Chengdu is “Jin Guan City outside the cypresses” in the eyes of poets, “tranquil waters by the Huàn Huā River” to lovers of literature, a haven of sizzling, fragrant food to gourmets, and a city rich in culture and history to artsy youth… In short, every visitor sees a different Chengdu.
No matter when you visit, watching Sichuan Opera Face-Changing, enjoying a relaxed local lifestyle, savoring an authentic Chengdu hotpot, or buying some hotpot base as gifts for friends and family are all experiences you simply cannot miss. As the local saying goes: “Chengdu is great, seize the moment to roam.”
Must-Experience 1: Watch Sichuan Opera Face-Changing
1. Shufeng Yayun Sichuan Opera Theatre
Once a gathering place for renowned Sichuan Opera performers, it has recently reunited top artists from the region and now hosts a nightly show featuring classic opera and folk arts. The performances are highly acclaimed and have been widely reported by domestic and international media.
Highlights of the show: Mu Guiying Takes Command, Empty City Stratagem, Face-Changing, Fire-Spitting, Erhu, Suona, Two Springs Reflect the Moon, Hundred Birds Paying Homage, etc.
Official info: Follow the WeChat account Shufeng Yayun to book tickets online and get performance details.
Notes: Photos allowed, but no flash.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Showtime: 20:00 nightly
Address: No. 23 Qintai Road, City Cultural Park (near Qingyang Palace & Kuanzhai Alley)
Ticket Prices: VIP adult 260 RMB; VIP children 160 RMB; discounted 200 RMB; Costume Experience Ticket 318 RMB
2. Furong Guocui
Located in Jinjiang Theatre, this troupe gathers top Sichuan Opera performers and carefully stages classic plays, highlighting skills such as lantern-rolling, fire-spitting, and face-changing. Performances are held nightly.
Highlights: Lantern-rolling, Fire-Spitting, Face-Changing, Shadow Puppetry, Puppet Theatre, Selected Plays
Showtime: 20:00 daily
Duration: 1.5 hours
Ticket Prices: VIP 280 RMB; Category A/B 130 RMB per person (depending on seating)
Address: No. 108 Zhihui Street, Jinjiang District, Sichuan Provincial Sichuan Opera Theatre
Official Info: Search the WeChat Mini Program Furong Guocui for showtimes and official booking contacts
3. Gaiwan’er Liyuan Teahouse
Though small in scale, every performance here is lively and captivating, with no dull moments. After the show, visitors can try on opera costumes and even paint Peking Opera masks if interested.
Highlights: Tea-drinking, Mask Painting, Face-Changing
Showtime: 20:00–21:30 daily; Saturday & Sunday afternoons 14:00–15:30
Duration: 1.5 hours
Ticket Prices: Standard 71–81 RMB; VIP 99 RMB (tickets available on Dazhong Dianping)
Address: B05, Basement Level 1, Tianfu Square Metro Station, Section 1, Renmin Middle Road, Qingyang District, Chengdu
Must-Experience 2: Savor Authentic Sichuan Hotpot
The mildly spicy red oil hotpot is the standard choice for locals in Chengdu. Rich in aroma and flavor, it’s a feast for the senses. The dipping sauce usually features a sesame oil base with garlic and oyster sauce. Hotpot ingredients focus on meat and offal, with spicy heat enhancing the natural flavors—favorites include tripe, duck blood curd, pork liver, and duck intestines, which capture the essence of Sichuan hotpot.
While waiting for the food, ordering a bowl of ice jelly (bingfen) or glutinous rice cakes (ciba) is a must—these classic Sichuan snacks help cool down the spice.
Recommended hotpot restaurants include Da Long Yi Hotpot , Lao Ma Tou Hotpot , Piao Xiang Hotpot , Ba Shu Da Zhai Men Hotpot , and Tai An Ju Hotpot. Follow their official WeChat accounts to check store details and wait times.
