Planning a trip to Chengdu? This itinerary covers exactly how many days you need and the best way to experience pandas, food, and culture. Plan your trip to suit your schedule and ensure you will see all the best of what Chengdu has to offer.
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Table of Contents
How Many Days in Chengdu?
The ideal number of days to spend in Chengdu would be 2–3 days for most travellers. If you are short on time then you could see enough in one day and if you have longer than 3 days you could definitely fill up to 5 and dive deeper in the the culture and attractions of Chengdu
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Chengdu Itinerary Overview
This Chengdu Itinerary will give you a plan for 1 day up to 3 depending on your schedule. You can pick and choose to change out acitivies if there is something more appealing to you, however we have tried to give a mix of nature, food and culture on each itinerary.
- 1 day: highlights only
- 2 days: best balance (most popular)
- 3 days: more relaxed + deeper experience
1 Day Chengdu Itinerary (For Short Visits)
This 1 Day Chengdu Itinerary will show you the highlights of Chengdu and give you a taste of this lovely city, leaving you wanting to return. It can be slotted into any schedule and if there is an activity that you want to change out you can check out our Chengdu Travel Guide to see if there is something that suits you better. Feel free to reach out to ask us if you think you’d like to make a change and we can let you know if it would work.
Morning: Pandas
Visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. This has to be number one on the list as it is the biggest attraction in Chengdu and why everyone comes here. Honestly we loved our time and recommend it to everyone, when you get back into town you will be ready for all the panda paraphernalia that you will encounter. We recommend pre-purchasing your tickets ( you can include a shuttle there and back also if you want). It is not expensive but so worth it.
Afternoon: Ancient Streets and Temples
Explore Jinli Ancient Street and Wuhou Temple. This is a great two for one stop as they are right next to each other. Wuhou Temple is an important shrine in Chengdu and whilst it has an entry fee it is worth it. Then head next door to Ancient Jinli Street and take in the snacks, music, pretty architecture and lively atmosphere. Make sure to catch a Sichuan Opera as well!
Evening: Sichuan cuisine, Alleys and Night Lights
Sichuan dinner experience to try the famous málà, a spicy, mouth numbing treat! You can get a hot pot or a full dinner but it is not to be missed. You can do a special dinner and opera show at Shuyanfu which is pretty popular. Or if you checked out the opera already during the day head to Kuan Alley and Zhai Alley then grab a Didi to the pretty Anshun Bridge to see the iconic view illuminated at night.
2 Day Chengdu Itinerary (most popular+our perfect choice)
This 2 Day Chengdu Itinerary is the most popular choice for people visiting the city as you get a to experience the nature and culture without being too rushed!
Day 1: Pandas + Old Chengdu
Morning: Panda base (early start)
On Day 1 we have to start off by visiting the Pandas. This is obviously one of the biggest draw cards to the city so you want to be booked in and ready to go first thing in the morning before it gets a little busy. We spent most of our first day here and left around 2pm. Read our Panda reserach base blog to get all our tips for visiting. You should pre-purchase tickets as they can sell out. There is an option on the page to add transport which is very helpful, or you can Didi there and back which is what we did, although the wait to get a Didi back to town did take a long time.
Afternoon: Temples and Ancient Streets
In the afternoon head to Wenshu Monastery and then Wuhou Temple and Jinli Ancient Street to soak up a little of the Chengdu culture. You can spend hours wandering these temples and the adjacent streets!
Evening: Sichuan Dinner Experience
A Sichuan dinner experience to try the famous málà, a spicy, mouth numbing treat! Find yourself a hot pot or a full dinner but it is not to be missed. You can do a special dinner and opera show at Shuyanfu which is a pretty popular dinner and Chinese performance.
Day 2: Culture + Local Life
Morning: Park and Teahouse Culture
Start your day at the People’s Park. We loved it here. There are lots of different gardens to explore, watch locals doing their Tai Chi, a lake and a teahouse to experience the cities unique tea culture. After wandering the gardens sit down at the tea house to watch the steam rise from your cup, locals playing mahjong and soak up some of the typically Chengdu atmosphere. You’ll hear the soon familiar ding of the ear cleaners as they make their way around the seats offering their services…give it a go if you dare!
Afternoon: Chunxi Road, Taikoo Li and Temples
Walk Chunxi Road to check out the biggest pedestrian street in Chengdu, while many say to come here in the evening we prefer to spend part of the afternoon here to see the famous IFS Building Panda! Check him out from the ground then go up the elevator to see his face popping over the edge and line up for a pic with him. You can stroll to Taikoo Li to check out the mix of ancient buildings with luxury high end stores, the big 3D panda billboard (Chengdu’s answer to the Shinjuku Cat in Tokyo) and the temple close by.
Evening: Alleyways, night lights and snacks
Spend the evening in the alleys of Chengdu, Kuan Alley and Zhai Alley and soak up the fun vibes. There is a ton of panda parafenalia here to buy at some of the cheapest prices in the city! The alleys are loaded with street snacks (Mike loved the Guokui (stuffed flatbreads). These alleys are full of life and activity and a great place to spend your evening. Afterwards grab a Didi to the pretty Anshun Bridge to see the iconic view illuminated at night or head to the Century Global Center to see the biggest shopping centre in China and its insta-famous bamboo lights.
3 Day Chengdu Itinerary (Deeper Experience)
For a 3 Day Chengdu Itinerary you can get a deeper experience and understanding of the iconic Chengdu vibe. There is a lot to choose from for this day so you can tailor it to your preferences. Follow the 2 Day Chengdu Itinerary then add on the option below for the third day that suits you best.
