Chengdu is one of the preferred destinations for those who want to be acquainted with all details regarding the Chinese tradition. It is a treasure trove of the Chinese culture and filled with numerous hidden gems that offer vacationers an ideal getaway. The enchanting city experiences four distinct seasons and undoubtedly captivates travelers in all these seasons with its allure and charm. Below are some enchanting and highly praised places to explore in Chengdu, one of the most captivating cities in China, that you should not miss during your trip to the region.
12 Finest Places To Explore In Chengdu, China
Here are some of the top attractions and tourist spots you should discover during your visit to Chengdu in China. You will be astonished to learn that Chengdu plays a significant role in the history of China and has done so for numerous years. By visiting and sightseeing some of the incredible places there, you can be assured of a remarkable vacation in Chengdu. Prepare your luggage and get ready to indulge in something majestic and grand.
- Baoguang Temple – Fusion Of Spirituality And Serenity
- Chengdu Tea Houses – Rejuvenate And Relax Yourself
- Mt Qingcheng – Encounter The Breathtaking Beauty
- Chengdu Panda Base – Experience The Thrill Of Observing Pandas
- Bifengxia Giant Panda Base – Witness The Magnificence Of Giant Panda
- Dujiangyan Panda Center – Encountering Nature’s Paradise
- Leshan Giant Buddha – Lay Eyes On Something Monumental
- The Chengdu Wuhou Shrine – Witness The Oldest Chinese Temples
- Dujiangyan Irrigation System – Observe The Chinese Irrigation System
- The Wenshu Monastery – Capture Some Exquisite Stone Carvings
- Mount Emei and its Temples – Admire Chinese Sacred Mountains
- Du Fu Thatched Cottage – Acquire Knowledge About Beautiful Chinese Poetry
1. Baoguang Temple – Fusion Of Spirituality And Serenity
Located at Xinbdu’s shades, this marvelous temple is commonly known as the “Divine Light Temple” as well. The magnificent spiritual significance, boasts of an alluring and artistic depiction. Over 400 immense columns were constructed together to shape the solitary tower that is an impressive marvel in itself. It showcases three main worship halls accompanied by nearly sixteen courtyards where visitors can enjoy an extraordinary view of breathtaking and captivating architecture. A true marvel to behold, this is one of the top attractions in Chengdu, China.
Best time to visit: March-June, September- DecemberHow to reach Baoguang Temple: The place is well connected by train and bus.Entry fee: INR 51Opening hours: 8 AM – 5:30 PM
2. Chengdu Tea Houses – Rejuvenate And Relax Yourself
These are truly one of the famed and top attractions when it comes to the best places to visit in Chengdu. Throughout ancient times, explorers would catch a glimpse of these diverse houses established among tree branches. Positioned directly on trees, the houses are quite sturdy like a well-constructed genuine home. Don’t miss the opportunity to step into a treehouse and enjoy some leisurely moments for yourself. The places also offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you will certainly cherish.
Best time to visit: Year-roundHow to reach Chengdu Tea Houses: The place is well connected by bus.Entry fee: INR 306Opening hours: 11 AM – 10 PM
3. Mt Qingcheng – Experience The Picturesque Beauty
It’s a mesmerizing and among the well-known attractions to visit in Chengdu that delights holidaymakers and visitors with its scenic beauty. Moreover, it’s one of the finest and highly acclaimed spots worth exploring in the city. Surrounded by several other peaks along with the main mountain, the area appears stunningly beautiful. If you are visiting the city and have some spare time on hand, spend hours near the place to create lasting memories.
Optimal time to visit: July to AugustHow to get to Mt Qingcheng: The location is well connected by bus and high-speed train.Operating hours: 8 AM – 5 PM
Planning your vacation but unsure of where to go? These travel narratives assist you in discovering your ultimate excursion!
4. Chengdu Panda Base – Experience The Excitement Of Observing Pandas
Have you ever witnessed a panda frolicking with its siblings? If affirmative, then you are aware of how adorable the sight is and would certainly desire to witness it repeatedly. And if negative, then it is essential for you to encounter this marvel at least once in your lifetime. The Chengdu Panda base grants you the opportunity to observe the Pandas in their natural habitat. It is an indispensable destination for every traveler, so do not neglect it as it is included in the list of renowned attractions in Chengdu.
