Attractions in Chengdu

The Leshan Giant Buddha is a 71-meter-tall stone statue of Maitreya carved into a cliff face where three rivers converge. It is the largest stone Buddha in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.

The New Century Global Center is the world's largest standalone building by floor area, covering 1.76 million square meters. This colossal structure houses an indoor beach resort, water park, IMAX cinema, ice rink, shopping mall, and offices.

The Dujiangyan Irrigation System is a 2,270-year-old hydraulic engineering marvel that still irrigates over 5,300 square kilometers of farmland today. Built in 256 BC by governor Li Bing, it is the oldest surviving no-dam irrigation system in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Mount Qingcheng is a sacred Taoist mountain and UNESCO World Heritage Site located 68 km northwest of Chengdu. Its mist-shrouded peaks, ancient temples, and dense forests have inspired Chinese painters and poets for over 2,000 years.

The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is the world's foremost giant panda conservation center, home to over 200 pandas. Founded in 1987 with six rescued giant pandas, the 247-hectare facility simulates their natural habitat with lush bamboo groves and landscaped hills.

Anshun Bridge is an illuminated covered bridge spanning the Jin River in central Chengdu. Originally built during the Yuan dynasty for a post road, the current reconstruction blends traditional architecture with modern dining and entertainment.

Qingyang Palace (Green Ram Palace) is the oldest and most significant Taoist temple in southwestern China. Legend holds that Laozi, the founder of Taoism, met his pupil Yin Xi at this site, making it a sacred place of Taoist philosophy.

The 339 TV Tower is Chengdu's space-age communications tower, rising 339 metres above the city centre east of the river. An observation deck near the summit offers 360-degree views over the basin, and a revolving restaurant serves Sichuan fusion cuisine.

Wenshu Monastery is Chengdu's best-preserved Buddhist temple complex, dedicated to Manjushri (Wenshu), the bodhisattva of wisdom. The tranquil compound houses over 190 Buddha statues and a renowned vegetarian restaurant.

Mount Emei is one of China's Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rising to 3,099 meters. Its Golden Summit temple, sea of clouds, and diverse ecosystems from subtropical to alpine make it one of Sichuan's most spectacular destinations.

Daci Temple is a Tang dynasty Buddhist monastery nestled incongruously within the modern Taikoo Li shopping district. The well-preserved temple features elegant halls, ancient ginkgo trees, and a working community of monks.

Tianfu Square is the central plaza of Chengdu, anchored by a 30-meter-tall statue of Chairman Mao and flanked by the Sichuan Science and Technology Museum and Chengdu Museum. It serves as the symbolic heart of the city.

Jiezi Ancient Town is a Tang-dynasty settlement in the hills 65 km west of Chengdu that has largely escaped the heavy commercialisation of more famous water towns. Stone-bridge lanes, temple courtyards and teahouses line a mountain stream, and a trail leads up to the hilltop Guangyan Temple.

Anren is a heritage town 40 km west of Chengdu that contains over 30 small private museums housed in restored Republican-era mansions. The collections range from folk art and calligraphy to wartime history and agricultural implements.

Wangjiang Tower Park lines the banks of the Jin River in eastern Chengdu, built to commemorate the Tang-dynasty poet Xue Tao. The park is famous for its extraordinary bamboo garden — over 150 species from around the world, including some rare specimens found nowhere else in cultivation.

Near the entrance to Du Fu's Thatched Cottage, a 200-metre-long painted mural depicts scenes from the life and poetry of the Tang-dynasty poet Du Fu. The colourful panorama illustrates his journey from court poet to exiled wanderer, with key verses calligraphed alongside the images.

The Bell Tower within the Wuhou Shrine complex is a graceful pavilion offering elevated views over the Three Kingdoms memorial gardens. The ancient bronze bell is rung during festival ceremonies, and the tower terrace provides an elevated perspective over the shrine's cypress-shaded courtyards.

Eastern Suburb Memory (东郊记忆) is a creative arts district built in a repurposed state-owned electronics factory from the 1950s. The industrial complex now houses music venues, galleries, studios, and street art, embodying Chengdu's contemporary creative scene.