Chengdu is the fourth-largest city in China and one of the country’s oldest capitals, with a history spanning more than three thousand years. It is home to giant pandas, the world’s most aromatic Sichuan pepper, and streets where Qing dynasty architecture can still be found. For some travelers, Chengdu is little more than a transit stop on the way to Southeast Asia, but for our guide, it is the place where he grew up and the city he always longs to return to.
Xingchen Yang was born and raised in Chengdu, spent several years living in Shanghai, and now calls Paris home, where he works for an international company specializing in solar energy production. Although he left long ago, he still knows exactly where to find the best mapo tofu, which alley serves the city’s legendary braised pork leg, and where in Chengdu you can truly feel the spirit of old China.
We asked Xingchen to share his personal selection: favorite places, routes, and insider tips for travelers heading to Sichuan in 2025.
But first, here are a few essential apps worth downloading before your trip:
– Alipay — for payments, including foreign cards
– DiDi — for booking taxis
– Baidu Maps — local navigation and maps
– Dianping — for finding restaurants and cafés
So, Chengdu.
Where to Stay
The Temple House
Address: Jinjiang District, Chengdu
Сайт: https://www.thehousecollective.com/en/the-temple-house/
A beautifully designed concept hotel in the center of Chengdu that presents itself as a “temple house.” The property was created as part of a preservation project, incorporating Qing dynasty buildings located next to the thousand-year-old Daci Temple. The entrance itself is designed like a traditional temple gate, surrounded by bamboo trees and an ancient Chinese courtyard.
The hotel features an excellent spa and a Michelin-starred teahouse serving Sichuan cuisine. For those who prefer something other than Sichuan flavors, there is also a Michelin-recommended Italian restaurant, as well as a bar hosting live DJ performances.
Rates start at 2,000 yuan per night, approximately 240 euros, for a double room. Reservations can be made through the official website.
Where to Walk in Chengdu
Kuanzhai Xiangzi Ancient Street Area
Address: Sichuan, Chengdu, Qingyang District
If this is your first visit to the city, begin with the historic center, preserved from the Qing dynasty period. This compact neighborhood of lanes and courtyards can be explored in about an hour, yet it offers a clear sense of medieval Chinese architecture.
Once home to Manchu residents, these alleys were originally part of a military quarter. Today, the historic buildings house restaurants, cafés, and souvenir shops. You will also find street food stalls serving chicken feet skewers, rice cooked in bamboo, and mapo tofu.
Look for a small art gallery hidden in one of the courtyards, a complex of old wooden houses where contemporary artists regularly exhibit their work.
Where to Eat
The River House, a Panoramic Riverside Restaurant
Address: 55 Renmin South Rd 2 Section, Luomashi, Jinjiang District, Chengdu, Sichuan
A beautiful city-view restaurant located on the top floor of the Minshan Hotel, recommended by the Michelin Guide for three consecutive years. Live music plays in the evenings, and the restaurant is often chosen as a setting for marriage proposals. The menu is European in style, with local ingredients and influences. Signature dishes include imperial golden sturgeon caviar and truffle soup. Dinner for one costs approximately 150 US dollars.
Laoma Pig Legs Restaurant
Address: 195 Shan Xi Jie, Luomashi, Qing Yang Qu, Cheng Du Shi, Si Chuan Sheng
This restaurant does not appear on maps, but you will not miss it if you arrive at the location. This is where you come to eat braised pork leg. It is served in a large bowl with broth, and it is essential to order rice and vegetables alongside it, preferably eggplant. Be aware that vinegar is added to the eggplant for sweetness. Still, this may well be the best pork leg you will ever taste.
Bashu Dazhaimen Hot Pot
Address: 36 Qingjiang E Rd, 青羊宫商圈 Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan
Phone: +86 288 2957 222
One of the best hot pot restaurants in Chengdu, operating successfully for many years.
Chen Mapo Tofu Restaurant
Address: Sichuan, Chengdu, Jinniu District
This is the place to try Sichuan Province’s most iconic dish, classic mapo tofu. It typically consists of tofu in a spicy sauce made with douban, a fermented bean and chili paste, and douchi, fermented black beans, along with minced meat, most often beef. Be warned, this dish is extremely spicy.
