Guide to Chengdu Attractions

Chengdu Attractions

Sabrina's Country Store - Western Groceries

Located across the street from Sichuan University's west gate, Sabrina's Country Store is likely essential to any expat living in Chengdu, especially families with children. To those foreigners who are well immersed in China, Sabrina's may strike you as a bit of reverse culture shock. The impressive selection of cheeses, candy, canned goods, and cereals (just to name a few items) almost causes a bit of confusion as to one's whereabouts. Foreigners who love to cook should definitely stop by Sabrina's for its selection of cooking ingredients and spices, items which are extremely difficult to find in China. For budget travelers, the store won't be of much use as prices are rather high, unless you are really craving a Reese's or are in need of some canned goods for a camping excursion.

Directions: Sabrina's is located on Kehua Beilu across the street from Sichuan University's west gate and Peter's Tex-Mex Grill. Headed south, it is just before the intersection with the American consulate road. Bus nos. 6, 49, 55, and 110 pass by the restaurant on Kehua Beilu

Mix Hostel

Since opening its doors in March 2005, Mix Hostel has wasted little time in becoming the busiest and most popular youth hostel in Chengdu. The hostel contains 105 beds in 35 rooms. Rooms with air conditioning incur an extra fee of Y10 per night. There are no private bathrooms in any of the singles, doubles, or dorms at Mix which is part of what keeps the price so low. Laundry is Y10 per load, there are 20 gigs of music stored on the computer, and the hostel also boasts wireless internet. There is a well-stocked DVD room, a bar, and a small restaurant serving up Western dishes and some Sichuan treats for Y5-20.

The hostel was opened by a young Chinese couple named Mix and Gigi, who just wanted to give back to the travel community they love so much. The atmosphere reflects the passion for travel of the owners, as the tastefully decorated lobby is constantly bustling with travelers sharing a drink and a story.

Note: Mix is a great place to meet travelers, relax, and book tours. The only catch is that it is a bit far from most of the nightlife in the southern part of the city, so expect a relatively large taxi fare when you head home at night.

How to get there: IF YOU BOOK AT MIX IN ADVANCE THEY WILL ARRANGE TO PICK YOU UP AT THE TRAIN STATION. Mix is easy to find from the north train station. Chengdu’s main road. From the train station, take bus 16 or 55 and get off at the third stop and head left down Xinghui Xilu. The hostel is on the left side. If you cross the Fu river, you’ve gone too far. From the airport, take the 303 bus to its terminus at the Minshan Hotel. Then walk across the street and catch the 16 bus headed up town. After a few kilometers, you will pass the Wenshu Monastery and Fu river. Get off and turn right down Xinghui Xilu.

Book a room at Mix Hostel Chengdu Guesthouse

Xinjiang Flavor Restaurant

Xinjiang Autonomous Region forms the northwest part of China and represents a culture quite different from that of the Han Chinese. The Xinjiang Flavor Restaurant (loosely translated) serves tasty dishes that demonstrate just how different the Islamic Uyghur culture of Xinjiang is. Any foreigner living or traveling in China has not truly tasted ‘yang rou chuan’ （lamb-kebabs）, until they have tried them Xinjiang style. For only 1 Yuan each, large lamb skewers are served en masse and with a smile from the friendly, although sometimes pushy Uyghur staff. Be sure to wash down the lamb with some fresh Naan bread, prepared on location, and some Xinjiang style fried rice which includes small lamb chunks and carrots.

There is no English spoken at the restaurant and no English on the menus. It is not a big problem though, because there are only four main items to worry about, and three of them are prepared out front in plain view of the patrons, so a basic pointing charade will do the trick for those who do not speak any Chinese.

羊肉串，yang rou chuan, lamb kebabs

囊饼， nang bing, Xinjiang sesame bread

手抓饭，shou zhua fan, Xinjiang fried rice with lamb chunks

大盘鸡，da pan ji, ‘big plate of chicken’ – spicy chicken with assorted vegetables

One recent meal for 8 of us cost 68 yuan. Another meal for 10 of us cost 76 yuan. The restaurant is certainly affordable. I really enjoy eating here if you couldn’t already tell.

