Chengdu
Giant pandas, legendary hotpot, and a laid-back café culture that makes every visitor want to move here
Top Highlights
- 1 Giant Panda Base
- 2 Jinli Ancient Street
- 3 Kuanzhai Alley
- 4 Leshan Giant Buddha
- 5 Sichuan Opera
Visa & Entry
Visa required (most nationalities)
Check your nationality's eligibility for visa-free entry or the 144-hour transit exemption. Most visitors from Western countries need a standard tourist (L) visa.
Full visa guideBest Time to Visit
Mar–Jun & Sep–Nov
Suggested stay: 3–5 days. Avoid the Golden Week holiday (1–7 October) and Spring Festival (Jan/Feb) — crowds are enormous and prices peak.
Seasonal travel guideNearby destinations
29 articles — page 1 of 5
All destinations
chengduKuanzhai Alley Chengdu (Wide and Narrow Alleys): History, Food & What to Skip
Kuanzhai Alley Chengdu (Wide and Narrow Alleys) — Qing dynasty lanes, courtyard teahouses, food worth eating, what to skip, and how to beat the crowds.
Updated Jul 2026
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ChengduJinli Ancient Street Chengdu: Opening Hours & Visitor Guide 2026
Jinli Ancient Street in Chengdu: opening hours (8 AM–10 PM, free entry), the best Sichuan street food, Wuhou Shrine tips, and how to get there by metro.
Updated Jul 2026
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chengduChengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding Guide 2026
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding guide 2026: opening hours, ¥95 tickets, the best time to see active pandas and cubs, and how to get there.
Updated Jul 2026
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chengduChengdu Sichuan Opera Guide: Face-Changing Shows, Where to Watch & Historical Context
Where to watch authentic Sichuan Opera in Chengdu — the face-changing (变脸) technique, shadow puppetry, fire breathing, and the teahouse theatre tradition. Which venues are genuinely good and which are tourist-only performances.
Updated May 2026
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chengduChengdu Food Street Guide: Where Locals Actually Eat in 2026
Where to eat in Chengdu like a local — the best food streets, hidden noodle shops, authentic Sichuan hotpot restaurants, street snacks, and the neighbourhoods that haven't been gentrified for tourists.
Updated May 2026
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chengduBest Day Trips & Nearby Destinations from Chengdu 2026: Leshan, Emei Shan, Ya'an & More
The best day trips and overnight excursions from Chengdu — Leshan Giant Buddha, Mount Emei (Emei Shan), Ya'an's panda valley, Dujiangyan irrigation system, Qingcheng Mountain, and Sanxingdui Bronze Age Museum, with transport details and time requirements.
Updated May 2026
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