To be honest, Chengdu is packed with tourist attractions and Instagram-worthy spots. As a park city, you could easily spend days just exploring its parks, not to mention all the other entertainment venues. There are countless sights right in the urban area, plus many famous ancient towns and day-trip destinations nearby. Visiting every single spot in Chengdu would take a very long time, which is not realistic for international travelers.
Therefore, I’ve planned a 5-day itinerary for you:
- 2 days exploring downtown Chengdu
- 2 days visiting two famous sacred mountains
Day 1 – Urban Prosperity
Experience the modern vibe of Chengdu as an international metropolis.Route: Chunxi Road → Taikoo Li → Daci Temple → Tianfu Square → People’s Park → Jiu Yan Qiao (bar hopping & river view)
Day 1 Attraction Tips
- Chunxi RoadChengdu’s fashion and shopping hub, lined with international brands and local snacks. It’s a favorite hangout for locals, bustling with crowds every day. Besides shopping, it’s great for street food, street photography, cinemas, and photo studios. The energetic urban atmosphere is everywhere.
- Chengdu Taikoo LiA trendy shopping complex built in western Sichuan architectural style, making it a highlight in itself. It features winding alleys and open plazas, with the concept of “Fast Li” and “Slow Li”. It houses fashion brands, luxury stores, boutiques, Michelin-starred restaurants, and famous eateries from home and abroad.It’s also a common spot for Chinese celebrities, so don’t be surprised if you spot one. Adjacent to Chengdu IFS, you can also see the iconic climbing panda sculpture.
- Daci TempleRight next to Taikoo Li. After exploring the shopping area, you can visit this tranquil temple, listen to Buddhist chants, pray for your family in the Chinese tradition, and try the temple’s delicious vegetarian food.
- Tianfu SquareKnown as the heart of Chengdu. It’s a large, open square with minimal structures but strong character. Great for photos, with views of the Chengdu Science and Technology Museum and skyscrapers surrounding it. It’s always crowded with visitors.
- People’s ParkOnly one subway stop from Tianfu Square. If the previous spots felt fast-paced, here you can slow down: walk around, sip a covered bowl tea, sunbathe, people-watch, and soak up local life. As Chengdu is a park city, this is a must-do experience.
- Jiu Yan QiaoA lively riverside bar district with wide views. In the evening, the neon lights along the river create a fantastic atmosphere. Sit at a riverside bar, order beer or your favorite drink, and enjoy the night view of the city and river. Compare the vibe here with bars in your home country.
Day 2 – Culture & History
Route: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding → Jinli Ancient Street → Wuhou Shrine → Qingyang Palace → Du Fu Thatched Cottage → Kuan & Zhai Alleys
Day 2 Attraction Tips
- Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda BreedingA world-famous center for giant panda ex-situ conservation, research, breeding, public education, and tourism. By the end of 2020, it was home to 215 giant pandas — the world’s largest captive-bred population.Giant pandas are China’s national treasure, extremely precious and once gifted as a symbol of friendship to other countries. You’ll see purpose-built panda habitats and watch the pandas live happily. Kids will absolutely love it.
- Jinli Ancient StreetPart of the Wuhou Shrine Museum complex, including the Three Kingdoms Heritage Area, Jinli Folk Area, and West Zone. In 2021, CNN named Jinli one of the 21 most beautiful streets in the world.It’s not a straight street; the entrance features ancient towering trees that show its long history. Inside, there are numerous shops, restaurants, specialty snacks, and souvenir stalls. The strong cultural atmosphere is immersive. You can drink coffee or make a wish at the wishing area. The stone archway along the street is a popular photo spot.
- Wuhou ShrineThe symbol of Three Kingdoms culture in China. Originally a shrine dedicated to Zhuge Liang beside Liu Bei’s Mausoleum, it was renovated and integrated during the Ming and Qing dynasties into a complex including the Temple of Emperor Zhaolie, Wuhou Shrine, Huiling Mausoleum, and Sanyi Temple.Incense burns as visitors pay respect to historical heroes. Sichuan was once the “Shu Kingdom” during the Three Kingdoms period, making this culture central to local heritage.
