3 Days in Chengdu: What to Do and See in Chengdu

Day 1 | Morning

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

Opening Hours: Open from 05/01-05/05,7:30am-5:00pm;Open from 05/06-12/31,7:30am-6:00pm;Open from 01/01-04/30,7:30am-6:00pm

Ticket Price: 55 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 3-5 Hours

Location: No. 1375, North Panda Avenue, Chenghua District, Chengdu

The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is located in the northern suburbs of Chengdu, about 10 kilometers away from downtown Chengdu. The facility is famous for the protection and breeding of endangered wild animals that are unique to China. It simulates the natural habitat of the giant pandas, and has lakes, streams, bamboo forests and lawns. The chance to come into close contact with the giant pandas is a highlight here. Visitors can have a close-up observation of the pandas' living conditions. There is also a "Panda Villa", which is a restricted area for the pandas to rest.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Trip.com User: This is a place every panda lover should see! And also those who like nature. The research center is extremely big, so make sure you wear comfy shoes and clothes. It’s also very humid, so if you’re a girl and you wanna make your hair before you go, there’s no need 🤣 Make sure you go there at 7:30. It officially opens at 8:30 but the lines for the tickets will be even more if you go a little late. We went there in August. This is a hot season for the pandas but we could see more than 15 pandas and also we went to the cribs where we could see the newborn babies and also the nursery. Take a photo of the big map before you proceed. Once you enter, you’ll see it. There are some cafes there but my humble advice: take water and some snacks with you. For those people with walking difficulties there are small buses inside this huge place. Every ride costs 10 RMB. This has been one of the best days of our lives and we’re more than happy.

Trip.com User: Amazing place to see the Pandas. it's easier to buy your tickets online or you might not be able to get in. It gets busy in the morning and early afternoon. we went after 14:00 and the Pandas were waking up from their naps so we could see them playing and sitting. The red pandas were also very active and would scurry about with each other. they are very conscious of noise, so silence is important or they move away from the crowds. There is a lot to see and a lot of walking, so take walking shoes and plenty of water.The place is big and needs about 2-3 hours depending on how fast you can walk uphill. Overall it was worth the trip would most definitely do it again with family.

Day 1 | Afternoon

Now we come to another great highlight in the city: Du Fu's Thatched Cottage.

Du Fu's Thatched Cottage

Opening Hours: Open from 9:00am-6:00pm

Ticket Price: 50 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 2-3 Hours

Location: No. 37, Qinghua Road, Qingyang District, ChengduRoute 1024

Du Fu Thatched Cottage is the former Chengdu residence of the famous Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu. Du Fu lived here for nearly four years. During his stay, he created hundreds of poems. This place is thus regarded as the “holy land” of Chinese literature. Today's Du Fu Thatched Cottage has survived multiple dynasties and been restored many times. The most important architecture of the place is his former residence, the thatched house. This former residence was built with the architectural characteristics of the western Sichuan civilian residences.

Reviews from Real Guests:

DanieShae97: this was a beautiful site to visit. i highly recommend for people who enjoy quieter activities and feeling close to nature. it is 50 rmb to enter(adult price). make sure to have your home address as the security will want to write it down. bring your passport for the ticket booth. i spent a morning here. i drank some tea to warm up and read part of my book as well. very relaxing!

Trip.com User: Very beautiful place, the garden is quaint, beautiful lotus pool, bamboo forest, thatched house! The yard is clean, the supporting facilities are also very good, there is a place to drink coffee, you can also read books, quiet and suitable for a slow day! Literary fan you, like to take pictures, don't miss it!

Day 1 | Evening

After visiting the glorious Du Fu's Thatched Cottage, Chengdu Kuanzhai People's Park Subway Station Atour S Hotel nearby is the best place to stay.

Chengdu Kuanzhai People's Park Subway Station Atour S Hotel

Reviews from Real Guests:

汤姆也许不是猫: The newly opened hotel is next to the Kuanzhai Alley, you can park, the room is large, you can try their courtyard room next time. The lobby is large, and there is a pavilion in the middle of the lobby, which is very chic.

Guest User: The breakfast is very delicious, the value is very high, like her "court room", very suitable for girls who like to take pictures, go to Kuanzhai Alley to eat snacks, walk to reach.

Day 2 | Morning

Wuhou Shrine

Opening Hours: Open from 01/01-12/31,9:00am-6:00pm

Ticket Price: 50 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 2-3 Hours

Location: No. 231 Wuhouyu Street, Wuhou District, Chengdu

Wuhou Temple commemorates Zhuge Liang, the prime minister of the Shu Kingdom during the Three Kingdoms Period. When it was first constructed, it was adjacent to Liu Bei’s Han Zhao Lie Temple, but It was later incorporated into the Han Zhao Lie Temple during the Ming Dynasty and became a rare temple in China that commemorates both a ruler and his subordinates in a same compound. The cultural relics area is composed of Huiling Mausoleum, Han Zhaolie Temple, Wuhou Temple and Sanyi Temple. The main building is Wuhou Temple, which enshrines Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang and other heroes of Shu-Han Kingdom. Chengdu's famous landscape "Red Wall and Shadows of Bamboo" is also in the scenic area. Do take some photos when you are there!

Reviews from Real Guests:

Trip.com User: really pretty architecture and just next to jinli street where u can get a bite to eat after. recommend to get a guide to tell you about the history of the place and the different statues. see liu bei and his ministers and commanders.