Day 3 Options: Day Trips or Local Experiences
3-Day Chengdu Itinerary Option 1 Day Trip to one of the two most interesting places nearby to Chengdu:
- Leshan Giant Buddha -see the massive buddah carved into the mountain side. Day trips here are easy, you can join a tour or jump on the train yourself (although it does require a taxi or bus on each end). This is where you book your tickets, there are options to add a sightseeing bus once there (get your own transport to Leshan), a complete tour or just the entry ticket.
- Dujiangyan – This town is home to the other Panda Research Facility, a really beautiful library, a scenic area that includes gardens, temples and river views and most importantly an ancient irrigation system that has to be seen by day and night when it is lit up and becomes the ‘River of Blue Tears’.
3-Day Chengdy Itinerary Option 2 City Vibes + take it slow, sip coffee in cute cafes or tea in teahouses and soak up the city:
- Visit Dongjiao Jiyi for its trendy shopping area, creative park and coffee shops.
- Du Fu Thatched Cottage to walk in the home and garden of one of China’s famous poets.
- Yulin District for its vintage shopping, cafes and street art.
Must-Do Experiences in Chengdu
The main things you have to tick off your Chengdu list are:
- Seeing the giant panda
- Eating Sichuan cuisine
- Tea house culture
What to Eat in Chengdu
Chengdu is a foodies haven! There is a strong cuisine with a spicy flavour and lots of different snacks to try that are local to the area. Be ready for the very special Sichuan spice that is mouth numbing, it is a little surprising if not ready for it!
Must-Try Foods
- hot pot
- mapo tofu
- dan dan noodles
- spicy skewers
- stuffed flatbread
- all the panda themed cute snacks and desserts!
Best Time to Visit Chengdu
- Spring & Autumn is best for weather, but can bring more crowds.
- Avoid peak summer heat during July-August this is the worst time to travel as it can be sweltering.
- Best time to see pandas active is in the early mornings in Spring and Autumn as they are more active in these times.
- Avoid these major Chinese holidays when loads of locals are travelling and it can get very busy: Chinese New Year (late Jan/Feb), Labor Day (May 1–5), and National Day (Oct 1–7).
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Where to Stay in Chengdu: Best Areas for First-Time Visitors
We stayed at a very cool little hotel near the Kuan Alley and Zhai Alley area. It is Nostalgia Hotelkuanzhai Alley Chengdu, they had the nicest breakfast in the morning and the hotel had a retro vibe that we loved! It served tea and a warm snack of congee at night, was quiet and an easy walk to People’s Park too.
How to Get to Chengdu
Chengdu is really easily accessible, you can fly into Chengdu both internationally or domestically. The airport is located a little out of town so be prepared to get a Didi or prebook a shuttle to get to town. Flights from Beijing and Shanghai are regular, we flew into Chengdu on one trip from Brisbane with a change in Hong Kong.
High-speed trains access Chengdu from any major city. You can take connections to get there from smaller areas as well. The train system is very user friendly and extensive in China.
Is Chengdu Expensive?
Chengdu is much the same as the rest of China. We spent approximately $70 USD per day (as a couple) in China which included accommodation, food, activities and transport. We are midrange travellers and this could definitely less for budget or more if you like a more luxurious experience. If you are doing day trips it may be a little more that day and a little less the next.
How to Add Chengdu to Your China Itinerary
Chengdu fits easily in to most China itineraries. It lies close enough to Xi’An and can be added in a Beijing – Xi’An – Shanghai itinerary, it is included in our 2-week China itinerary and also in our 4-week China Itinerary. It sits close to Chongqing and both Fenghuang Ancient Town and Furong Ancient Town making it a great add on to a Zhangjiajie National Park trip.
Travel Tips for Chengdu
Travel in Chengdu and China for that matter is pretty easy. Most of it is organised through apps so the language barrier isn’t too difficult. Make sure you have Google Translate which is so helpful (try to learn some basic terms), have WeChat ready as many Chinese people will chat with you through that app – you become friends and then type a message that is sent to them in Chinese and translated to English for you! Have payment apps Alipay and WeChat Pay(part of WeChat) on your phone set up before you arrive and Didi China to get taxis (it is pretty much Chinese Uber) and you will be fine!
Frequently Asked Questions About Chengdu
How many days do you need in Chengdu?
A 2 Day Chengdu itinerary is a pretty perfect place to start. You can squeeze it in to a day if you need or spend up to 5 easily!
What is the best Chengdu itinerary?
Our 2 Day Chengdu Itinerary is pretty perfect! It gets you a very good taste of the city and may leave you wanting to return.
Is Chengdu worth visiting?
Yes! Chengdu is one of our favourite Chinese cities, it really is unlike others around it and so worth seeing for yourself…who can say no to a panda?
What is Chengdu famous for?
Chengdu is famous for its incredible Giant Panda Research Bases that really do show you so many pandas. They are also famous for their teahouse culture and relaxed city vibe. Watch our Chengdu travel vlog to see what we loved about it…leave us a like and subscribe while your there-it really does help to support us!
Can you visit pandas in one day?
You can! There is a Chengdu Panda Research Base just 20 minutes from the centre of Chengdu. It is really simple to catch a Didi out there and spend the day enjoying these beautiful creatures. Read our How to visit the Panda Research Base in Chengdu to plan your day!
We fell in love with Chengdu and its unique laid back vibe with pandas at the heart and hope you do too. Next Steps:
- 👉 Plan your trip: 2-Week China Itinerary or our 4-Week China Itinerary
- 👉 Read next: Is Chengdu Worth Visiting Travel Guide
Want to see it all in action? Watch our Chengdu guide and full China series on YouTube and follow along on Instagram @passport_nomads and @kelly___buckley for travel tips and inspo.
