Chengdu 成都
For me, the idea of China has always been tied to pandas. That’s what I grew up imagining, so getting the chance to actually see them in person felt like living out a childhood dream. A few friends and I planned a weekend trip, and honestly, it turned out to be one of my favorite experiences so far. Plus, the food is divine.
Travel
Flight
We flew late one Thursday evening from Shanghai (PVG) to Chengdu (CTU) with Chengdu Airlines for CNY 950.
Transportation to the hotel
Since it was so late at night that we arrived (our flight landed at 1:30 am), we took a DiDi to the hotel.
Accommodations
We stayed at the Sheen Chengdu University of TCM Kuanzhai Alley Hotel, which was honestly a little far from the main city. But it ended up working out perfectly, because it was near to the metro and a hospital which my friend ended up needing. It worked for our needs, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it.
Chinese Name: 西姆善居成都中医大宽窄巷子酒店
English Address: 18th-24th Floors, No. 5, First Ring Road West Section 3, Jinniu District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Room Type: Elegant Leisure Family Room (Smart Toilet + Electric Curtains + High Altitude Night View + No Card Power) · 1 Room
Cost: CNY 1,631.00 for 4 nights
Booking Link: https://www.trip.com/t/9nUaFwocqS2
Overall Rating - 3/5
Pros
Easy food delivery
Close to a metro
Close to a hospital
Cons
Kind of far away from the attractions
Second bedroom was awkwardly shaped
Attractions
Below is an overview of the attractions I went to and how I’d rate them.
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Chinese name: 成都大熊猫繁育研究基地
Address: Chenghua District
Cost: ¥55
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5) -
Chinese name: 成都IFS国际金融中心
Address: Chunxi Road, Jinjiang District, Chengdu, Sichuan
Cost: Free
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5) -
Chinese name: 锦里
Address: Wuhou District
Cost: Free
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ (3/5) -
Chinese name: 人民公园
Address: Qingyang District
Cost: Free
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5) -
Chinese name: 宽窄巷子
Address: Qingyang District
Cost: Free
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ (3/5)
Budget Breakdown
These numbers are approximate. I don’t track every expense in real time, and sometimes I pay in USD instead of yuan.
Round-trip flight (Shanghai to Chengdu) - ¥950
Accommodation (4 nights) - ¥408 (my share of the split between 4 people)
Transportation - ¥
Food - ¥
Activities - ¥
Souvenirs - ¥
Total ~ ¥
Final Thoughts
There’s something about seeing a panda in its relative natural habitat that just hits differently. It’s not the same as spotting one in a zoo. I still fully believe the panda is one of the most iconic symbols of China. Skipping Chengdu when visiting the country feels like a serious oversight. And not challenging yourself with their spicy hot pot? That’s a missed opportunity. I’d recommend this city to anyone. It’s warm, chaotic, and unforgettable in all the best ways.
If you found this article helpful or interesting, you might want to check out these others that I did for the other cities.
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