Secret Places Where Locals Eat
You will not find these places on maps, and you will not see any tourists there. Inside, there are usually refrigerators filled with skewered ingredients. Take a basket and choose what you like, from vegetables and seafood to different cuts of meat.
Be sure to try pressed tofu and green beans, which are unique to China. Keep in mind that these places usually open between seven and eight in the evening, and payment is typically cash only.
- 886 BBQ Café
Address: 1 Shi Ren Zheng Jie, Qing Yang Qu, Cheng Du Shi, Si Chuan Sheng - Кафе Heshi BBQ
Address: 2 Zi Tong Qiao Xi Jie, Luomashi, Jin Jiang Qu, Cheng Du Shi, Si Chuan Sheng - Zhong Dumplings, Sichuan Restaurant
Address: 四川省 成都市 成华区 建设路 53 53号附9
Where to Relax
Chengdu People’s Park and Heming Tea House
Address: M345+PCV, Citang St, 人民公园 Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan
If you need a break from the busy city streets, visit People’s Park near Tianfu Square. This is a favorite leisure spot for locals and where families often spend their weekends. It is loved for its lush greenery, sense of calm, and natural beauty. Locals gather here to practice tai chi, dance, play chess, or sing karaoke.
You can also rent a boat or enjoy jasmine tea in one of the park’s teahouses. There are many to choose from, but one of the most famous is Heming Tea House, which has been in operation for over one hundred years.
Huanglongxi Ancient Town Tourism Area (Northeast Gate)
Address: Sichuan, Chengdu, Shuangliu
Another excellent place for walking and exploring traditional architecture. Once an ancient village, it has been transformed into a park while preserving its wooden buildings, bridges, and ponds. The streets are lined with food stalls selling traditional Sichuan snacks and unusual treats for Western visitors, such as insects on skewers, alongside familiar European-style coffee shops. It is especially enjoyable to visit with children, who love playing in the fountains and streams.
Where to Dance
Jelly Fish Club
Address: Sichuan, Chengdu, Jinjiang District
If you are in the mood to dance, this is the place to go. It is widely considered one of the best clubs in the city and a great spot for cocktails and late nights. Locals and foreigners dance together here, and parties often last until five in the morning. The surrounding area is full of bars and clubs, making it easy to move from one venue to another. There is also a beautiful bridge nearby.
Day Trips from Chengdu
Qing Cheng Mountain
Address: Dujiangyan, Chengdu
A stunning mountain destination about one hour from Chengdu. Plan a full day, wear comfortable shoes, and be prepared for a lot of walking. Ideally, stay overnight at one of the small hotels nearby. The front section of Mount Qingcheng is home to numerous temples, as this is one of the most important Taoist sacred sites and the birthplace of Taoist culture.
Many Taoist priests still practice here today. On the other side of the mountain, you will find hiking trails, a boat ride through a gorge, streams, a cable car, and breathtaking views that can be enjoyed throughout the day while crossing the valley.
Emei Mountain
Address: Emeishan, Leshan
Another essential destination is Mount Emei, one of China’s Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains, also known as the Golden Summit. Forests, monasteries, villages, and monkeys coexist here. From Chengdu, you can reach Mount Emei by high-speed train, covering approximately 168 kilometers. From there, take a cable car and then climb several staircases, with the final section being particularly steep. The reward is spectacular scenery, weather permitting. Even when the summit is covered in mist, the experience remains deeply impressive.
Leshan Giant Buddha
Address: 2345 Lingyun Rd, Shizhong District, Leshan, Sichuan
Located 150 kilometers from Chengdu, this enormous seated Buddha statue was carved into the rock over 1,300 years ago. It is the largest stone Buddha statue in the world, situated at the confluence of three rivers. You can reach the statue either by climbing down a mountainside staircase or by taking a bus to the river pier and then a boat along the river. To see the entire statue, the boat route is the best option.
Longquan Mountain
Address: Longquanyi District, Chengdu
A pleasant park just outside the city, known for its scenic views and as the best place to see peach blossoms in spring.
And if Chengdu awakens an appetite for a slower, more restorative side of travel in China, there is an easy next step. Beyond cities and food routes, China reveals a rich culture of wellness. Think retreats and spa hotels rooted in nature, Taoist philosophy, and centuries-old healing traditions. We have curated a separate selection of places where mountains, mineral waters, thoughtful architecture, and traditional treatments come together to restore both body and mind.
