Chengdu is a city that people never want to leave once they\u2019ve visited. It boasts rich Shu culture, world-renowned culinary traditions, a laid-back lifestyle, abundant local specialties, and excellent transportation. As one of the most popular travel destinations in China, it receives tens of millions of tourists each year.<\/p>\n
Besides iconic scenic spots like Mount Emei and Leshan, Dujiangyan and Qingcheng Mountain, Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong, and even the legendary Sichuan-Tibet Highway (Route 318), Chengdu offers many unique local experiences that visitors often overlook. Here are 10 must-do experiences<\/strong> in Chengdu that will make your trip unforgettable:<\/p>\n Pandas are China\u2019s national treasure and most of them live in Sichuan. You can skip Wuhou Shrine or Qingyang Palace, but don\u2019t miss the panda base<\/strong>! The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, located in northern Chengdu, is home to over 100 adorable pandas.<\/p>\n Why go<\/strong>: Witness China’s national treasure up close. After your visit, enjoy tea at Kuanzhai Alley and grab a cute panda plushie from the Panda House for your kids\u2014they\u2019ll love it!<\/p>\n Chengdu has over 10,000 teahouses\u2014literally a city steeped in tea! Whether for weekend leisure, social gatherings, or business meetings, Chengdu locals love their teahouses. You can choose riverside tea stands or upscale venues. Local favorites include Bamboo Leaf Green, Baitan Piaoxue, and chrysanthemum tea.<\/p>\n Why go<\/strong>: A cup of tea is the essence of Chengdu\u2019s everyday life. If you haven\u2019t visited a teahouse, you haven\u2019t truly experienced Chengdu.<\/p>\n Sichuan Opera dates back to the Tang dynasty and is known for its vivid language, humor, and colorful performances. The face-changing<\/strong> act is one of its most famous features.<\/p>\n Why go<\/strong>: Opera, face-changing, and fire-spitting performances represent the soul of Sichuan culture. Enjoying a show while sipping tea is a unique cultural treat.<\/p>\n Chengdu is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. The streets are packed with over 3,000 hotpot restaurants like Xiaolongkan, Bashu Dazhaimen, Damao, and Huangcheng Laoma.<\/p>\n Why go<\/strong>: Dive into the rich, spicy, and aromatic flavors of Sichuan. Look for the longest line\u2014that\u2019s usually the tastiest!<\/p>\n Chengdu is a paradise for food lovers. From Long Chao Shou (wontons), Lai Tangyuan (sweet rice balls), Zhong Dumplings, to Dan Dan Noodles and Egg Pancakes, you\u2019ll find snacks from all over Sichuan.<\/p>\n Why go<\/strong>: While tourist spots like Jinli Street offer plenty of options, locals recommend hidden street stalls<\/strong> for authentic and budget-friendly bites. Where there’s a queue, there’s good food!<\/p>\n Sichuan\u2019s natural beauty is unparalleled. Near Chengdu, visit Qingcheng Mountain, Dujiangyan Irrigation System, Leshan Giant Buddha, or climb Mount Emei.<\/p>\n Why go<\/strong>: These UNESCO sites offer a deep connection with nature and Chinese heritage.<\/p>\n Chunxi Road is Chengdu\u2019s premier shopping district. It combines over a century of history with modern fashion malls and features Sun Yat-sen Plaza, fountains, cafes, and teahouses.<\/p>\n Why go<\/strong>: Chengdu has more shopping malls than any other city in western China. Get ready for a shopping spree!<\/p>\n Thanks to its pleasant climate, Chengdu is known for producing beautiful women. Locals call “people-watching” da wang<\/strong>\u2014an entertaining daily hobby.<\/p>\n Why go<\/strong>: Whether in Chunxi Road, Salt Market Street, or Taikoo Li, you\u2019ll often spot fashionable young women. Locals joke: \u201cCome to Chengdu and realize you got married too early!\u201d<\/p>\n Mahjong is deeply embedded in Chengdu\u2019s culture. There\u2019s a popular story from the 2008 earthquake: even during tremors, some locals insisted on finishing their game.<\/p>\n Why go<\/strong>: It\u2019s not just a game\u2014it\u2019s a lifestyle. Even if you don\u2019t play, watching locals play mahjong is a fun cultural experience.<\/p>\n Ear cleaning, or “Shu Er Lang”<\/strong>, is an indulgent Chengdu tradition. Specialists use professional tools to clean your ears\u2014an experience both ticklish and oddly satisfying.<\/p>\n Why go<\/strong>: You\u2019ll find these services in parks and teahouses like People’s Park or Wide & Narrow Alleys. Don\u2019t miss this unique sensory pleasure!<\/p>\n Final Tip:<\/strong> Chengdu is a city that people never want to leave […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2569,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[85,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2567","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-destinations","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/travelgonative.com\/en_gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2567","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/travelgonative.com\/en_gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/travelgonative.com\/en_gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travelgonative.com\/en_gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travelgonative.com\/en_gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2567"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/travelgonative.com\/en_gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2567\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2571,"href":"https:\/\/travelgonative.com\/en_gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2567\/revisions\/2571"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travelgonative.com\/en_gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2569"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/travelgonative.com\/en_gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2567"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travelgonative.com\/en_gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2567"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travelgonative.com\/en_gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2567"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n1. See the Giant Pandas<\/h3>\n
\n2. Relax in a Teahouse<\/h3>\n
\n3. Watch Sichuan Opera<\/h3>\n
\n4. Eat Hotpot<\/h3>\n
\n5. Try Street Snacks<\/h3>\n
\n6. Explore Surroundings<\/h3>\n
\n7. Shop at Chunxi Road<\/h3>\n
\n8. Admire the Local Beauties<\/h3>\n
\n9. Play Mahjong<\/h3>\n
\n10. Get Your Ears Cleaned<\/h3>\n
\n
Chengdu\u2019s relaxed way of life hides in these little joys. If you don\u2019t try them\u2014you haven\u2019t truly visited Chengdu.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"