Chengdu for first-time visitors
Our home city and the base of our in-house guide team. Chengdu rewards travellers who slow down: a morning at the Panda Base, an afternoon in an old teahouse, hotpot after dark.
Pandas, teahouses and the slowest pace in China Chengdu Panda Base: Tickets, Timing and the Quiet Route
Ticket channels for foreign passports, best arrival window, which enclosures to hit first, shuttle vs walking.
Chengdu Beyond the Panda Base: 7 Spots Locals Actually Go
Peoples Park teahouses, Wangjianglou bamboo, Eastern Suburb Memory, Qingcheng back route.
Chengdu Hotpot for Beginners: Broth, Dipping and Spice Levels
Mild vs butter broth, oil dipping sauce, what to order, how to signal 微辣 without getting 中辣.
Sichuan Street Food Crawl: What to Eat and What It Costs
Dan dan noodles, chuan chuan, bobo chicken, sweet water noodles; price benchmarks in RMB.
Chengdu Optical Market: 30-Minute Prescription Glasses
Which market, exam process, lens tiers, bargaining, what prescription data to bring.
TCM and Hospitals in Chengdu for Foreign Visitors
International clinics vs public hospital VIP department, registration steps, massage and acupuncture pricing.
Chengdu in 2, 3 or 5 Days: Which Itinerary Fits You
Three day-count plans with travel times, plus how to slot in Leshan or Sanxingdui.
Where to Stay in Chengdu: Area-by-Area for First-Timers
Chunxi Road, Taikoo Li, Kuanzhai, south station; metro access and noise trade-offs.
These guides are being written. In the meantime, a local guide can cover the same ground in person — tell us your dates.
Chengdu Panda Base: Tickets, Timing and the Quiet Route
Ticket channels for foreign passports, best arrival window, which enclosures to hit first, shuttle vs walking.
Chengdu Beyond the Panda Base: 7 Spots Locals Actually Go
Peoples Park teahouses, Wangjianglou bamboo, Eastern Suburb Memory, Qingcheng back route.
These guides are being written. In the meantime, a local guide can cover the same ground in person — tell us your dates.
Chengdu Hotpot for Beginners: Broth, Dipping and Spice Levels
Mild vs butter broth, oil dipping sauce, what to order, how to signal 微辣 without getting 中辣.
Sichuan Street Food Crawl: What to Eat and What It Costs
Dan dan noodles, chuan chuan, bobo chicken, sweet water noodles; price benchmarks in RMB.
These guides are being written. In the meantime, a local guide can cover the same ground in person — tell us your dates.
Chengdu Optical Market: 30-Minute Prescription Glasses
Which market, exam process, lens tiers, bargaining, what prescription data to bring.
TCM and Hospitals in Chengdu for Foreign Visitors
International clinics vs public hospital VIP department, registration steps, massage and acupuncture pricing.
These guides are being written. In the meantime, a local guide can cover the same ground in person — tell us your dates.
Chengdu in 2, 3 or 5 Days: Which Itinerary Fits You
Three day-count plans with travel times, plus how to slot in Leshan or Sanxingdui.
Where to Stay in Chengdu: Area-by-Area for First-Timers
Chunxi Road, Taikoo Li, Kuanzhai, south station; metro access and noise trade-offs.
These guides are being written. In the meantime, a local guide can cover the same ground in person — tell us your dates.
Chengdu is being written and fact-checked. The guide covers:
- How many days you actually need
- What to see, and when to go
- Where to stay, area by area
- How to get around
- What to eat, and how to order it
- Shopping, glasses and medical care
Travelling soon? Send us your dates and we’ll plan the days around what you actually want to see.
Want a local guide in Chengdu or Chongqing?
Tell us your dates and what you want to do — pandas, hotpot, optical market, or a hospital visit. We reply with availability and a fixed quote within 24 hours.