Discover Chengdu

Where misty bamboo forests meet fiery Sichuan spice

Explore Attractions Taste Sichuan Cuisine

About Chengdu

The City of Leisure

Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, is China's most relaxed major city — a place where ancient tea houses still line quiet alleyways and giant pandas roam bamboo-shaded sanctuaries. With over 2,300 years of continuous settlement, Chengdu has perfected the art of living well.

Known as the "Land of Abundance" since ancient times, Chengdu sits in the fertile Red Basin, sheltered by mountains and nourished by the Min River. This natural bounty shaped a culture that prizes pleasure over haste — where a morning at the teahouse, an afternoon with hotpot, and an evening strolling Jinli Street are not indulgences but the rhythm of daily life.

Today, Chengdu is the undisputed panda capital of the world and the beating heart of Sichuan cuisine — China's most fiery and flavor-packed culinary tradition. From the numbing tingle of Sichuan peppercorn to the gentle clack of mahjong tiles in a park pavilion, Chengdu invites you to slow down and savor every moment.

Chengdu Panda Base

Founded 311 BC

Panda Sanctuary

World's largest giant panda conservation and breeding center

Sichuan Spice

UNESCO City of Gastronomy with legendary fiery cuisine

Tea Culture

Ancient teahouse tradition dating back over a thousand years

Leisure Lifestyle

China's most relaxed city — where slow living is an art form

Top Attractions

Chengdu Panda Base

The world's premier giant panda conservation center, home to over 100 pandas. Watch cubs tumble in nursery enclosures and adults lounge among bamboo groves in this lush, forested sanctuary.

Open: 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM

Wuhou Shrine

A revered temple dedicated to Zhuge Liang, the legendary strategist of the Three Kingdoms era. Wander through ancient cypress courtyards and red-pillared halls steeped in 1,800 years of history.

Open: 8:00 AM - 6:30 PM

Jinli Ancient Street

A bustling traditional pedestrian street lined with Qing-dynasty style architecture, red lanterns, and irresistible local snacks. The atmospheric night scene is pure Chengdu magic.

Open: All day

Dujiangyan Water Project

A UNESCO World Heritage irrigation system built in 256 BC that still functions today. This engineering marvel tamed the Min River without dams, sustaining the Land of Abundance for over two millennia.

Open: 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM

Kuanzhai Alley

Three parallel alleys — Wide, Narrow, and Well — restored to showcase Qing-era courtyard homes. Today they blend traditional teahouses, boutique shops, and Chengdu's signature leisure culture.

Open: All day

Qingcheng Mountain

The birthplace of Chinese Taoism, shrouded in mist and ancient cypress forests. Climb stone paths past hidden temples and pavilions to reach the summit, where the views are truly transcendent.

Open: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Chengdu Cuisine

A Fiery Gastronomic Journey

Chengdu cuisine sits at the heart of Sichuan — one of China's Eight Great Culinary Traditions and the only regional cuisine to earn a UNESCO City of Gastronomy designation. The defining characteristic is "mala": the numbing tingle of Sichuan peppercorn paired with the searing heat of facing-heaven peppers.

But Sichuan cuisine is far more than just spice. It encompasses 24 distinct flavor profiles — from the citrusy fragrance of tangerine peel to the deep umami of fermented bean paste. Each dish is a carefully composed symphony of tastes, where heat is balanced by sweetness, sourness, and the earthy depth of local ingredients.

No visit to Chengdu is complete without gathering around a bubbling hotpot, savoring the silky burn of Mapo Tofu, or slurping down a bowl of Dan Dan Noodles on a rain-soaked alley. Here, food is not sustenance — it is identity.

Sichuan Hotpot

Famous Dishes

Mapo Tofu

Mapo Tofu

Silken tofu in a fiery, numbing sauce of chili oil, Sichuan peppercorn, and minced beef — the dish that defines Chengdu.

Sichuan Hotpot

Sichuan Hotpot

A bubbling cauldron of chili-laced broth where you cook sliced meats, vegetables, and tofu at the table — a communal feast.

Kung Pao Chicken

Kung Pao Chicken

Diced chicken stir-fried with peanuts, dried chilies, and Sichuan peppercorn in a sweet-savory glaze — globally beloved, locally perfected.

Dan Dan Noodles

Dan Dan Noodles

Springy noodles topped with spiced minced pork, preserved vegetables, chili oil, and sesame paste — street food at its finest.

Food Streets

Jinli Street

The most atmospheric food street in Chengdu, where red lanterns glow over stalls selling rabbit heads, sugar-coated treats, and steaming bowls of noodles in Qing-dynasty surroundings.

Wuhou District, near Wuhou Shrine

Kuanzhai Alley

Elegant courtyard dining in restored Qing-era alleys. Sample refined Sichuan dishes, artisan teas, and modern fusion cuisine in a setting of timeless beauty.

Qingyang District, Changshang Street

Yulin Life Plaza

The authentic local's choice for late-night hotpot, skewered barbecue, and cold beer. This is where Chengdu residents come to eat, drink, and linger until dawn.

Wuhou District, Yulin Road
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