Day 2 | Afternoon

Having the chance to enjoy the charming Wuhou Shrine, Jinsha Site Museum next to it is another great place that you will never want to miss!

Jinsha Site Museum

Opening Hours: Open on Tue-Thu,Sun,9:00am-6:00pm;Open from 5/1-10/31,Fri-Sat,9:00am-8:00pm;Open from 11/1-4/30,Fri-Sat,9:00am-6:00pm;Closed from 3/1-6/30,Mon;Closed from 9/1-12/31,Mon;Open from 9:00am-6:00pm during Chinese public holidays

Ticket Price: 70 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 2-3 Hours

Location: Chengdu Jinsha Site Museum, No. 2 Jinsha Site Road, Qingyang District, Chengdu

The Jinsha site contains the remains of the Shang and Zhou dynasties. The Jinsha Site Museum is built on the Jinsha site and consists of buildings such as the Heritage Museum, the Exhibition Hall and the Jinsha Theater. The discovery of the Jinsha site has wound back the urban history of Chengdu to 3,000 years ago. Among the many exhibits in the museum, the most famous is the "Golden Sun Bird Gold Foil". The gold foil is round and comprises the inner ring of the sun and the outer ring of a divine bird. It expresses the superior standards of the gold craftsmanship of the ancient kingdom of Shu. The relics hall of the museum is the excavation place of the Jinsha relics commemorative site, where visitors can watch the archaeological excavation happening at close range.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Trip.com User: A very cool museum for anyone who finds archeology fascinating! So manny wonderful pieces and a lot to learn

Trip.com User: The Jinsha Relic Museum is located in Chengdu. It is one of the must-visit attractions to Chengdu.

Day 2 | Evening

After visiting the glorious Jinsha Site Museum, Renhe Spring Hotel nearby is the best place to stay.

Renhe Spring Hotel

The Renhe Spring Hotel (Chengdu Renhe Chuntian Jiudian) is a boutique hotel located on the second section of Erhuan Road, at intersection of Guanghua Cun Street, close to Dufu Cottage (Dufu Caotang), Huanhuaxi Park and Renhe Spring Department Store. Metro Line 2 station is quite close, making it convenient to reach the rest of the city.

This Chengdu hotel has 20 floors. Guest rooms vary in types from superior rooms to prestigious suites, well equipped with international direct-dial phones, central air conditioners, televisions, refrigerators, electric kettles, bathrobes, toiletries, 24-hour hot water, hair dryers and slippers.

Dining outlets include a lobby bar, bakery shop, lounge, cafe, teahouse, executive lounge and restaurants with a maximum capacity of 400 guests.

Business options include six meeting rooms of various sizes for whatever you want to utilize it for.

Day 3 | Morning

Chengdu Happy Valley

Opening Hours: Open from 1/1-10/14,9:00am-9:00pm;Open from 10/15-10/17,9:00am-10:30pm;Open from 10/22-11/1,9:00am-11:00pm;Open from 10/18-10/20,9:00am-10:00pm;Open from 10/20-10/22,9:00am-10:00pm;Open from 11/1-11/4,9:00am-10:00pm;Open from 11/5-11/7,9:00am-9:00pm;Open from 10/23-11/1,9:00am-10:00pm;Open from 11/8-12/31,9:30am-6:00pm

Ticket Price: 230 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 0.5-1.0 Days

Location: No. 16, Xihua Avenue, Jinniu District, Chengdu

Happy Valley Chengdu is a theme park that is part of the Happy Valley Chain theme parks that also have editions in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen. It is an attraction suitable for a day trip. They have a variety of thrilling rides that target visitors of different ages. With attractions like the Magic Castle District and the Happy Light District in the Valley, there are entertainment options catered for children. The park has four roller coasters with two best thrill rides (Dragon in Clouds and Fly Over Mediterranean) right next to each other. It also has multiple rides and attractions that are more mild and targeted at those with less of an appetite for thrills making it an ideal attraction for families.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Trip.com User: This is a great amusement park with many rides and attractions. It has six roller coasters, including a wooden coaster. It is located not too far from the downtown area. It can get very busy on weekends and holidays.

Lily: It’s great, I love it. Will go there again. But won’t choose any day from Chinese holidays. It’s being too crowded there.

Day 3 | Afternoon

Chengdu Haichang Polar Ocean Park nearby is the top choice before you leave Chengdu Happy Valley and hit the road.

Chengdu Haichang Polar Ocean Park

Opening Hours: Open from 1/1-2/28,9:30am-5:00pm;Open from 3/1-6/30,9:30am-5:30pm;Open from 7/1-8/31,9:00am-6:30pm;Open from 9/1-9/30,9:30am-5:30pm;Open from 11/1-12/31,9:30am-5:00pm;Open from 10/1-10/7,9:00am-8:30pm;Open from 10/8-10/31,9:30am-5:30pm

Ticket Price: 240 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 3-4 Hours

Location: No. 2039, South End, South of Tianfu Avenue, Shuangliu District, Chengdu

If you like marine animals, you should come to Chengdu Haichang Polar Ocean World. Chengdu Haichang Polar Ocean World include the polar animal display area, the whale and dolphin performance stadium, the joyful theater, the marine animal display area and so on. You can see polar animals such as polar bears and penguins, as well as dolphins and sea lions. You can also catch a wonderful performance by the animals. There are also shopping malls and themed restaurants within the park.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Sean 肖涵: Nice ocean park to take the children to. I would definitely recommend a visit.

* All reviews in the blog are machine-translated.