Top 10-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Chengdu

 Chengdu has played a vital role in China's history for thousands of years. It is located in the Sichuan province, which is renowned for producing the greatest rice and wheat in the country. The Qin and Han Dynasties established Chengdu as the political, economic, and cultural hub of southwest China around 316 BC. It served as a hub for the rearing of silkworms and the creation of brocade.

The capital of the state of Shu Han was Chengdu at the time of the Three Kingdoms, which ruled from AD 220 to 280. at the ninth century, Chengdu had developed into a prominent centre for trade, manufacture, and commerce, well-known for its lacquered and silver filigree work. During the rule of the Five Dynasties from AD 907 to 960, Emperor Meng Chang ordered that a large number of hibiscus plants be planted around the town walls and streets. The name Hibiscus City was given to the city because of this technique, which is still used today (Rong Cheng).

Currently, Chengdu is a big industrial centre that is seeing a huge increase in construction. It is a popular cultural and tourism attraction thanks to its 14 colleges, including Sichuan University, and a large number of traditional teahouses and tea gardens. Like most Chinese cities, Chengdu is safe for tourists, so it's enjoyable to explore at night and take part in cultural experiences like a Sichuan opera as well as other intriguing activities like dining and shopping.

This exciting city is a great place to start day trips and explorations of the surrounding area. You can find the best places to visit both inside the city and nearby with the help of our list of the top attractions and fascinating things to do in Chengdu.

1. At the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, start by feeding the pandas.

In addition to providing visitors with the opportunity to see these amazing animals up close and in their natural habitat, the Chengdu Panda Base, formally known as the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, also provides an in-depth look at one of the world's most beloved and laid-back animals.

When the institution first opened its doors in 1987, there were only six giant pandas that had been saved. Since then, it has grown to host 83 pandas and has been the site of 124 panda births. As part of tours, visitors can explore on-site museums with exhibits addressing these unpredictable bears' reproductive problems. Because pandas are frequently seen napping, it's important to plan your trip accordingly. Pandas are most active during the early morning feeding period.

Joining a guided tour is a great way to make the most of your trip, like the Half-Day Chengdu Panda Breeding Centre Tour. If you can, select the enhanced baby panda holding option for a special, up-close interaction with these fascinating and charming animals. It includes transportation to and from hotels.

To have an even more incredible experience, purchase the Panda Rescue Centre Volunteer for a Day package. You can prepare food for these cute animals as part of this unique opportunity, and you can also take a private tour of the facility (hotel pickup, transportation, and lunch are all included).

If you want to see pandas in the wild, make travel plans to the vast Wolong Nature Reserve, 130 km west of Chengdu. 4,000 distinct plant species, including huge redwood trees, 60 different mammal species, and 300 different bird species live in this exceptional protection area, which is 2,000 square kilometres in size and encircled by mountains. also, of course, pandas!

Location: 1375 Panda Road, Northern Suburb of Chengdu, Sichuan.

2. Spend a day excursion visiting the Leshan Giant Buddha.

UNESCO has designated the Leshan Giant Buddha, a sizable stone statue of Maitreya, as a World Heritage Site since 1996. A Buddhist monk named Haitong started this amazing project in AD 713, which rises 71 metres tall and was fully cut out of the surrounding rock. After his death, a number of additional monks and artists carried on the project until it was completed in AD 803.

Visitors and pilgrims come from all over the world to see the monument, which is now the largest Buddha sculpture in existence. It is also the origin of the saying "The mountain is a Buddha and the Buddha is a mountain."

3. Attend Chengdu Wuhou Shrine for a tour.

One of Chengdu's oldest temples, the exquisite Chengdu Wuhou Shrine, was constructed in 302 AD. It was built in tribute of Zhuge Liang, a brilliant statesman and strategist who later served as the Chancellor of the Shu Han kingdom from AD 221 to 263. In recognition of Liang's help, he was given the title of prince.

This vast temple complex, rebuilt in 1672, has a number of distinctive characteristics. The most remarkable elements can be found in the roomy main hall, which houses a clay statue of Zhuge Liang that has been gold-plated. The two small miniatures on either side of the prince stand in for his son and grandchild.

The surrounding 12-meter-tall burial mound contains a shrine honouring Liu Bei, the king of the Shu Han Empire, who is buried there. 28 terra-cotta statues of ministers, generals, and notable officials from the state of Shu Han are on exhibit in the east and west covered pathways. There are also a few ancient stone tablets that contain texts and poems from this key period in Chinese history.

At 231 Wuhouci Dajie, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan

4. Check out the irrigation system in Dujiangyan.

On the upper reaches of the Minjiang River, close to the settlement of Guanxian, is the remarkable Dujiangyan Irrigation System, which dates back to roughly 250 BC. Even though it is located around 55 kilometres northwest of Chengdu, it is unquestionably worthwhile visiting as part of a day excursion to this breathtaking area of the country.

This remarkable system included a network of earth dams, some of which branch out into streams and canals to irrigate farms. It was built to prevent catastrophic flooding. The system is made up of a number of interesting-sounding parts, including the canal Neck of the Precious Bottle (Baoping Kou), the Flying Sands (Feisha Yan) weir, and the Fish's Jaws (which functions as a watershed and dike). The Minjiang has been spared flooding for more than 2,200 years because to this ingenious arrangement, and the Chengdu Plain in central Sichuan has developed into one of China's most productive regions.

A neighbouring attraction that is highly advised is The Cave of the Heavenly Master (Tianshi Dong), where Zhang Daoling, the founder of the Taoist religion, lectured in a cave in Mount Qingchengsahn. A terra-cotta statue of Zhang Daoling and three statues of the emperors Fuxi, Shengong, and Xianyuan, who are believed to have ruled China in the distant past, can be found in the temple, which was constructed between AD 589 and 618.

