Chengdu, the ancient and mysterious capital city located in the center of Sichuan, is the core of the province’s politics, economy, and culture. According to the excavation of the Jinsha Ruins, the history of Chengdu can be traced back to 3,200 years ago. It is interesting to note that although the city has a long history, it has never changed its name. The city has many elements that make tourists fall in love it, such as delicious food and beautiful scenery. It may not be until you’re on your way out that you’ll discover the meaning of Chengdu’s slogan for tourism - "The city you won't want to leave."
In the hearts of tourists, Chengdu has a long history, spicy food, and a slow paced lifestyle. But at the same time, Chengdu is also a city that does not lack the beauty of juxtaposition - it’s also well known for its prosperity and fashion. Even if tourists come and go in a hurry, the locals still shuttle between teahouses and hot pot restaurants and live life at their own pace.
Chengdu is the capital of ancient Shu Kingdom and home to many tourist attractions. At Wuhou Temple, Lau Kwan Cheung and Zhu Geliang are honored. The ancient temples and stone carvings there seem to take people back to the Three Kingdoms era. Du Fu’s Thatched Cottage, another attraction, was the residence of Du Fu when he was residing in Chengdu. By the Huanhuaxi River, there is a thousand years of history relating to poetry. The Jinsha Ruins on the outskirts of the city unveil the ancient Shu culture one thousand years ago. The inner circle of Xincheng District is the center of Chengdu and is home to Wuhou Temple, Wide and Narrow Alleys, Chunxi Road, Qingyang Palace, and many other attractions and shopping streets. The giant panda base can’t be missed either. Xiling Snow Mountain is a good place to head to for those who enjoy skiing. The Jianchuan Museum on the ancient town of Anren is worth a visit as well. Around the northwest of Chengdu, there is the World Heritage Site of Dujiangyan. Near Dujiangyan, there is the Mount Qingcheng. To the southwest, there are world cultural and natural heritages: Mount Emei and Leshan Giant Buddha. Most visitors choose to spend 3-5 days in Chengdu. Two days can be spent visiting the panda base and ruins museum in the suburbs; 1 day can be spent exploring local Chengdu snacks on the streets. If you want to visit the scenic spots around Chengdu, Mount Qingcheng as well as the Dujiangyan Irrigation System and Mount Emei and Leshan, each pair of attractions takes about two days.
The best times to visit Chengdu are from March to June and from September to November. Rainfall is not often seen during these periods, and the temperatures are mild. In addition to the above two periods, visitors can also consider visiting the summer resorts such as Mount Qingcheng in the summer and go skiing on Xiling Snow Mountain in the winter.
Chengdu has a prosperous economy and there are a lot of accommodation options in the city. Whether it’s a youth hostel for backpackers, a business hotel that is economical and fast, or a five-star hotel in a tall building, there are all types of hotels in Chengdu awaiting your visit. If you’re traveling during the winter or summer vacation or around the Chinese National Week holiday, it may be hard to reserve a room in a youth hostel. If possible, it’s best to make hotel bookings around a month in advance.