Scenes from...Chengdu

The capital of Szechuan province is well worth a visit.

Mar 06, 2026

Chengdu itself is the capital of Szechuan province and, with a population of over 20 million people, the fourth most populous urban area in China (behind Chongqing, Shanghai and Beijing).

So while I committed two of my three days in Chengdu to distinct activities (Day 1 – Pandas, Day 2 – the Leshan Giant Buddha), I spent my third and final day roaming the city proper, which has enough to see and do to merit its own day.

All photos are shot by me, unless stated otherwise.

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People’s Park

People’s Park, located near the center of the city, is a calm oasis to escape the chaos of Chengdu’s traffic and crowds. In it are plenty of elderly Chinese enjoying their days, walking in the Bonsai Garden, playing Mahjong and practicing Tai-Chi. You will also see young people playing badminton and hacky-sack!

There is also an interesting mix of architecture, some traditional Chinese buildings blended seamlessly with more modern styles.

You could easily spend an hour or so getting lost in the park, or even longer if you elect to visit the 100-year-old Heming Teahouse. There are many teahouses in the area, but this particular one is popular (probably because its 100 years old and located in the park) and is a great way to unwind and people watch (or, if you are like me and one of the very few white people inside, get stared at the entire time)

Inside People’s Park, have tea at the century-old Heming Tea House.

You should also visit one of the many shrines dotted across the city. Personally, I find it best to visit one site and take my time rather than race around to a bunch of different shrines / temples (this isn’t exclusive to Chengdu but rather my philosophy for most locations). While there may be a few site that pique your interest, after a while they can all seem pretty similar (especially if you don’t take a tour or have much context for what is going on).

Chengdu Wuhou Shrine Museum

I visited the Chengdu Wuhou Shrine Museum. Wuhou is not a religious monument, but rather is dedicated to the historical figures Zhuge Liang and Liu Bei dating back to the Shu Han Dynasty (221-264 AD) and the Three Kingdoms era.

But even if you don’t have much interest in the actual history, Wuhou is still a great place to wander and immerse yourself in a reverential place (though arrive early because the crowds can get out of hand).

Red is the national color in China and symbolizes good fortune. So people travel far and wide to takes pictures in front of traditional red walls found in shrines and temples.

Peace and serenity in the grounds.

KuanZhai alley

Across the city, there are a number of different places where you can find historic alleyways offering up street food and traditional souvenirs (e.g., Chinese tea, stuffed pandas, etc.) The best place to do this is along the pedestrian-only KuanZhai alley. Kuan (wide) Zhai (narrow) alley is a great place to hang out and grab a meal, coffee, or simply observe people.

At night, be sure to wander around the Anshun Bridge Area

When it is getting dark, be sure to make your way to Anshun Bridge to check out the lights. The current version is a reconstructed version completed in 2003, after previous versions (dating back to the 18th century) were destroyed by floods.

Inside is a restaurant and bar, which, while I did not go, are probably pretty nice (and pricey!). But there are plenty of spots located along the water if you want to eat or drink with a view. Or, you can elect to take a river cruise and take in the night lights from the water.