CN
Chengdu
Sichuan’s laid-back capital, famous for giant pandas, teahouses and fiery food
Sichuan’s laid-back capital, famous for giant pandas, teahouses and fiery food
A rebuilt old street next to the Wuhou Shrine, lined with snack stalls, teahouses and shops, lit with lanterns at night.
Photo: Zairon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Three restored lanes of Qing-dynasty-style courtyard houses, now home to cafés, restaurants and teahouses.
Photo: Daderot, CC0
An active Buddhist monastery in the city centre with halls, gardens and a popular vegetarian restaurant and teahouse.
Photo: Daderot, CC0
A 71m Buddha carved into a cliff at the meeting of three rivers in the 8th century, about an hour from Chengdu by high-speed train. It is a UNESCO site with nearby Mount Emei.
Go early or on a weekday; queues on the stairs can be very long.
Photo: Calistemon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Try Sichuan hotpot, mapo tofu, dan dan noodles, kung pao chicken, spicy rabbit head and chuan chuan (skewers in spicy broth).
Ask for less spicy (wei la) if you are not used to chilli and Sichuan pepper.
Chengdu has two international airports, Shuangliu (CTU) and Tianfu (TFU), both linked to the city by metro. The metro covers the city well, and high-speed trains go to Leshan, Chongqing and Xi’an.
Citizens of most EU countries, the UK, Canada, Australia and many others can currently visit mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days; this policy runs until 31 December 2026 unless extended. US citizens need a visa, though they and travellers from 55 countries can use the 240-hour visa-free transit if flying on to a third country through designated ports. Check current rules before you travel.
Chengdu is good value compared with Beijing or Shanghai. China uses the yuan (CNY, RMB). Mobile payment dominates: Alipay and WeChat Pay now accept foreign bank cards, but carry some cash as a backup.
Pandas, teahouses and the Giant Buddha.
Go to the Panda Base at opening time, when pandas are most active, then relax in a teahouse in People’s Park.
Visit Wenshu Monastery, the Kuanzhai Alleys and Jinli Street, with hotpot for dinner.
Take the train to Leshan to see the Giant Buddha.
Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with your card before you travel; many places do not take foreign cards directly.
Arrive at the Panda Base early; pandas sleep through the hot middle of the day.
Order mild versions of dishes if you are not used to Sichuan pepper and chilli.
Avoid Chinese New Year and the October Golden Week (1–7 October), when sights and transport are extremely busy.
Quick answers for planning time in Chengdu.
Citizens of most EU countries, the UK, Canada, Australia and others can currently visit visa-free for up to 30 days (until 31 December 2026). US citizens need a visa unless using the 240-hour visa-free transit.
Early in the morning, soon after the Panda Base opens, when pandas are feeding.
About an hour by high-speed train, then a short taxi or bus ride.
Sichuan cuisine, especially hotpot, mapo tofu and dan dan noodles.
March to June and September to November.
Google Maps works poorly in mainland China; Apple Maps or the Chinese app Amap (Gaode) are more accurate.
Free
Mandarin is the main language, and English is limited outside big hotels; a translation app with camera and offline mode is very helpful.
Free
WhatsApp, Google and many Western apps are blocked in mainland China without a roaming SIM or eSIM; most people use WeChat for messages and payments.
Free
Planning a wider trip? Our China travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.