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Sian Victoria © - Chengdu Kuanzhai Alley

Chengdu - Best Thing’s to do & sightseeing places

Chengdu is the vibrant capital of southwestern China's Sichuan province. Voted the happiest city in China, it's one of the best tourist destinations across the country. I visited Chengdu for 2 weeks in September of 2016, where I was studying art at Sichuan University through an International Exchange Camp with Birmingham City University.

During our free time on the trip, local students would give us guided tours of the best attractions in Chengdu.

This culturally rich city is home to hot and spicy authentic Sichuan cuisine, sensational natural scenery, captivating historical architecture, a fantastic new shopping mall and even loveable pandas, it's no wonder that this idyllic city is gaining more recognition around the world.

With historical architecture still standing today, echoing Chengdu throughout the Tang Dynasty in 200AD and the Qing Dynasty in the 17th century, there's so much to uncover in the city that reveals the rich history of Chengdu.

Chosen as the host city for the 2025 World Games, Chengdu is a growing tourist hotspot. With a subtropical monsoon climate, it would be best to book a holiday in Chengdu between March and June or September to November – although Chengdu's summers can be beautiful, the heat may be a little uncomfortable for some.

So, if you're eager to discover what there is to see and do in the colourful city, have a read, and perhaps plan a trip yourself.

Reasons to visit Chengdu China

Firstly, here are six interesting facts about the reasons to consider visiting Chengdu:

Giant Pandas

Giant Pandas are a national treasure in China. To protect the species Chengdu is home to the largest Research Base for Giant Panda Breeding. Thanks to conservation success Pandas are no longer endangered in China.

Cultural Heritage

A place of rich cultural heritage Chengdu still exhibits Sichuan opera, Buddhist culture, Shu needlework, and bamboo weaved over porcelain ceramics, among other traditional treasures making it a historical and cultural city.

National wealth

Chengdu is the sixth-largest city by population and the eighth wealthiest attracting luxury brands and high-end malls to this emerging city.

Sian Victoria © - Temple, lilypad pod, Chengdu

Slow living lifestyle

The Sichuan region has one of the highest percentages of elderly people. Making it the perfect place to enjoy the slow living lifestyle, with teahouses located all over Chengdu city and the national parks being a popular destination for groups of locals to dance and play games together.

Natural scenery

Home to Chengdu People's Park and Qingcheng Mountain among other scenic hot spots, Chengdu is a great place to enjoy the natural scenery. Especially, a vast array of bamboo trees since Chengdu has an ideal climate for growing bamboo.

Sichuan Cuisine

One of China's Four Great Cuisines is Sichuan cuisine made of hot and spicy flavoured dishes.

Chengdu China landmarks & Tourist attractions

Now you know some of the many reasons to visit, here are 15 of the best things to do in Chengdu during your trip:

1. Wenshu Yuan Monastery

Sian Victoria © - Wenshu Yuan Monastery, temple in Chengdu

The best-preserved Buddhist temple in the city of Chengdu, the Wenshu Yuan Monastery can be found in the Qingyang district just north of the city centre.

Initially built during the Tang Dynasty, the beautiful monastery is a show-stopping structure. Take in the hundreds of preserved stunning Buddha statues, historical paintings and relics that give you an insight into China's history.

Soak in the tranquillity and traditional culture of the monastery, wherein locals do morning tai chi and have a spot of tea in the monastery's teahouse. You can even have a bite to eat at the vegetarian restaurant it has.

Of the many religious sites, I visited the Wenshu Yuan Monastery was perhaps my favourite of them all and it is free to enter. It was lovely to have a stroll around the beautifully landscaped grounds where you’ll casually spot wildlife such as frogs, tortoises and fish in the pond, free-range chickens wandering around and many cats and dogs.

You’re welcome to purchase a red candle for 15 yuan/£1.80 and make a wish. You’ll find this is a very popular thing to do when visiting this wonderful oasis in a bustling city. Depending on when you visit you may also see a ceremony.

2. Kuanzhai Alley

Perfect for an afternoon walk through the downtown of Chengdu city, Kuanzhai Alley, also known as ‘Wide and Narrow Alley’ is made up of three historic paralleled alleys that trace back to the Qing Dynasty – Kuan Alley and Zhai Alley and Well Alley.

The ancient street is a popular tourist attraction and a great place to visit if you enjoy photography. As you’ll discover plenty of fascinating decorations such as red purses hanging from trees, floating teacups, beautifully dressed performers from the theatre, unique craftmanship and old courtyards with historically detailed doors.

