Chengdu is a great choice for a vacation as it not only has culture, shopping and pandas, but it also gives access to stunning landscapes in its surrounds in Western Sichuan. We flew into Chengdu for road trip to Daocheng Yading in Western Sichuan and this was our Chengdu itinerary for the time we were based in the city.
In This Chengdu Itinerary
Day 1: Chengdu City
People’s Park (人民公园)
Start your day at People’s Park, one of the most iconic public spaces in Chengdu. Locals gather here for morning exercises, traditional music, and spirited games of mahjong. Grab a seat at Heming Teahouse, one of the oldest teahouses in the city, and enjoy a cup of jasmine or chrysanthemum tea. If you’re feeling brave, try a traditional ear cleaning—an oddly satisfying local custom.
Kuanzhai Alley (宽窄巷子)
Next, head to Kuanzhai Alley, a network of three parallel lanes that blend Qing-dynasty architecture with modern boutiques and snack stalls. Stroll through the alleys to shop for handcrafted souvenirs and sample regional treats like rabbit head or cold noodles with Sichuan pepper.
Taikoo Li (太古里), Chengdu IFS (International Finance Square), Chunxi Road (春熙路)
Taikoo Li, IFS and Chunxi Road are in close proximity to one another, making it very easy to visit all 3 at once.
Chengdu IFS is a upscale shopping mall is famous for its rooftop panda sculpture climbing the building. Inside, you’ll find both luxury and local brands, as well as plenty of food options.
Taikoo Li is an open-air, shopping complex with many luxury boutiques. On the other hand, Chunxi Road, also an open-air shopping area, is filled with more local brands, with a mix of common international brands like Nike and Adidas.
SKP Chengdu
If you have time, head over to SKP Chengdu, a luxury mall known for its sleek bamboo structures that light up at night. There is a departmental store as well as individual stores at SKP, but are mostly high-end brands. It’s quieter and less chaotic than other malls, with the exception of the bamboo structure area. However, note that the food options here are quite limited as there are only high-end restaurants here.
Day 2: Day Trip To Dujiangyan (都江堰)
Getting to Dujiangyan
Dujiangyan is about 59 km from Chengdu and can be reached in roughly one hour by car.
For a cheaper option, take the metro to Xipu Station and connect to a 20 – 40 minute high-speed train to Dujiangyan or Lidui Park Station.
For a more detailed guide, read our Dujiangyan itinerary.
Dujiangyan Panda Base (都江堰中华大熊猫苑)
Start early and take a train or private transfer to Dujiangyan, about an hour from Chengdu. This lesser-known site offers a quieter, more natural environment to observe giant pandas. Many of the giant pandas here are actually juveniles!
Tip: Arrive as early as possible, especially during the summer as the pandas will go into hiding when it gets hot! When we visited in summer, all the pandas were hiding in their air-conditioned rooms by 11am, and none of them were in the display area.
Opening hours: 8.30am – 5pm, last entry at 4.30pm
Entrance fee:
Adults (19 – 59 years old): RMB 58
Children (below 1.3m): RMB 29
Seniors: Free
Students: RMB 29
Zhongshuge (钟书阁)
Zhongshuge is a visually stunning bookstore known for its mirrored ceilings, spiral staircases, and immersive reading spaces. It offers a curated selection of Chinese and international titles, making it a treat for both book lovers and design enthusiasts.
However, the mall Zhongshuge is located in is rather boring so if you’re short on time, or if you’re okay giving a photo spot a miss, you can probably skip this spot.
Yangtianwo Square (仰天窝广场)
Yangtianwo Square is known for its 12-meter-tall giant panda statue that has become a recognizable local landmark. While not a must-visit, it’s a fun photo stop conveniently located within walking distance of other key attractions.
Wenmiao Mountain Street (文庙山街)
Next, head to Wenmiao Mountain Street. This charming street is a great area to stop by for a break as there are many food and tea houses here.
Dujiangyan Scenic Area (都江堰景区)
Dujiangyan Irrigation System, also known as Dujiangyan Scenic Area, is a UNESCO World Heritage site that was built over 2,000 years ago, and is still in use today.
Nanqiao (南桥)
Before heading back to Chengdu, stop at Nanqiao, an extremely viral location known for its night scenery. This historical bridge offers great views of the Minjiang River which will be beautifully lit neon blue when the sun sets.
Where To Stay In Chengdu
Shanshui S Hotel (Kuanzhai Alley Tianfu Square Branch)
We were big fans of the large bed and service at Shanshui S Hotel, would highly recommend this hotel. The room was very spacious, and even had a mini washing machine, which was very helpful after our road trip around Western Sichuan.
Read our full review: Shanshui S Hotel Kuanzhai Alley Review
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