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
30 articles — page 3 of 5
All destinations
foodChina Food Guide: 30 Dishes You Must Try and Where to Find Them
The essential China food guide for travellers: 30 must-try dishes organised by region, how to find the best versions, how to order without Chinese, food safety tips, and a guide to the regional cuisines that make Chinese food endlessly varied.
Updated May 2026
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2 Weeks in China: The Ultimate Independent Itinerary for First-Timers
The definitive 14-day China itinerary covering Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, and Shanghai — with exact train connections, daily budgets, booking tips, and honest advice for independent travellers doing it without a tour group.
Updated May 2026
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chengduChengdu Food Guide 2025: Hotpot, Mapo Tofu, Street Snacks & Where to Eat Like a Sichuan Local
The complete eating guide to Chengdu — from authentic Sichuan hotpot and mapo tofu to dan dan noodles, rabbit head, teahouse culture, and the street food alley that locals actually eat at.
Updated May 2026
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chengduChengdu's Kuanzhai Alley (Wide and Narrow Alley): What's Real, What's Good, and What to Skip
An honest guide to Chengdu's most famous pedestrian precinct — the Wide and Narrow Alleys (宽窄巷子). What's genuinely worth seeing, the best food and drink, how to avoid the tourist traps, and what the Qing Dynasty street layout tells us about old Chengdu.
Updated May 2026
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itineraryChina Southwest Golden Triangle: 10 Days in Chengdu, Guilin & Yunnan
The classic 10-day southwest China loop — giant pandas in Chengdu, karst peaks along the Li River in Guilin, and the ancient towns of Lijiang and Dali in Yunnan.
Updated May 2026
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ChengduChengdu Jinli Ancient Street: Complete Visitor Guide 2026
Everything you need to know about Jinli Ancient Street in Chengdu — what to eat, what to buy, best times to visit, how to avoid tourist traps, and nearby Wuhou Shrine. Authentic guide with local tips.
Updated May 2026
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