City Guide
Food — Chengdu is the undisputed heart of Sichuan cuisine, a culinary tradition listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2021 for its bold flavors, complex seasonings, and meticulous cooking techniques. Unlike other Chinese regional cuisines that focus on single dominant tastes, Sichuan food is defined by "seven flavors and eight aromas"—a symphony of spicy, numbing, sweet, sour, bitter, umami, and fragrant notes, achieved through masterful use of Sichuan peppercorn, chili, broad bean paste, and fermented soybeans. Every dish tells a story: from humble street snacks born from the needs of 19th-century laborers to royal banquets fit for emperors, Chengdu's food scene is a living archive of the city's history and creativity.
Shopping in Chengdu — Chengdu blends cutting-edge retail with
ancient street culture. The glittering Taikoo Li complex sits steps from
the Tang Dynasty Daci Temple, while Chunxi Road offers every
international brand imaginable. For souvenirs and local crafts, stroll the cobbled
lanes of Kuanzhai Alleys or Jinli Ancient Street, where Sichuan
brocade, lacquerware, and bamboo crafts make perfect keepsakes.
Visiting Chengdu — Home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites and
the world's most beloved animal, Chengdu rewards every type of traveller. Watch
giant pandas laze in bamboo groves at the Panda Breeding Research Base,
marvel at the 2,300-year-old Dujiangyan irrigation system, hike through
misty forests on Qingcheng Mountain, and immerse yourself in Sichuan
history at the magnificent Wuhou Shrine.