Things to do in Chengdu
Chengdu is awash with history. West Chengdu is home to important sights like the Qingyang Gong monastery, where the Daoist god Laozi achieved immortality. Thatched Du Fu's Cottage is where this famous poet wrote over 900 works. In north Chengdu, the Wenshu Yuan monastery is the city's biggest and best-preserved Buddhist temple. Further north is the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where endangered species are bred.
Museums and Galleries
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1. Jinsha Yizhi Bowuguan - Museums & Galleries
Show moreJinsha Yizhi, northwest of the centre, is another major ancient relic similar to Sanxingdui that's believed to have been part of the Shu Kingdom 3,000 years ago. The museum's two exhibition buildings comprise actual excavation sites and displays of gold wares, bronze, jade, ivory and stone statues. Highlights are giant ivories, a gold disk with carvings of the Sun and Immortal bird and a 19.6cm-tall bronze figurine.
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Admission RMB80. Audio guide RMB20, passport, and RMB200 deposit
Opening hours
8am-6pm
Address
2 Jinsha Yizhi Lu (Jinsha Relics Road), Chengdu, China
Telephone
028/8730-3522
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2. Sichuan Daxue Bowuguan - Museums and Galleries
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City-centre Sichuan Daxue Bowuguan museum houses a diverse collection of ancient Buddhist carvings, bronzes, a shadow puppet theatre and clothing worn by shamans from 25AD. Look out for the two-metre carved figure of an enlightened bodhisattva figure draped in jewels.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
RMB10
Opening hours
Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.30pm (closed at lunch time)
Address
Wangjiang Lu East Gate, Chengdu 610065
Telephone
+86 (0) 28 8541 2449
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3. Sanxing Dui Bowuguan - Museums and Galleries
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Spiral-shaped modern museum, Sanxing Dui Bowuguan, 40 kilometres north of Chengdu, houses one of China's best collections of ancient sculpture, masks and bronzes, some dating back to 14BC. Highlights include a 2.4-metre bronze figure, thought to be an ancient sorcerer.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
RMB50
Opening hours
Phone to check
Address
Central Guanghan, Chengdu 618300
Telephone
+86 (0) 28 541 2313
Attractions
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4. Wenshu Yuan - Attractions
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Active Buddhist monastery Wenshu Yuan, founded during the Tang Dynasty, draws a stream of locals coming to worship and burn incense. Aside from gilded statues and a famous scripture written in human blood, there's a relaxing teahouse and vegetarian restaurant.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
RMB1
Opening hours
Daily 6am-8.30pm
Address
Wenshu Yuan Jie, just off Renmin Zhong Lu, Chengdu
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5. Du Fu's Cottage - Attractions
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One of China's most famous and revered classical poets lived in thatched Du Fu's Cottage from 760 to 764AD. Du Fu wrote more than 240 poems there. The surrounding area, including gardens and the Flower Bathing Brook, feels suitably pastoral.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
RMB15
Opening hours
Daily 8am-6pm
Address
Close to Qingyang Gong and Yi Huan Lu Xi, Chengdu
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6. Wangjianglou Gongyuan - Attractions
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The Wangjianglou Gongyuan park, in the south-east of Chengdu, is famous for its lush forests which boast over 150 varieties of bamboo. The beautiful wooden four-storey Wangjianglou pavilion was built in memory of Tang dynasty poet Xue Tao.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
RMB2
Opening hours
Daily 6am-9pm
Address
Wangjiang Lu, between the 1st and 2nd ringroads, Chengdu
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7. Qingyang Gong - Attractions
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The hugely important Daoist monastery, Qingyang Gong, in west Chengdu is where the Daoist god Laozi is said to have gained immortality. The working monastery features spectacular pavilions, 81 carved dragons, and printing plates of rare and important Daoist scriptures.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
RMB5
Opening hours
Daily 8am-6pm
Address
2, Duan, Yi Huan Lu Xi, Chengdu 610041
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8. Tomb of Wang Jian - Attractions
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Wang Jian (AD847-918) was the general who founded the Shu kingdom after the collapse of the Tang dynasty. The Tomb of Wang Jian, in the northwest of Chengdu, is surrounded by statues of 24 musicians representing a Tang musical troupe.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
RMB30
Opening hours
Daily 8am-6pm
Address
Fuqin Dong Lu, near Xian Lu, Chengdu
Transport
Taxi/Bus 25
Special things to do
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9. Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding - Special things to do
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The aim of the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is to increase the population of endangered pandas. Located in the northern suburb, it is also home to red pandas, black-necked cranes, white storks and 14 species of bamboo.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
RMB30
Opening hours
8am-6pm
Address
Xiongmao Da Dao (north-east of the zoo), Chengdu
Telephone
+86 (0) 28 8351 6748
