Sights in Chengdu

Jinli, a reminiscent of an ancient commercial street, is one of Chengdu's most popular attractions. Here, you can admire the craftsmanship of clay figurines and sugar paintings, browse shops steeped in Three Kingdoms themes, visit leather lanterns, visit Caoyingba, and browse chopstick shops. You can also sample Sichuan delicacies in the always-crowded "Food Street." There are also teahouses, cafes, bars, and inns where you can relax and enjoy the view. At dusk, Jinli lights up, creating a charming atmosphere and perfect for photo opportunities.

Chengdu's Wuhou Shrine, dating back to 223 AD during the construction of Liu Bei's Hui Mausoleum, is the only temple in China dedicated to both the emperor and his ministers. It is the most renowned memorial to Zhuge Liang, Liu Bei, and the heroes of Shu Han, and is also the world's largest museum dedicated to Three Kingdoms relics. If you're a Three Kingdoms fan, this place will surely satisfy your thirst for history. To avoid being disturbed by the hustle and bustle of the crowds, it's best to visit early in the morning, just after opening. Chengdu's famous Jinguan Deep within the Temple—"Red Walls and Bamboo Shadows"—is located here; don't forget to take photos.

Known as the "most Chengdu" of all, it's a favorite haunt for tourists. This pedestrian street, comprised of wide alleys, narrow alleys, and well-shaped alleys, dates back to the Qing Dynasty. While now home to numerous cafes, restaurants, and shops, strolling through it still offers a glimpse into Chengdu's leisurely lifestyle, including ear-picking, face-changing performances, tea drinking, and drinking.

Just a block or two away from Kuanxiangzi, Xiaotongxiang has quietly become a gathering place for artistic youth. Here, you'll find a variety of graffiti, creative shops, restaurants, and bars, making this short street full of leisurely life and giving you a sense of local comfort. Duoduojia and Factory No. 4 in the alley are particularly popular. Most shops in the alley are closed before 11 a.m.

Tianfu Square, nestled in the heart of Chengdu, holds a significance comparable to Beijing's Tiananmen Square for its residents. Standing in the center of the square, you'll be greeted by a statue of Mao Zedong, surrounded by the renowned Chengdu Museum, Sichuan Science and Technology Museum, and Jincheng Art Palace. The illuminated night view is even more stunning.

Chunxi Road is one of Chengdu's oldest commercial streets, ranked third on the "China Commercial Street Rankings." Today, Chunxi Road remains bustling, connecting Zhengkejia Alley and Shuwa Middle Street to form the city's bustling commercial district. It boasts numerous brand-name stores, most of which offer year-round discounts. Beyond shopping, Chunxi Road is also a hub for leisure and entertainment for Chengdu residents. It's home to several of Chengdu's most time-honored gourmet restaurants, offering a unique opportunity to sample a wide variety of Chengdu delicacies.

Hong Kong's Ta Kung Pao said: "If you want to dig for gold in the city, go to Chunxi Road; if you want to taste fashion, go to Chunxi Road; if you want to see beautiful women, go to Chunxi Road... If you don't want to go anywhere else, you can still go to Chunxi Road."

Known as the "First Forest of Aurora," Daci Temple dates back over 1,600 years. Today, the temple is revered for its ordination and lectures, though it lacks the grandeur of its former splendor. However, despite its bustling location, Daci Temple still retains its tranquility, with towering ancient trees. It's a must-see for Buddhist enthusiasts.

In addition, there is a vegetarian restaurant in the temple, and there are time-honored snack shops such as Red Star Rabbit Dipping and Liao Ji Bang Bang Chicken in the surrounding area; Chunxi Road is northwest of Daci Temple and can be reached on foot via Daci Temple Road and Zongfu Road.

People's Park, built in 1911, has long been a favorite destination for Chengdu residents seeking a relaxing cup of tea. As long as the sun is out, the park's shaded trees are always packed. The best way to enjoy the park is to settle down in a teahouse, order a cup of tea, read for an afternoon, daydream, or chat with friends, enjoying the authentic Chengdu slow-paced lifestyle.

Located on the banks of Huanhua Creek, the Du Fu Thatched Cottage is the former residence of the great Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu during his four-year stay in Chengdu. During this time, he wrote over 240 poems. Although the area has now been transformed into a classical Chinese garden, the only visible part is the "thatched cottage area," rebuilt in 1997. However, for those who enjoy a classical charm, a quiet and less crowded visit is still a pleasant experience.

