Top 5 Must-do Activities In Chengdu

Planning a trip to Chengdu, China? You're in for a treat! Chengdu is one of my favourite cities in China.

This laid-back city is the heart of Sichuan Province, known for its spicy cuisine, adorable pandas, and rich cultural heritage. Whether you're a foodie, a nature lover, or a history buff, Chengdu has something to offer. If you can fit a trip to a Western city on your itinerary I highly recommend its Chengdu.

Let's dive into the top 5 things you absolutely must do when you visit Chengdu!

1. PANDAS!!!!

First things first, let's talk pandas!

Chengdu is synonymous with these cuddly creatures. As soon as you step off the plane or train you will be greeted by a panda around every corner - it is quite adorable how many panda things you can find in the city.

The Giant Panda Breeding Research Base is a haven for panda lovers. Here, you can watch pandas munch on bamboo, play around, and even see the tiny cubs (they're beyond adorable!).

Travel Tip: The best time to visit is early in the morning when the pandas are most active. So head to the research base as soon as it opens.

2. EAT EVERYTHING

Prepare your taste buds for an explosion of flavours! Chengdu is the birthplace of Sichuan cuisine, famous for its bold, spicy flavours. A lot of dishes in Sichuan contain the legendary Sichuan peppercorn which gives you a delightful numbing sensation on your tongue. It is a sensation I had never experienced before coming to China.

Don’t worry though not everything is a bum burner in the city and you will find a lot of different flavours packed into a dish.

Hotpot is famous in Chengdu and great if you are in a large group but I have found some great alternatives if you are travelling solo or in a pair. We often head for Chuan Chuan or Maocai instead, they are packed with just as much flavour but a lot easier for a smaller group.

Check out our video here which will explain them both in more detail.

Chengdu is also a great place to try a variety of different noodles. They have thick, thin, spicy, sweet anything your heart desires. We spent a day exploring all the different varieties you can find in the city. If you are a noodle lover like me you will be happy to hear you can have a delicious bowl for your breakfast, lunch and dinner in Chengdu.

Check out this video to see more!

I feel like you can’t go wrong in Chengdu everything tastes good. We haven’t done the Lost Plate tour in this city because when we visited (during covid) they weren’t running. They did however give us a list of some places to try and they were 10/10 so I’m sure the tour would be amazing!

Don’t forget to use my code at the checkout to save some dough! NICOLOVESLP

3. STROLL THROUGH PEOPLE’S PARK

Need a break from the hustle and bustle? People's Park is the perfect spot to relax and soak up local culture. We stayed near here on one of our trips to Chengdu and went to the park almost every day. It is such a relaxing place to go.

You can join in a game of mahjong, watch locals practice Tai Chi, or simply enjoy a leisurely boat ride on the lake. The park is a lively social hub where you can experience the laid-back lifestyle of Chengdu residents.

This park has lots of hidden corners to explore. You will even find a blind date corner where hopeful singles leave their details in the hope of snagging a partner.

Don’t miss the unique experience of drinking tea in one of the park's traditional teahouses. Heming Tea House is one of the most famous in the park you can relax with a cuppa whilst getting your ears cleaned which is a very popular activity in the city.

4. RELAX IN A TEAHOUSE

This has to be a stand-alone thing to do in Chengdu. A traditional tea house is the place to go, you will find locals whiling away the hours in locations all over the city. You will be amazed at how relaxing it can be to sit in a tea house for the afternoon and chat with friends or play games.

You will find many tea houses in parks or along the river and canals.

If you are willing to travel for tea then head to the oldest (and vibiest) teahouse in Chengdu. About 45 minutes out of the city you will find Pengzhen Old Town which is home to the Guanyin Tea House. This teahouse has gone viral on social media and many photography enthusiasts head here to get a shot of the eccentric owner throwing water from the kettle - this isn’t part of the tea-making process but it looks great in photos.

As it is a bit of a tourist hotspot get there as early in the morning as you can to see the more authentic side to this place. Before 8 am the teahouse is filled with locals who come every day to the teahouse.

5. CYCLE ALONG THE RIVER

Although Sichuan is mountainous, Chengdu is a relatively flat city which makes it perfect for cycling. The river flows around the main centre of the city and you can easily spend the day cycling along its banks and stopping if something takes your fancy. If you can get your Alipay to work then the best way is to rent one of the many shared bikes in the city. You can drop it off and pick a new one whenever you need.

And there you have it – the top 5 things you should do in Chengdu!

This city is a delightful mix of ancient traditions and modern vibrancy, and these activities are just the tip of the iceberg. Chengdu feels very different to other cities in China it is a very relaxing place for both locals and foreigners.

So pack your bags, brush up on your tea house etiquette, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in Chengdu. Happy travels!

If you need some help planning your itinerary for your Chengdu (and China) trip then get in touch I can help you!