Take Home Authentic Hotpot Base
Once you’ve tasted genuine Sichuan hotpot, the flavor is unforgettable. Bringing home some authentic Sichuan hotpot base as gifts for friends and family is highly recommended. We’ve tested mainstream hotpot bases available at supermarkets and shopping malls; the top picks include Shu Jiu Xiang , Mu Tang Xiang , and Ma La Kongjian brands.
Must-Experience 3: Stamp Collecting City Walk
For travelers who love a hands-on experience, stamp collecting has become a charming old-school hobby. Visitors bring along their cute little notebooks and wander from west to east Chengdu, visiting sights while happily stamping each location—leaving behind a personal memento: “Been to Chengdu—got my stamp, now off I go!”
Popular Stamp Spots
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People’s Park : Behind the Shaocheng Youli Cultural & Creative Shop, Exit D.
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Panda Post Office : Multiple branches—just search the name on Baidu Maps. The Shu Sock Street branch has the most stamps, including special editions for the Universiade.
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Aqi Bookstore : About 150 meters from Shu Sock Street Panda Post Office; features stamps designed by members of the China Artists Association and hosts two adorable rescue cats.
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Kuanzhai Alley : Panda Aiyou, Jianshan Bookstore (Traveler’s Post Pavilion), Sanhua Academy, Tianfu Ba Ji, Sanlian, and others. Some locations have multiple branches; the Qingyang Cultural Park branch even has a Du Fu-themed stamp.
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Jinli : Xilefang
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IFS Taikoo Li : Fang Suo, Cat City in the Sky
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Sichuan Museum : Service desk and 2nd-floor Dream Bashu exhibit
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Tianfu Square : Sweet Wine Town, where you can also pick up some brewing tips
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Lanchong Book Bar : Poetry stamps
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Chengdu Art Museum : Current Biennale-themed stamps
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Chengdu Museum : Collectible “museum edition” stamps
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Other notable spots : Du Fu Thatched Cottage, Wuhou Shrine, Jiazi Financial Museum, Sanxingdui Museum, Jinsha Site Museum (some require purchases). Essentially, almost all popular attractions in Chengdu have stamps to collect!
Example One-Day City Walk Stamp Route
People’s Park D Exit (Panda Post Office, Shaocheng Youli) → Kuanzhai Alley (Panda Post Office, Sanhua Academy, Jianshan Bookstore) → Chengdu Museum → Tianfu Square (Sweet Wine Town) → Shu Sock North Street (Panda Post Office, Aqi Bookstore).
Tips
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Bring a nice notebook , preferably with white pages for stamping.
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Most stamps in Chengdu are free , though a few require a purchase or following an official account.
Must-Experience 4: Experience Chengdu’s Slow Life
1. Sip Tea at People’s Park
People’s Park has always been a beloved spot for locals to relax with a cup of tea. Only after wandering through the park can you truly feel the essence of Chengdu as the “City of Leisure.” Whether it’s early summer or late autumn, whenever the sun comes out, the shaded areas are filled with people.
The best way to enjoy People’s Park: grab a cup of tea at Hemings Tea House , chat or daydream with friends, and soak up the authentic, unhurried Chengdu lifestyle.
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Transport: Take Metro Line 2 to People’s Park Station and walk.
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Entrance Fee: Free
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Opening Hours: All day
2. Play (or Watch) a Game of Sichuan Mahjong
Besides sipping tea, you’ll see local grandparents playing authentic Sichuan Mahjong. Join in for a lively experience, or simply watch and chat—either way, it’s a fun glimpse into Chengdu’s relaxed urban life.
3. Try the Ear-Cleaning Service
At Hemings Tea House, ear-cleaning specialists (called cai’er masters) are easy to spot. They usually recommend the ear-cleaning + ear-washing combo , but if you only want ear cleaning, you can politely decline the washing service.
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Management: All specialists are managed uniformly; complaints can be filed if needed.
