Must visit Chengdu (exotic and exciting)
(By Tsem Rinpoche)
Chengdu is the capital of China’s Sichuan province which is located in the southwestern part of China. This beautiful city has a rich culture and history that dates back to as far as the 4th century BCE when it used to serve as the capital for the Shu Kingdom (one of the three major states that competed for supremacy over China during the Three Kingdoms period). Artefacts from that dynasty were unearthed and are now being displayed at the Jinsha Site Museum.
Chengdu is now one of the most powerful economic, cultural and transportation centres in western China. Its airport is one of the 30 busiest airports in the world and Chengdu Railway Station is one of the six biggest in China.
Map of Chengdu, click on image to enlarge.
1. Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
The research centre has re-created the best wildlife habitat available, providing a comfortable and natural environment to accommodate the giant pandas, allowing them to live as though they are in the wild. As the years have gone by, the number of giant pandas in the wild have gone down, they are now only found in Sichuan, Shanxi and Gansu provinces. People from all over the world have been flying to Cheng Du to witness this beautiful breeding ground of the giant pandas and view the beauty of these cute bamboo-eating creatures.
Other than giant pandas, the centre also takes care of other endangered animals such as black-necked cranes, white storks, red pandas and many other rare species of wildlife animals.
Admission fee: 58 yen
Opening hours: 07:30 to 18:00 (tickets sales closes at 17:00);
The active breakfast for the pandas is between 09:00-10:00 in the morning.
Address: No.1375 Xiongmao Avenue the Outside Northern Third Ring Road, Chenghua District, Chengdu 610081, China
Transportation:
By bus:
Take bus no. 9, 18, 25, 32, 64, 70, 85, 87, 99, 146, 150, 156A, 156B, 166, 193, 245, 527, 650, 1030 or 1035 and get off at Dong Wu Yuan (Chengdu Zoo) Bus Station. Then change to bus 198 or 198A to the base.
By subway:
Take subway line 3 and get off at Dong Wu Yuan Station. Get out from Exit B and then take bus 198 or 198A direct to the base.
The red panda
2. Wen Shu Yuan Monastery
The large Wen Shu Monastery was built during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), and was once known as the Xinxiang Temple by the locals. During the reign of Emperor Kangxi, there was a Buddhist monk, Cidu, who came to the temple and built a small hut, where he lived an ascetic’s life. It is said that later, when Cidu was cremated, an image of Manjushri appeared in the fire. Therefore, people regarded Cidu as an emanation of Manjushri, the Buddha of Wisdom. Thereafter, Xinxiang temple was renamed to Wen Shu Monastery, after Manjushri’s name in Mandarin – Wen Shu Pusa.
Since the Tang and Song dynasties, there have been hundreds of paintings, artwork and calligraphy pieces exhibited at Wen Shu Monastery which makes this unique landmark alluring to historical art lovers. Amongst all the precious relics, they also exhibit a piece of broken skull belonging to Xuan Zhang, a famous Buddhist monk of the Tang Dynasty which is the rarest of the rare. The monastery houses hundreds of intricate and sacred Buddha statues that have made it through history, one of them the exquisite jade Buddha statue that was brought to China from Burma in 1922 by Xing Lin.
Admission fee: Free
Opening hours: 08:00 to 18:00
Address: 66 Wenshuyuan St, CaoShiJie, Qingyang Qu, Chengdu Shi, Sichuan Sheng, China, 610081
Transportation:
By bus:
Bus 16, 55 or 98 at Wen Shu Yuan Station
By subway:
Take subway line 1 and get off at Wen Shu Yuan Station
This plaque reads “kong lin” was bestowed upon the monastery by Emperor Kangxi.
A vegetarian restaurant within the monastery compund
Kong Lin library. Calligraphies of the great Emperor Kangxi and other famous poets can be found here.
The famed Myanmar Buddha statue that was brought back by the monastery’s monk in 1922
Next to the monastery, there’s a business district called “Wen Shu Fang”. Within this cultural street, there are some good restaurants and shops that sell local arts and crafts.
3. Du Fu Thatched Cottage
Du Fu is one of the most famous poets of China who lived during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE). The thatched cottage was home to Du Fu a thousand years ago. After escaping from the An-Shi Rebellion, he fled to Cheng Du and with the help of friends and the locals, the thatched cottage was built in 760 CE for him. During his stay there, he has composed over 200 poems which now are recognised as national treasures.
