Chengdu Travel Guide 2026

A comprehensive Chengdu travel guide developed with insights from local residents and seasoned Sichuan guides, covering everything from early-morning panda base strategies to navigating the city's dual-airport system. Inside you will find curated multi-day routes through ancient Shu heritage sites and modern creative districts, an in-depth breakdown of Sichuanese cuisine well beyond the usual málà clichés, neighborhood-by-neighborhood accommodation advice, and practical transport tips for getting around this sprawling but surprisingly navigable megacity. Whether you are timing your arrival at the panda nursery or hunting down authentic mapo tofu at a plastic-stool shop, this guide prioritizes the kind of specific, locally grounded detail that turns a good trip into an effortless one.

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Table of Contents

• I. Overview
• II. Recommended Routes
• III. Featured Dishes
• IV. Entry
• V. Transportation
• VI. Emergency Call Numbers
• VII. Departure
• VIII. Accommodation Recommendations
• IX. Essential Survival Phrases
• X. Packing List

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I. Overview

Chengdu (成都), the capital of Sichuan Province, is a city that has perfected the art of living well for over 2,300 years. Once the seat of the ancient Shu Kingdom and later the backdrop for the Three Kingdoms drama that still captivates East Asia, Chengdu today is a sprawling metropolis of 21 million that somehow retains the unhurried, pleasure-seeking soul of a much smaller place. For international travelers, it offers a rare combination: world-class cuisine that goes far beyond "spicy food," a genuinely relaxed local culture built around teahouses and mahjong, giant pandas in a semi-natural habitat, and a thriving creative scene — all without the relentless pace of Beijing or Shanghai.

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🌤️ Best Time to Visit

• Spring (March–May) brings mild temperatures (15°C–25°C / 59°F–77°F), blooming rapeseed fields in the surrounding countryside, and manageable rainfall. March and April are particularly pleasant, though overcast skies are common.
• Autumn (September–November) is widely considered the best season, with comfortable temperatures (15°C–24°C / 59°F–75°F), lower humidity, and occasional clear days that reveal distant views of snow-capped mountains from the city. September still carries residual summer rain (around 12 rainy days), so October and November are the driest and most comfortable months overall.
• Summer (June–August) is hot, humid, and rainy — Chengdu sits in a basin, and in July–August daytime temperatures commonly exceed 35°C / 95°F with heavy humidity. However, this is peak season for escaping to nearby mountains like Qingcheng Shan (青城山) or Emei Shan (峨眉山).
• Winter (December–February) is grey, damp, and chilly (3°C–9°C / 37°F–48°F) — rarely freezing but the persistent overcast and lack of central heating in older buildings make it feel colder than the numbers suggest.

Dates to avoid:

• October 1–7 (National Day Golden Week): All major attractions — especially the Panda Base — become overwhelmingly crowded. Prices spike and transport is strained.
• Chinese New Year (late January–mid February): Many small restaurants and shops close; tourist sites are busy with domestic visitors.
• May 1–5 (Labor Day): Increasingly crowded in recent years; book accommodation well in advance.

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🌡️ Climate Table

Note: Chengdu is famously overcast — the city averages only about 1,000 hours of sunshine per year (compared to ~2,600 for Beijing). Even in "dry" months, expect grey skies. The old saying goes: "蜀犬吠日" — Sichuan dogs bark at the sun because they see it so rarely.

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🗣️ English Levels

Honest assessment: English proficiency in Chengdu is noticeably lower than in Beijing or Shanghai. In tourist-facing venues (hostels, international hotel front desks, the Panda Base ticket office), basic English communication is possible. However:

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