Things to Do in Chengdu: A Complete 3–5 Day Chengdu Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
Chengdu is in Southwest China and has a population of about 21 million — more people than the entire country of the Netherlands. The city is known for its giant pandas, affordable prices, and slow, relaxed lifestyle. It often appears on lists of the “Happiest Cities in China.”
Chengdu has many cloudy and rainy days, with very little sunshine. On average, the city only gets about 46 sunny days a year. Due to the low UV exposure, locals often have smooth skin.
The best time to visit Chengdu is autumn. Summer is hot and humid — it is one of the warmest major cities in China, and pandas usually stay indoors during this season.
Avoid China’s two major public holidays: Labor Day (May 1–5) and National Day (October 1–7), when all tourist spots are extremely crowded.
Drinking tea is a big part of daily life in Chengdu. The city has more teahouses than anywhere else in China.
Both the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda and the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding are located here. The mountain areas around Chengdu are protected as wild panda habitats and are off-limits to visitors.
by lxclb | einszweifrei | Irvin Zhang
Transportation in Chengdu
Here is Chengdu’s location in relation to other major Chinese cities:
| From City | Distance | Flight Time | High-Speed Rail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chongqing → Chengdu | 300 km | — | 1 hr 15 min |
| Beijing → Chengdu | 1,816 km | 3 hours | 7.5 hours |
| Shanghai → Chengdu | 1,946 km | 3 hr 20 min | 11 hr 10 min |
| Guangzhou → Chengdu | 1,551 km | 2 hr 40 min | 7 hours |
Chengdu has two airports and three major railway stations.
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU)
About 20 km from the city center
- Taxi: about 40 minutes, CNY 60
- Ride-hailing: about CNY 40, but the pickup area can be crowded and confusing.
- Metro: about 1 hour, CNY 6, operating roughly 6:00–23:00
Nearby airport hotel: Holiday Inn Express Chengdu Airport
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU)
About 65 km from the city center
- Taxi: about 1 hour 30 minutes, CNY 200
- Ride-hailing: about CNY 130, but the pickup area can be crowded and confusing.
- Airport bus: Airport bus: goes directly to Chunxi Road, about 1 hr 50 min, tickets CNY 15 during the day and CNY 25 at night. Runs every 20–30 minutes, with clear signs at the airport in both Chinese and English.
Nearby airport hotel: Jinyang Xinyi Hotel
Chengdu East Railway Station (Chengdu Dong)
This is the largest and most commonly used station. It is about 9 km from downtown.
- Metro: 26 minutes, CNY 3 per person
- Taxi: about 30 minutes, CNY 25
You can check train schedules and ticket prices on the 12306 app (China Railway’s official app) or the Trip.com app.
Chengdu Railway Station and Chengdu West Railway Station
- Chengdu Railway Station is currently under renovation and is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. In the future, it will mainly serve trains connecting Chongqing and nearby areas — a new high-speed railway under construction is expected to operate at speeds up to 400 km/h when it opens.
- Chengdu South Railway Station is mainly used for trains heading south, such as to Leshan or Yunnan. It is more convenient for travelers exploring southern China or less-visited destinations.
Where to Stay in Chengdu
It is recommended to stay near Chunxi Road. Chunxi Road is one of Chengdu’s main commercial areas, with two large shopping malls. After a day of sightseeing, it’s easy to find local or international restaurants to suit your taste. The area is also very convenient for transportation.
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Chengdu Itinerary & Getting Around
Sample Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Chengdu and spend the evening exploring Chunxi Road. (It’s convenient to stay nearby.)
Day 2: Visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base during the day, then stroll around Kuanzhai Alley in the evening.
Day 3: Start the morning with a visit to People’s Park. Around noon, take the high-speed train to Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area (about 2.5 hours by train, followed by 2 hours by bus). Stay at a hotel near the scenic area.
Day 4: Explore Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area.
Day 5: Return to Chengdu.
Getting Around Chengdu:
- Taxi / Ride-hailing: The fastest and most convenient way to get around, and fares are generally low.
- Metro: Most lines run from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm. Fares range from CNY 2–13 depending on distance. Signs in English are clear, and you can also tap a contactless Visa, Mastercard, or other major credit card to enter at the gates.
Map of Chengdu Attractions:
Google Maps data in China is often outdated. Use Apple Maps or download AMap — the English version of China’s most popular mapping app.