Hundreds of years later during the Song Dynasty, a temple was built on the original location to commemorate such a talented and unique individual. Ever since then, the site has been renovated and expanded from time to time. There were two major reconstructions in 1500 and 1811 respective. The shape and structure of the present cottage is the result of these reconstructions. The cottage today is a museum of Chinese literature and a commemorative museum that takes on the theme of a traditional Chinese garden.
Admission fee: 60 yen
Opening hours: May to October: 8:00-18:30 ; November to April: 8:00 -18:00 ; Ticketing stops 20 minutes before the closing time
Address: 28 Caotang Rd, QingYang GongShangQuan, Qingyang Qu, Chengdu Shi, Sichuan Sheng, China, 610072
Transportation:
By bus:
Take bus 19, 35, 58, 82, 151, 165, 170, 309, 319, 1024 or 1031, and get off at Du Fu Cao Tang station
A depiction of Du Fu
A statue of Du Fu made to commemorate the works of such an influential poet
The layout of Du Fu Thatched Cottage
The living area of the cottage
4. Mount. Qingcheng
Mount Qingcheng is one of the popular Taoist mountains in China, it is beautifully decorated with luscious trees which makes it an incredibly beautiful site. The mountain itself is surrounded by various peaks and it is shaped like a city. People call it “the most peaceful and secluded mountain under heaven”.
The mountain is divided into two sections, the anterior and posterior parts. The anterior section itself covers about 3,706 acres of land, it contains historical sites like Jianfu Palace, the Tianshi Cave and the Shangqing Palace. These 3 places are a must-visit, and people are often intrigued by its natural beauty and rich historical background.
Admission fee: Front Mountain: CNY 90 ;
Rear Mountain: CNY 20 ;
Ten-Thousand Buddha Cave: CNY 5 ;
Crystal Cave: CNY 10
Opening hours: March 2 to November 30: 08:00 to 18:00 ;
December 1 to next March 1: 08:30 to 17:00
Address: Qingcheng Mountain Town, Chengdu 611844, China
Transportation:
From Chengdu:
- Take bullet trains from Chengdu Railway Station to Qingchengshan Railway Station. Then take bus no. 101 to Mt. Qingcheng (Front Mountain).
- Take a regular bus from Xinnanmen Bus Station or Chadianzi Bus Station to Qingchengshan.
5. Luodai Ancient Town
Luodai Ancient Town is known as the world’s largest Hakka town, it is 18km away from downtown Chengdu. Hakka refers to a group belonging to the ethnic Han Chinese, who up to this day still are part of China’s largest cities. Within this famed ancient town, there is the Four Guild Walls, the Hakka park and Hakka museum which are a must-visit.
During the Three Kingdoms Period, it is said that the place was once named Wanfu Street. Based on history, the King of Shu, Liu Edou dropped his jade band in an old well in this town while trying to catch a carp. The meaning of Luodai in Chinese literally means dropping a band. Ever since then, this town was called Luodai.
Admission fee: Free
Opening hours: All day
Address: China, Sichuan, Chengdu, Longquanyi, Bajiaojing St
Transportation:
By bus:
Take bus 2, 4, 10, 23, 38, 58, 66, 71, 81, 91, 92, 94, 122, 200, 223, 517, 855A, 856, 857, or 858 to Wuguiqiao Bus Stop, and then take bus 219. Get off at the Luodai Passenger Transport Center.
By subway:
Take subway line 2 and get off at Longquanyi Station. Walk to the Music Square Bus Stop to take bus 850 to Luodai Passenger Transport Center.
6. Yongling Museum
Yongling Museum was established due to the Yongling Mausoleum which is the only overground imperial tomb in China. This tomb belongs to an extremely famous historical figure of ancient China named Wang Jian (847 – 918 CE) who was the founder of the Former Shu Regime during the chaotic period after the Tang Dynasty.
The Yongling Mausoleum has a circular base that measures 262 feet in diameter and it stands 49 feet tall. Unlike any other imperial tombs, this particular one was built in a way that it rises over the ground. The Yongling museum is located within the Yongling Park which is surrounded by the perfect view of natural landscape.
Admission fee: 20 yen for the Yongling Mausoleum. Free for other areas, but visitors should get a ticket for the exhibition hall at the entrance if they want to enter it. All sections are free for children under 4.3 feet (1.3m); half price for students between 6 and 18 years old.
Opening hours: 08:30 to 17:30 for the mausoleum and the exhibition hall. 7:00 – 22:00 for Yongling Park.
