4 must-see attractions and 6 total things to do.
Chengdu's beauty is best experienced outdoors. 4 attractions are absolute must-sees among 6 on my curated list — from iconic landmarks to hidden corners most visitors miss.
I recommend at least 3–4 days in Chengdu. You can comfortably cover the 4 must-sees in 2 days, then explore at leisure.
成都大熊猫繁育研究基地
The world's best place to see giant pandas — including a nursery with adorable cubs and an active red panda enclosure.
人民公园
The heart of Chengdu's leisure culture — Heming Tea House, mahjong players, and locals dancing in the square.
锦里古街
A reconstructed Qing Dynasty street with red lanterns, snack stalls, and souvenir shops.
武侯祠
The most important memorial to the Three Kingdoms period, dedicated to Zhuge Liang.
都江堰
A 2,200-year-old irrigation system that still works — an engineering marvel and UNESCO site outside the city.
蜀风雅韵
Chengdu's best traditional Sichuan Opera show featuring face-changing, puppetry, and fire-spitting.
In Chengdu, the food is an adventure in itself. Here are my picks for what to eat — if you skip these, you haven't really been.
四川火锅 · ¥80–150 per person
The iconic Chengdu experience — bubbling broth laden with chilli and Sichuan pepper, cooked at your table with meats, vegetables, and tofu.
where Huangcheng Laoma or a local neighbourhood hotpot spot
担担面 · ¥10–20
Chengdu's famous street noodle dish — wheat noodles with minced pork, sesame paste, chilli oil, and preserved vegetables.
where Xiao Tan Dou Hua or street stalls
麻婆豆腐 · ¥25–45
Silken tofu in a fiery sauce of doubanjiang (fermented bean paste) and Sichuan peppercorns — numbing and delicious.
where Chen Mapo Tofu (the original location)
Gateway to Guizhou — mountain scenery, Miao and Dong cultures, and one of China's most underrated food scenes
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My 72-year-old mother came with us to China and Peng made sure every step was comfortable. She picked hotels with elevators, planned rest breaks between attractions, and even found a clinic when Mom needed her blood pressure checked. Worth every penny.
Priya
Singapore
I'd been to China before on group tours. This was completely different. Peng designed a Chengdu trip focused entirely on food — we ate at places I never would have found on my own. The hotpot recommendation alone was life-changing.
Diego
Buenos Aires, Argentina
I've helped hundreds of travellers plan their perfect Chengdu trip.
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