You can order a ride directly through the Didi option in Alipay, and you don’t need a Chinese phone number. If you can’t locate your driver or change your mind, you may cancel the ride, but a small cancellation fee of 3 RMB applies — this fee goes directly to the platform, not the driver, so it’s generally better not to cancel unless necessary. To make it easier for your driver to find you, we recommend waiting at clearly identifiable spots such as bus stops or building entrances.
Like other major Chinese cities, Chengdu is generally safe to walk around both day and night. However, be aware that electric scooters and bikes can be very fast and almost silent, making them hard to hear, and many riders—especially food delivery couriers—sometimes ignore traffic rules. This is a common issue in China, as delivery platforms impose strict time limits on couriers, and late deliveries can result in fines, which encourages riders to rush.
Attractions in Chengdu
1. Chunxi Road
Chunxi Road is Chengdu’s most famous shopping street, home to two large shopping centers: IFS and Taikoo Li (a stylish open-air mall). The area is especially lively in the evening, making it perfect for a stroll after dinner.
Getting There: Take Metro Line 2 or 3 to Chunxi Road Station and exit at Exit D. You’ll immediately see the iconic “Panda Climbing the Wall” sculpture. You can snap photos in front of it on the street, or enter through the door to the right of Prada, take the elevator to the 7th floor, and take a fun photo with the panda’s head.
Watch: 春熙路，中国西部最强商圈
2. People’s Park
Shanghai’s newest outdoor observation deck, converted from a helicopterAbout 800 meters from Kuanzhai Alley, People’s Park is a historic urban park with a history of over 100 years.
Hours: 6:30 am – 10:00 pm
Admission: Free
Recommended Visit Time: 30 minutes – 1 hour
What to do:
- Take a leisurely walk and watch local seniors doing group exercises and dancing in the square.
- Visit Heming Teahouse for snacks and tea. The menu is available in English, and prices range from CNY 16–60 per person. The teahouse is very popular with tourists, so just find a seat and a staff member will come to take your order. You can order inexpensive tea—even the more expensive teas are mainly for the experience rather than quality. Most locals just order a cheap tea to grab a seat and enjoy the atmosphere. If you want to experience local life rather than crowded tourist groups, try to visit before 8:30 am or after 4:00 pm. The park can be very busy during the day.
- Check out the “Matchmaking Corner,” where parents post basic details about their unmarried adult children in hopes of helping them find a partner. Pink papers are for women, blue for men. It’s worth noting that this is seen as a quirky, light-hearted tradition even among locals. Most young people in China date freely, and while parents may worry about marriage, they rarely go as far as printing out profiles or arranging matches in this way.
- From late October to mid-November, there is a free chrysanthemum exhibition.
Getting There: Take Metro Line 2 to People’s Park Station, exit at B, and walk about 200 meters.
Watch: Chengdu Travel Guide: Pandas, People’s Park & More
3. Kuanzhai Alley
Kuanzhai Alley consists of three parallel ancient lanes dating back to the Qing Dynasty (about 300 years ago). In 2008, the area was renovated and transformed into an old-style pedestrian street filled with restaurants, souvenir shops, cafés, and bars.
Hours: Open 24 hours, though most shops operate from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Admission: Free
Recommended Visit Time: 30 minutes
Getting There: Take Metro Line 4 to Kuanzhai Alley Station, exit from Exit B, and walk about 130 meters.
Watch: Kuanzhai Alley, Chengdu 
4. Du Fu Thatched Cottage
Du Fu is one of China’s most celebrated classical poets—often compared to Shakespeare in terms of cultural influence. This site was once his temporary residence, and it was restored and opened to the public in 1952. Even if you’re not familiar with Du Fu’s poetry, the site is still enjoyable as a peaceful traditional Chinese garden.
Hours: 9:00 am–6:00 pm
Admission: CNY 50 for adults; CNY 25 for visitors under 18. Booking through Klook is recommended.
Recommended Visit Time: 1–2 hours
Tips:
- A rainy day is often the best time to visit, with fewer crowds and more vivid greenery.
- Seasonal highlights: wintersweet in winter, magnolia in spring, and lotus flowers in summer.
- Because Du Fu is extremely famous in China, this attraction can be crowded. Avoid weekends and public holidays if possible.
Getting There: There is no metro station nearby. It’s about 7 km from Chunxi Road; a taxi ride takes 15–30 minutes and costs around CNY 20.