Address: 10 Yongling Rd, Jinniu Qu, Chengdu Shi, Sichuan Sheng, China, 610031
Transportation:
By bus:
Take bus no. 30, 48, 54, or 341 to Yongling Road East. Or you can take bus no. 42, 126, or 127 and get off at Yongling Luokou Station.
By subway:
Take subway line 4 to Kuanzhai Xiangzi (Wide and Narrow Alley) and get out from the exit D; then walk northward for 0.6 miles (1km).
The stone image of Wang Jian
The Yongling Museum
7. Wuhou Temple
Wuhou Temple or the Memorial Temple of Marquis Wu was built in dedication of Zhuge Liang or Kongming (181-234 CE), the Marquis Wu (Wuhou), of the Kingdom of Shu during the reign of the Three Kingdoms. Zhuge Liang was an intelligent and strategic individual who with his capability and intelligence, greatly benefited and helped his nation to win battles against the opponents.
The temple itself is 398,277 square feet, located at the south residential area of Chengdu. It was built next to the temple of Liu Bei who was then the Emperor of Shu. Initially the Wuhou temple was connected to the Liu Bei temple but then in 1672, it was rebuilt to what we see now. The main skeleton of the temple is divided into five sections: the gate, the second gate, the corridor, the hall of Liu Bei and the hall of Zhuge Liang. Inside, there are some attractive figures of these great historical figures of the past which is what makes this place a huge tourist attraction.
Admission fee: 60 yen
Opening hours: 08:00 to 18:00
Address: China, Sichuan, Chengdu, Wuhou, Wuhouci St, no. 23.
Transportation:
By bus:
Take no. 1, 57, 82, 334 and 335 to get off Wuhouci Station.
By subway:
Take subway line 3 and get off at Gaoshengqiao. Then walk eastwards along Wuhouci Avenue for 3-5 minutes to find the temple.
People gathered around during special celebrations
8. Sanxingdui Museum (Three-Star Pile Museum)
An archeological museum that features various modern facilities and technologies, it is located in the Northeast Three-Star Piles archeological site, west of the famous cultural city of Guanghan, on the bank of Jian River (commonly called Yazi River). The museum occupies an area of nearly 1 acre. It was opened in October 1997, and the historical relics being conserved in this great museum were mostly discovered from the Three-Star Piles Site which is a cultural relic of the ancient Shu (Sichuan). It was this great discovery that transformed people’s perception towards this rich and ancient culture and its background. This is definitely a must-visit if you are a fan of ancient history.
Admission fee: CNY 80 (ordinary entrance ticket);
CNY 82 (postcard style entrance ticket)
Opening hours: Ticket Hours: 8:30-17:00;
Exibition Hours: 8:30-18:00;
Bronze Exhibition Hall: 8:30-18:30;
Address: West of Guanghan, Guanghan 618305, China
Transportation:
By bus:
Take bus no. 1, 49, 53, 71, 83, 85, 87, 90, 156 or 530 to Zhao Jue Si (Zhaojue Temple) Station. Then take a regular bus from Zhao Jue Si Bus Station to Guanghan City. It takes around 30 to 40 minutes. Then take city bus 6 to get there.
9. Jinsha Site Museum
The museum was built in 2006 after six long years of construction. The museum occupies about 9 acres. The main body of the museum mainly consists of the Relics Hall, the Exhibition Hall, the Ecological Garden, and the Cultural Heritage Protection Center. It is an unusual site compared to many other museums because this particular one combines the essence of both modern and ancient civilisations which makes it unique for current crowds.
It was built to protect and study the archaeological findings from the Jinsha Site which was unearthed by archaeologists in February 2001. The Jinsha site could probably date back to around 3,000 years ago, from the time during the late Shang Dynasty (17th-11th century BC) to 770 BC-476 BC. It is the second most ancient city of Shu found after the Three-Star Piles Museum. Precious ancient architecture and relics can be seen in this museum.
Admission fee: 80 yen for adults;
Free for children under 4.3 feet (1.3m) or no more than 6 years old;
Free for seniors over 70 years old (valid passport or ID card required);
3D movies needs extra admission fee;
Free on May 18 (International Museum Day)
Opening hours: 8:00 – 18:00 (ticket sales closes at 17:30) The Relics Hall, Exhibition Hall, and Tourist Center close regularly on Mondays from March to June & September to December, except on public holidays. The Ecological Garden remains open on these days for those who enjoy free entry policy. They are allowed to enter via the northeast gate at No. 1, Jinbo Road.