Boasting beautiful ancient buildings that showcase an array of historical architecture, authentic teahouses, eateries, and quaint shops, Kuanzhai Alley is the perfect combination of classic Chinese culture and contemporary life.

Stroll through the extensive alley and take in the beauty of your surroundings. Take part in traditional Chinese street food culture by trying out some of the delicious authentic cuisines from the stalls and then pop into a souvenir shop, all while making sure to take some snapshots of this Instagrammable street.

3. Giant Panda Breeding Research Base

Sian Victoria © - Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, Chengdu

Chengdu is perhaps best known for its giant pandas. These beautiful animals can be seen at the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. Where you can observe the adorable pandas in a simulated ecological environment and watch them snacking on some bamboo or just sitting around watching the passers-by and rolling around carefree on low treetop platforms.

The base is well maintained, stretching across an extensive park space where the pandas are free to roam within their enclosures, although sadly the enclosures are not big enough to benefit their mental health which was sad to see and did leave me feeling disappointed.

But that said, the panda is China’s national animal, so they are treated extremely well and thanks to the extensive research of this centre they are no longer an endangered species. So, it’s a tough one.

Seeing these pandas up close was what I was looking forward to most about this trip to Chengdu. As it is likely a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so I recommend checking out the base and supporting its facility. Visit early in the mornings if you want to beat the crowds and be sure to visit the nursery to see baby pandas sleeping in cots.

4. Mount Qingcheng

Sian Victoria © - Mount Qingcheng, Chengdu

Sian Victoria © - Cable cars at Mount Qingcheng, Chengdu

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Mount Qingcheng is situated in Dujiangyan. Take a high-speed train and then a bus or taxi to the base of the mountain, where you'll then be able to hop on a boat and then a cable car to get you near the top of the mountain.

We decided to hike up the lush green picturesque mountain and then travel by cable car and boat on the way down. I’m not the fittest so I did find some sections of the hike tough. But as there are so many things to see on the way up, we had plenty of stops along the way, so it wasn’t too bad. Most people were doing the hike wearing flip flops which I found was rather brave considering there was flooding the night before.

The mountain is honoured as one of the birthplaces of the Taoist religion, rendering it a sacred place in Chinese culture. As well as being worth a visit to appreciate its historical significance to the city, the mountain itself is simply beautiful. I loved capturing wildlife photography here.

Engulfed in stunning natural scenery and peaks, Mount Qingcheng is also home to an abundance of historical relics. Most notably, you'll come across two beautiful temples home to precious ancient relics - Jianfu Palace, built during the Qing Dynasty and Tianshi Cave, built in the Sui dynasty period.

The scenic surroundings on the mountain make this iconic landmark even more amazing. Visit the mountain and appreciate the stunning surroundings yourself. On my trip to Chengdu, there were no plans to visit this mountain, it was a last-minute decision by a group leader, and it ended up being the best and most memorable thing we did in Chengdu. I’d love to hike it again one day.

5. Jinsha Site Museum

Sian Victoria © - Jinsha Site Museum, Chengdu

Built upon the ruins of an archaeological site discovered in 2001. At the Jinsha Site Museum, you can wander the two main buildings and discover the curiosities on show. One building is home to a large exhibition hall and the other is the relics hall containing historical artefacts that allow you to discover the history of Shu culture and explore what life was like in the pre-Qing dynasty in China.

Walkthrough the site either learning about China's cultural heritage yourself or pick up a handy headset to explain the exhibitions – perfect for history lovers or just those visiting the city and wanting to discover Chengdu's eclectic past, visiting this museum would make for a great activity.

Exploring inside the museum is fascinating, however, outside the building is a lovely place to explore too with its grounds being surrounded by bamboo trees, colourful unique plants, a river, and wildlife.

The Chinese archaeological site can be found in the Qingyang District and contains gold, jade, and ivory artefacts from elephants that are over 3000 years old.

The scope of the archaeological site is so large that they have not been able to excavate it all. So, when you discover how large the site is you’ll be surprised that there are still more archaeological discoveries to be uncovered.

6. Chengdu Renmin Park

If you're looking for a place where you can truly experience the local culture and the laidback lifestyle of the many retired locals in Chengdu. Renmin Park is a spot to check out. In the heart of the city, Chengdu's Renmin park, – also known as the People's Park – is an idyllic haven of leisure and entertainment with plenty to discover and enjoy.

Have a stroll through the park and admire the local’s drinking tea, groups gathering to partake in line dancing, reading a book, playing chess, cards, and dominos, or simply having a chat with one another. The atmosphere is simply wonderful and is worth experiencing after a busy day sightseeing.

