A Comprehensive Chengdu Travel Guide: Pandas, Hotpot & Hidden Gems

 Chengdu, this vibrant and charming Chinese city, is waiting for you to explore. It is not only the home of the lovely giant pandas, but also boasts mouth - watering hotpot, and numerous hidden gems waiting for you to discover.

Must - visit attractions

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

When in Chengdu, the top priority is to visit the cute giant pandas. The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is the best place to see these chubby and adorable creatures. Here, you can watch giant pandas eating bamboo, playing, sleeping in their charming ways, and even catch a glimpse of their lovely cubs. Be sure to go early, as there are usually many tourists. Arriving early allows you to have a better view of the pandas and avoid the peak crowds. The ticket price is 55 yuan, and it is recommended to book in advance on the official website or travel platforms.

Kuanzhai Alley

Kuanzhai Alley is composed of Kuan Alley, Zhai Alley and Jing Alley arranged in parallel. Here, you can experience the charm of old Chengdu. Stroll along the ancient - styled streets, surrounded by traditional Western Sichuan architecture. You can sit down in a street - side teahouse, order a cup of covered - bowl tea, enjoy a leisurely time, and even experience the Sichuan - characteristic ear cleaning service. In addition, there are many characteristic small shops in the alleys, selling all kinds of handicrafts and souvenirs, and you can pick some as travel mementos. It is open all day and has no admission fee.

Jinli Ancient Street

Jinli Ancient Street is full of the culture of the Three Kingdoms period and the charm of Chengdu's traditional folk customs. When night falls and the red lanterns are lit, the entire ancient street takes on a charming atmosphere, which is perfect for taking photos. Here, you can taste various Chengdu - characteristic snacks, such as tangyouguozi (fried glutinous rice balls with sugar) and danhonggao (baked egg cakes). At the same time, you can also watch the making of folk handicrafts, such as paper - cutting and sugar painting. Jinli Ancient Street is open all day and free to enter.

Chunxi Road / IFS

Chunxi Road is one of the most bustling commercial streets in Chengdu, gathering numerous fashion brands and shopping malls. The IFS International Finance Centre is even a trendy landmark, where there is the famous panda sculpture climbing the wall. You can take photos under the sculpture, which is quite interesting. Here, you can feel the modernity and fashion of Chengdu and meet your shopping needs. Chunxi Road is open all day and has no admission fee.

Wuhou Temple

Wuhou Temple is a ancestral temple dedicated to Zhuge Liang, the prime minister of the Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period, and it is also the only temple in China where both monarchs and ministers are worshipped together. It is full of a strong cultural atmosphere of the Three Kingdoms period, with ancient - styled architecture. Here, you can learn about the history of the Three Kingdoms and appreciate the beauty of ancient architecture. The ticket price is 50 yuan, and it is recommended to book in advance on the official WeChat public account.

Du Fu Thatched Cottage

Du Fu Thatched Cottage was the former residence of Du Fu, a poet of the Tang Dynasty, when he lived in Chengdu. The garden environment is quiet and full of poetic charm. Here, you can visit the thatched cottage where Du Fu once lived, feel his living environment at that time, and appreciate the charm of classical gardens. The ticket price is 50 yuan, and you need to book in advance on the official WeChat public account.

Food recommendations

Hotpot

Chengdu hotpot is famous worldwide for its unique spicy, numbing and fragrant flavor. The soup base is usually mainly made of beef tallow, mixed with various spices such as chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns, with a rich taste. You can choose various ingredients such as meat, vegetables and bean products to boil in the pot. It is recommended to try classic dishes such as tripe, duck intestines and beef. When boiling, follow the "seven up and eight down" principle to make the ingredients have the best taste. Some popular hotpot restaurants include Xiaolongkan Hotpot and Shudaxia Hotpot, with an average consumption of about 80 - 150 yuan per person.

Chuanchuanxiang (Spicy Skewers)

Chuanchuanxiang is similar to hotpot, but the ingredients are skewered on bamboo sticks, and you can choose according to your own preferences. After eating, the restaurant will charge according to the number of bamboo sticks. The soup base of Chuanchuanxiang also has a variety of choices, such as spicy, clear soup and rattan pepper. It is recommended to go to Gangguanchang Wuqu Xiaojungangan Chuanchuanxiang, where the small gizzard is a characteristic dish with a crisp and tender taste. The average consumption is about 60 - 100 yuan per person.

Sichuan Cuisine

Sichuan cuisine is one of the eight major cuisines in China, with a variety of flavors, mainly spicy, but there are also many non - spicy dishes. Mapo tofu, with tender tofu and spicy and fragrant sauce, is very delicious with rice; Twice - cooked pork, with 肥瘦 - 相间 meat slices, bright red color and mellow taste; Kung Pao chicken, with tender chicken, crispy peanuts, and a sweet, sour and slightly spicy taste that is unforgettable. Recommended restaurants include Taode 砂锅 and Taolin Restaurant, with an average consumption of 50 - 100 yuan per person.

Characteristic snacks

Dandan noodles: Thin noodles are mixed with delicious marinade, sprinkled with preserved vegetables, minced meat and other seasonings, with a smooth and chewy taste and rich flavor.

Zhong dumplings: The dumplings have thin skins and tender fillings. When served, they are drizzled with special red oil, and then added with garlic juice, sesame oil and other seasonings, with a slightly sweet and salty taste, which is delicious.

Tangyouguozi: Made of glutinous rice flour into balls, fried and then coated with a layer of caramel, it is crispy outside and glutinous inside, sweet and delicious, and is a favorite traditional snack of Chengdu people.

Bingfen (Iced Jelly)

It is a magic weapon to relieve spiciness! The icy Bingfen is mixed with various ingredients such as brown sugar, glutinous rice cakes, fruits and nuts, with a rich taste and refreshing effect. It can be enjoyed in many snack bars and hotpot restaurants.

Accommodation suggestions

Chunxi Road / Taikoo Li area

Located in the city center, it has convenient transportation. There are many shopping malls, restaurants and bars around, providing a wide range of shopping, entertainment and dining options. There are various types of hotels and homestays, from high - end luxury to economy - class, which can meet the needs of different budgets. Recommended hotels include The Temple House Chengdu, which has an elegant environment and thoughtful service; there are also some cost - effective homestays to choose from.

Near Kuanzhai Alley

If you want to experience the atmosphere of old Chengdu, the area near Kuanzhai Alley is a good choice. There are many inns and homestays with Western Sichuan characteristics here, allowing you to rest in an ancient - styled environment. There are many delicious foods around, and it is convenient to travel, with some attractions within walking distance.

Along the subway lines

If you value transportation convenience more, you can choose to live along Metro Line 2 or Line 3. These two lines connect many popular attractions, allowing you to easily travel to various places. There are hotels and homestays of different prices along the lines, and you can choose according to your budget.

What to do in Chengdu for a Day