Chengdu is located on the territory of the state (country) China, which in turn is located on the territory of the continent Asia.

Population of Chengdu city.

The population of Chengdu city is 7,123,000.

What time zone is Chengdu in?

Chengdu city is located in the administrative time zone: UTC+8. Thus, you can determine the time difference in the city of Chengdu, relative to the time zone in your city.

Phone code for Chengdu

Telephone code Chengdu city: +57 28. To call Chengdu city from mobile phone, you need to dial the code: +57 28 and then directly the subscriber's number.

Official website of the city of Chengdu.

Website of the city of Chengdu, official website of the city of Chengdu, or as it is also called "Official website of the city of Chengdu": http://www.chengdu.gov.cn/.

Coat of arms of the city of Chengdu.

In the description of the city of Chengdu, the coat of arms of the city of Chengdu is presented, which is the hallmark of the city.

Subway in Chengdu city.

The subway in Chengdu city is called Chengdu Metropolitan and is a means of public transportation.

The passenger traffic of the Chengdu Metro (Chengdu metro occupancy) is 103.00 million per year.

The number of subway lines in Chengdu is 2 lines. The total number of subway stations in Chengdu is 37. The length of subway lines or subway tracks is: 40.97 km.

Metro map (metro map) of Chengdu city.

Chengdu City (成都chéngdū) is the capital of Sichuan Province in southwestern China. With a population of almost 15 million, it belongs to the ten largest cities in the country. Chengdu boasts ancient history, original cuisine, traditional art and much more.

Unfortunately, this city is little known to most of our tourists, although I can say for sure that there are places worth visiting in it. For travelers, Chengdu is interesting not only for its attractions, but also for the fact that it is easy to get to the numerous natural and man-made heritage of Sichuan province. In addition, this is the birthplace of the giant panda, and it is here that unique reserve for the breeding and protection of these lovely animals.

Over the years of my life in China, I visited many cities and beautiful places, but for some reason it was he who was remembered for his liveliness and warmth. Why go to Chengdu and what to do there, I will tell you more in this article.

How to get there

By plane

The most convenient way to get to Chengdu is by plane. The nearest international airport Shuangliu (成都双流国际机场) is located at a distance of 20 km from the city and is one of the ten largest airports in China.

The largest number of flights, of course, are carried out by popular Chinese airlines, for example: Sichuan Airlines, Air China, Chengdu Airlines, China Southern, Hainan Airlines, China Eastern, etc. Domestic flights in China are very developed, and you can easily fly from Chengdu to almost any city in China.

As for international flights, most are made to Asian countries (, Japan, Korea, Maldives), there are also flights to Europe (,) and (), Canada (), Australia ().

Recently, Sichuan Airlines has launched a Moscow-Chengdu flight. This is so far the only direct flight from Russia to Sichuan. Departure is carried out on even numbers from Sheremetyevo Airport. Such a flight lasts 8 hours 30 minutes, and the cost of an air ticket starts from $ 275 per person one way. In addition, there are many different options for departure from Moscow with transfers in Guangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai, etc. But, as I checked on the airline booking sites, sometimes a direct flight is cheaper than a connecting flight. It is inconvenient to get from St. Petersburg, you will have to make two transfers, and it is unprofitable for the price (from $ 400 one way).

You can check and compare how it is more profitable to get there in the TravelAsk section.

How to get from the airport to the city

Bus

This is perhaps the easiest way to get to the city. There are five in total bus routes that will deliver to the right places:

• Route 1 - to the city center (Mingshan Hotel); from 06:00 to 22:00.
• Route 2 - to the main (northern) railway station; 06:30–20:00.
• Route 3 - to the southern railway station (South Railway Station); 07:00-20:00.
• Route 4 - Huayang bus station, through the city center (Exhibition Center); 08:00-20:00.
• Route 5 - Xipu Bus Station, via Chadianzi Bus Station Bus Terminal; 08:00 - 20:00.

Fare 1.5 - 2 dollars.

