Chengdu, China-5-day-itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Exploration of Downtown Chengdu

Places to Go:

  • Jinli Street: A historic pedestrian street lined with traditional Sichuan architecture, shops, and restaurants. It’s a great place to try local snacks and drinks.
  • Wide and Narrow Alleys (Kuan-Xiang-Zi): Explore the narrow streets and alleys filled with local vendors, tea houses, and street performers.

Activities:

  • Visit the Chengdu City Museum to learn about the city’s history and culture.
  • Take a stroll along the Riverwalk, which offers great views of the Jin River and surrounding landscape.

Where to Eat:

  • Try traditional Sichuan cuisine at Jinli Street Restaurant: A local favorite serving dishes like mapo tofu and twice-cooked pork.
  • Visit Zhongsheng Tea House: A historic tea house offering a variety of teas and snacks.

Where to Stay:

  • Consider staying at the Tune Hotel Chengdu (starts from 200 CNY per night): A modern hotel with comfortable rooms and a great location.
  • Alternatively, stay at the Grand Hyatt Chengdu (starts from 600 CNY per night): A luxurious hotel offering upscale amenities.

Things to Know:

  • Be prepared for crowds and noise on Jinli Street and Wide and Narrow Alleys.
  • Try to visit these areas early in the morning or late evening for a more relaxed atmosphere.
  • Don’t forget to try local snacks like doubanjiang (spicy fermented soybean paste) and bingbing (Sichuan-style fried noodles).

Transportation:

  • The easiest way to get around is by taxi or ride-hailing services like Didi Chuxing.
  • Alternatively, use the Chengdu Metro system, which connects major areas of the city.

Tips and Other Things to Know:

  • Be respectful when visiting temples and cultural sites.
  • Don’t drink tap water, and consider using a filtered water bottle instead.
  • Try to learn some basic Chinese phrases like "" (nǐ hǎo) for “hello” and "" (xiè xiè) for “thank you”.
  • Consider purchasing a Sichuan Tourism Bureau’s Chengdu Travel Card, which offers discounts on local attractions and transportation.

Day 2: The Wide and Narrow Alleys

Places to Go:

  • Explore the narrow streets and alleys of Wide and Narrow Alleys (Kuan-Xiang-Zi), which offer a glimpse into traditional Sichuan life.
  • Visit the Wuhou Temple, a historic temple complex dedicated to the legendary hero Zhuge Liang.

Activities:

  • Wander through the Tea Houses, where you can try various teas and snacks while taking in the local atmosphere.
  • Take part in a traditional tea ceremony at the Chengdu Tea Academy.

Where to Eat:

  • Try some street food at Wide and Narrow Alleys Food Street: A variety of vendors selling local snacks like skewers, noodles, and pastries.
  • Visit Tea House Restaurant: A restaurant serving traditional Sichuan cuisine and offering a cozy atmosphere.

Where to Stay:

  • Consider staying at the Ibis Chengdu City Center (starts from 200 CNY per night): A modern hotel with comfortable rooms and a great location.
  • Alternatively, stay at the Crowne Plaza Chengdu West (City Center) (starts from 400 CNY per night): A luxurious hotel offering upscale amenities.

Things to Know:

  • Be prepared for crowds and noise on Wide and Narrow Alleys.
  • Try to visit these areas early in the morning or late evening for a more relaxed atmosphere.
  • Don’t forget to try local snacks like doubanjiang (spicy fermented soybean paste) and bingbing (Sichuan-style fried noodles).

Transportation:

  • The easiest way to get around is by taxi or ride-hailing services like Didi Chuxing.
  • Alternatively, use the Chengdu Metro system, which connects major areas of the city.

Tips and Other Things to Know:

  • Be respectful when visiting temples and cultural sites.
  • Don’t drink tap water, and consider using a filtered water bottle instead.
  • Try to learn some basic Chinese phrases like "" (nǐ hǎo) for “hello” and "" (xiè xiè) for “thank you”.
  • Consider purchasing a Sichuan Tourism Bureau’s Chengdu Travel Card, which offers discounts on local attractions and transportation.