Address: 2 Jinsha Yizhi Rd, JinSha ShangQuan, Qingyang Qu, Chengdu Shi, Sichuan Sheng, China, 610091
Transportation:
By bus:
Take bus 5, 79, 82, 83, 84, 100, 111, 123, 147, 163, 805, 848 or 1043, and get off at East Gate of Jinsha Site Museum (Jinshayizhidongmen) Station.
By subway:
Take subway line 2, get off at Yipintianxia Station and get out from Exit B. Then go north around 1094 yards (1 kilometer) to the east gate.
Artifacts that were unearthed on the site
The gold phoenix disc that was unearthed on site, it is now the logo of the museum
Gold mask
10. Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi (Wide Narrow Alley)
This site consisting of Wide Alley, Narrow Alley and Well Alley, are three parallel ancient city alleys, and comprise one of the most historical sites of Chengdu, alongside Wenshu Monastery and Daci Monastery. The history of this unique alley dates back to the Qing Dynasty. During that era, the area was a city within Chengdu city called Mancheng City. The city has since decayed quite a lot as time passed by. What is left now is the Wide and Narrow Alley.
Today this particular street has been turned into a commercial district. It is now a popular recreation area and a prominent tourism site with various restaurants, bars, coffee houses and souvenir shops.
Address: East of Tongren Road, west of Changshun Street, Qingyang District, Chengdu 610015, China.
Transportation:
By bus:
Take bus no. 62, 70, 93, 126, 127, 163 or 340, and get off at Kuanzhai Xiangzi Station.
By subway:
Take subway line 2, get off at People’s Park Station, get out from Exit D1 and then walk along Changshun Upper Road to get there.
Wide alley
Narrow alley
Local delights can be found along the alleys
Sources:
- https://www.tripadvisor.com.my
- https://en.wikipedia.org
- https://www.travelchinaguide.com
For more interesting information:
- Du Fu – a Poet Savant
- Giritale, Sri Lanka (site of the replica Avukana Buddha)
- The Four Exalted Brothers
- Mount Wutai – The Earthly Abode of Lord Manjushri
- Heruka’s eye (胜乐金刚之眼)
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If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team
Chengdu is a sub-provincial city which serves as the capital of the Chinese province of Sichuan. The city is also home to the famous Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, a conservation center where visitors can view endangered giant pandas in a natural habitat. Been an ancient city with a history of more than 3,100 years, it offer many tourist attraction. Many of the ancient sites around Chengdu reflect the influence of Buddhism, as well as the agricultural history of the region. Thousands of tourists both locally and internationally will flock to this city the beauty of it. It seem Chengdu is one of the most leisurely cities in the world. Well , Chengdu is famous for its spicy hot pot and many other mouth tingling dishes. This is because of the world famous Sichuan peppercorn that is grown in the region. Not only that the Giant statues of the Buddha one in Leshan, show the enduring presence of Buddhism on the area.
Reading this post help a lot for those first timers visitors like me. I am glad my friends and me made it there to see for ourselves. I wish i could revisit this beautiful and exciting Chengdu again in future. Loved seeing those ancient architecture of those temples and of the city.
Thank you Rinpoche for this wonderful post with details.
China is big and it is ancient. It is full of history with very rich in culture. Apart from the cute pandas, there are many temples in Chengdu that we can visit. Overall, China has a very good public transport system, tourists can move around easily.
Visiting Chengdu is truly exotic and exciting, I was there a few months back I saw it myself. The city is also home to the famous Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, a conservation center. Its a good place if one would like to see the Pandas even though it a bit far away from town area. But it is really worth seeing it. The Chengdu Wuhou Shrine, Manjushri Monastery, Du Fu Thatched Cottage are some of the attraction at Chengdu. Chengdu is famous for its spicy hot pot and many other mouth tingling dishes as well.
Thank you Rinpoche for this wonderful sharing.
Thank you very much for sharing these beautiful and exotic city of Chengdu.It is one of the most powerful economic cultural and transportation centres in western China.
There is so many interesting things Chengdu can offer as it is a cultural centers,unique a architecture and historical sites
All the pictures are so interesting and beautiful. I like seeing all the old architecture. So nice and authentic. Would love to visit Chengdu one day. Before this I only know relate panda to Chengdu. Now I know this place more. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing the info about Chengdu.