High speed train (CRH)

You can quickly get to the city by high-speed train. But it goes only to the southern and eastern railway stations. The departure station is located under terminal 2. The trip will cost only $ 2 and take 10-20 minutes.

Taxi

Of course, you can easily take a taxi near the airport, which will cost about 10 dollars to the center of Chengdu and 15 to the northern railway station.

In addition, buses and trains run almost from the airport to other cities in the province and neighboring attractions.

By train

Considering that the railway is the most popular way to travel around the country, Chengdu can be reached by train from almost any part of China. There are 3 passenger stations in the city:

• Chief (North Railway Station 火车北站),
• Eastern (East Railway Station 成都东站),
• Southern (South Railway Station 火车南站).

I marked the location of the stations on the map below.

Main Station

The main (northern) station connects Sichuan province with major cities countries. The main destinations are Wuhan, Kunming, Guilin, Lanzhou, Changsha, Chongqing, Guangzhou. From most of these cities, several trains run a day, for example, from Beijing 5 trains a day, Xi'an - 11, Guangzhou - 4, Shanghai - 5, Kunming - 6. But there are disadvantages to using the railway: due to the large travel distances take a long time, and ticket prices are quite high. So, for example, the journey from Beijing to Chengdu will take about 28-30 hours, and a ticket to reserved seat car will cost $ 70, a coupe about $ 100. From Shanghai, a regular train takes about 36 hours, the price is the same, from Guangzhou - 30-40 hours, and a ticket will cost 80-120 dollars. So, in terms of convenience, this option is clearly inferior to the flight, and the price is not always more profitable.

How to get from the station to the city

The station is located near the center. From here you can easily get to the main places by metro, bus or taxi. Right next to the station, there is a subway station North Railway Station (火车北站), which is very convenient. The center of Chengdu is Tianfu Square 天府广场, it takes only 4 subway stops (it takes 10 minutes in time - the fastest and most convenient way) and get off at the station of the same name or take buses number 16, 52, 55 ( 30-40 minutes). For a taxi you will need to pay about 2-3 dollars. In the photo below, the main square of the city.

Eastern (East Railway Station 成都东站)

High-speed trains arrive at the East Station from Beijing, Shanghai, Guilin, Hangzhou and several other cities. High-speed trains from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou take about 14 hours, but the cheapest ticket costs $ 133, so sometimes the plane will be cheaper. The East Station is also located next to the East Railway Station (成都东站) subway station on the second subway line, it takes 7 stops to get to the square. Also from here to the city center there are buses numbered 4, 47, 101, 104, the bus fare is 0.3 dollars. A taxi to the city will cost about 4 dollars, and to the airport - 10.

Southern (South Railway Station)

Chengdu South Station carries out Passenger Transportation in the cities of Sichuan Province: Emeishan, Leshan, Mianyang, Jiangyou, Guangyuan, Nanchong, Suining, etc. It is located on the first subway line, at the South Railway Station (火车南站). Getting to the center is also easy: by buses, taxis and metro. The central square of the city can be reached by bus 16, in addition, there are routes to other parts of the city.

By bus

Another way to get to Chengdu is to take the bus. But this is not the most convenient option, because it will take quite a long time to drive from popular Chinese cities, and in the neighborhood of noisy and not always cultured Chinese, moving can seem like a nightmare. In addition, there is very little information on the Internet about the bus schedule. Despite this, it can be said that the bus system in Chengdu is very well developed, the city has several bus stations that connect it with neighboring cities in the province, as well as such large cities as Kunming, Nanjing, etc.

Most intercity buses long distance( , Lanzhou, Kunming, Chongqing, Ningbo) arrive at the North Bus Station (城北客运站), which is next to the main railway station. How to get to the center from it is described above, the same methods are suitable if you arrive at this bus station.

Tourist buses from the main attractions of Sichuan, such as Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong, Songpan, Leshan, Emeishan, Dujiangyan, etc. come to Xinnanmen (新南门汽车站) and Chadianzi (茶店子客运站) stations. How to get from them is written in another mine.

