Chengdu is THE place to see the Giant Panda in China. But there's a lot more to Chengdu than just cuddly bears. It's a laid back place full of parks and teahouses. It's a great place to just kick back for a day or two and it's the launching pad for getting to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet.
1. Go See the Giant Panda
Called the " Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding" the park covers a very large area and includes a Giant Panda nursery, cub, adolescent and adult enclosures as well as enclosures for the red panda, another endangered species on China. There's also a museum, research center, restaurant and large lake to enjoy strolling around.- Details: Panda Road, Northern Suburb, Chengdu. Open daily 8am-6pm (all year round). Website: Panda Base.
- Best time to go: between 8:30-10am to view pandas feeding
- How much time you need: 2-3 hours
- Stroller friendly? Yes.
2. View Ancient Relics at the Jinsha Site Museum
Newly opened in 2007, this large museum situated in an expansive park is interesting for those who love learning about ancient civilizations. Archeologists have unearthed an ancient village of the Shu kingdom who were dominant during the Three Kingdoms period (220-280 AD) between (221-263). Aside from the massive pits, gold, jade, pottery and other objects are viewable in separate exhibition halls.- Details: No. 2 Jinsha Relics Road, Chengdu. Open daily 8am-6pm (all year round). Website: Jinsha Site Museum.
- How much time you need: 2 hours
- Stroller friendly? Yes.
3. Visit Rulers of Yore at the Wuhou Shrine
At Wuhouci, "woo hoe tsuh" or the Wuhou Memorial Temple, you'll see shrines to the ministers of the Shu Kingdom (221-263, a part of the Three Kingdoms period 220-280 AD.) The park is large and interesting architecturally. Originally built In 223 AD, the place is steeped in history but is also nice to wander around.- Details: daily 6:30am-10pm
- How much time you need: 2 hours
- Stroller friendly? Manageable.
4. Snack Like a Local and Enjoy a Stroll Down Jinli Alley
Just east of Wuhouci (you can exit the temple complex and you'll be on Jinli Alley) is a pedestrian alley lined with Sichuan snack stalls, teahouses, souvenir shops and inns. The architecture has been restored to look like ancient Sichuan. It's the perfect place for a pit-stop after a few hours in Wuhouci.5. Witness Devout Buddhists at Wenshu Temple
Wenshu Buddhist Temple is Chengdu's liveliest and largest Buddhist complex. Founded in the Tang Dynasty, the temple buildings date from 1691. There are a number of interesting bronze Buddhist statues, most from the Qing period but also some from the Song. The large complex also hosts a lovely teahouse where visitors can relax with tea and snacks. The alleys outside the complex are a maze of souvenir and local curiosity shops.- Details: daily 6:30am-8:30pm
- How much time you need: 2 hours
- Stroller friendly? Manageable.
6. Wander around People's Park
Renmin Gongyuan, or People's Park, is a large public park with a few attractions. There's a great teahouse where you can sit for hours people watching and sipping Sichua's finest, a playground, the Monument to the Martyrs of the Railway Protection Movement and a bizarre underground museum and funhouse.- Details: daily 6:30am-2am
- How much time you need: as much time as you'd like.
- Stroller friendly? Manageable.
7. Watch Sichuan Opera at Shunxing Ancient Teahouse
A neighbor of the Intercontinental Hotel, dinner and the show at the Shunxing Ancient Teahouse makes for a fun evening. The restaurant is a cavernous space with walking entertainment. Chinese traditional masseurs walk around offering massage and ear cleaning (!) and men carrying teapots with spouts over a meter long pour tea. The food is delicious; try many Sichuan specialties. After dinner, move along to the Sichuan opera house where you'll enjoy more tea, snacks and an hour of traditional dancing and singing. The finale includes the famous “changing faces” dance where masked dancers change their masks as if by magic.- Details: 198 Century City Boulevard, Chengdu. Tel 028 8538 0007. Open daily, show starts at 8pm.
- Kid friendly? very.
