Mount Qingcheng, Dujiangyan

National GeographicOct 20

The capital of Sichuan Province combines archaeological marvels, giant pandas, and fiery hotpot within a megacity hurtling headlong into the future.

birthplace of Taoism

10 things in this story

Mount QingchengSightbirthplace of Taoism
Elsewhere
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda BreedingSightChengdu, Chinavisit native species, least crowded when it opens
Sanxingdui museumMuseumGuanghan, Chinagazes up at 13-foot bronze sacred tree
JinshaMuseumChengdu, Chinareopening after renovation, displays Sun and Immortal Birds ornament
Heming Tea HouseRestaurantChengdu, Chinacentury-old, open-air tea house inside People’s Park
Jinjiang RiverSightChengdu, Chinatake night cruise on a lantern-lit boat
Little BarRestaurantChengdu, Chinahosts city's rock bands since the 1990s
Leshan Giant BuddhaSightLeshan, Chinaworld's largest stone Buddha
Chengdu Tianfu International AirportPlaceChengdu, China
Shuangliu AirportPlaceChengdu, China

Mount Qingcheng