Ultimate Chengdu Travel Guide 2025

Last updated: 17 July 2025

Why Chengdu in 2025?

• Home of the Giant Panda, UNESCO Sichuan Opera, and world-famous spicy cuisin
• New 18-line metro network, 30-min airport transfers, and digital-payment ready
• Year-round events: Spring Flower Festival, Summer Music Park concerts, Autumn Lantern Fair, Winter Hot-Pot Week

Best Time to Visit Chengdu

Season	Weather	Crowd Level	Highlights
Mar–May	15–25 °C, light rain	Medium	Peach blossoms, low-season prices
Jun–Aug	22–30 °C, humid	High	Panda cubs, outdoor hot-pot
Sep–Nov	18–28 °C, clear	Medium–High	Golden gingko & food festivals
Dec–Feb	5–15 °C, foggy	Low	Steamy hot-pot, cheapest hotels

How to Get to & Around Chengdu

Airports
• Chengdu Tianfu Int’l (TFU) – new, long-haul hub; Metro Line 18 to city (50 min, ¥10)
• Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU) – closer; Metro Line 10 + 3 (30 min, ¥7)

High-Speed Rail
• Chongqing North → Chengdu East: 1 h 2 min, ¥154
• Xi’an North → Chengdu East: 3 h 30 min, ¥263

City Transport
• Metro: 18 lines, bilingual signs, Alipay/WeChat QR entry
• Tianfu Tong Card: ¥20 refundable deposit, 10 % discount
• Shared bikes: ¥1.5 per 30 min, perfect for short hops

3-Day Essential Itinerary

Day 1 – Downtown Classic Loop
[Metro 2/3]
IFS Panda > Chunxi Road shopping > Taikoo Li luxury lane > Daci Temple (free) > 9-Bridge Bar Street night views

Day 2 – Panda & Culture
[Metro 3 + shuttle]
07:30 Chengdu Panda Base (pre-book slot) > lunch at base canteen > [Metro 3] Wuhou Shrine > Jinli Snack Street > 20:00 Sichuan Opera (face-changing) at Shufeng Yayun

Day 3 – UNESCO Day Trip
[High-speed rail 30 min]
Dujiangyan Irrigation System morning hike > Qingchengshan cable car & tea house > return by 18:00 for farewell hot-pot

Extended 5–7 Day Ideas

Day 4   Leshan Giant Buddha (bullet train 1 h)
Day 5   Xiling ski or summer alpine coaster (2 h bus)
Day 6   Chengdu Museum & People’s Park mahjong culture
Day 7   Emei Shan sunrise or Chongqing add-on night cruise

Where to Stay (with Booking Links)

District	Vibe	Sample Hotels (2025 nightly)
Chunxi/Taikoo	Luxury shopping	Niccolo Chengdu ¥1 800
Kuanzhai Alley	Historic courtyard	BuddhaZen Hotel ¥550
Jinli/Wuhou	Culture hub	Holiday Inn Express ¥450
Near Metro Line	Budget backpacker	Lazybones Capsule ¥120

Tip: Book 30 days ahead for October foliage & Chinese New Year.

Eat Like a Local

Dish	Where to Try	Price Range
Hot-pot	Xiaolongkan (book)	¥90–150 pp
Dan-dan Noodles	Long Chao Shou	¥12 bowl
Suan-la Fen	Jiezi Alley stalls	¥8 bowl
Rabbit Head	Yulin Market late night	¥10 each
Sweet Water Noodles	Luo Bo Wang	¥6 bowl

Dietary note: Ask for “wei-la” (mild spicy) or non-spicy broths.

Budget Breakdown (5 Days)

Item	Budget (¥)	Hack
Hostel	600	Metro 2/3 line dormitories
Metro & bus	100	Tianfu Tong card
Attractions	400	Student ID 50 % discount
Food	800	Street breakfast + hot-pot dinner
Total	1 900 (~US$265)

Responsible & Smart Travel

• Use refillable chopsticks & straws—plastic ban expanded city-wide in 2025
• Respect panda quiet zones (no flash)
• Download “Chengdu Metro” app in English for real-time crowding alerts

Quick FAQs

Q: Do I need a visa?
A: 144-hour TWOV available at TFU & CTU for 53 countries; e-visa application online 3 days in advance.

Q: Is Google/Facebook blocked?
A: Yes—buy an eSIM with VPN (Airalo or Nomad) before arrival.

Q: Tipping culture?
A: Not expected; round up taxi fare or leave ¥10 at upscale restaurants.