How to get there: The Xinjiang Flavor Restaurant is located in the ZongBei neighborhood, just off of Kehua Beilu and due south of Sichuan University’s south gate. The restaurant is at the corner of Guojiaqiao Beijie and Kehua Jie. Buses 6, 55, and 110 head south on Kehua Beilu. Get off the bus just before the south second ring road (at the plaza with Le Cafe Paname), cross the road, and head straight down Kehua Jie.

Women's Market

Literally translated as 'Women's Street', a women's market is a more suitable description. Located in the heart of the central business district, across the street from Ran Fang Jie and close to ChunXi Lu, the winding halls of the market are perfect for the ravenous female shopper. Any kind of clothing accessory, jewelry, or style of young women's fashion can be found here. The market is a two-floor maze of tiny wall stalls and little shops. Although I can't speak from experience, I'd imagine females could kill a large part of the day here, not to mention all of the surrounding shopping areas. Another market just like it is just across DaYe Jie, next to Ran Fang Jie. Remember to bargain hard in both places.

How to get there: The market is just a few minutes walk from Tianfu Square. Walk east on RenMin DongLu or DongYu Jie and then turn right on ShunCheng Jie. The moment that ShunCheng Jie becomes DaYe Jie, the market will be on the left hand side on the corner with multiple entrances from DaYe Jie and ShangDong DaJie. Look underneath a long, wide yellow sign.

Carol's Too

Formerly Carol's on the River, Carol's Too has opened at a new location on Renmin Nanlu in the heart of the bar district in Chengdu's southern end. A quiet Mexican restaurant by day, Carol's really picks up at night, especially on the weekends, with a crowd that runs the gamut of Chengdu residents. Chinese students and businessmen, foreign travelers, teachers, and expats are all found drinking and dancing the night away at Carol's. The music is almost entirely Western, featuring mostly mainstream pop and hip-hop. There is a sizable dance floor complimented by two floors of seating as well as plenty of outdoor tables. Large bottles of Carlsberg cost Y15 and draught pints cost Y20.

Carol's Too is right on Renmin NanLu, Chengdu's main thoroughfare, across from a strip of tiny bars. It is on the east side of the street, located between the sports arena and the American Consulate road.

Kempinski Hotel (5 Star)

The Kempinski Hotel is arguably Chengdu’s most luxurious hotel. Business travelers will find it is conveniently located next to the new IT sector of Chengdu and a short, direct taxi ride south of Tianfu Square. The hotel offers every amenity one would expect of a 5-star hotel, and even includes a German ’beer garden’ and an airline ticketing office. The most interesting aspect of the hotel has to be the Filipino house band which performs on weekends. The attractive women wear traditional school girl outfits and sing covers of famous classic tunes from Pink Floyd to Simon and Garfunkel. It is truly one of the stranger acts one will ever witness in their entire lifetime.

Directions: The Kempinski is located in the very south end of the city on Renmin Nanlu. It is close to the airport expressway. Show the taxi driver the address in Chinese or Pinyin and he will know where it is.

Le Cafe Panam(e)

Chengdu nightspots usually appeal to one crowd or another. At Le Café Panam(e), however, your chance of chatting up an elderly expat are just as likely as an eager, wide-eyed Chinese university student. Whether its coffee, a classic baguette, or French desserts in the early evening (Y10-15), a few draught beers (Y20/pint) later on, or a live DJ on the late night, there is something for every kind of Chengdu resident. The owners are deservedly proud of their reasonable prices (Y16/glass) for authentic French wine and “French corner” meetings which are held every other Friday from 7-9 PM. There is outdoor seating, a pool table, room for dancing when inspired to do so, and the 2^nd floor lounge area doubles as an art exhibition area.

The recently opened Le Café Panam(e) is a dream come true for two French sinophiles. The mystery that is the Internet brought the enterprising David and Chloe together and the rest is history. David had been yearning to make a return to Chengdu and Chloe had been teaching here for quite some time. Familiar with Chengdu, and recognizing the redundant nightlife, they wanted to open an establishment that as Chloe says, “ Is anything but arrogant...”

