Chengdu, China-6-day-itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Exploration of Tianfu Square

  • Arrive at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
  • Take a taxi or metro (Line 2) from the airport to your hotel in downtown Chengdu
  • Check-in at Jinjiang Metropolo Hotel Classiq (approx. $60/night)
  • Visit Tianfu Square, a large public square in the heart of Chengdu, featuring a massive statue of Chairman Mao
  • Try some street food at the nearby Tianfu Avenue Night Market
  • Dinner: Head to Jiuzhaigou Dumplings, a popular restaurant serving delicious Sichuan dumplings (approx. $10/meal)

Day 2: Explore the Wide and Narrow Alleys

  • Start your day with a traditional Sichuan breakfast at Shu Yuan Restaurant
  • Visit Wide and Narrow Alleys, a historic area featuring old temples, streets, and buildings (Ticket: 20 RMB / $3 USD per person)
  • Explore the nearby Jinli Street, a bustling shopping street with many shops selling souvenirs and local goods
  • Lunch: Grab some noodles at Hand-pulled Noodles Restaurant (approx. $5/meal)
  • Visit the Chengdu Museum of Sichuan Cuisine to learn about Sichuan cuisine
  • Dinner: Try some hot pot at Spicy Hot Pot (approx. $15/meal)

Day 3: Visit the Panda Base and Jinsha Site Museum

  • Take a taxi or metro (Line 1) from your hotel to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (Ticket: 120 RMB / $18 USD per person)
  • Spend the morning visiting the giant panda enclosure and watching the pandas’ feeding time
  • Visit the nearby Jinsha Site Museum, a museum featuring artifacts from an ancient Shu kingdom (Ticket: 50 RMB / $7.50 USD per person)
  • Lunch: Have some Sichuan-style barbecue at Spicy Barbecue Restaurant (approx. $10/meal)
  • Visit the IAPM Mall, a large shopping mall with many stores and restaurants
  • Dinner: Try some traditional Sichuan opera at Sichuan Opera Restaurant (approx. $20/meal)

Day 4: Explore the Mount Emei and Leshan Giant Buddha

  • Take a day trip to Mount Emei, one of China’s four most famous Buddhist mountains (Ticket: 60 RMB / $9 USD per person)
  • Visit the nearby Leshan Giant Buddha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring a massive 71-meter-tall Buddha statue (Ticket: 80 RMB / $12 USD per person)
  • Lunch: Have some Tibetan-style cuisine at Tibetan Restaurant (approx. $10/meal)
  • Return to Chengdu in the evening and enjoy a traditional Sichuan dinner at Le Palais de la Fontaine (approx. $30/meal)

Day 5: Visit the Wuhou Temple and Jinli Street

  • Visit the Wuhou Temple, a historic temple dedicated to Liu Bei, the founder of the Shu kingdom (Ticket: 20 RMB / $3 USD per person)
  • Explore the nearby Jinli Street, a bustling shopping street with many shops selling souvenirs and local goods
  • Lunch: Grab some snacks at the nearby Wuhou Temple Snack Street
  • Visit the Chengdu Museum of Sichuan History, a museum featuring artifacts from ancient Shu (Ticket: 30 RMB / $4.50 USD per person)
  • Dinner: Try some street food at the nearby Tianfu Avenue Night Market (approx. $5/meal)

Day 6: Last Day in Chengdu

  • Spend your last day shopping for souvenirs or visiting any attractions you missed on previous days
  • Lunch: Have a farewell meal at Grand Cafe (approx. $15/meal)
  • Depart from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport

Things to Know

  • Language: Mandarin Chinese is the official language, but many locals in tourist areas speak some English.
  • Currency: Renminbi (RMB or CNY) is the local currency. Credit cards are widely accepted in most restaurants and shops.
  • Weather: Chengdu has a subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. Best time to visit: spring (March-May) or autumn (September-November).
  • Transportation: Metro lines 1, 2, and 3 cover most areas of the city. Taxis are also widely available.
  • Safety: Chengdu is generally a safe city for tourists.

Tips

  • Try some local street food and snacks to experience the authentic flavors of Sichuan cuisine.
  • Be prepared for crowds and lines at popular attractions like Jinli Street and Tianfu Square.
  • Respect local customs and traditions, especially when visiting temples or cultural sites.
  • Learn some basic Chinese phrases to communicate with locals.

Other Recommendations

  • Visit the nearby Mount Qingcheng, a scenic mountain featuring a historic Taoist temple (Ticket: 60 RMB / $9 USD per person).
  • Explore the Wide and Narrow Alleys at night, when they are even more vibrant and lively.
  • Try some Sichuan opera at Sichuan Opera Restaurant (approx. $20/meal).

Note: Prices may vary depending on the season, availability, and other factors.