Chengdu City Travel Guide
Welcome to Chengdu (成都), also known as the Brocade City, the Lotus City, the Panda City, and the City of Hibiscus. The face of Chengdu has been constantly changing during its history of more than 2300 years. Classic Chinese architecture is hard to find downtown as the new, affluent class of southwest China prefers modern skyscrapers. Still, Chengdu is an excellent urban locale to take a break during a likely tiresome, yet awe-inspiring travel through Sichuan province and neighboring Yunnan and Tibet. Foreigners truly love living in Chengdu, a fully modernized city with a fraction the cost of living of eastern giants like Beijing or Shanghai. The most beautiful parts of China await you outside Chengdu, but Synotrip urges you to smile at a panda or two, sweat out some spicy food, and bask in the leisurely lifestyle of the local Chengdu residents before you go.
Chairman Mao is never forgotten as he overlooks Tianfu Square, the heart of Chengdu. Local citizens flock to the square to relax amidst the crowds on weekends. |
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Hours:
Open daily from 8:00am to 6:00pm
Chinese zoos are often equated to animal prisons by Western visitors. Fortunately Chengdu’s Giant Panda Breeding Center strays far from the norm. The research base is truly groundbreaking for country that pushes aside most environmental and ecological concerns due to its overpopulation issues.
Tags: Panda
Address:
No. 15 Wenshu Monastery Street, just off of Renmin Zhong Lu
In 1691 it was believed that the monk Ci Du reached such a state of enlightenment that he reportedly shook the ground and radiated light. Local officials concluded he must be the reincarnation of Manjusri and the monastery was renamed Wenshu (Manjusri). The Zen Buddhist monastery was originally built between 605-617 during the Tang Dynasty.
Tags: Temples
Address:
Chunxi Lu (Chunxi Road)
Chunxi Lu could be included in the shopping category, but because of the brand names, bright lights, and crowds of people it is likely better suited as a tourist stop. Filled with brand name shops from around the world, Chunxi Lu is an expensive place to go shopping. You could probably buy the same goods in your home country for similar rates.
Tags: walking street
By now I hope you have guessed that Tailor & Costume Street in Chengdu is a great spot for tailor-made clothing and fun costume shopping. The rumor of the ability to buy cheap, but good quality suits, formal wear, etc in China is in fact true. Even travelers who don't speak a word of Chinese should not be worried about the language barrier.
Tags: Tailo Street
Address:
Xindu Xicheng Dist.
Tags: Temples
Address:
No. 12 Shaocheng Lu, Qingyang Dist.
Renmin Gongyuan, or the People’s Park, is just a block barely southwest of Tianfu Square. Full of vegetation and shade, it is a great place to beat the heat, play cards, or just lay about with friends or family. It can be crowded like most parks in China, but look for Heming loft and you might be able to find a little privacy.
Tags: for families, for friends, Parks, squares
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