Most significantly, David and Chloe wanted to open a comfortable place for their friends and create an informal atmosphere where any “Chengduren” (Chengdu person) could make new friends. Most of Chengdu’s nightspots can be easily categorized in terms of patrons and atmosphere, but that is not possible at this French café, bar, lounge, or whatever you want it to be. David and Chloe have only one wish, “That everyone in Chengdu, Chinese or foreign, student or traveler, business person or parent, can feel at home at Le Café Panam(e).

Directions: Le Cafe Panam(e) is in the southeast part of the city, outside the south 1st ring road. If you go there at night, tell the taxi driver "Kehua Beilu", and then say "Ya Tai Guangchang". From the "ATT" sign where the driver stops, walk across the main road, and then continue walking south until you see a plaza with bars and clubs on your left. The cafe has a red sign and is on the 2nd floor. Buses 6, 55, and 110 all pass by the plaza during the day, keep an eye out from the bus.

Huang Cheng Ba Niu Rou: Hui (Chinese Muslim) Minority Cuisine

If you enjoy eating beef, that is, absolutely any part of a cow, then make time for this traditional Hui Minority restaurant. The Hui look like regular Han Chinese people, but they are Islamic. "Niu Rou" (牛肉） means beef, and I don’t think any dish in this restaurant doesn’t ...

This kind of restaurant is representative of true Chinese dining. The walls are completely bare and somewhat grimy. Chinese customers gorge themselves at round tables, chugging beer and baijiu (Chinese firewater), and conversing in the loudest possible voices. Waitresses listen to your order and immediately shout the order to the front desk, using as loud a voice as necessary to be heard over the din of the restaurant. Dishes are very affordable. A recent meal with four people and seven dishes cost Y77 and there was more than enough to eat.

Here are some dishes well worth trying, especially if you can’t read the Chinese menu:

Fan Qie Niu Wei Tang - Tomato soup with tomato chunks and cow tail (a solid appetizer)

Jiang Bao Niu She - Beef tongue

Hui Guo Rou - Fried beef with red and green peppers (excellent)

Fen Zhen Niu Rou - A mixture of rice with some spicy ground beef

Hong Shao Niu Ji Sui - Spinal cord in a spicy red sauce (it’s China, be a little courageous)

Directions: From Tianfu Square head east on Renmin Donglu or Dongyu Jie which run parallel to each other. Then turn left on Shuncheng Jie. Turn right on Tidu Jie (Cell Phone Street) after the Dynasty Hotel. Make the next left onto Sangui Qianjie. The restaurant is on the left side.

Qing Shi Qiao Art, Flower, and Pet Market

Close to the city center, Qing Shi Qiao market offers an unusual mixture of goods. The middle of Xinkai Jie is home to a two-story art market featuring a variety of wood, stone, and porcelain crafts and sculpture, calligraphy and landscape paintings, jade stamps, and Buddha figures. There are a number of flower shops along Xinkai Jie, including some which sell cacti. Once you turn left onto Nanfu Jie you will reach another row of small tree, lawnmower, and garden shops followed by a jampacked, flower market at the end of the street. Take a stroll through the winding alleys of the flower market for a breathe of fresh air and momentary escape from the urban landscape.

The pet and pet supply shops are easily the most curious part of the street. Five or ten years ago these pets were likely purchased to be...well...eaten. But times have changed in China, and having a pet is one of China's newest and most popular trends. Puppies, kittens, hamsters, rabbits, gerbils, turtles, and a wide assortment of fish are available. However, the condition of the pet shops will probably not remind you of home. Visitors to the street will probably never see so many home aquarium shops in one confined place in their entire life. One shop even sells purebred huskies, but they aren't cheap.

In a nutshell, the Qing Shi Qiao market exudes a rather strange vibe when compared with other Chengdu locales. If you have an hour to spare, give it a shot, and you might end up with a souvenir or photo opportunity you had not expected.

Directions: With Mao's statue and Tianfu Square at your back, head south on Renmin Lu. You will soon turn left onto Xinguanghua Jie and then bear right onto Jinxing Lu. Xinkai Jie will soon appear on your right side. The walk should be less than 15 minutes from Tianfu Square.

