With so many attractions in Chengdu, it’s already dizzying just to explore the city, so which one to choose between Kuanzhai Alley and Jinli? Want to go to the “Bistro” on Yulin Road sung in “Chengdu”? How can you make a trip to Chengdu worthwhile? Here is a list of places to visit in Chengdu, taking into account both traditional experiences and cultural visits, from baby pandas to Sichuan history, from the taste of the tongue to shopping, to ensure that your trip is not missed. Check Visa Express to get your travel visa to China.
Kuanzhai Alley
Highlights: ancient architecture, literature and art, traditional activities
Kuanzhai Alley is the most representative attraction in downtown Chengdu, including three parallel alleys, Kuanxiangzi, Narrowxiangzi and Jingxiangzi. It is transformed from local ancient buildings and is a microcosm of life in old Chengdu. The environment is neat and pleasant, and the winding paths are lined with special stores and Chengdu snacks, with activities such as drinking tea, ear-picking and Sichuan opera face-changing, which provide a good experience of the humanistic features and folk culture of Sichuan.
Kuanxiangzi has many old gateways and teahouses, showing the historical style of Chengdu; Narrow Lane is permeated with literary temperament in the old buildings, with many exquisite cafes and pubs; Jingxiangzi is popular for its continuous wall reliefs, and has a more modern style overall, full of fashion.
Practical information.
It is very close to People’s Park and can be visited together.
There are many ancient teahouses on both sides of the road, you can go in and drink covered bowl tea and then watch a Sichuan opera performance, the price is about 30 yuan / person; there are several stores in front of the stylized artisans for tourists to take pictures, ranging from 10-20 yuan / time.
Usually the better looking snacks are not freshly made, and the taste is much inferior, so you can keep an eye out for freshly made food (such as the three cannons).
Jinli
Highlights: food, ancient street, red lantern night view
Jinli and Kuanzhai Alley are somewhat similar in that they are both antique neighborhoods within the Chengdu metropolitan area to experience the traditional style, but because of its proximity to the Wuhou Temple, Jinli focuses on the Three Kingdoms culture. Although it is more commercialized, because it is very convenient to eat, drink and play, tourists can relax here for half a day after seeing the Wuhou Temple, saving them the trouble of running around.
Jinli brings together a variety of Chengdu’s classic traditional snacks such as rabbit head, potted chicken and steamed beef, which are still crowded after dark and full of spicy aromas. Jinli is also quite attractive at night, with the red lights between the water pavilions and the pavilions highlighting the classical atmosphere of the place. The bars here are also very lively in the evening, making it a good place to experience the lively Chengdu night.
Practical information.
Generally speaking, after visiting Wuhou Temple, you will definitely dine at Jinli next to it. If you don’t have a Wuhou Temple itinerary scheduled during your trip, and you are also on a tight schedule, and you want to experience the ancient streets and folklore of Chengdu, we recommend giving priority to the similarly styled Guanzhai Alley.
Jinli is one of the culinary centers of Chengdu, but the scenic area is very crowded. Consider dining around Jinli, and many restaurants on the periphery are much more cost-effective.
Giant Panda Breeding Research Base
Highlights: National treasure, baby panda
When you come to Chengdu, you can’t miss the lovely national treasure, the giant panda. The Giant Panda Breeding Research Base is the closest place to visit to the city and houses more than 100 pandas. You can watch the life of the pandas through the fence or glass windows, and if you are lucky, you can see the newborn baby pandas in the baby delivery room.
In addition to pandas, there are also red pandas, black-necked cranes, peacocks, herons and other small animals here, so be friendly and gentle with them. The overall tour of the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base takes about 3-4 hours.
Practical information.
Recommended tour order: after entering the main entrance, take the scenic spot sightseeing bus (10 yuan / person) directly to the top of the mountain moon maternity ward, and then keep walking all the way down from the top to see.
Buy tickets on site at 7:30 open to enter the park, the network to buy tickets to 8:00. It is recommended that you must go early, the panda will rest after eating in the morning, too late then the crowd will be very large.
You can store your luggage at the Visitor Service Center next to the main gate; there is a Giant Panda Museum near the base gate, where you can send postcards with panda postmarks at the Panda Country Post Office.