This is the largest free and open urban forest park in Chengdu so far, and has been rated as the only five-star park in Chengdu.

The Sichuan Museum boasts 10 exhibition halls across three floors. Among its most distinctive features are the two Han Dynasty pottery and stone art galleries on the first floor and Zhang Daqian's paintings on the second floor. If you have more time, the Bashu Bronze and Ceramics Galleries on the second floor and the Tibetan Buddhist Artifacts Galleries on the third floor are also recommended. Visitors with children can experience the fun of making stone inscription rubbings in the second Ceramics and Stone Galleries from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM on Sundays.

Qingyang Temple, the premier Taoist temple in western Sichuan, houses a collection of Daoist scriptures engraved in 1906 during the 32nd year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty. This is the most complete collection of Daoist texts in my country. The remaining buildings within Qingyang Temple were largely rebuilt during the Kangxi reign, with the Doumu Hall remaining as the only remaining Ming Dynasty-style building. Visitors interested in Laozi and Zhuangzi's classics and massage therapy can also attend lectures at the Laozi and Zhuangzi Academy.

This Chengdu jewelry street is named after the timeless love story between Sima Xiangru and Zhuo Wenjun. The streets are lined with elegant, quaint buildings reminiscent of the Han and Tang dynasties, with soaring eaves and pointed corners. The lifelike bronze sculpture "Phoenix Seeking the Phoenix" is the highlight of Qintai Road. At night, walking along the bluestone slabs of Qintai Road, admiring the red lanterns and antique palace lanterns, and the sound of zither wafting from teahouses, is truly a picturesque experience. The famous "Shu Feng Ya Yun" (see page 20) was also viewed here.

Wenshu Monastery is a renowned Buddhist temple in western Sichuan. It houses numerous precious cultural relics and tens of thousands of Buddhist scriptures and texts, and is visited daily. In the Wenshu Monastery teahouse, visitors can savor Sichuan's unique gaiwan tea and enjoy the singing and playing of folk artists.

The Jinsha Ruins, dating back to the Shang and Zhou dynasties, have unearthed the world's largest concentration of ivory, gold, and jade artifacts of the same period. The most famous of these is the "Sun Bird" gold foil in the fourth exhibition hall, designated as a Chinese cultural heritage symbol and the main image of Chengdu. Interested parties can also pay to see the 4D film "Dreaming of Jinsha," or even attend the Jinsha Theater in the evening to enjoy "Jinsha," the world's first musical performed at an original archaeological site. The experience transports the audience back in time to the ancient Shu Kingdom 3,000 years ago.

When visiting Chengdu, a visit to see the adorable giant pandas, our national treasures, is a must. This is both a giant panda breeding research facility and an ecological park that simulates their wild habitat, housing over 100 pandas. You can observe the pandas through fences or glass windows, and if you're lucky, you can even see them enjoying the outdoors. The best time to see the pandas is before 9:30 a.m. (there's a feeding period between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.). If you're lucky, you can even see newborn panda babies through glass in the delivery room—they're incredibly adorable. Near the base gate is the Giant Panda Museum, where you can mail panda-stamped postcards from the Panda Country Post Office.

Zhaojue Temple, nestled outside Chengdu, is particularly tranquil. Known as the "First Forest" of western Sichuan, this renowned temple was built during the Zhenguan period of the Tang Dynasty (627-649). To this day, many Buddhist temples in Japan and Southeast Asia consider it their ancestral home. A must-see sight at Zhaojue Temple is the renowned "King of Heavenly Abundance Trees," a yellow poplar tree that has grown into one with the temple's main hall over the centuries.

Built in the 15th year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty, Wangjianglou Park commemorates the Tang Dynasty poet Xue Tao, who lived in Chengdu. It is a landmark in Chengdu. The park's most magnificent pavilion is Wangjianglou (formerly known as Chongli Pavilion). Xue Tao Well, a popular attraction for many visitors, is not the original well. The Xue Tao Memorial Hall offers a deeper understanding of her life and works. Of course, please do not disturb Xue Tao's tomb, nestled in a secluded corner. For those who prefer tranquility, the bamboo forests surrounding the park offer the perfect companion.

