Chengdu

1. Do's and Don'ts

Do

• See the Pandas (Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding): The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is a world-renowned center dedicated to panda conservation. Here, you can get up close and personal with these adorable creatures, learn about their daily lives and breeding habits, and maybe even see some panda cubs! It’s a must-see for many visitors. It’s recommended to buy tickets online in advance to avoid long lines, especially during peak season.
  • Best visit time: 8~9 AM or 2:30 PM when the pandas wake up for feeding.
  • This is a must-see for Chinese tourists as well, so expect crowds even in weekdays.
  
• Explore Ancient Shu Civilization (Sanxingdui Museum): The Sanxingdui site is one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. The Sanxingdui Museum showcases the treasures of this mysterious ancient civilization, including unique bronze masks, exquisite gold artifacts, and jade objects. It's like stepping back in time. Plan to spend at least half a day here.
  
• Experience Authentic Tea Culture: Chengdu's tea culture is a huge part of everyday life. People hang out in teahouses, sipping tea and chatting, kind of like grabbing a beer at the pub in Liverpool. Find a teahouse to relax, play mahjong, or catch a Sichuan opera face-changing performance. Teahouses around Jinli Ancient Street are a good bet.
  • You can take a bike along Nanhe River (南河) and stop by one of the tea houses along the river for a break.
• Try the Street Food: Sample some classic snacks like Long Chao Shou (wonton soup) and Zhong Shui Jiao (dumplings). There are tons of great street food stalls around Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street.
• Pack Toilet Paper and Anti-Diarrheal Medication: Public restrooms in Chengdu often don't have toilet paper or hand sanitizer, so it's best to bring your own. Also, Chengdu is known for its spicy food, which can sometimes upset your stomach, so packing some anti-diarrheal meds is a good idea.
• Go Hiking in Western Sichuan: Western Sichuan is a beautiful area with stunning mountain scenery and well-preserved minority cultures. It's not overly commercialized, making it perfect for hiking. If you have the time, a 1-2 day hike is highly recommended.

Don't

• Avoid Overly Touristy Spots: Places like Kuanzhai Alley are famous, but they're also super touristy and have lost some of their authentic charm.
• Don't Trust Cheap Tour Groups on the Street: These tours are often poorly organized and may include forced shopping stops. It's better to book with a reputable agency.
• Don't Accept Free Samples or Gifts from Strangers: Sometimes this is a way to lure tourists into shops. Be cautious and politely decline unwanted offers.
• Avoid Illegal Ride-Hailing Services: You might encounter "black cabs" (unlicensed taxis) near some attractions. Stick to legitimate transportation services like Didi.

2. Where to Stay (Convenient and with Local Flavor)

• Chunxi Road Business District: As one of Chengdu's busiest shopping areas, this area is super convenient for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
• Around Wuhou Shrine and Jinli: If you want to dive deeper into the Three Kingdoms period and Chengdu's history, staying near Wuhou Shrine or Jinli is a great choice.

3. What to Eat (You don't need to go far; great food is everywhere)

Near Jinli Ancient Street

• 陈麻婆豆腐 (Chén mápó dòufu): Chen Mapo Tofu (a legendary, centuries-old restaurant famous for its Mapo Tofu—a must-try!)
• 龙抄手 (Lóng chāoshǒu): Long Chao Shou (a famous snack shop serving various types of wontons)
• 钟水饺 (Zhōng shuǐjiǎo): Zhong Shui Jiao (another famous old brand known for its unique dumplings)
• 担担面 (Dàndàn miàn): Dan Dan Noodles (you can find authentic Chengdu-style Dan Dan Noodles here)
• 张老二凉粉 (Zhāng lǎoèr liángfěn): Zhang Lao Er Liangfen (a refreshing cold noodle dish, perfect for summer)

Chunxi Road Business District

• 蜀九香火锅 (Shǔ jiǔ xiāng huǒguō): Shujiuxiang Hot Pot (a popular hot pot chain known for its flavorful, but not overly spicy, broth and fresh ingredients)
• 大龙燚火锅 (Dà lóng yì huǒguō): Dalongyi Hot Pot (famous for its super spicy broth—great for those who like it hot!)
• 冒椒火辣串串香 (Màojiāo huǒ là chuàn chuàn xiāng): Maojiao Hot and Spicy Skewers (chuan chuan xiang is like a mini hot pot with skewers, and it's super affordable)
• 赖汤圆 (Lài tāngyuán): Lai Tangyuan (a dessert shop serving sweet glutinous rice balls in various flavors)
• 夫妻肺片 (Fūqī fèipiàn): Fuqi Feipian (a classic cold dish with a rich, complex flavor)

4. Getting Around

• Shared Bikes: Shared bikes are everywhere in Chengdu. You can unlock them with Alipay or WeChat Pay. They're perfect for short hops, especially around scenic areas.
• Public Transportation (Buses and Subway): Chengdu has a great public transportation system with an extensive subway network. You can use mobile payments (Alipay/WeChat Pay) and check real-time bus and subway info on Baidu Maps or AMap (高德地图).
• Ride-Hailing Apps: Use Didi (it's like Uber). It has an English interface and you can even use it directly within WeChat or Alipay (just search for "DiDi"). Taxis are less convenient.
• Getting to Outlying Attractions: For places like Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, you can take a long-distance bus or book a day tour.

5. Local Life (Experiencing Local Culture)

• See a Sichuan Opera Face-Changing Performance: Face-changing is a unique part of Sichuan opera. You can catch a show at theaters in Jinli Ancient Street. There are usually multiple shows a day, and you can usually buy tickets on the spot (unless it's a holiday).
• Experience the Nightlife: Chengdu is known for its vibrant nightlife. Check out Chunxi Road, Taikoo Li, or Jiuyan Bridge for great food and drinks.
• Go Hiking: The areas around Chengdu, with 2~3 hours' travel, are home to stunning mountain scenery and diverse ethnic minority cultures. Hiking is an awesome way to experience this. If you have time, definitely plan a 1-2 day trek in Western Sichuan.