- Qingyang PalaceKnown as “The No.1 Taoist Temple in Western Sichuan” and one of China’s most famous Taoist sites. The phrase “Dao follows nature” is inscribed on the outer wall, capturing the essence of Taoism.Founded in the Zhou Dynasty, its main buildings include the Mountain Gate, Sanqing Hall, and Tangwang Hall. The Bagua Pavilion is the most complete and exquisite structure, housing a statue of Laozi riding a green ox. The palace’s treasure is a complete edition of Dao Zang Ji Yao, a precious resource for Taoist research.
- Du Fu Thatched CottageThe former residence of Du Fu, the great Tang Dynasty poet honored as the “Poet Sage”. He lived here for nearly four years and wrote more than 240 poems.The site preserves architectural layouts from 1500 and 1811. It is divided into a cultural relic area, a garden area (Plum Garden), and a service area. The main axis includes the Screen Wall, Main Gate, Great Hall, Poetry History Hall, Chai Men, and Ministry Works Shrine, surrounded by flowing water, small bridges, and bamboo. It is serene, elegant, and dignified. The cottage houses over 30,000 volumes of historical materials.
- Kuan & Zhai AlleysConsists of three old streets — Wide Alley, Narrow Alley, and Well Alley — with around 70 traditional courtyard houses. It can be walked through in minutes but is rich in cultural flavor, a microcosm of old Chengdu.It blends traditional folk performances, antique shops, and modern vibes. Best visited in late afternoon; you can enjoy authentic local food like hot pot and various snacks. It is so iconic that a premium cigarette brand in Chengdu is named “Kuanzhai”. Visiting at night under street lights offers a different charm.
Day 3 – Culture & Nature
Full day trip to Mount Qingcheng, with dinner at the 339 Tower Revolving Restaurant
Day 3 Attraction Tips
- Mount QingchengA World Cultural Heritage site (part of the Mount Qingcheng & Dujiangyan Irrigation System), a national key scenic area, a 5A-level tourist attraction, and a sacred site of the Quanzhen Longmen Taoist sect. It is one of China’s Four Sacred Taoist Mountains.It is divided into Front Mountain and Back Mountain:
- Front Mountain (15 km²): the main scenic area, with beautiful scenery and many cultural relics, including Jianfu Palace, Heavenly Master Cave, and Shangqing Palace.
- Back Mountain (100 km²): lush forests, clear streams, and majestic peaks; cool in summer and chilly in winter.Known as “Qingcheng – the most serene under heaven”, it is named for its ring of green peaks like a city wall. For the best experience, you can hike up the Front Mountain and descend via the Back Mountain.
- 339 Tower Revolving RestaurantLocated on the 339-meter-high Chengdu TV Tower, known as the “Tallest Tower in Western China”. It’s a city landmark. In the evening, you can enjoy dinner while overlooking the dazzling night scenery of Chengdu from hundreds of meters high.
Days 4 & 5 – Culture & Nature
Two-day trip to Mount Emei, with a Sichuan Opera performance in the evening
Days 4–5 Attraction Tips
- Mount Emei Scenic AreaThe main peak, Golden Summit, is 3,079 meters above sea level; the highest peak, Wanfo Peak, reaches 3,099 meters. It boasts magnificent, elegant, strange, steep, and serene natural scenery, rich biodiversity, and profound Buddhist culture.With a vertical drop of 2,600 meters, it has the world’s most typical and well-preserved subtropical primary vegetation, earning names such as “Kingdom of Plants”, “Paradise for Animals”, and “Geological Museum”.It is famous for its four wonders: cloud sea, sunrise, Buddha’s Light, and holy lamps. Major attractions include Golden Summit Buddha, Reception Hall, Wannian Temple, Ecological Monkey Zone, Hongchunping, Qingyin Pavilion, and Baoguo Temple. Due to its size and elevation change, one day is not enough. The usual plan is:
- Day 4: reach near Leidongping Station and stay overnightDay 5: climb early to watch the sunrise at the summit
- Sichuan Opera PerformanceAfter returning to Chengdu in the evening, watch a Sichuan Opera show at the Chengdu Sichuan Opera Art Center. Sichuan Opera is a famous local opera genre and well worth watching.
If you feel tired after visiting Mount Qingcheng and Mount Emei, you may adjust the schedule freely.
Have a wonderful trip in Chengdu!