Yongling, the only above-ground imperial mausoleum discovered in China, stands a thousand years old and serves as the burial site of Wang Jian, the founding emperor of the Former Shu Kingdom during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. The essence of Yongling lies in its underground palace, where the stone statue of Wang Jian and the relief carvings of the twenty-four musicians and twelve coffin-bearing warriors surrounding his coffin bed are truly masterpieces. For a deeper understanding, the Yongling Museum, located to the right of the main gate, can showcase exquisite artifacts from the Five Dynasties period and purchase related historical books.

Once the Chengdu Hongguang Electron Tube Factory, a stroll through this creative park reveals Soviet-aided office buildings, red-brick factory buildings, locomotives, and railroad tracks, all woven into the fabric of today's park. The park is visually striking and steeped in nostalgia, making it a perfect place to bring your camera. Daily music performances and art exhibitions are also a draw. If you have more time, the park's cafes, bookstores, bars, and hotels are also worth exploring. Star-struck individuals can also explore the hand-model wall featuring Jane Zhang, Chris Lee, and Jiang Wen, with individual models also on display at the visitor center.

The world's largest teddy bear museum features nine themed exhibition halls and three creative cultural spaces, housing a collection of over 1,000 exquisite teddy bears. The most engaging displays feature anthropomorphic bear scenes, where teddy bears interpret traditional stories and world landmarks, such as Journey to the West, The Thatched Cottage, and the Egyptian pyramids. The museum also boasts a 3D cinema and a teddy bear shop, where you can enjoy the latest teddy bear products while enjoying the exhibition. This is a must-see for teddy bear lovers.

With 90% of its residents being Hakka, Luodai Ancient Town is known as "the premier Hakka town in western China," earning it the nickname "Luodai of the World, Eternal Hakka." The town is small and can be explored in about half a day. Afterward, you can visit the nearby Qinglong Great Wall, where the scenery along the way is exceptionally beautiful. Luodai Ancient Town boasts a wide variety of delicious snacks, including sad jelly, sweet noodles, swan eggs, golden silk cakes, and dragon beard pastries. Don't miss these delicacies.

Huanglongxi Town, with a history of over 1,700 years, is one of the top ten ancient water towns. Ancient memorial archways, temples, and residential buildings blend seamlessly with ancient banyan trees and cliff tombs. The bluestone-paved streets, green-tiled buildings, and intricately carved railings and window lattices, along with six yellow poplar trees over 300 years old, further enhance the town's ancient charm. Huanglongxi Ancient Town boasts numerous restaurants, with Yigenmian (single-stranded noodles), fermented black bean curd, and sesame cakes being the most recommended delicacies. Farmhouse meals are also available.

The Sanxingdui Ruins, a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, are a Bronze Age site in southwest China and a must-see for any visit to Chengdu. Excavations began in 1980, and the site is named for the three loess mounds that stand out prominently on the Chengdu Plain. The museum, divided into a general hall and a bronze hall, showcases a vast collection of unearthed artifacts, including gold, bronze, jade, pottery, and ivory. These artifacts bear the distinct characteristics of Bashu culture, representing the earliest known civilization in Chinese history. The bronze hall, the highlight of the site's artifacts, is a must-see.

Dujiangyan Irrigation System is the world's oldest and only surviving large-scale water conservancy project featuring damless water diversion. Known as the "ancestor of world water conservancy culture," it's said since ancient times: "To seek the truth at Mount Qingcheng, one must pay homage to the waters of Dujiangyan Irrigation System."

Mount Qingcheng, one of the birthplaces of Taoism in China, is known as "the most secluded place in the world." The front mountain is renowned for its cultural attractions, while the back mountain is captivating for its scenic beauty. In 2000, it was inscribed on the World Heritage List alongside the Dujiangyan Irrigation System.

The Xiling Snow Mountain Scenic Area features the perpetually snow-capped Great Snow Mountain, Chengdu's highest peak. It's named after the famous Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu's famous quatrain: "The window holds the eternal snow of the Xiling Mountains, the door moors ships from the Eastern Wu region." Xiling Snow Mountain is not only a ski resort, but also offers a unique opportunity to experience the ever-changing alpine landscapes of seas of clouds, sunrises, forest Buddha lights, sunlight illuminating the golden mountain, and the Yin-Yang boundary.