Optimal time to visit: September to JuneHow to get to Chengdu Panda Base: Take Metro Line 3 and disembark at Dong Wu Yuan Station. Exit from Exit B and then take bus 198 or 198a directly to the base.Operating hours: 7:30 AM – 5 PMEntrance fee: INR 592
5. Bifengxia Giant Panda Base – Witness The Magnificence Of Giant Panda
The Bifengxia Giant Panda Base possesses one of the most remarkable collections of giant pandas worldwide. You can explore tranquil and munching on bamboo, blissful pandas, serene in their secure and uninterrupted habitat at this panda base. Then embark on a two-hour drive outside of Chengdu and arrive at this natural forest sanctuary with stunning waterfalls. Besides admiring the colossal pandas, playful pandas at the delightful panda kindergarten can also be encountered at this panda base. So, what are you contemplating? Quickly sign up for a Chengdu panda tour as it stands among the top destinations in Chengdu city.
Ideal time to visit: September to JuneHow to reach Bifengxia Giant Panda Base: It requires at least 5 hours round trip from Chengdu to Bifengxia. Travelers can take a bus from Chengdu Yanchang Bus Station to Ya’an (departs from 7:00 to 17:00, with one bus departing every hour), and it takes about 1.5 hours to reach Ya’an Tourist Bus Station.Operating hours: 8:30 AM – 4 PMEntrance fee: INR 510
6. Dujiangyan Panda Center – Encounter With This Paradise of Nature
You have the opportunity to pay them a visit, right here at the Dujiangyan Panda Center, located outside Chengdu city, at the base of the Qingcheng Mountain. Similar to the Bifengxia sanctuary, this is also a haven of nature; where you can witness the pandas engaging in captivating performances throughout the day in their natural and peaceful surroundings. Recently, the center has also initiated its own volunteer program where one can become a panda caretaker for a day. If you decide to volunteer, you can assist in food preparation, bamboo planting, cleaning their enclosures, and gain more knowledge about these lovable companions. One of the places to visit in Chengdu in December, make sure to allocate some time with these adorable little ones.
Optimal time to visit: All year roundHow to arrive at Dujiangyan Panda Center: One can take a high-speed train from Chengdu to Dujiangyan, disembark at Qingchengshan Station, and then transfer to bus No. 102. Proceed on foot for a few hundred meters until reaching the destination.Operating hours: 8 AM – 5 PMEntrance fee: INR 592
7. Leshan Giant Buddha – Feast Your Eyes On Something Enormous
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One of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a top attraction in Chengdu is the Leshan Giant Buddha, an immense stone sculpture of Maitreya. The Leshan Giant Buddha stands around 71 meters tall and is recognized as the largest Buddha statue in the world, drawing tourists and pilgrims from various locations. This destination is ideal for a day trip, and a delightful experience can be had by indulging in a meal at an authentic Chinese restaurant.
Optimal time to visit: During the spring months from March to May and in the autumn months from September to NovemberHow to arrive at Dujiangyan Panda Center: Trains or buses are convenient modes of transportation to reach the Leshan Giant Buddha. You can secure a ticket for the Chengdu–Leshan-Emeishan Intercity High-Speed Train, traveling from Chengdu to Leshan Railway Station. If opting for a bus, the distance from Chengdu City to Leshan City is approximately 100 miles.Operating hours: UnspecifiedEntrance fee: 90 Yuan
8. The Chengdu Wuhou Shrine – Observe The Oldest Temples In China
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The Chengdu Wuhou Shrine is one of the oldest temples in Chengdu, built to honor Zhuge Liang, who is known as a popular statesman and strategist and also served as the Chancellor of the Shu Han empire. The temple also showcases statues of Zhuge Liang and other small figures on both sides of his son and grandson. Visitors can also see temples dedicated to Liu Bei and other important figures in the Shu Han empire, including historical writings and poems of China.
Optimal time to visit: From March to June, or from September to NovemberHow to get to Dujiangyan Panda Center: You can take Metro Line 3 and exit at Gaoshengqiao station. Then, you can walk east along Wuhouci Avenue for about 3-5 minutes to reach the temple.Operating hours: November to April: 8:00 am – 6:30 pm, Ticketing stops at 5:30 pmAdmission fee: CNY 50; CNY 25 for teenagers between 6 and 18 years old. Free for children under 1.3m (4.3ft) or under 6 years old.
9. Dujiangyan Irrigation System – Witness The Chinese Irrigation System
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Dujiangyan Irrigation System is a place you should visit if you’re sightseeing in Chengdu. It was built in 250 BC, and it’s fascinating to learn that it was designed to prevent disastrous flooding. The system includes various earthen dams and sections that branch out to tributaries and canals, providing irrigation for fields. Visitors can also explore the Cave of the Heavenly Master, Mount Qingchengsahn, and other famous statues in Shengong and Xianyuan.
