The city of Chengdu, the provincial capital of China’s Sichuan province is the fourth most populous city in China according to recent estimates. The city is a burgeoning hub for business and commerce and currently is home to outposts of more than 250 of Fortune 500 companies. An ancient city, Chengdu, was established more than 2300 years ago. In fact, historical records indicate that today's essential monetary tool, paper currency, originated in Chengdu in 1023, under the Song dynasty.
Many Chinese cities are concrete behemoths not so Chengdu; the city is a green oasis so much it is often referred to as ‘Heavenly State.’ Its lush, green surroundings are the result of the Dujiangyan Irrigation system, a procedure dating back to the 2nd century BC. Li Bing, the Shu Kingdom magistrate during the Qin dynasty introduced this technique for irrigating the plains around Chengdu by harnessing the waters of the Minjiang River.
The Chengdu Shuangliu International airport (CTU) situated 16 km to the south of the city provides access to the city as it welcomes several airlines from around the globe. Other entry points to the city include its three bus stations namely Chadianzi, Wuguiqiao and Xinnanmen and its three train stations. Plentiful taxis, public buses and subway trains provide transport within the city.
The best time to plan a visit to Chengdu is between the months of March and June and September to November. During these times, the city’s ever-present humidity is somewhat manageable. In fact, fog, mists and weak sunshine are omnipresent in Chengdu as they bestow an almost ethereal air to the city.
Main Attractions
The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
Chengdu’s most well known attraction is the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. The center operates as a non-profit research organization and it aids the conservation and breeding of giant pandas, China’s national treasure. Its charges are released into the wild eventually.
Located on the outskirts of Chengdu, this research center spans 92 verdant acres and hosts along with giant pandas other endangered species like the foxlike red pandas and black-necked cranes.
The Wenshu Monastery
Another notable attraction in Chengdu is the Wenshu monastery. This working monastery was original built during the reign of the Sui Dynasty (605BC – 617BC). However, the original structure was destroyed during a fire.
The current structure dates back to 1697 and the rule of the Qing dynasty. The famed Buddhist monk CiDu HaiYue administered the construction of the monastery. It is said that the bodhisattva Manjusri appeared to CiDu HaiYue in a dream and guided him during the construction. The monastery was initially known as XinXang temple and was renamed Wenshu after Manjusri.
Housed within the monastery are several displays of Chinese art including paintings, sculptures and artifacts. A teahouse and a vegetarian restaurant that is famous for its delectable Buddhist food are also available onsite at the monastery.
Wuhou Shrine
The Wuhou Shrine (the Temple of Marquis) was constructed during the West Jin period (265-316). The structure was built as homage to Zhuge Liang, the Prime Minister of Shu Han State and a brilliant military and political strategist in the Three Kingdoms Period (221 – 589).
The expansive shrine encompasses various attractions such as the Zhuge Liang Memorial Temple, the Hall of Lui Bei along with courtyards and gardens. A large hall within the shrine houses life-size statues of the prominent figures of the Shu Han State. Also of interest are the many archways, urns and stone tablets that adorn the various chambers and outdoor areas of the shrine.
The Thatched Cottage of Du Fu
This quaint attraction is an excellent exponent of the traditional Chinese style of architecture and features scenic pavilions and bridges commonly associated with this form of building. The cottage is situated amongst lush, green environs in a western suburb of the city. This charming dwelling served as the home of the famous poet Du Fu, who arrived in Chengdu from Henan Province during an uprising known as the An-Shi Rebellion (16 December 755 – 17 February 763), a major upheaval against the rule of the Tang Dynasty. Dufu resided at the cottage for four years, and it is here that he produced some of his best works.
The Jinsha Relics Museum
The Jinsha Relics Museum is a recently discovered archeological site that is still being excavated. Construction workers working on a real estate development in the village of Jinsha, located 5 km outside Chengdu chanced upon the discovery in 2001. The site, which spans approximately 300,000 square meters, is the largest museum in Chengdu. The museum features five main sections namely the Tourist Centre, the Relic Hall, the Exhibition Hall, the Protection Centre of Cultural Relics and the Garden District. Exhibits at the museum include gold plates, jade and stone sculptures, wood and ivory artifacts, many of which date back more than 4000 years.
The Leshan Buddha
The Leshan Buddha (Dafo) is the largest carved stone Buddha in the world. Devout Buddhist monks painstakingly cut the Buddha out of a cliff near Mount Emei located 162 km from the city of Chengdu. This lofty sight is today a leading attraction of Chengdu. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
Recreational attractions
Chengdu has much to offer for visitors of all ages. Shopping destinations, nightlife haunts and amusement parks abound in this now heavily tourist-trafficked city.
Theme parks
Chengdu Polar Ocean World and Happy Valley theme park are two western-style theme parks in Chengdu that have many entertainment options for kids and adults alike.
Dining, Shopping and Nightlife
Sichuan cuisine is well known throughout the world for its unique spicy flavor mainly attributed to the liberal use of an intensely hot flower pepper, huajiao. If you enjoy eating tongue-numbing hot food, you should make it a point to sample classic dishes of Sichuan fare, like the Chengdu Hotpot, Dan Dan noodles, Grandma Chen’s Bean Curd and more at the many big and small eateries that litter Chengdu’s dining landscape.
As for nightlife, Chengdu hosts a rather vivacious nightlife scene featuring bars, restaurants, clubs and coffee houses. The city’s nightlife arena is concentrated within its various entertainment enclaves like Lan Kwai Fong Chengdu (named after the famous nightlife district of Hong Kong), Shao Lin Lu Bar Street, the Riverside and Flower Town.
If you enjoy shopping then you will be delighted by many Chengdu’s offerings. The city hosts several shopping districts and mega malls that offer a mix of international and domestic retail options. If you are an enthusiastic shopper do make it a point to visit areas like Chunxi Lu along with the city’s mega bastions of retail such Raffles City, the Landmark, the Galleria, the MixC, Yanlord Landmark, Lotte Mall, Wang Fu Jing, 9 Square, Uno Mall and Wanda Mall.
PASSPORT & VISA PROCESSING