Chengdu is one of the three most popular cities in Western China, where the other two cities are Chongqing and Xi’an. I only came to know about Chengdu when there was an earthquake occurred in Sichuan province in 2008. It is totally affected and gave much challenges to China in protecting this fragile population at that moment.
From this post, we have 10 attractive places to visit and it is not limited to visit Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Thank you Rinpoche and the team to provide this useful information about Chengdu.
Thank you Rinpoche and blog team for this interesting and beautiful article of Chengdu. I have always heard of Chengdu from friends who goes there for company trips,but have not seen such amazingly beautiful pictures of Chengdu before. I love the temples,museum artifacts and scenery. Am always happy to see beautiful places which I’m unable to visit ._/\_
I would visit exotic and exciting Chengdu , with its beautiful scenic mountain, lakes and lovely trees,wildlife – lovely pandas, storks and cranes, a poet’s thatched cottage, historical places and cultural treasures – memorials, temples,museums,above-ground mausoleum, archaeological sites and ancient architectural structures and monuments!
At Du Fu Thatch Cottage, I would drink in the memory of this poet of historical renown composing his 200 over poems here, which have now become national treasures!
At Wen Shu Yuan Monastery, I would recall the holy being and monk, Cidu, who came here from Emperor Kiangxi’s area, to practice in austerity as an ascetic, and ,upon whose cremation,an image of Manjushri appeared. Thus was he seen as an emanation of Manjushri and thus was this temple renamed after Manjushri, Buddha of Wisdom!
Standing in the grounds of Wuhou Memorial Temple, I would imagine that it was here that historically famed military strategist Zhuge Liang planned his brilliant strategies!At this point, I would recall how , as a general, with only 100 troops, he was able to successfully defend a town against 150,000!His brilliant strategy was to hide his men, fling open the gates and just sit on the walls, and play his lute! Just as he anticipated,the opposing general thought it was a trap.. So he ordered his huge army to retreat!
Above all, I would spend time enjoying the pandas and the beauty of the storks and cranes in this rare place, where all this lovely wildlife is being preserved!
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this post on the exotic exciting city of Chengdu.
Wow…..looking through those beautiful pictures and reading the article of Chengdu,its worth going there. I always love seeing beautiful architecture of ancient buildings.Chengdu is a beautiful city with rich culture and history back dated to centuries ago. There’s so much Chengdu can offer for tourist and local as its a cultural centre ,with ancient artifacts , unique architecture and many historical sites.
I have not been to there yet,would love to visit some day as there also beautiful monasteries and the beautiful breeding ground of the giant pandas at the research center .
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing these exotic and exciting city of Chengdu.
One of the cities I want to visit. This article make we want to go there now. LOL.
This guide is good for people who wants to start researching to go to Chengdu. The places to visit is a must and must be included in your itinerary. China is progressing so fast and they have not neglected their culture and preservation in the name of progress. The Pandas recently are no longer classified as endangered species all due the their efforts. All historical sites are also well preserved and taken cared of as we can see from the pictures.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this article about Chengdu. I’m amazed with their culture, architectures and sceneries. China is so big that they have so much space to built temples and monasteries and also to built sanctuaries for the animals so that they will feel more comfortable to their natural habitat. Chengdu is a really must visit place if given the chance. It is so interesting to visit and learn about other people’s culture. It is also bless to visit some of the pilgrimage sites for example the Wen Shu Yuan Monastery.
With folded palms,
Vivian
I am intrigued to read about the Chengdu, it is a beautiful state in China. Its defintely a sanctuary for the Red Panda and Giant Pandas.
Giant Pandas incidentally are no longer endangered, the Red Panda is in danger of extinction due to a variety of human related activities. I hope the Chinese will preserve this very unique animal and I know they can do it.
I also liked that there is temple to Zhuge Liang, a military genius, he has almost never been bested in the field of battle or strategy. He was the stuff of legends, in terms of his insight into military strategy.
The last one is a museum of the Shu artifacts, some of the bronze artifacts look quite distinctly non human, why would artisans create stuff based on something on something that does not exist? I think thats very intriguing.
Looks like Chengdu itself has many attractions. Although pilgrimages to places like Buddha’ s birthplace, Tibet and Wutai Shan in China are on my top list, but if I happened to be in Chengdu, may I recall this article so that I can visit these places. Thank you Rinpoche and others.
Chengdu looks like a very happening place with loads of interesting sights for all. A lot of history and nature. loved the pandas and koi fishes. Wonder if it is possible to travel comfortably without knowledge of the local language.
Thank you for an interesting tour online.