Optimal time to visit: NAHow to get to Dujiangyan Panda Center: First, you need to reach Chengdu Railway Station and then take a bullet train to Dujiangyan City, which takes only about half an hour. From there, you can take bus 4, 6, 9, 19, or 31 to the Dujiangyan Scenic Area.Operating hours: March 2 to November 30: 08:00 am – 06:00 pmAdmission fee: CNY 80 for sightseeing, bus: CNY 15 (round-trip), CNY 10 (one-way trip)
10. The Wenshu Temple – Capture Some Beautiful Stone Engravings
If you are arranging for Chengdu sightseeing then you can pay a visit to Wenshu Monastery which consists of five separate temples constructed from stone and wood. In 1691, the Temple came into existence and the highlights of the place includes the Hall of Shuofa Tang having 10 iron statues of Buddhist guardian gods along with 100 bronze sculptures of Buddhist saints and Buddhas made from wood and jade. There are cultural treasures such as paintings and calligraphy made from artists and writers from China.
Optimal time to visit: NAHow to reach Dujiangyan Panda Center: Tourists can take trains to reach the place. Chengdu Metro Line 1 at Chengdu North Railway Station and Chengdu South Railway Station to get to Wenshu Monastery. It will take less than 30 minutes to reach the destination.Operating hours: NAAdmission fee: No charge
11. Mount Emei and its Temples – Watch Chinese Sacred Mountains
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Mount Emei is 160 meters southwest of Chengdu and is an excellent choice for you for a one day trip as it is one of the Chengdu top attractions. An interesting fact about Mount Emei is that the highest peak is the Peak of Ten Thousand Buddhas is at an elevated height of 3099 meters and is considered as one of the four Sacred Mountains. The other three mountains are Mount Jiuhuashan in Anhui province, Mount Wutaishan in Shanxi province and Mount Putuoshan in Zhejiang province.
Optimal period for visiting: From January to MarchHow to reach Dujiangyan Panda Center: Visitors have the option of taking a train from Leshan Railway Station to Emeishan Station, and then hiring a bus to reach the temple. Alternatively, they can take a bus from Xiaoba Bus Station to Baoguo Temple Bus Station and then walk to the temple. The bus departs once it reaches full capacity, and the timings are from 07:30 to 18:00.Operating hours: 08:30 to 17:30Admission fee: RMB 8 Yuan
12. Du Fu Thatched Cottage – Enhance Your Knowledge of Beautiful Chinese Poetry
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The Du Fu Thatched Cottage complex, located in Chengdu; Sichuan, covers an area of 24 acres, paying homage to China’s most renowned poets who composed over 250 exceptional poems. The site offers picturesque gardens, charming bridges, numerous pavilions, and winding pathways. Some notable attractions include the Gong Bu Memorial Hall, which portrays the life of Du Fu, and the Hall of Great Poets, showcasing scenes from famous poems.
Best time to visit: The ideal duration for visitors is 3 hoursHow to reach Dujiangyan Panda Center: Tourists can take bus number 19, 35, 58, 82, 151, 165, 170, 1024, 1031, 1134, g59, or g74, and alight at Dufu Caotang (Thatched Cottage of Du Fu) station. Alternatively, they can take Metro Line 4 to North Caotang Road Station and then walk south for approximately 15 minutes to reach the destination.Operating hours: May to Sep.: 8:00 – 20:00, Oct. to Apr.: 8:00 – 18:30, Ticketing stops at least 1 hour before closing timeAdmission fee: No entrance fee
Further Reading: 4 Exceptional Bars Near China Square Central In Singapore That Will Astonish You!
The city of Chengdu has always played a significant role in China’s ancient and contemporary history. This bustling cultural hub offers a plethora of attractions to explore in Chengdu, while also serving as a gateway to other unique destinations. So, pack your bags and set foot in this majestic city during your trip to China, where countless hidden gems await.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Attractions to Explore in Chengdu
Where can I find the local cuisine of Chengdu?
You can savor the delectable food of Chengdu on the bustling streets of this city, such as Jinli Old Street, Kuan Zhai Alley, Chunxi Road, and Yulin Road.
What are the local specialties or souvenirs of Chengdu?
Sichuan Brocade and Sichuan Embroidery are highly renowned in China. It is also recommended to purchase traditional silver inlay handicrafts, bamboo-woven porcelain, Qingcheng silk carpets, and Pixian bean paste.
What is the most suitable time to visit Chengdu?
The best time to visit Chengdu is from March to June and from September to November, as the weather is cooler and less rainy compared to other months. Due to its subtropical monsoon climate and the basin climate around the nearby mountains, this city experiences foggy and less sunny conditions throughout most of the year.
