More about Chengdu 

On flights to Chengdu you will be arriving in the capital of Sichaun Province in south-western China. With a recorded history dating back to the 4th century BC and more than 9 million people now living in greater Chengdu, the city has become an important economic centre and transportation hub in Western China.

Chengdu sits on the western edge of the fertile plains of the Sichaun Basin - a low-lying flat area of land famous for its rice cultivation and gas production. Because of its agricultural wealth, Chengdu is sometimes referred to as the “land of milk and honey”.

The Funan river runs through Chengdu and the greater city area is divided into five districts and 12 counties. The awe-inspiring Tibetan Plateau and scenic mountains of west Sichuan are just an hour's drive to the west of Chengdu.

Holidays in Chengdu are popular because of the city’s laid back lifestyle, good nightlife scene and westernized infrastructure. This and its plentiful green spaces have led Chengdu being ranked as one of the most livable megacities in China.

The weather is largely mild, cloudy and humid as it has a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate. January temperatures average 5.6 °C and snow is rare. July and August average 25 °C, with afternoon sometimes reaching 33 °C. These months also receive the highest amount of rainfall. 

However, don't go on holiday to Chengdu thinking you'll get a tan as the city has one of the lowest sunshine totals in the country - less than London!
 

What to do in Chengdu

See the pandas
Take a trip to Chengdu and see giant panda bears in their native habitat! Sichuan Province is home to more than 80 percent of the world's giant pandas and is a leader in the captive breeding of these pandas.

Visit the Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Center, located just 10km away from downtown Chengdu, to see these adorable animals in an environment created to mimic pandas' natural habitat. The best time to go is 9-10am when the giant bears have their breakfast!

For a greater variety of animals, head to Chengdu Zoo is in the northern suburbs of the city. It is one of the biggest zoos in China, covering 18 hectares and with more than 250 varieties of animals living there.

Cultural tour
Sichuan University Museum is one of the best in China and is well worth visiting when you fly to Chengdu. There is a great display of local artefacts over four floors of the building and good English translations are available.

Chengdu is famous for its relaxed lifestyle. Foot and body massage is very popular for those on holiday in Chengdu, with many kinds on offer. Teahouses are also plentiful in Chengdu, as drinking tea and playing Mahjong is how many local people unwind.

For shopping, the best place to visit is the Chunxi Road area, which is home to more than 700 shops including malls, department stores, boutiques and street stalls. Head to Songxian Qiao Antique Market for communist relics, old porcelain dishes, jewellery, calligraphy equipment and a range of Tibetan handicrafts.