Pop into a teahouse, sit back and take in the beauty of the park and maybe buy some unique and locally crafted items from the many stalls. It’s here where I bought a beautiful purple oriental fan to cool me down during my Chengdu adventures. It was worth every penny, and you may find that having one is essential, our group also bought summer umbrellas that make such a difference to keep you shaded in the sun.

When you visit this park, you’ll understand why Chengdu has one of the oldest populations as well as the happiest. As the seniors here clearly have an active and social lifestyle which was wonderful to see.

7. Wangjianglou Park

Sian Victoria © - Wangjianglou Park, Chengdu

There's certainly no shortage of natural scenery to appreciate in Chengdu, with Wangjiang Park also known as the bamboo park being one of the city's most popular landmarks. Situated by the Jiangjiang River in a natural garden and with a large bamboo forest surrounding it, the park couldn't be in a more perfect location.

The park is dedicated to legendary poetess Xue Tao of the Tang Dynasty, making it a cultural site. Discover an abundance of flourishing bamboo bushes and wonderful greenery, a memorial hall commemorating the work of the poetess and several preserved, ancient buildings.

Take in the beauty of the Wangjiang Tower, built during the Qing Dynasty and looming above visitors at 39 metres high, honouring the poetess with ornate patterns on its façade and painted in beautiful colour.

A great way to spend an afternoon in Chengdu would be exploring this tranquil park – partake in traditional culture with the locals, admire historical relics and enjoy the sounds of nature as you stroll through.

8. Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street

Sian Victoria © - Chunxi Road, Chengdu City

Sian Victoria © - Chunxi Road, IFS Shopping mall, Chengdu City

Fancy doing a spot of shopping. Head on over to Chunxi Road a lively Pedestrian Street in the centre of the city. As one of the busiest commercial streets in China, you must pay a visit to this bustling hotspot of culture.

Known as the centre of fashion, you can Indulge in a shopping spree on Chunxi Road, with over 700 shops and shopping malls to choose from, from big designer brands to small independent stores and plenty of Western brands.

And, after you've shopped till you've dropped, you can try out some of the delicious, traditional food on offer from the many street food vendors. And if you prefer to table dine, there's no shortage of restaurants to try out too, with every eatery serving up flavoursome authentic Sichuan cuisine as well as a few Western names like Starbucks if you fancy a coffee.

With so many shops, market stalls, entertainment venues and foodie places you’re sure to spend a couple of hours here exploring the busy streets.

9. IFS Shopping Mall

Sian Victoria © - IFS shopping mall, Chengdu City

If you haven't quite got your fill of shopping on Chunxi Road, you can always experience the IFS Shopping Mall located here which is now an iconic landmark attraction. When I visited Chengdu, this mall hadn’t been open for long, so it was still sparkly and new with a sleek and contemporary design making it a lovely piece of modern architecture to see.

This luxury shopping centre is situated in downtown Chengdu and can't be missed with a giant panda statue climbing onto its roof, which you can get to the top of and take selfies with. Something I sadly didn’t know until we were just leaving.

It's clear to see why this shopping mall is considered such an iconic sight in the city. The large upscale structure boasts everything from hundreds of high-quality designer stores to a luxury hotel, a cinema, an ice rink, and a whole host of office buildings. Shop the latest styles in this unbelievable commercial complex in the heart of Chengdu.

10. Tianfu Square

Sian Victoria © - Tianfu Square, Chengdu

Right in the centre of Chengdu, you'll find Tianfu Square. Regarded as one of the busiest tourist hotspots for providing easy access to the centre of the city and its most popular attractions. You'll likely always find a hive of activity at this square.

Directly linked to Chengdu's transport connections, visitors to the city gather here and treat it as a place of leisure. Directly in the centre of the square, the Golden Sun Bird statue sits proudly, immediately grabbing your attention, lighting up at night in sensational colour. As well as an intricate golden dragon statue, making the square entirely picturesque.

Tianfu Square was designed with a contemporary place of leisure in mind, with the space being adorned with trees and greenery, and neon lights at night that give the square that iconic bustling Chinese city vibe that attracts tourists from all over.

With its location right in the heart of Chengdu, Tianfu Square should be on your list to visit. You can even explore the city with an evening food tour by Tuk-Tuk which I’m sure will be a memorable experience.

Being in a tuk-tuk riding along Chengdu’s hectic streets was one of the most nerve-wracking but funniest things we did in China. It’s certainly something you should experience at least once in your life.