Official Site: dfcten.tjsjnet.com
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Note: The Du Fu poem most commonly found in English anthologies is “Spring View,” which reflects themes of war, loss, and longing for home.
The nation shattered, mountains and rivers remain;
spring comes to the city, grass and trees turn deep green.
Touched by the times, flowers spill tears;
resentful of parting, birds alarm the heart.
Beacon fires have burned for three months;
a letter from home—worth ten thousand in gold.
I scratch my white hair, it grows ever thinner,
soon too thin to hold a hairpin.
5. Jinli Ancient Street
Jinli is a reconstructed old-style street that looks like the “ancient China” often seen in movies. It’s especially atmospheric in the evening—visit after 7:00 pm when the lanterns and storefront lights come on.
Hours: Open 24 hours, though most shops operate from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Admission: Free. There is a ticket booth nearby, but it only sells tickets for Wuhou Shrine.
Recommended Visit Time: 1–2 hours
Tip: Visit Kuanzhai Alley first. If you enjoy the old-town atmosphere and don’t mind crowds, then add Jinli to your itinerary. Jinli is larger but has narrower lanes, which can make it feel much more crowded.
Getting There: Take Metro Line 3 to Gaoshengqiao Station, exit C, then walk 10–15 minutes. You can also take a taxi, but check traffic conditions first—traffic around Jinli can be very heavy in the evenings.
Watch: Jinli Ancient Street Walk Arounds at Night Review
6. Wenshu Monastery
Founded between 605 and 617, Wenshu Monastery is one of Chengdu’s most famous Buddhist temples, dedicated to Shakyamuni Buddha. The temple grounds feature ginkgo trees, which are at their best in early December.
Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Admission: Free
Recommended Visit Time: About 30 minutes
Tips:
- Upon entering, you can receive a free incense stick and tea. If you wish, you may follow the example of others and make a traditional offering with the incense stick. Lighting a Buddhist lamp costs CNY 15 per lamp.
- Many visitors line up for photos in front of the temple’s iconic red walls outside the temple, which are inscribed with messages like “World Peace” and “Happiness for All.”
- Be aware of people outside the temple offering fortune-telling, begging, or selling Buddhist beads while dressed as monks. These people are scammers taking advantage of Wenshu Monastery’s reputation.
Getting There: Take Metro Line 1 to Wenshu Monastery Station, Exit K, then walk about 600 meters.
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7. Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
The Panda Base is the largest and most professional giant panda conservation center in the world, making it a must-visit attraction in Chengdu.
Hours: November–February 8:00 am–5:30 pm, March–October 7:30 am–6:00 pm
Admission: Adults CNY 55, students CNY 27, free for children under 6 and seniors over 60; must be booked in advance via Klook (up to 14 days ahead).
Tour Bus: CNY 30 per person per day. If queues are long, you can also walk the whole route (about 8 km).
Recommended Visit Time: 3–4 hours
Tips:
- Avoid visiting in summer—giant pandas don’t tolerate heat well and will hide indoors if temperatures exceed 25°C, making them hard to see.
- Pandas are most active in the morning; in the afternoon, they mostly sleep.
- Near the south gate, you may see long lines at No.6 Giant Panda Villa to see a celebrity panda named Huahua. She is popular among panda enthusiasts, and there are many short videos online of her antics. However, for most visitors, it’s hard to tell her apart from the other pandas.
- The park has several restaurants—see the official park map here.
Highlights inside the park:
Star Giant Panda Nursery House: Visit between 9–10 am or 2–3 pm to see staff bring young cubs outside to enjoy the sun.
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Starry Sky Giant Panda Pavilion: Arrive before 11 am for the best chance to see pandas playing and chasing each other.
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No.1 & No.2 Red Panda Enclosures: Many visitors miss the red pandas here, as they are smaller and more elusive than the giant pandas.
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Getting There: There is no nearby metro station. Taking a taxi is recommended. The park is about 14 km from downtown, taking about 35 minutes by car and costing around CNY 30–50.
Official Site: panda.org.cn
Nearby Attractions
Jiuzhaigou
Jiuzhaigou (also known as Jiuzhai Valley National Park) is one of China’s top 10 natural wonders and was listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 1992. The park sits at an altitude of 2,000–3,000 meters and is famous for its 114 alpine lakes.
Read more in Jiuzhaigou Itinerary: A Complete Jiuzhaigou Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors
by YIYI
Thank you for reading. Hope you have a wonderful journey! ヽ(´▽`)/