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It's not often that you can call a Chinese megacity 'leafy', but Chengdu is exactly that: spacious, plenty of green spaces and voted 2nd most liveable city in China. Take a bicycle down hibiscus lined streets to visit the serene Wenshu temple and try tasty guango hot pot, a local favourite.
1/tab.galleryImage.size}Pretty Chengdu, ‘the Land of Abundance’, lies on the Jin River and offers 72-hour visa free stays for citizens of 45 countries
2/tab.galleryImage.size}Chengdu’s Qintai Street is an ancient Chinese street that’s retained its traditional charm in the face of the city’s modernisation
3/tab.galleryImage.size}Visit the Dujiangyan, an ancient irrigation system on Chengdu’s plain constructed in 256 BC
4/tab.galleryImage.size}Explore the Du Fu Thatched Cottage in Chengdu Park, a 24-acre museum that honours the great Tang Dynasty poet
5/tab.galleryImage.size}Meet some of Chengdu’s most famous residents at the Giant Panda Research Centre
6/tab.galleryImage.size}Discover Wenshu Monastery, one of Chengdu’s best preserved ancient Buddhist temples
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Pretty Chengdu, ‘the Land of Abundance’, lies on the Jin River and offers 72-hour visa free stays for citizens of 45 countries
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Chengdu’s Qintai Street is an ancient Chinese street that’s retained its traditional charm in the face of the city’s modernisation
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Visit the Dujiangyan, an ancient irrigation system on Chengdu’s plain constructed in 256 BC
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Explore the Du Fu Thatched Cottage in Chengdu Park, a 24-acre museum that honours the great Tang Dynasty poet
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Meet some of Chengdu’s most famous residents at the Giant Panda Research Centre
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Discover Wenshu Monastery, one of Chengdu’s best preserved ancient Buddhist temples
Things to do
We've chosen the must-see highlights of this fantastic city.
We've chosen the must-see highlights of this fantastic city.
Drink
Shunxing Old Teahouse
For a more sophisticated teahouse experience, head to Shunxing Old Teahouse on the third floor of the International Convention and Exhibition Center, a building modelled on Ming and Qing architectural styles. The carved wood windows and the dragon pillars of a small stage in the dining room evoke an old-world atmosphere. Take a seat at one of the big square tables, order some Sichuan dim sum and a pot of tea, and while away a relaxing afternoon in Chengdu style. From time to time, the teahouse stages Sichuan opera, traditional comic dialogue, singing and acrobatics performances. Another eye-catching act is kung fu tea-pouring, a skill lying somewhere between martial arts and dance.
Shawan Branch
Address: Third floor of Chengdu International Exhibtion Centre, No. 258, Shawan Road Phone: 028 - 8769 3202
If you prefer a quiet time try Chanson Saloon, arguably the best book café in Chengdu, providing a stylish setting of red brick walls, books and paintings. Spend an entire day reading with soft music in the background.
Built at about the end of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and formerly called Shaocheng, Renmin Park is the most famous of the city's green spaces, and once housed six teahouses. Shaded by mat awnings that are woven with vines on top, people come here to chat, play board games or watch the birds. Adding to the boisterous feel are snack vendors, shoe-shiners and fortune-tellers who come and go. There are even "ear scrapers" who – equipped with a handful of small gadgets such as metal tweezers and tongs – will clean out earwax for 20 yuan.
Lan Kwai Fong Chengdu is a magnet for trendsetters, party revellers and high-income earners. Situated on lowland overlooking Jinjiang River, the site used to be an obscure shanty town. It was inspired by Hong Kong's Lan Kwai Fong, the famous area of bars and restaurants in the city's financial district. Chengdu's government invited Allan Zeman, chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Holdings Limited, to replicate the success of the Hong Kong original. Since its inception in December 2010, Lan Kwai Fong Chengdu has become the liveliest entertainment district in the capital – and is 18 times bigger than its Hong Kong counterpart.
Located in Lan Kwai Fong Chengdu, Lei Garden delivers a Hong Kong flavour with steamed seafood dishes. Try the steamed lobster with egg white or the braised abalone and goose liver in oyster sauce.
Location
Chengdu Lan Kwai Fong, 1 Shuijin Street, Jinjiang District
Throngs of patrons pay a few yuan for a pot of tea so they can enjoy a leisurely few hours with friends. Among the most popular is Shaocheng Teahouse in Renmin Park, located on a lakeside gallery lined with trees. It is perennially peppered with some 100 square tables and chairs.
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