Jinjiang Hotel (5 Star)

Those who like to sleep with the utmost comfort and don’t mind splurging a but should make a reservation at the Jinjiang hotel. Rooms start at 880 RMB/night, executive rooms from 1680 RMB/night, and the presidential suite is only 50000 RMB/night. The hotel has perfect downtown location both on the river and on Renmin Nanlu. The hotel has a European, Japanese, and Korean restaurant. There are also six beautiful conference/dining rooms. Broadband internet and DVD players are just a few of the amenities in the rooms. Don’t get stuck in the hotel ultra-cushy atmosphere though, be sure to get out and see Chengdu.

Directions: The Jinjiang Hotel is south of Tianfu Square on Renmin Nanlu. Walk south on Renmin Lu and you can’t miss the hotel on your right side, the last building before you cross the river.

Top Chengdu Tours

$200 Per Day

CHENGDU, A PANDA CITY, A GOURMET CITY, A TEA CITY, LOOKING FOWARD TO YOUR ARRIVAL

Chengdu, with an area of 12,400 square kilometers and a polulation of about 14,170,000 is not just the biggest provincial capital in west China, but also the only city in the history of China whose name has reminded the same for 3,000 years since its establishment. In Chinese, "Cheng" means "success or successful" and "Du" means "big city or capital". This "Successful City" boasts a long history. It is believed that everything about Chengdu has their origin from "Sanxingdui Ruins", from where you can deeply discover the history story of Chengdu.

Giant pandas definitely are the best calling card and trademark of Chengdu. Every year, million of people are attracted by giant pandas to spend their holidays here, go sightseeing here, make investment here and even settle here permanently. The reason is that for people around the world, the charm of giant pandas cannot be replaced by anything else.

Various kinds of wonderful food shall be another reason attracting you to visit Chengdu. Of the four most famous schools of culinery art in China (Beijing cuisine, Sichuan cuisine, Jiangsu cuisine, Guangdong cuisine), Sichuan cuisine boasts tongue-numbing, hot, delicate and fresh taste and a variety of flavors, as "each dish has its unique taste and no two dishes have the same flavor." Such spcial flavors as fish-flavored, gongbao (with peanuts), and water-boiled are incomparable at home and abroad.

"The teahouses in Sichuan top the world, and those in Chengdu Top Sichuan." This widespread saying not only points out the status of Chengdu's teahouses but also the inseverable ties between Chengdu culture and tea. Like bars in Paris and cafes in Vienna, teahouse add a touch of refinement and leisureliness to Chengdu, an ancient yet modern metropolis. The practice of driking tea prevailed in Sichuan as earlt as prior to the Qin and Han Dynasties.

Wish you can have a nice trip in Chengdu. You will love it.

$40 Per Day

Lake Lugu

LAke Lugu is a province located between Yanyuan County in Sichuan Province and Ninglang County in yunnan Province,258 kilometers from Xichang,and 830kilometers from chengdu. Lake Lugu is a provincial sxenic spot in sichuan. The community of Lake Lugu is the only existing matriarchal society in the world. The custom of the "walking marriage"is a "living fossil" for the study on the evolution of human marriage. And Lugu Lake is world famous for its beautiful natural scenery and for its old and mysterious custom of a "walking marriage"....Read more

$40 Per Day

The Snow-Capped Xiling Mountain

The Snow-Capped Xiling Mountain Scenic Area is located in Dayi County,105kilometers from chengdu ,and covers a total area of 483 square kilometers. Primarily known for its virgin forest,the Snow-Capped Xiling Mountain Scenic Area consists of green mountains,snow-capped plateaus,steep peaks,amazibg stones,spectacular waterfalls and exotic wildlife and animals. With diffefent seasonal views at various vertical levels,this high mountain is especially attractive, with many kinds of flowers in spring,beautiful waterfalls in summer,colorful leaves in autumn and dazzling white snow and ice in winter. Driving westwards about 95 kilometers from chengdu you will arrive at the Snow-Capped Xiling Mountain in Dayi County in an hour. The great variation of altitude and temprature gives the scenic area the advantage ofviewing all of the seasons all the year around. The famous saying "boundless sights are seen only at the summit" gives us the essence of sightseeing.

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