Chengdu
“The Land of Abundance: A pulsating megacity where 3,000-year-old Bronze Age mysteries meet a high-octane tech economy, world-class spice, and the undisputed global capital of leisure.”
🇨🇳 Essential China Survival Guide (Setup BEFORE leaving!)
Payment
Visa/Mastercard rarely work. Cash can be used but is rare. Set up AliPay and/or Wechat before leaving. WeChat can be difficult to set up, AliPay is easier and handle everything from payement, transport, food delivery, and more. Payement is done 99% of the time by QR code: either point your AliPay QR code to the vendor so he can scan it, or scan the QR code that will be displayed in front of the shop/cashier, enter the correct amount, and show the vendor the screen of your phone to confirm that you did pay
Maps
Google Maps is blocked. Use Apple Maps or Gaode or Amap or Maps.me instead. We recommend to have all of them to be sure. Navigating inside the maps can be tricky as a lot ofthe adresses are in Chinese. Be patient
Internet
Gmail, IG, and WhatsApp are blocked. You NEED a VPN (LetsVPN/Astrill) before you arrive. If your phone can use an eSIM, we recommend looking into it as it is cheap, works well and acts as its own VPN
Transport/Booking
Uber is gone. Use Didi (inside Alipay). For metros, setup the "Transport" tab: switch to the desire city at the top, then follow the procedure to set up the transport card. Then scan the QR code when entering and leaving the metro. For booking, I strongly recommend using Trip.com, from hotel to train tickets. If an hotel is on Trip.com, it will accept foreigner (refusing foreigner is not allowed anymore)
Prepare before you go
It can look daunting at first because China uses completely different set of apps. If you take the time to setup the app mentionned above before you leave, you will realise that China digital ecosystem is built on speed and convenience. There's a very high chance that after visiting China you'll wonder why you don't have the same system back home. The truth is you can do the task of 5 different apps we use on AliPay alone, it's a very powerful app. If you really don't care and wanna wing it, I recommend downloading at the very least AliPay and setting it up. You'll be fine with just this honestly.""
Beste Reisezeit
Spring / Fall
Währung
CNY (Yuan/RMB)
Sprache
Local Language
Jan
3°C - 10°CHeavy down jacket, N95 masks, thermal layers
Lowest tourist numbers
Hazardous PM 2.5 air levels
Feb
5°C - 12°CWool coats, moisture-wicking thermals
Chinese New Year festivities
High humidity makes cold bite
Mar
11°C - 19°CLight layers, waterproof shoes
Cherry and pear blossoms
Occasional 'muddy' drizzle
Apr
15°C - 24°CLight sweaters, comfortable walking shoes
Optimal teahouse weather
Brief peak season for crowds
May
19°C - 27°CCotton t-shirts, light trousers
Mount Qingcheng is vibrant green
Holiday crowds in early May
Jun
23°C - 31°CQuick-dry clothes, sturdy umbrella
Long evenings for outdoor beer
Sudden torrential downpours
Jul
26°C - 33°CLoose linen, cooling towels
Baby panda cubs in nurseries
Suffocating basin heat
Aug
26°C - 34°CShorts, sun hat, UV protection
Neon-lit night markets
Sweat-drenched walking
Sep
21°C - 28°CLight layers, insect repellent
Cooling breezes return
Mosquitoes peak in parks
Oct
16°C - 22°CLight jacket, scarf for evenings
Stunning golden foliage
Golden Week (Oct 1-7) is absolute gridlock
Nov
11°C - 17°CTrench coat, warm layers
Atmospheric morning fog
Decreased daylight hours
Dec
5°C - 11°CThermal underwear, N95 masks
No crowds at major shrines
Severe smog season begins
Jinjiang (Taikoo Li)
The kinetic commercial heart where 'Fast Lane' consumerism meets 'Slow Lane' antiquity. High-end glass retail towers surround the 1,600-year-old Daci Temple, creating a jarring, futuristic juxtaposition.
Wuhou (Tibetan Quarter)
A dense enclave hosting an estimated 100,000 migrant Tibetans. The streets smell of yak butter and burning juniper, populated by monks in maroon robes and shops selling Himalayan gear.
Qingyang
A leafy, park-dense district where the traditional 'Slow Life' is preserved. It houses 70% of downtown's historical sites and is the demographic heart of Chengdu's aristocratic families.
Yulin
A maze of 1990s gray-brick socialist housing reclaimed by hipsters and creatives. It is the unpretentious soul of the city, famous for its folk-music bars and 'fly restaurants'.
Chenghua
The 'Eastern Suburb' engine turned creative hub. Brutalist factory complexes and rail yards have been converted into techno clubs, art galleries, and tech startups.
Dos & Don'ts
- The 'Shua' Standard: In Chengdu, business is leisure. If you try to rush a meeting or skip the teahouse socialising, you will fail. True trust is built over mahjong and ear-cleaning, not boardrooms.
- Gaiwan Mechanics: When drinking from a 3-piece tea set, don't take the lid off. Leave it slightly askew and use it to sweep leaves away. The lid represents Heaven, the bowl Mankind, and the saucer Earth.