11. Mao Zedong Statue & visit the Sichuan Science and Technology Museum

Sian Victoria © - Mao Zedong & Sichuan Science & Technology Museum, Chengdu

Amongst the many points of attraction in the lively Tianfu Square, perhaps the most well-known is the 30-metre-tall statue of Chairman Mae Zedong. Opened in 1968, the beguiling marble statue looms above ground as a tribute to the late leader – and, at such a height, you won't have any trouble finding it as it can be seen as you walk out the underground.

In front of the statue, you’ll see the Sichuan Science and Technology Museum. The giant building is home to over 20 exhibition halls that cover a range of historical relics concerning all things scientific and technical.

Work your way around the interactive exhibits, including an aerospace exhibition, machinery, and robot exhibition, featuring interactive rocket models and huge flying saucers. It's fun for all ages to visit.

We wanted to visit the museum especially since it was raining when we arrived at Tianfu Square. However, unfortunately, our group of twelve British students got turned away yet reviews by fellow ‘foreigners’ say they managed to get in for free.

So, visiting here may be hit or miss, but standing beneath the statue while you’re already in the Square is worthwhile, nonetheless.

12. Chengdu’s Art and Antique Market - Song Xian Qiao

Sian Victoria © - Song Xian Qiao, Chengdu

If you’re looking for somewhere different to explore and seeking souvenirs to take home for family and friends. Then you may want to check out Chengdu’s Art and Antique Market. Known as Song Xian Qiao it’s in the Qingyang District on Huanhua N Road.

Here you’ll discover a world of souvenirs, jewellery, hand-crafted art, and all things unique. As well as some historical buildings and decorated pathways to stroll.

Work your way across the bustling market and discover what's on offer at the myriads of individual stalls and vendors, where you'll see locals gathering to sell their creations away from the popular tourist hotspots in the city.

It's something totally out of the ordinary, and well worth a visit if you're eager to embrace the lifestyle of Chengdu's locals and appreciate local art and crafts.

13. MOCA - Museum of Contemporary Art Chengdu

Sian Victoria © - Museum of Contemporary Art, Chengdu

If you haven't had your fill of weird and wonderful art at the markets or the Science and Technology Museum, you can visit the MOCA - Museum of Contemporary Art in Chengdu. The museum collates hundreds of sensational creations by artists in the contemporary art scene, both locally in Chengdu and from those around China.

Take in the fascinating modern art pieces, from the beautifully abstract to the intricate and incredibly detailed and find yourself spending an hour wandering around the gallery’s exhibition halls to see what you can discover.

Art-lover or not, I’m sure you’ll appreciate the creativity of others. Especially since it has a red dinosaur in a large cage in front of the entrance.

14. Chengdu City nightlife – karaoke & street food markets

Sian Victoria © - Night market near Sichuan University, Chengdu

Sian Victoria © - Gate leading to Wenshu Monastery, Chengdu

Sian Victoria © - Chengdu City high rise buildings

Sian Victoria © - Anshun Bridge, Chengdu City high rise buildings

Sian Victoria © - Anshun Bridge, Jin River, Chengdu City

As well as boasting amazing authentic Chinese culture, the city is also becoming well known for its vibrant nightlife. Why not partake in the lively social scene while you're there? Have a few drinks at some of the bars frequented by Sichuan University students, such as the Jellyfish Club or The Beer Nest.

And, while you're at it, you can even let your inner party animal free in the array of KTV (karaoke) bars, where you can book a private room with a group of friends for a night of amusement sipping on your choice of cocktail and snacks.

Or, if you're keen to have a cooking class to create spicy dishes, head over to a night market where you can taste authentic Sichuan cuisine. There's no shortage of things to do in Chengdu – day or night.

To get a real feel for the Chengdu experience, watch the video below which shows everything I got up to during my two-week trip.

15. Leshan Giant Buddha

Perhaps one of the most amazing things you can see while in the Sichuan province is visiting the Leshan Giant Buddha. A 71-metre-tall statue made of red sandstone carved out of a cliff towering over the Min River. Annoyingly this wasn’t on our guides itinerary to visit but hopefully I’ll visit one day it looks magnificent.

To conclude

So, there we go. A selection of the best attractions you can see and do in Chengdu that I’ve personally experienced and recommend. If when you travel, you love to soak up the unique culture of a place. Then Chengdu should certainly be on your list to explore, it is a fascinating tourist destination with many wonderful things to experience.

Hiking Mount Qingcheng will always be one of the best places I’ve hiked, and I’ll always appreciate the temples I visited surrounded by beautiful nature and of course the first time I saw a panda. If you're considering visiting, let me know what interests you most on this list – I'd love to hear what you want to get up to.

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