Chengdu is my favorite city in China. It has a very laid back vibe but with the developments of a big city. It is also a possible jump-off point for trips around Sichuan. There are many buses that go to the mountains and parks in the region. If you're planning to explore the city, here's a quick guide for you.
The Panda Base is one of the most popular attractions in the city. Here you'll find cute pandas (what else?), there are adults and little ones. The best time to go is in the morning to see the hyper activity kid pandas acting cute. I went in the afternoon and all they did was eat, sleep and roll around.
The Pedestrian Streets of Chunxi, Kuanzhai and Jinli
Like many cities in China, Chengdu tries to preserve its ancient streets and alleys. The city combines the old and new as seen in the pedestrian streets. In these areas, you'll find many shops, restaurants and food stalls that offer local and Western food.
Temples and Monasteries
A city in China would be incomplete without temples and monasteries. I only remembered the name of one monastery, which was the Wenshu Yuan Monastery. There are many others in the city.
Other Places of Interest
- Chengdu Museum
- Mount Qingcheng
- Pingle Ancient Town
- Tianfu Square
- Baoguang Temple
- Botanical Garden
- Dujiangyan Irrigation System
Chengdu is a hub to different parts of Sichuan, you can stay in the city en route to:
Where to Stay
I stayed at Flip Flop Hostel while in Chengdu. The hostel was near markets and places to eat, and public transportation. It was convenient to stay there. You can book via www.trip.com, Booking.com or HostelWorld.
Getting Around
Chengdu is an easy city to explore because there are many buses and an extensive metro system that can take you anywhere or within walking distance of where you want to go.
How to Go to Chengdu
Chengdu is a big city in Sichuan so there are a lot of flights to and from it. You can fly directly from Guangzhou, Shanghai or Beijing. You can also go by bullet or overnight train. You can check schedules and prices here: www.trip.com.
Airport in Chengdu
- Shuangliu International Airport (CTU)
Railway Stations in Chengdu
- Chengdu Railway Station or also known as North Railway Station
- East Railway Station
- South Railway Station
Long Distance Bus Stations
- Xinnanmen Bus Station
- Chadianzi Bus Station
- East Railway Bus Station
- Beimen Bus Station
- Wukuaishi Bus Station
- Airport Bus Station
- Wugui Bridge Bus Station
Expenses
*Everything's in Chinese Yuan unless otherwise stated
27 - Transportation
87 - 3 nights at Flip Flop Hostel
229 - Food
141 - Bus to Jiuzhaigou
53 - Panda Base entrance fee and shuttle
537 - Total
