Giant pandas & fiery Sichuan food
Chengdu
Chéngdū · Pandas, hotpot & the slow life
The laid-back capital of Sichuan, famous for giant pandas, tongue-numbing hotpot and a teahouse culture that turns any afternoon into a leisurely event. The gateway to Tibet and the misty west.
Top sightsSights
Panda Breeding Base
See giant pandas up close at feeding time — go early morning when they are most active.
Jinli Ancient Street
A lantern-lit recreation of old Chengdu packed with snacks, teahouses and crafts.
Wuhou Shrine
A tranquil temple to the heroes of the Three Kingdoms, set in classical gardens.
People's Park teahouses
Sip tea, get an ear-cleaning and watch locals dance — pure Chengdu leisure.
Leshan Giant Buddha
A 71m Buddha carved into a cliff — an easy high-speed day trip.
What to eatFood
Sichuan hotpot
A bubbling cauldron of chili and numbing peppercorns — the local obsession.
Mapo tofu
Silken tofu in a fiery, numbing bean-paste sauce.
Dan dan noodles
Punchy noodles with chili oil, pork and preserved veg.
Good to know
- Say "微辣" (wēi là, mild) if you cannot handle the heat.
- Visit the panda base at opening for the liveliest bears.
- Mild climate but often overcast — a light layer helps.
Getting there
Two airports (Tianfu TFU and Shuangliu CTU) and high-speed rail to Xi'an (3h) and Chongqing (1h).
Next city
Hangzhou