Things to do in Central Sìchuān
-
A
Chén Mápó Dòufu
This plush branch of the famous chain is a great place to sample mápó dòufu (small/large Y12/20) – soft, fresh bean curd with a fiery sauce of garlic, minced beef, salted soybean, chilli oil and Sìchuān pepper. It's one of Sìchuān's most famous dishes and this restaurant's speciality. Photo menu.
reviewed
-
Grandma's Kitchen & Deli
Grandma's has burgers, steaks and salads, but it's the desserts that stand out the most. Shakes and smoothies are also popular and on Sundays this place is packed with families and young children. The deli here also has plenty of fans.
reviewed
-
Giant Panda Breeding Research Base
One of Chéngdū's most popular tourist attractions, this reserve, 18km north of the city centre, is the easiest way to catch a glimpse of Sìchuān's most famous residents outside of a zoo. The enclosures here are large and kept in good condition.
Home to nearly 50 giant and red pandas, the base focuses on getting these sexually reluctant creatures to breed; March to May is the 'falling in love period', wink wink. If you visit in autumn or winter, you may see tiny newborns in the nursery.
There's a corny but informative 15-minute film about panda mating habits and an old-fashioned museum has detailed exhibits on panda evolution, habits, habitats and conservation efforts, a…
reviewed
-
B
Zhaojue Temple
The Zhaojue Temple dates back to the 7th century and has since served as a model for many Japanese and Southeast Asian Buddhist temples.
During the early Qing dynasty, Zhàojué Sì underwent extensive reconstruction under the supervision of Po Shan, a famous Buddhist monk who established the lovely waterways and groves you see here today. The effect is impressive and the grounds are quieter and more spread out than at Chéngdū's other temples.
Little of the temple's original architecture survived the Cultural Revolution, and serious restoration work was only undertaken in the last decade. There are several pavilions, though all except the imposing prayer hall were being…
reviewed
-
Du Fu's Cottage
The revered Tang- dynasty poet, Du Fu (712–70) was born in Hénán, but lived in Chéngdū, in this thatched cottage, for four of his most prolific years. He wrote more than 200 poems whilst here, including one entitled 'My thatched hut was torn apart by the autumn wind'. The 10-hectare site is now part park, part museum.
reviewed
-
C
Tomb of Wang Jian
The only mausoleum excavated in China so far that features an above-ground tomb chamber, this slightly creepy vault honours Wang Jian (847–918), a general who came to power after the AD 907 collapse of the Tang dynasty and became emperor of the Shu kingdom. The tomb itself is decorated with carvings of 24 musicians all playing different instruments, considered to be the best surviving record of a Tang-dynasty musical troupe, while the statue of Wang Jian at the back of the tomb is thought to be the only existing lifelike sculpture of an ancient Chinese king.
reviewed
-
Xiǎohuí Dòuhuā
Specialising in tofu and noodle snacks in more combinations than you'd ever think possible, eating at this cosy neighbourhood eatery is a sensory thrill. Try the crispy beef beancurd (牛肉豆花; niúròu dòuhuā) and steamed beef with rice powder (牛肉粉蒸; fěnzhēng niúròu), and don't miss the thick, succulent and spicy sweet noodles (甜水面; tiánshuǐ miàn).
Note to allergy sufferers: more than half the dishes here are served with some kind of peanut ingredient. The cooks will make them without peanuts, however, if you ask.
reviewed
-
D
Wǔhóu Temple
Located in Nánjiāo Park and surrounded by gardens with mossy cypresses draped over walkways, this temple honours several figures from the Three Kingdoms period, including Emperor Liu Bei and legendary military strategist Zhuge Liang, who was immortalised in one of the classics of Chinese literature, Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Sān Guó Yǎnyì). Just east of the temple is Jǐnlǐ Gǔjiē (锦里古街) a gentrified 'new-old' district crammed with souvenir junk stalls and local snacks.
reviewed
-
Wàngjiānglóu Gōngyuán
In the southeast of town, near Sìchuān University, is Wàngjiānglóu Gōngyuán, a park known for its beautiful bamboo-lined paths and dedicated to the Tang dynasty poet Xue Tao, one of the few women of this period whose work is still celebrated today. The four-storey, wooden Qing pavilion in the heart of the park overlooks Brocade River and was built in her honour. The well nearby is where Xue Tao is said to have drawn water to dye her writing paper.
The park also features over 150 varieties of bamboo from China, Japan and Southeast Asia, ranging from bonsai-sized potted plants to towering giants.
reviewed
-
E
Green Ram Temple
Located in Culture Park, this is Chéngdū's oldest and most extensive Taoist temple. According to legend, stroking the bronze goat here can vanquish life's troubles. (The other, less goatlike goat combines features of all the Chinese zodiac animals.) Another highlight is an eight-sided pagoda, built without bolts or pegs.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Golden Summit Temple
The magnificent but clearly recently renovated Golden Summit Temple at the Golden Summit (Jīn Dǐng; 3077m) is as far as most hikers make it. Covered with glazed tiles and surrounded by white marble balustrades, the temple now occupies 1695 sq metres. The original temple had a bronze-coated roof, which is how it got the name Jīn Dǐng (which can also mean 'Gold Top').
