Flights from Paris (CDG) to Chengdu (TFU)

About Chengdu

Discover Chengdu, gateway to giant pandas and Sichuan spice

Chengdu blends relaxed charm with a lively modern spirit. Tree-lined streets, wide public squares, and teahouses create a gentle pace of life, while sleek towers, shopping centres, and creative districts show a city that is always looking ahead. You will feel the contrast between tranquil corners and energetic streets in a single walk.

As the heart of Sichuan, Chengdu is known around the world for its spicy cuisine and nearby giant panda reserves. Beyond these icons, you will find leafy parks, historic lanes, and a flourishing café and nightlife scene. Whether you are here for a short visit or a longer stay, Chengdu offers a welcoming introduction to south-western China.

Top sights in Chengdu

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

Watch giant pandas and red pandas in a lush, carefully designed habitat that focuses on conservation and education.

Jinli Ancient Street

Stroll along this restored old street lined with traditional-style buildings, snack stalls, craft shops, and atmospheric courtyards.

Kuanzhai Alley (Wide and Narrow Alleys)

Explore historic lanes filled with courtyards, boutique shops, teahouses, and small museums that reveal Chengdu's past and present.

People's Park

Experience local life in this central park, where residents gather to drink tea, play games, and relax by the lake.

Jinsha Site Museum

Discover artefacts from an ancient civilisation at this modern museum built around a significant archaeological site.

Experience Chengdu's easy-going lifestyle

Chengdu invites you to slow down and observe everyday life. Spend time in a traditional teahouse, where you can linger over a pot of fragrant tea and watch games of mahjong unfold around you. In the evening, take a walk along the riverfront or through lively pedestrian streets to feel the city buzz.

The region around Chengdu offers rewarding day trips. Head to a nearby panda base for morning feeding time, when the animals are most active, or join a guided excursion into the rolling countryside and low mountains that surround the city. Food-focused tours, market visits, and hands-on cooking classes are also popular ways to learn about local ingredients and flavours.

For a different perspective, seek out cultural performances, from opera-style shows with colourful costumes and music to modern productions in contemporary theatres. Many venues are located close to central districts, making it easy to combine a performance with dinner or a night-time walk.

A taste of Chengdu

Chengdu is famous for bold, layered flavours, with dishes that can be numbing, spicy, fragrant, or delicately savoury. You can sample classics such as hotpot simmering with chillies and peppercorns, mapo tofu, and street snacks like skewers, dumplings, and noodles. Many eateries specialise in just a few dishes, perfected over time.

In addition to traditional restaurants, Chengdu now has a growing number of contemporary bistros, cafés, and dessert shops. These venues often reinterpret local ingredients in new ways, offering lighter plates, modern interiors, and creative drinks. Food courts and night-time markets are ideal if you want to try many small bites in one visit.

Dining is social and unhurried, with shared plates and long conversations. Whether you sit down at a family-run shop on a side street or a stylish restaurant in a new development, you will find that food is at the heart of Chengdu's lifestyle.

Retail therapy in Chengdu

Chengdu offers a mix of modern malls and characterful streets. Around central districts, you will find large shopping centres with international fashion, beauty brands, and lifestyle stores, often combined with cinemas and extensive dining areas. These are convenient places to pick up familiar labels in a comfortable setting.

For something more distinctive, explore older streets such as Jinli Ancient Street and the Wide and Narrow Alleys, where shops focus on handicrafts, design pieces, tea, and gifts inspired by local culture. Independent boutiques and studios are increasingly common in regenerated warehouse areas and side streets, showcasing the work of local designers.

If you enjoy browsing markets, look for areas selling everyday goods, textiles, and home items. These lively spaces reveal how residents shop and live, and you may discover unique souvenirs to bring home. Wherever you go, set aside time to wander slowly, as interesting finds often appear just off the main route.

Best time to visit Chengdu

Spring in Chengdu (March to May, shoulder season) brings mild weather and blooming parks, with average temperatures around 15–22°C (59–72°F). It is pleasant for walking city streets, visiting panda bases in cooler air, and enjoying teahouse terraces as the city becomes greener.

Summer (June to September, peak season) is warm and often humid, with average temperatures of 25–30°C (77–86°F). Longer daylight hours suit evening strolls, outdoor dining, and exploring shaded historic alleys. Occasional rain showers refresh the air and give the city a soft, misty atmosphere.

Autumn and winter (October to February, low season) are cooler, with typical temperatures between 6–16°C (43–61°F). Clearer days in autumn are ideal for excursions outside the city, while winter's crisp air creates a cosy feel in teahouses and restaurants where hotpot and warming dishes are especially enjoyable.

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