Take Me There
Chengdu Chengdu Chengdu

Travel guide

Chengdu

Home of the giant panda and of Sichuan cooking, a city that takes its time over tea.

Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov

See it on the wheel ›

Photo: Xingchen Yan / Unsplash

Sights

Giant Panda Base
Photo: Theodor Lundqvist / Unsplash

Giant Panda Base

Giant pandas climbing and munching bamboo in wooded enclosures north of the city, liveliest at morning feeding time.

Suggested time
3 hours
Opening hours
Mar–Oct entry 7:30–17:00, the park clears from 18:00; Nov–Feb entry 8:00–16:30, clears from 17:30. Tickets are for a morning or afternoon slot.
Tickets & booking
Adults ¥55. All tickets are booked online in your name, up to 14 days ahead, on the official WeChat account, mini program or authorised apps such as Trip.com. Passports accepted; scan the original at the gate.
Getting there
Metro Line 3 to Panda Avenue (Exit A) and shuttle bus 408 to the South Gate, or to Junqu General Hospital (Exit B) and bus 409 to the West Gate. Scenic shuttle buses also run from Chunxi Road and Kuanzhai Alley.

Checked 2026-10-06

Kuanzhai Alley
Photo: Fenghua / Unsplash

Kuanzhai Alley

Three old lanes of grey-brick courtyards, now filled with teahouses, street snacks and Sichuan opera.

Suggested time
1.5 hours
Opening hours
Open all day.
Tickets & booking
Free, no booking needed.
Getting there
Metro Line 4 to Kuanzhai Xiangzi, or Line 2 to People's Park and walk about 400 m.

Checked 2026-10-06

Wuhou Shrine & Jinli
Photo: Ginta Wang / Unsplash

Wuhou Shrine & Jinli

A shrine to Zhuge Liang and Liu Bei of the Three Kingdoms, known for its red walls and bamboo. Next door is lantern-hung Jinli Street.

Suggested time
2.5 hours
Opening hours
Wuhou Shrine 8:30–18:30, ticket sales stop at 17:30; later in summer, per the official site.
Tickets & booking
Wuhou Shrine ¥50, bookable on the official website or WeChat account, or at the service window east of the main gate. Jinli Street is free. Booking online with a passport: not yet tested.
Getting there
Metro Line 10 to Wuhouci (Jinli), Exit A2, a 3-minute walk; or Line 3 or 5 to Gaoshengqiao, Exit A, about 10 minutes on foot.

Checked 2026-10-06

Dujiangyan
Photo: Shengzhan Jiao / Unsplash

Dujiangyan

An irrigation system built more than 2,000 years ago that still divides the Min River and waters the Chengdu Plain.

Suggested time
2.5 hours
Opening hours
Mar 2–Nov 30 8:00–18:00; Dec 1–Mar 1 8:00–17:30.
Tickets & booking
¥80; sightseeing cart ¥10 one way, ¥15 return. Booking online with a passport: not yet tested.
Getting there
Train from Xipu to Lidui Park (20–30 minutes), then Dujiangyan bus 4, 5, 7 or 17 to the gate, about 15 minutes.

Checked 2026-10-06

2-day itinerary

  1. Day 1

    1. Giant Panda Base3 hours
    2. Wuhou Shrine & Jinli2.5 hours
    3. Kuanzhai Alley1.5 hours

  2. Day 2

    1. Dujiangyan2.5 hours

Transport

Airports: Chengdu Tianfu International Airport and Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport. High-speed rail station: Chengdu East.

Checked 2026-10-06

Tips

The Panda Base takes online bookings in your name only, up to 14 days ahead; passports work, and you pick a morning or afternoon slot. Dujiangyan is about 60 km north-west in a straight line; trains run to Lidui Park station.

Checked 2026-10-06