Chengdu is an incredible city full of fun and unique culture. Come explore its top travel attractions: spot cute pandas at their breeding base, find peace in Wenshu Monastery, experience local culture in Jinli Street and Kuanzhai Alley and much more!
Sichuan Opera should be on your must-see list if visiting Chengdu, offering up traditional story telling, singing, dancing and acrobatic performances that are sure to add a memorable element to your trip. The spectacle enthralls audiences from all around. Hong Kong to Chengdu from Cathay Pacific is one way to get in, like many others available right now.
Leshan Giant Buddha
Leshan Giant Buddha stands as one of the most stunning monuments from ancient China, rising 71 meters tall and serving as a landmark since 713 during Tang Dynasty construction, when work started on this monumental statue which would take over 90 years to finish.
At the confluence of three rivers – Minjiang, Dadu, and Qingyi Rivers – lies a Buddha statue carved into a cliff face by an anonymous monk as an act of safety for boating traffic on these turbulent waters. They believe this statue would appease river gods to prevent accidents on these dangerous waters.
Travelers can visit Leshan Giant Buddha by foot or boat sightseeing tour; walking is the preferred method among travelers. Additionally, bus and taxi services can transport visitors directly to Leshan scenic area; for those in a rush a high speed train service from Chengdu can transport you directly.
If you prefer bus travel, take one from Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station to Leshan Xiaoba Bus Station before changing to city bus 13 for this attraction. Otherwise, hire a private car and travel comfortably; although this will cost more, but will allow you to enjoy your trip more leisurely while extending it with Mount Emei or other attractions on the same day!
Wenshu Monastery
The Thousand Buddha Peace Pagoda, built during Tang Dynasty (618-907) is an immensely popular attraction among visitors to Wenshu Monastery. Featuring over 1000 statues of Buddha, visitors may pray by walking clockwise around the iron tower with hands together while praying clockwise around its base. Wenshu Monastery also houses Stele Gallery featuring ink inscriptions donated from royal family members, officials, and celebrities since Qing Dynasty; additionally they house part of Xuan Zang’s skull!
Visit Wenshu Monastery is an excellent way to gain insight into Chinese culture and history. In addition to the main temple, there are numerous auxiliary buildings and shrines which contain cultural artifacts and relics; also, monks are welcoming hosts who will gladly answer any queries that arise during your stay.
At Wenshu Monastery, one of its major draws is its charming alleyways. Jinli Street is an ideal place to shop or enjoy some street food; Kuanzhai Alley can give visitors an insight into Chengdu’s distinctive architecture while providing insight into local lifestyles. These streets have come to be known as “New Old Streets,” due to their revitalization and restoration of traditional architecture; offering visitors a more upscale version of old street experience in Chengdu – they make this monastery must-see!
Jinli Street
Jinli Street, also known as the First Street of the Shu Kingdom, provides the ideal environment to experience Chengdu’s rich traditional culture. Home to restaurants, teahouses, bars, shops and hotel inns; locals frequent this street for relaxation and socialization as its streets are lined with trees and traditional buildings paved with green flagstones.
There are numerous restaurants, snack stores and dine inns offering authentic Sichuan cuisine, such as buckwheat noodles, sandapao and yellow fermented glutinous rice. Furthermore, the street features many hand workshops as well as art and craft stalls where visitors can purchase traditional Chinese artworks as gifts for friends and family members.
Jinli Street is a famous tourist destination that draws large crowds of visitors each day. To maximize enjoyment of this scenic spot, visit during afternoon or evening when temperatures are more favorable and red lanterns light up, making the street even more picturesque.
As you stroll down the street, you may come across numerous folk artisan performances designed to dazzle and amuse audiences. Talented artists will knead clay figurines, create sugar paintings, and cut paper cutouts-all of which serve to remind people of their childhood days.
Jinli Street should be on every visitor’s must-see list when visiting Chengdu. Filled with ancient buildings and modern venues that blend harmoniously together, it provides the ideal spot to relax while discovering China’s fourth largest city and its rich culture. Plus it is also an invaluable opportunity to learn about its long and rich history!
Kuanzhai Alley
Kuanzhai Alley is one of the top three historic preserve districts in Chengdu city and comprises three alleys – Wide Alley, Zhai Alley and Jing Alley. It offers courtyard culture as well as ancient style streets for modern Chengdu people to revisit and remember their past.
Chengdu natives enjoy leisure life here and it represents their courtyard dreams with “a garden in the house, house in the yard, trees in both houses and sky over the trees”. There are many courtyard restaurants, cafes and an experiencing house for old city life which visitors can use to experience life from Chengdu’s past residents.
As well as its historical features, the alley provides visitors with delicious food options from Mapo tofu to delicious hot pot. There are various stalls along its corridor where visitors can find what they’re craving!
Many residents in the surrounding area are attracted to the alley because of its cultural significance. They devote time and resources towards its development in hopes that it will flourish into the future.
Alleys in Chengdu are popular tourist spots due to their koi fish pond and variety of stalls selling local snacks; entertainment such as Chinese opera and traditional tea is also offered here, making the alley an important part of Chengdu culture and an invaluable destination for anyone wanting to experience all it has to offer – culture and cuisine alike!
Sichuan Opera
Performers sing high-pitched tunes accompanied solely by percussion instruments and choruses without wind or stringed instruments being present compared with Western operas which may feature wind or stringed instruments; instead this theater provides more relaxed seating arrangements where guests sit on bamboo chairs between pairs of seats with tables containing tea and sunflower seeds located between each pair of chairs compared with Western opera performances.
Sichuan Opera performances typically include stick puppet shows and hand shadow plays, singing and comedy routines (which lose some of their appeal if you don’t speak Chinese), mask changing and fire breathing, then eventually mask changing with fire breathing, mask changing back on and fire breathing to conclude with mask changing and fire breathing before starting with its story with an intriguing plot and beautiful melody. Sichuan Opera is an ancient Chinese artform popular across China known for its solos, refined acting skills, rich percussion instruments and talented comics who grace its stages.
Shufengyayun Sichuan Opera Theater has long been one of the leading venues for performing arts in Chengdu since opening its doors in 1957. If you wish to see specific performances, early booking is highly recommended. At this theater, it is also possible to add on an optional Sichuan opera character dressing up service with photo taking service at this theater. To arrange this service, speak to your tour guide or travel consultant and discuss it further. Museums provide an ideal venue for collecting the most significant cultural and historical aspects of a city, including artifacts from its cultural past. Comprehensive museums present an overall picture of city history and development while themed ones provide deeper insights into specific aspects, such as Wuhou Temple or Shu Embroidery & Art Museum’s exhibits of Three Kingdom culture or Shu Brocade culture respectively.