Panda Base 熊猫基地

Located just 10 km (6 miles) away from downtown, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding has been created and imitated the natural habitat of giant pandas in order that they might have the best possible environment for rearing and breeding. It houses the most popular panda stars with millions of fans.

Wuhou Temple 武侯祠

Wuhou Temple, also known as Wuhou Shrine Temple of Marquis, is dedicated to Zhuge Liang, the Marquis Wu (Wuhou) of the Kingdom of Shu in the Three Kingdoms Period (220 - 280). Zhuge Liang was an excellent politician, militarist, diplomat and astronomer. In addition, the Temple of Liu Bei, the emperor of Shuhan, and his mausoleum are well-known historical sites inside this big scenic spot.

Wide and Narrow Alley 宽窄巷子

Consisting of Wide Alley (Kuan Xiangzi), Narrow Alley (Zhai Xiangzi), Well Alley (Jing Xiangzi) three parallel ancient city alleys and 45 courtyards along them, Wide and Narrow Alley is one of Chengdu’s historical and cultural reserves, together with Daci Temple reserve and Wenshu Monastery reserve. It is a microcosm of the city’s history as well as a deep mark in local people’s memory.

Du Fu Thatched Cottage 杜甫草堂

Du Fu Thatched Cottage is a museum and park in honor of Du Fu who is one of the most outstanding Chinese poets of Tang Dynasty. Here people can not only explore Du Fu and Chinese Poetry, but also enjoy a sanctuary in the midst of a hectic city.

Sichuan Hotpot (火锅)

No trip to Chengdu is complete before dipping into its bubbling pots of liquid magma hotpot. Eating hotpot is a wonderful communal affair, and friends and family can spend hours sitting around the hotpot chatting and dipping their food into the boiling broth. Surprisingly, hotpot is a favourite dish in summer. Chinese believe that the sweat-inducing hotpot will actually help you cool down.

Mapo Doufu (麻婆豆腐)

A Sichuan favourite, Mapo Doufo is a dish of soft tofu cubes smothered in chili oil, mala, tender ground beef or pork, and doubanjiang (fermented bean paste). While this may sound insanely spicy, it’s not really the case. Mapo doufu releases its heat slowly and gradually builds up. Only after a few bites will good old mala come and introduce itself. Mapo doufu was invented at Chen Ma Po Dou Fua, a small Chengdu restaurant in 1862, and this restaurant still serves the best in town. You can also get many other famous Chengdu dishes here. There are now several branches scattered across the city.

Dan Dan Mian (担担面)

These spicy noodles need no introduction and are one of the most popular dishes in Sichuan cuisine. Slightly sour, definitely spicy and nutty, and not that greasy, Dan Dan noodles are one of the most famous snacks in Chengdu.
Stretchy and slightly chewy noodles topped with ground meat are smothered in a spicy chilli sauce and peanut or sesame paste, and yes, it is as good as it sounds. Oh, and there are also minced garlic, scallion, soy sauce and preserved vegetables in to complete that distinctive flavour profile.

Chuanchuanxiang (串串 香)

Hotpot meets skewers meets fondue. Chuan chuan is almost like the traditional hotpot, but everything will be on bamboo skewers that you simply put into the hotpot. When it’s cooked, you can simply take it out of the pot and eat it directly off the stick. You don’t even need chopstick skills to enjoy chuanchuan! This type of hotpot is a lot easier (but equally tasty) for first-timers wishing to experience hotpot but find ordering hotpot a bit intimidating.