and fruit in baskets by the road.
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No.24: New Century Global Center
Type: Shopping Mall
Recommended Length of Visit: 2 ~ 3 hours
Opened in 2013 with a total construction area of about 1.76 million square meters, New Century Global Center is one of the largest single buildings in the world. There are more than 200 shops selling all the goods you need and many entertainment facilities such as water park, cinema, ice rink for you to have fun.
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No.25: Anshun Bridge
Type: Sights & Landmarks, Bridge
Recommended Length of Visit: 1 hour
Sitting on the confluence of two rivers of Chengdu, Anshun Bridge once was mentioned in the Travelers of Marco Polo, which proves its long history might dating back to Yuan Dynasty. Now it has been redesiged to be a 81-meter long and 6-meter wide bridge in Ming & Qing Dynasties style. Gorgeous night views make it a hot spot for tourists to enjoy dazzling urban sights.
Useful Chengdu Travel Guide
- Ultimate Chengdu Travel Guide
- Chengdu Tourism Infos
- Chengdu 144-Hour Visa Free
- How to Plan A Chengdu Trip
- 11 Top Things to Do in Chengdu
- Top Attractions Recommended by TA
- 1 Day Itinerary in Chengdu
- 2 Days' Itinerary in Chengdu
- 3 Days' Itinerary in Chengdu
- Get to & Around Chengdu
- Best Time to Visit Chengdu
- Where to Stay in Chengdu
- Chengdu Food & Snacks
- Chengdu Nightlife
- Chengdu Shopping
- Chengdu Metro Lines
- Chengdu Travel Maps
- Chengdu FAQs & Tips
- Customers' Travel Photos of Chengdu
- Chengdu Good Reviews on TA
Recommended Chengdu Tours
Top 3 Chengdu tours chosen by most customers to explore Chengdu in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.
2 Days Leisure Chengdu Private Tour with Panda Visit
Chengdu: Jinli Street, Giant Panda Base, Wenshu Temple
3 Days Chengdu Highlights Tour plus Leshan Giant Buddha
Chengdu: Chengdu Panda Base, Leshan Giant Buddha, Jinli Street