- The Clink Hierarchy: When clinking glasses, your rim must be physically lower than that of your elder or boss. This is a non-negotiable sign of deference.
- The Performative Bill Fight: 'Going Dutch' is considered cheap and anti-social. A physical, noisy argument over who pays is expected. Let the host win, but try to 'fight' for the bill first.
- Red Ink Taboo: Never write a name in red ink. Historically, it was used for the names of the deceased or those about to be executed. Signing a card in red is viewed as a curse.
- Chopstick Omens: Never stick chopsticks vertically into rice. It mimics the incense used at funerals and is a profound insult to the host and a bad omen for everyone at the table.
- Public PDA Scrutiny: While same-gender friends holding hands is a normal sign of platonic closeness, heavy romantic kissing in public is viewed as a violation of conservative modesty.
- The Push & Parry: Expect a local to refuse a gift or tip three times. This Zhou Dynasty etiquette shows humility. You must insist repeatedly until they 'reluctantly' accept.
- Chengdu Belly Defense: If the spice hits too hard, do not drink water—it just spreads the oil. Drink milk or yogurt; the casein protein is the only thing that binds to and neutralizes capsaicin.
- No Tipping: China is strictly no-tip. Leaving money on the table will cause staff to chase you down to return 'lost' cash. Only high-end Western hotels accept tips.
- Tap Water Warning: Strictly non-potable. Municipal rules require a rolling boil for 60 seconds. Use bottled water for everything, including brushing your teeth.
- Monday Museum Rule: Almost all major museums are closed on Mondays. Plan your itinerary around this strict government-mandated closure.
Key Phrases
Giant Panda Breeding Base
成都大熊猫繁育研究基地
The world's premier panda sanctuary and research center, housing over 200 giant and red pandas in bamboo-forested enclosures.
Dujiangyan Irrigation System
都江堰
A 2,300-year-old dam-less engineering marvel that still prevents flooding and irrigates the entire Sichuan basin.
Sanxingdui Museum
三星堆博物馆
A disruptive archaeological site housing extraterrestrial-looking bronze masks and artifacts from a lost 3,000-year-old civilization.
Heming Teahouse
鹤鸣茶社
A 100-year-old theater of leisure where hundreds of bamboo chairs clatter beside an artificial lake in People's Park.
Wenshu Monastery
文殊院
Chengdu's best-preserved Buddhist temple complex, featuring quiet courtyards, ancient calligraphy, and a famous vegetarian restaurant.
🎒Travel Essentials for Chengdu
Curated gear recommended by locals to make your trip smoother.
N95 Smog Filtration Masks
Why you need it:Sichuan's basin traps PM 2.5 particulate matter in winter. An N95 is the only way to avoid the 'Chengdu Cough' from Dec to Feb.
Lactose-Free Dairy Snacks
Why you need it:Dairy binds to capsaicin. Having milk-based snacks on hand is the only biochemical way to neutralize sudden spicy hotpot distress.
High-Traction Walking Shoes
Why you need it:Historic stone paths in Dujiangyan and Qingcheng Mountain get incredibly slick after rain. High-grip tread is essential for survival.
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Mapo Tofu
麻婆豆腐
Scalding, ruby-red silken tofu suspended in a viscous oil of minced beef, fermented beans, and numbing peppercorns.
Sichuan Hotpot
四川火锅
A boiling cauldron of Erjintiao chilies and rapeseed oil. It is a social ritual of communal sweat and survival.
Fly Restaurants
苍蝇馆子
Hole-in-the-wall eateries known for grimy tables and legendary home-style cooking that attracts both millionaires and workers.
Dan Dan Noodles
担担面
Savory street noodles served with a pool of chili oil, soy sauce, and minced pork hidden at the bottom of the bowl.
Perfekte 24 Stunden in Chengdu
Dawn with the Pandas
"Board a Didi early to arrive at the Panda Base before opening. Skip the shuttle bus inside; walk uphill to the 'Sunshine Nursery'. You'll have 90 minutes of high-energy bear wrestling before they retreat to sleep at 10 AM. It's the only time they are actually active."
Taikoo Li Glass & Shrines
"Return to the city center via Line 3. Walk through the glass-facade luxury of Taikoo Li and step into Daci Temple. This juxtaposes the city's 1,000-year history with its high-speed modern economy. Grab a 'Suan La Fen' (hot and sour noodle) snack nearby."
People's Park & Ear Cleaning
"Settle into a bamboo chair at Heming Teahouse. Order a Gaiwan of jasmine tea. Watch the 'Marriage Market' where parents trade resumes of their children. Hire a traditional ear-cleaner for the bizarre 'acoustic' tuning fork experience."
Red Walls of Wuhou
"Wander the stunning red-walled corridors of Wuhou Shrine as the light fades. Cross into Jinli Ancient Street exactly at dusk when thousands of red lanterns ignite, illuminating the wet stone streets."
The Spicy Ritual Finale
"Dine at a local hotpot spot. Avoid the global chains—find a place with long lines and vegetable oil broth. Order a side of 'Bingfen' (Ice Jelly) to act as a fire extinguisher for your tongue."