Chengdu — Pandas, Peppers & Slow Living
Chengdu is the laid-back capital of Sichuan, famous for its giant pandas, fiery cuisine and a teahouse culture that turns afternoons into an art form. It is the gateway to western China's mountains and the start of the Sichuan-Tibet route.
Why visit Chengdu
Chengdu is the laid-back capital of Sichuan, famous for its giant pandas, fiery cuisine and a teahouse culture that turns afternoons into an art form. It is the gateway to western China's mountains and the start of the Sichuan-Tibet route.
Top highlights
- Giant Panda Base — Watch cubs and adults at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, one of the best places on earth to see pandas up close.
- Jinli Ancient Street — Stroll a rebuilt Qing-era lane of teahouses, snack stalls and folk-craft shops beside the Wuhou Shrine.
- Sichuan cuisine — Taste mapo tofu, hotpot and mouth-numbing Sichuan pepper in the city that defines Chinese spicy food.
- People's Park — Join locals for gaiwan tea, ear-cleaning and slow conversation in the green heart of the city.
Arrive at the panda base right at opening (08:00) when the pandas are most active; save hotpot for the evening when the city cools.
Suggested itinerary
Day 1 — morning at the Giant Panda Base, afternoon at the Wuhou Shrine and Jinli Street, dinner with hotpot. Day 2 — explore People's Park and a teahouse, then the Broad and Narrow Alleys for cafes and boutiques. Day 3 — day trip to the Leshan Giant Buddha or Mount Qingcheng before leaving.