Chengdu in 3 days

Laid-back capital of Sichuan, home to giant pandas, fiery hotpot and the gentle art of teahouse living. Best time to visit: March-June, September-November. Average daily budget: $30 to $80 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Jinli & Wuhou, The touristy but atmospheric ancient street and Three Kingdoms shrine area.

Morning: Meet the giant pandas. Visit the breeding base early to see the bears at their liveliest.

Afternoon: Explore Jinli & Wuhou, The touristy but atmospheric ancient street and Three Kingdoms shrine area.

Evening: Eat Sichuan hotpot. Brave the mouth-numbing málà broth with locals.

Eat: Sichuan hotpot with mouth-numbing málà broth

Day 2, Go deeper

Base: Kuanzhai Alleys, Restored Qing-era lanes of teahouses, courtyards and boutiques.

Morning: Relax in a teahouse. Sip tea and people-watch in People's Park, ear-cleaning optional.

Afternoon: Explore Kuanzhai Alleys, Restored Qing-era lanes of teahouses, courtyards and boutiques.

Evening: Wander the Kuanzhai Alleys. Explore the restored Qing-dynasty lanes and courtyards.

Eat: Mapo tofu, silky tofu in fiery bean-paste sauce

Day 3, Hidden side

Base: Chunxi Road, The buzzing downtown shopping and nightlife hub.

Morning: Visit Wuhou Shrine & Jinli. Tour the Three Kingdoms memorial and the old food street.

Afternoon: Explore Chunxi Road, The buzzing downtown shopping and nightlife hub.

Evening: Day-trip to the Leshan Giant Buddha. See the world's largest stone Buddha carved into a cliff.

Eat: Dan dan noodles with chilli and minced pork

Hidden gems

Watching a face-changing (bian lian) Sichuan opera performance.
The serene Wenshu Monastery with its vegetarian teahouse.
People's Park on a weekend, with its famous 'marriage market'.
A day trip to misty Mount Qingcheng, birthplace of Taoism.

Getting around

Chengdu has an excellent, ever-expanding metro that links the airport, train stations and most major sights cheaply, pay via Alipay or WeChat QR codes. The Panda Base is reachable by metro plus a short connecting bus or Didi. Buses are comprehensive but harder to navigate without Chinese. Didi (China's ride-hailing app) is cheap, reliable and the easiest way to get around door to door. Within the old quarters like Kuanzhai and Jinli, everything is walkable. Bike-share is widely available for short hops.

Safety

Chengdu is very safe with low violent crime and a visible police presence, making it comfortable for solo travellers, including women, day and night. Petty theft is rare but possible in crowded spots like Chunxi Road and tourist streets, so keep an eye on belongings. The biggest 'risk' is underestimating the chilli, ease into the spice if you're not used to it. You'll need a VPN for Western apps and mobile payment (Alipay or WeChat Pay) for almost everything, as cash is rarely used. Carry your passport for sight entry and hotel check-ins.

Chengdu in 5 days | Chengdu in 7 days | Full Chengdu guide