Day 3: The Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

Places to Go:

  • Visit the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (Bifengxia), where you can see giant pandas in their natural habitat.
  • Explore the Giant Panda Museum, which showcases information about these iconic animals.

Activities:

  • Take a guided tour of the research base to learn more about the breeding and conservation efforts.
  • Visit the Panda Feeding Area, where you can watch the pandas being fed.

Where to Eat:

  • Try some traditional Sichuan cuisine at Bifengxia Restaurant: A local favorite serving dishes like mapo tofu and twice-cooked pork.
  • Visit Panda Cafe: A cozy cafe offering a variety of snacks and drinks.

Where to Stay:

  • Consider staying at the Xishan Hotel (starts from 200 CNY per night): A modern hotel with comfortable rooms and a great location.
  • Alternatively, stay at the Dafengwan Hotel (starts from 400 CNY per night): A luxurious hotel offering upscale amenities.

Things to Know:

  • Be prepared for crowds and noise on Wide and Narrow Alleys.
  • Try to visit these areas early in the morning or late evening for a more relaxed atmosphere.
  • Don’t forget to try local snacks like doubanjiang (spicy fermented soybean paste) and bingbing (Sichuan-style fried noodles).

Transportation:

  • The easiest way to get around is by taxi or ride-hailing services like Didi Chuxing.
  • Alternatively, use the Chengdu Metro system, which connects major areas of the city.

Tips and Other Things to Know:

  • Be respectful when visiting temples and cultural sites.
  • Don’t drink tap water, and consider using a filtered water bottle instead.
  • Try to learn some basic Chinese phrases like "" (nǐ hǎo) for “hello” and "" (xiè xiè) for “thank you”.
  • Consider purchasing a Sichuan Tourism Bureau’s Chengdu Travel Card, which offers discounts on local attractions and transportation.

Day 4: Mount Emei

Places to Go:

  • Visit the Mount Emei National Park: A UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its stunning natural beauty.
  • Explore the Golden Summit Temple (Jin Ding), where you can see a statue of the Buddha.

Activities:

  • Take a guided hike through the mountain trails and forests.
  • Visit the Emei Scenic Resort, which offers great views of the surrounding area.

Where to Eat:

  • Try some traditional Sichuan cuisine at Mount Emei Restaurant: A local favorite serving dishes like mapo tofu and twice-cooked pork.
  • Visit Temple Cafe: A cozy cafe offering a variety of snacks and drinks.

Where to Stay:

  • Consider staying at the Emei Hotel (starts from 200 CNY per night): A modern hotel with comfortable rooms and a great location.
  • Alternatively, stay at the Golden Summit Hotel (starts from 400 CNY per night): A luxurious hotel offering upscale amenities.

Things to Know:

  • Be prepared for crowds and noise on Mount Emei.
  • Try to visit these areas early in the morning or late evening for a more relaxed atmosphere.
  • Don’t forget to try local snacks like doubanjiang (spicy fermented soybean paste) and bingbing (Sichuan-style fried noodles).

Transportation:

  • The easiest way to get around is by taxi or ride-hailing services like Didi Chuxing.
  • Alternatively, use the Chengdu Metro system, which connects major areas of the city.

Tips and Other Things to Know:

  • Be respectful when visiting temples and cultural sites.
  • Don’t drink tap water, and consider using a filtered water bottle instead.
  • Try to learn some basic Chinese phrases like "" (nǐ hǎo) for “hello” and "" (xiè xiè) for “thank you”.
  • Consider purchasing a Sichuan Tourism Bureau’s Chengdu Travel Card, which offers discounts on local attractions and transportation.

Day 5: Departure

Places to Go:

  • Spend some last-minute time shopping for souvenirs or visiting any remaining places.
  • Return to the airport or train station for your departure flight/train.

Transportation:

  • Use taxi, ride-hailing services like Didi Chuxing, or public transportation to get back to the airport or train station.
  • Alternatively, use a hotel shuttle service if available.

Tips and Other Things to Know:

  • Don’t forget to exchange any leftover currency for your departure flight/train.
  • Double-check with your airline/train operator for any specific baggage requirements.