Book flights to Chengdu (TFU)

Book your visit to Chengdu

Lush, affluent and laid-back, Chengdu is Sichuan’s capital and one of the most popular tourist destinations in China. Renowned as the home of the Giant Panda and famed for its beauty and robust economy, the city has been an important cultural and trade centre for over 4,000 years, and today is a wonderful shopping destination for high-quality goods and handicrafts.

The city has a distinctive character that feels much more relaxed. The diversity of the city’s culture embraces Buddhism and Taoism, making Chengdu a fascinating and multi-layered city break destination to explore. With spicy, flavoursome Sichuan cuisine and natural beauty all around, a trip to Chengdu with Qatar Airways is a chance to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Things to do in Chengdu

Chengdu is the home of the Giant Panda, so a visit to see these adorable creatures is a must. There are nearly 200 Giant Pandas at the Chengdu Panda Base, where incredible conservation efforts are bringing these gentle and distinctive bears back from the brink of extinction.

Immerse yourself in Chengdu Old Town with a walk down Jinli Ancient Street. It’s located next to the Wuhou temple and is a busy street lined with restaurants, stalls and street vendors.

Learn about the recent history of Chengdu at the Anren Ancient Town, a 60-minute bus ride from the city centre and home to the Jianchuan Museum. Or embrace the tranquillity of the Wuhou Temple and learn about the famous Three Kingdom period of Chinese history.

A trip to the Zhaojue Monastery introduces you to the concepts of Buddhism.

Activities in Chengdu

Take in a Sichuan opera performance, a unique type of Chinese opera dating back hundreds of years that includes unusual elements such as comedy, magic tricks and dancing, as well as fire-breathing.

Spend the day in the People’s Park, a wonderfully lush open space and a great opportunity to meet the local people and try an authentic tea house. 

If you’re fascinated by fashion, a visit to the Shu Brocade and Embroidery Museum is a stunning glimpse into the intricacies of Chinese textiles and silks dating back to the early emperors and their royal courts.

If you feel a little more energetic, Chengdu has miles of cycle paths to explore. Hire a bike and take the family on a ride through the parks and squares of the city and its suburbs.

Food in Chengdu

Sichuan cuisine is uniquely spicy and delicious. Before you try an authentic meal, start your culinary journey with a visit to the Sichuan Cuisine Museum. It’s a great place to understand the culture of Sichuan food and how it differs from Cantonese cuisine.

Chilli features heavily in Sichuan cooking, so expect the food to be fiery! Dishes such as spiced steamed beef or Sichuan dumplings come with a feisty chilli dressing. There are also more familiar dishes on offer such as Kung Pow chicken and Mapo Tofu. But look out for regional specialities like Cold Chicken in Chili Oil, and wood-fire chicken cooked with ginger and Sichuan pepper, then stewed in fermented bean paste, with extra chillis!

The best place to try some street food is in the Old City, especially along Jinli Ancient Street.

Shopping in Chengdu

One of the top places to shop in Chengdu is the Chunxi Road area, where you’ll find hundreds of independent stores, boutiques, modern malls and street markets. If you want to go antique hunting then the Song Xian Qiao Antique market is the place to go, where you might even find the odd Tibetan artefact or two, as well as ceramics and jewellery.

If you prefer a more modern shopping experience in air-conditioned comfort, the Galleria International Shopping Mall is home to around 200 stores including high-end brands.

For trendy clothes shops, Imperial Examination Lane beside the Chunxi Road shopping centre is the place to go.

And for art and handmade crafts, Song Xian Qiao Art City’s Antique Art Market is one of the largest art markets in Southwest China and packed with beautiful items and paintings.