The delightful Dujiangyan Irrigation System and Qingcheng Mountain A day trip from Chengdu is a great way to view the Mount Qingchengsahn region as well as the essential irrigation system and many other nearby interesting places. You'll spend the full day exploring some of the most stunning vistas in the Qingcheng Mountains of the Sichuan region, in addition to its numerous well-preserved temples, after leaving your Chengdu accommodation.

Without a question, Dujiangyan stands out. During lunch, your English-speaking tour guide will introduce you to some delectable local cuisine and go into the workings and significance of this magnificent engineering achievement.

In Chengdu, Sichuan, is the city of Dujiangyan.

5. Visit the Manjushri Monastery (also known as Wenshu Monastery).

Five separate temples composed of stone and wood make up the Wenshu (Manjushri) Monastery, which covers more than 12 acres. The complex was constructed in 1691 over the ruins of an old monastery that dated from the Southern Dynasties between AD 420 and 589.

Highlights include the Hall of Shuofa Tang, which has more than 100 bronze sculptures of Buddhas and Buddhist saints from the Qing era (AD 1644– 1911), ten iron statues of Buddhist guardian gods from the Song era (AD 960–1279), and several more works made of materials including jade and wood. The site also contains important paintings and works of calligraphy made by renowned Chinese writers and artists. Don't forget to spend some time relaxing with a traditional beverage at the on-site teahouse.

At 66 Wenshu Yuan Jie, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan

6. To Take  side trip to Mount Emei.

Visit Mount Emei (Emeishan), 160 km southwest of Chengdu and home to the Bodhisattva Puxian, as it is highly advised. Chinese Buddhists consider the mountain's highest point, Peak of the Ten Thousand Buddhas (Wanfo Ding), along with Mount Wutaishan in Shanxi province, Mount Jiuhuashan in Anhui province, and Mount Putuoshan in Zhejiang province, to be one of the Four Holy Mountains. It has an elevation of 3,099 metres.

The earliest Taoist temples on Mount Emei were built between 25 and 220 in the Eastern Han Dynasty and are as shrouded in myths and legends as they are in mists and clouds. Starting in the Tang era (618-907) due to its more than 200 shrines, it became one of the main locations for Buddhist pilgrims. About 20 temples and monasteries remain.

7. Pay a visit to the poet's residence, Du Fu Thatched Cottage.

The massive Du Fu Thatched Cottage complex (Dù Fu Cao Táng), which covers 24 acres and is located in Chengdu, honours one of China's most well-known poets. The setting is a replica of the home where Du Fu wrote more than 250 of his most well-known poems between AD 759 and 763.

The complex boasts lovely bridges, pathways, and lush gardens and is located on a charming bend of the Huanhuaxi River. The majority of the buildings were painstakingly restored in 1949 and date from between 1500 and 1800, although not being original. Another noteworthy place is the Gong Bu Memorial Hall, which has exhibits that show the life and work of Du Fu and has a section in a foreign language.

You can also enter the renovated, compact cottage, which features a kitchen, study, and bedroom. The same can be said about The Hall of Great Poets, which showcases illustrations from several of his best-known poems, including one that bemoans the original home's destruction by the storm.

Address: 28 Caotang Road, Qingyang, Chengdu, Sichuan

8. Wangjiang Pavilion Park and The River Watching Tower

Poetess Xue Tao, who resided at Wangjiang Pavilion Park between AD 769 and 834, is well-known for having called it home. It is notable for its spectacular, 30 meter-tall River Watching Tower as well. The Tang era (618–907) fountain, which is part of the 1889 attraction, is renowned for being the source of the water the poetess is said to have used to create the characteristic red paper that bears her name to this day.

The Pavilion of the Washing of Paper (Wanjian Ting), the Tower of the Washing of Brocade (Zhou Lou), and the Tower of Poetic Recitation (Yinshi Lou) are other memorials to her. Another attractive feature is a big bamboo grove that was erected in her memory. The poetess' favourite tree, 140 different varieties of bamboo, may be found on the property.

Location: 30 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu City, Sichuan

9. The Yongling Mausoleum and Museum

The Yongling Mausoleum, sometimes referred to as the Eternal Mausoleum, is home to the immaculately kept Wang Jian imperial tomb. From AD 918 until the time of his demise, Wang Jian governed the Early Shu Empire. The stunning, 15-meter-high building in Chengdu's northwest, which is now a museum, opened its doors to guests in 1942. It has three chambers, the central one of which houses the magnificently decorated sarcophagus of the emperor.

Visitor attractions include a stunning stone statue of Wang Jian and elaborate murals depicting 24 musicians, the sole Tang Dynasty decorations of their kind.

Address: 10 Yongling Road, Jinniu District, Chengdu, Sichuan

10. Chengdu Culture Park and the Sichuan Opera

In Chengdu's Cultural Park (Wenhua Gongyuan), in the western part of the city, is the ancient Taoist Qingyang Temple. Although they are from the Tang era (618 to 907), the existing buildings are from the Qing dynasty, which ruled from 1644 to 1911. One of the site's features is the Pavilion of the Eight Trigrams (Bagua Ting), which has eight stone pillars with intricate carvings of dragons and other Chinese symbols.

There is also the Shufeng Sichuan Opera House in the park. It is one of the most important cultural landmarks in the area and the location of a number of ongoing traditional Chinese theatre and music events. You may view the well-known "Bian Lian" here, in which performers don colourful masks and seamlessly change between them with a flick of a traditional Chinese fan, giving the impression that their faces have changed. Amazing!

The city's oldest public park, People's Park, is well worth a visit and is renowned for housing various noteworthy monuments. The most well-known is the historic Railway Protection Movement Monument.

Location: 23 Qintai Lu, Chengdu