Chengdu is one of China’s biggest cities. It is also one of its ancient capitals and one of our favorite cities! We love it because it combines some of the best contemporary architecture with superb ancient heritage. As if that was not enough, the city has great food and warm guests.
In Chengdu you have to stay in a beautiful place, close to attractions, and well connected to the rest of the city by metro. Taikoo Li is our favorite area. However, we have included other incredible places. All you have to do is choose what suits you best.
The Best Chengdu Areas
Chengdu’s most beautiful areas are: Chunxi Road and Taikoo Li, The Kuan and Zhai Alley (wide and narrow Alley), Jinli, and Wenshu Monastery. All of these are pedestrian and have important sites nearby. You will have a great time.
Thanks to the city’s extensive transportation network you can go everywhere in no time. We strongly recommend carrying a card with your hotel’s name in Chinese. If you get lost, all you have to do is show it and you’ll be helped.
City Center – Chunxi Road & Taikoo Li
We love Chengdu’s center. That’s the area around Chunxi Road and Taikoo Li. It’s full of tall buildings and super cool sculptures. Tai Koo shopping blends perfectly old houses with ultra-modern architecture. We believe its China’s nicest mall.
Guadashengci Temple is a step away from the mall. It’s the perfect place to feel calm and experience Chinese spirituality. There are several metro stations in and around Chunxi Road and Taikoo Li. The same applies to restaurants. You will find eateries of all kinds offering Chinese and Western food.
The Best Hotels in the City Center
Our favorite hotel in Chengdu is the Niccolo. The contemporary building is in the heart of the center and close to the metro station. Book a room with temple views. These are huge. The hotel’s indoor pool has epic views.
If you have the money to splurge, stay at the Temple House. The massive rooms and serviced apartments are set in a beautiful garden. It also has a great pool. Even if you don’t stay there, stop for a bite at any of its three restaurants.
Kuan Alley and Zhai Alley
The Kuan Alley and Zhai Alley are the only streets from the ancient Chengdu Old City that survived to this day. Actually, there are three parallel streets with impressive old structures. Today, these home the city’s most fancy restaurants, bars and teahouses.
A 15 minute walk takes you to the Chengdu Museum. Take your passport and enter for free. It’s huge, majestic, and full of art and history. It’s inside the splendid cultural park. The Qingyang Palace temple and the Shufengya Yun Opera are there too.
The Best Hotels around Kuan and Zhai Alleys
The Diaoyutai Boutique Hotel Chengdu is worth every penny. The grand mansion with modern day conveniences is directly inside Kuan and Zhai Alleys. Every room and suite is huge and tastefully decorated with designer furniture and antiques.
The Wenjun Courtyard Hotel is next to the cultural park. It offers big extra comfy rooms at an unbelievable rate. Though modern, it looks retro Chinese. You get free laundry service and coffee. You will love it here!
Around Wenshu Monastery
Wenshu Monastery is north of the center. The original temple was built from 420 to 589 AC. However, most of what we can see today is 1000 years old. The temple is a lovely as the garden that surrounds it.
Granted, the area is not as fancy as the center but that’s precisely why we like it so much. You will feel like being in the real china. Since mostly locals visit it, you will be able to experience every day life in Chengdu.
The Best Hotels around Wenshu Monastery
The first time we went to Chengdu we stayed at the Sheraton Lido and loved it. It’s a tall tower a half an hour walk to the monastery. The metro station is in the corner. It’s got a fantastic indoor pool. The superior rooms are large and have unforgettable views over the city.
For a totally authentic experience, book a room at the Buddha Zen Hotel. The hotel is an authentic Chinese mansion. The rooms have wooden floors and comfy beds. It’s got a sauna and a lovely tea room.
Jinli & Chengdu Wuhou Shrine
Jinli is south west of the center. No worries, you can take the metro or a short and inexpensive taxi ride. We love this area because of its lush green parks and ancient temples. It’s quite different to the rest of the city.
There are several structures, ponds, sculptures, and lots of trees inside Wuhou Shrine. It’s a great place to mingle with the locals who attend the temple. Jinli is a pedestrian street next to the temple. To our amazement, few foreigners visit the incredible Sanxingdui Art Museum.
The Best Hotels around Jinli
Your best option near the Chengdu Wuhou Temple is the Atour Light. It’s a Chinese chain of hotels with super clean and comfortable mid-range hotels. It’s got a restaurant and a cute terrace.
The Park Inn Radisson is a tall modern tower with big rooms at an unbelievable price. They have connecting rooms for parents and kids. The beds are comfortable and the top floor rooms have memorable views.
How Many Days in Chengdu
We strongly believe you should spend at least 4 nights in Chengdu. You need at least 2 days to see the city proper, including the iconic Anshun Bridge and several world class museums. Go at night to see it illuminated in all of its glory.
You will need an extra day to go to the one and only Leshan Giant Buddha. You simply can’t miss one of China’s most celebrated attractions. On the fourth day you have to visit the Giant Panda Research Base. The cute bears will steal your heart.
