Lonely Planet
A Guide to Chengdu, China
Chengdu has more to offer than just its famous pandas. Find out more with this guide to Chengdu.
Houses the world's largest captive population of giant pandas.
In the coverage2 stories
Lonely PlanetAug 25
13 Best Places to Visit in China
Where antiquity sits alongside innovation, highlights include ancient sites, frenetic cities and natural serenity for a restorative and exciting trip.
Guaranteed sightings of pandas in Chengdu.
20 things in this story
- Giant Panda Breeding Research BaseSightGuaranteed sightings of pandas in Chengdu.
- Elsewhere
- Forbidden CitySightBeijing, ChinaBuilt between 1406 and 1420, off-limits for 500 years.
- Great WallViewpointBeijing, ChinaNation's most iconic landmark, 21,196km fortification built over 2000 years.
- Tiananmen SquareSightBeijing, ChinaSecurity is tightly controlled; expect multiple passport checkpoints.
- Summer PalaceParkBeijing, ChinaIt is a vast ensemble of lakes, gardens and palaces in Beijing.
- Mogao GrottoesMuseumDunhuang, ChinaHolds China's finest Buddhist art, with 492 caves.
- Terracotta WarriorsMuseumXi'an, ChinaLife-sized statues built 2200 years ago to protect an emperor's tomb.
- Tiger Leaping GorgeTrailLijiang, ChinaA 25km hiking trail through a UNESCO World Heritage-listed gorge.
- The BundNeighborhoodShanghai, ChinaShanghai's waterfront promenade with 1920s architecture.
- French ConcessionAttractionShanghai, ChinaArea in Shanghai known for elegant art deco buildings.
- M50 art districtNeighborhoodShanghai, ChinaArea in Shanghai known for its art galleries.
- BadalingSightBeijing, ChinaSection of the Great Wall accessible by train from Beijing.
- Li RiverSightGuilin, ChinaScenic river with karst limestone peaks and rice paddies.
- XingpingFerry terminalYangshuo, ChinaVillage near Yangshuo offering views of the Li River.
- Pearl RiverSightGuangzhou, China"Pearl River" is often also used as a catch-all for the watersheds of the Pearl tributaries within Guangdong,…
- Nine Dragons and Five Tigers viewing pointSightLongji, ChinaA 30-minute walk above Ping'an with views of rice terraces.
- Tomb of Qin Shi HuangMuseumXi'an, ChinaIncludes the superb Bronze Chariots Museum.
- Muslim QuarterNeighborhoodXi'an, ChinaAtmospheric area in Xi'an, the beginning of the Silk Road.
- South Gate of Xi'an City WallSightXi'an, ChinaBeautifully illuminated gate recommended for an evening stroll.
- Tianmen MountainSightZhangjiajie, ChinaMountain in Zhangjiajie with a natural hole through the mountainside.