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Price Reference: Ear cleaning 30 CNY/person, Ear cleaning + washing 100 CNY/person
4. Stroll Through the Artsy Old Street: Tangpa Street (Tángpá Jiē)
Tangpa Street has long been famous. Hidden behind modern skyscrapers, it bridges Chengdu’s fast-paced fashion with its leisurely lifestyle. Once used by martial monks from Daci Temple to practice with weapons stored here, the street is now a century-old lane full of historic charm, with red bricks, green trees, and a subtle urban vibe.
Today, the street is loved by young locals and brimming with:
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Trendy cafés
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Quaint bars
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Delicious restaurants
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Occasional art exhibitions
Wander around, explore shops, or rest in a cozy café—it’s pure bliss. Many shops serve coffee by day and alcohol by night, so even after dark, there’s plenty to do.
“This street, once a training ground for Daci Temple monks, got its name from storing weapons called ‘Tángpá.’ A century of weathering gives the lane a unique charm: historical buildings, 24-hour bookstores tucked in alleys, hidden cafés, and authentic local food—here, fashion meets leisure, laziness seeps into the atmosphere, and modernity clashes beautifully with history. Perhaps this is why Time Out rated it one of the world’s coolest neighborhoods!”
Must-Experience 5: Listen to Chengdu Folk Music
To truly experience Chengdu’s slow life , don’t miss the cozy bars with small stages where underground indie music thrives. Enjoy a drink, chat with friends, or simply soak in the laid-back vibe.
1. Xiao Jiuguan (Yulin West Branch)
Zhao Lei’s hit song “Chengdu” made the Xiao Jiuguan on Yulin West Road famous. The bar in the song has become an iconic symbol of Chengdu travel. When visiting Chengdu, experiencing this vibe is a must.
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Address: 55 Yulin West Road
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Bus: Yulin West Road East Station / Yulin North Road Station
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Metro: Line 3, Yiguanmiao Station, Exit B, 930m walk
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Opening Hours: 15:00–02:00
Branches:
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Xiao Jiuguan (Yulin Branch): The original bar, initially a gathering spot for contemporary artists, later became Chengdu’s underground rock venue. Zhao Lei reportedly worked here before fame.
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Xiao Jiuguan (Fangqin Branch): Due to space limits, performances moved here; also a filming location for Zhao Lei’s “Chengdu” MV.
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Xiao Jiuguan (MixC Branch): The newest and largest branch, hosting the most performances currently.
2. Tangyao Hutang Folk Bar
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Atmosphere: Full of ethnic touches—wooden doors, thangka paintings, ox heads, lanterns, weathered walls… blending ethnic style with traces of traditional Chinese aesthetics.
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Features: Fire-pit style bar; a wide variety of drinks including cocktails, beer, and craft brews.
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Recommendations: Lhasa Beer, Cleric Beer, 1664 Rosé; pairs well with cold rabbit slices and marinated chicken wings.
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Address: 48 Hongji Middle Road
3. No. 35 Folk Music Bar
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Atmosphere: Very quiet, dimly lit, perfect for focusing on live music.
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Features: Great ambiance, resident singers perform folk music; enjoy drinks while listening and chatting.
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Recommendations: Cocktails, Cleric Beer double shots
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Address: 35 Hongxing Road
Must-Experience 6: Check in at Chengdu Shopping Landmarks
When it comes to Instagrammable landmarks , the Panda at the top of IFS is an absolute must-see. You can take the elevator to the 7th floor of IFS and snap a photo with the “Climbing Panda.” Just note: this panda has become a popular photo spot, so be prepared to queue.
Photo Tips
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Avoid crowds: You can use creative angles—shoot through the glass to capture reflections for a unique effect.
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Explore the sculpture courtyard: The 7th floor is actually a sculpture courtyard, so besides the “Climbing Panda,” there are several other master-level sculptures worth photographing. In the evening, the rooftop market comes alive with tents, live music, and a lively atmosphere—many locals even bring their kids along.
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On the 1st floor: You can spot the panda’s bottom, which is perfect for playful poses—lifting it, pinching it, and other fun angles for quirky photos.
