Chengdu Travel Guide Summary
Chengdu Itineraries
- Fun Evening Activities
- Half-Day Itinerary 1: Downtown Walking Tour – Dufu’s Cottage – Meal at Long Chao Shou
- Half-Day Itinerary 2: Wuhouci and Jinli Street
- Full Day Itinerary 1: Wenshu Temple – Panda Breeding Base – Sanxingdui Museum
- Full Day Itinerary 2: Qingcheng Mountain & Dujiangyan
- Sichuan Province Beyond Chengdu
Fun Evening Activities to Add to Chengdu Daily Itineraries
When making Chengdu your travel base, you may seek to incorporate evening activities into your itinerary rather than concluding your day at 7 PM. Here are several options to enhance your evening experience:
- Kuanzhai Alley: Stroll through the beautifully renovated ancient alleys filled with shops and restaurants that remain open late, offering a perfect atmosphere for evening exploration.
- Renmin Park: A popular spot for tea-drinkers and people-watchers, often featuring a captivating light show at night.
- Shunxing Ancient Tea House: A charming venue where you can relish a delightful Sichuan meal followed by an entertaining dance show.
- Jinli Street: Experience the vibrant atmosphere of this historic street in the evening, perfect for leisurely walks and dining.
Half-Day Itinerary 1: Downtown Walking Tour & Dufu’s Cottage
Begin your day early for an enjoyable downtown walking tour. This journey from Shangri-La will take approximately 2 hours without much delay and offers the following experiences:
- Dufu’s Cottage: Visit the humble abode of the famous poet from the Tang Dynasty, surrounded by serene gardens. For a more extended stay, consider exploring the nearby Huan Hua Xi Park.
- Meal at Long Chao Shou: Sample local Sichuan delicacies at this renowned restaurant close to Dufu’s Cottage for a quick yet satisfying bite.
Half-Day Itinerary 2: Wuhouci and Jinli Street
This half-day itinerary introduces you to the historical and cultural significance of Wuhouci:
- Wuhouci: An enchanting shrine dedicated to Zhuge Liang, featuring beautiful grounds that invite leisurely strolls.
- Jinli Street: Adjacent to Wuhouci, this lively area offers delightful shopping and dining experiences enriched by its ancient architectural charm.
Full Day Itinerary 1: Wenshu Temple – Panda Breeding Base – Sanxingdui Museum
Dedicate a full day to explore significant Chengdu attractions:
- Wenshu Temple: A vibrant Buddhist complex housing stunning statues and a teahouse to enjoy authentic refreshments.
- The Giant Panda Breeding and Research Base: Witness giant pandas in their natural habitat, ideally during morning feeding hours.
- Sanxingdui Museum: Explore a collection of ancient artifacts that spotlight the region’s rich archaeological history.
Full Day Itinerary 2: Qingcheng Mountain & Dujiangyan
This itinerary offers an exhilarating day trip to nature and history:
- Qingcheng Mountain: Take in the breathtaking scenery and Daoist shrines while engaging in light to moderate trekking.
- Lunch (or Dinner) Stop at Shou Zhang Ji: Relish a local Sichuan meal in the vicinity of Dujiangyan.
- Dujiangyan: Experience this impressive ancient irrigation system, a testament to human ingenuity.
Sichuan Province Beyond Chengdu
Explore beyond Chengdu for a richer experience of Sichuan Province’s treasures. Noteworthy activities include:
- Overnight trips to Mt. Emei, culminating in a visit to the majestic Leshan Giant Buddha.
- A visit to Jiuzhaigou, a stunning nature park, easily accessible from Chengdu, ideal for an immersive experience in Tibetan culture.