It's constantly overrun with tourists, pilgrims and monks, and you'll be continuously bumped and jostled. Sadly, the sun rarely forces its way through the mists up here.
reviewed
-
Long Life Monastery
Reconstructed in the 9th century, Long Life Monastery is the oldest surviving Éméi temple. It's dedicated to the man on the white elephant, the Bodhisattva Puxian, who is the protector of the mountain. This 8.5m-high statue is dated from AD 980, cast in copper and bronze and weighs an estimated 62,000kg.
If you can manage to rub the elephant's hind leg, good luck will be cast upon you. The statue is housed in Brick Hall, a domed building with small stupas on it and the only building left unharmed in a 1945 fire.
reviewed
-
Peter's Tex-Mex
More than just the best Tex-Mex food in the city, the food served here is among the best you'll have anywhere. Once you've given the chimichangas (deep-fried burritos) a pass (it's the only dish they haven't quite pulled off), you can't go wrong no matter what you order. Try the strawberry margaritas - slightly tart, they taste like fresh berries. Service is flawless and this place attracts everyone from businessmen to Chinese families and students from nearby Sichuan University.
reviewed
-
Āré Zàngcān
Right across the street from Wuhou Temple, this Tibetan restaurant looks fussy on the outside, but the 3rd floor dining room is actually bright and relaxed with small, simple tables. There's an English menu from which you can choose something simple, such as veggie momos Tibetan dumplings, or something more elaborate, such as yak stew. Service is attentive and there's an adjoining outdoor terrace crowded with leafy green plants that's perfect for warm weather alfresco dining.
reviewed
-
Lǎozihào
Two brothers run this noodle place and they've turned it into a neighbourhood institution. The modernisation steamroller has forced them to move several times in recent years, but they always find somewhere else in the area to set up - their customers trailing loyally behind them. Try their fiery tomato egg noodles (番茄煎蛋面; fānqié jiān dànmiàn) to see what all the fuss is about.
reviewed
-
F
Wénshū Temple
This Tang-dynasty monastery is dedicated to Wenshu (Manjushri), the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, and is Chéngdū's largest and best-preserved Buddhist temple. The air is redolent with incense, there's a low murmur of chanting, and despite frequent crowds of worshippers, there's still a sense of serenity and solitude. The temple's excellent vegetarian restaurant has an English menu, some garden seating and an atmospheric teahouse next door.
Outside the temple is one of Chéngdū's three rebuilt 'old' neighbourhoods, where the narrow streets are lined with teahouses, snack stalls and shops. Touristy, yes, but still fun for a quick wander.
reviewed
-
Bāguó Bùyī Fēngwèijiǔlóu
Now at a new location, the modern decoration has given this restaurant a slightly clubby vibe. Named after the traditional cotton clothing that was worn by peasants in the eastern part of the province, the Sìchuān food here is hugely popular. There's no English spoken, but the huge plank-like menu is full of glossy multicoloured pictures, so choosing won't be too hard.
reviewed
-
Monument to the Martyrs of the Railway Protection Movement
Plopped in the middle of the People's Park's bonsai and perennials is the Monument to the Martyrs of the Railway Protection Movement (1911). This obelisk memorialises an uprising of the people against corrupt officers pocketing cash intended for railway construction. People's Park was a private officer's garden, so it was a fitting place to put the structure.
reviewed
-
Sìchuān University Museum
The Sìchuān University Museum is one of the better museums in the southwest. The collection is particularly strong in the fields of ethnology, folklore and traditional art, and is housed in a swank modern building near the university's east gate. However, it's been closed for some time and no-one seems to know when it will be reopening. Stay tuned.
reviewed
-
G
Lóngchāoshǒu Cāntīng
This big, bustling cafeteria style eatery can be overwhelming, but it's a long-time favourite for sampling Chéngdū snacks. The cheapest option gives you a range of sweet and savoury items, with each price bracket giving you the same deal on a grander and more filling scale. Unfortunately, it hasn't much to offer vegetarians.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Panda Sanctuary Chengdu
2 days (Chengdu)
Encounter pandas at the Wildlife Sanctuary in Chengdu.
Not LP reviewed
from USD$360 -
Pure Sound Pavilion
Named after the sound effects produced by rapid waters coursing around rock formations, this temple is built on an outcrop in the middle of a fast-flowing stream. Small pavilions here are great for appreciating the natural music. It's possible to swim here, although the water is only likely to be warm enough during the summer months.
reviewed
-
Elephant Bathing Pool
According to legend, Elephant Bathing Pool is where Pǔxián flew his elephant in for a big scrub, but today there's not much of a pool to speak of. Being almost at the crossroads of both major trails, the temple here is often crowded with pilgrims.
reviewed
-
Pandas, Yangtze and Shanghai
7 days (Chengdu)
See Giant Pandas, cruise the mighty Yangtze River and Three Gorges then discover incredible Shanghai.
Not LP reviewed
from USD$1,620 -
H
Highfly Café
Along with the Traffic Hotel, this place has been a backpacker mainstay since the '90s. The happy staff get overwhelmed with hipster Chinese at times, but it's a relaxing place with great food; try the delicious calorie-laden fudge brownies. Free internet access.
reviewed