Clue:

Chengdu - time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow - 5

Kazan - 5

Samara - 4

Yekaterinburg - 3

Novosibirsk - 1

Vladivostok 2

When is the season. When is the best time to go

Chengdu is not resort town, so the time of year does not play a special role for visiting it. Due to the fact that the city is surrounded by mountains, the climate in Chengdu is quite mild and pleasant. Here winter is more like our spring with average temperature+ 5-10 ° C, and snow and cold are rather exceptional. I have been to Chengdu twice in winter, and I can say that I was comfortable walking around the city, and the weather did not interfere with sightseeing at all. And what surprised me even more - at the end of January, some bushes, trees and even tulips were blooming in the parks.

It is hot here in summer, +25-30°C, but it often rains. At the same time, due to the high humidity, it seems that the temperature is higher than it actually is.

Another feature of Chengdu is humid air, fogs and cloudy skies. It is said that due to such weather conditions, local girls have delicate white skin, and are considered the most beautiful in all of China.

As you understand, when to come to Chengdu is not at all important, but if, in addition to the city itself, you want to visit the natural attractions of Sichuan province, for example, Huanglong, Jiuzhaigou, Emeishan, Qingchenshan, then it is still better to come from April to November.

Chengdu monthly weather

Clue:

Chengdu monthly weather

Districts. Where is the best place to live

In my opinion, in Chengdu it is best to stay closer to the city center so that it is more convenient to get to the main tourist attractions, parks and restaurants. The most popular among tourists are the areas of Qing Yang and Jin Jiang, it is there that I advise you to choose a hotel. In terms of price, there will not be much difference, in any area you can find both cheap housing and super expensive ones. With food and shops the same, the prices are different and determined by your personal preferences. In China, you can always find budget options and not so much, and it does not depend on the area.

You can choose the best option on Booking - and - compare prices from different services. To get deeper into the atmosphere of the city, you can rent an apartment or an apartment from the locals, for more details.

By the way, even though there are only 9 districts in the city, 5 are considered internal, which I will briefly discuss below.

• The Qing Yang (青羊区) area is the heart of the city and most tourists choose to stay here. Most of the city's attractions are located in this area: parks, museums, temples, tourist streets.
• Jin Jiang District (锦江区) is a bustling and thriving business center. In it is located a large number of firms, offices, expensive shopping centers. It is in this area that the largest shopping street in the city is located, in addition there are bars, restaurants, clubs, cinemas and many hotels. This is the second most popular area.
• The Wu Hou District (武侯区) is the largest. It is interesting for tourists because it is located here. famous temple Wuhou and Qingli Ancient Street. There are a sufficient number of hotels, bars and cafes.
• Jin Niu District (金牛区) is another shopping area with a lot of markets and shopping malls. It includes the main railway station.
• Cheng Hua District (成华区) is an ordinary urban area with residential buildings, but it is in it that almost the main attraction is the panda breeding center. The rest of the area does not attract tourists.

Main attractions. What to see

Chengdu and its environs boast a sufficient number of both cultural, historical and natural attractions. In the city itself there are many temples, museums, ancient streets, which are the cultural and spiritual heritage of the whole country. Beyond its borders, tourists will get acquainted with the unique and beautiful nature of Sichuan province. It is not for nothing that tours from Russia are organized here (you can look at dates and prices).

Top 5

Giant Panda Breeding and Research Center

The main attraction for which most tourists come to Chengdu is the giant panda - an amazing animal that is almost never found in wild nature. In the breeding and research center, you can get to know these lazy bumpkins quite closely, completely unlike bears.

At the same time, it is located practically in the city, and it is easy to get to the center by city bus. Its Chinese name is 中国大熊猫繁育研究基地 (zhōngguó dàxióngmāo fányù yánjiū jīdì).

What I liked was the conditions in which the acquaintance with these animals takes place: there are no glasses, no nets, no high fences. Of course, pandas are at a safe distance from people, but still it seems that you can reach out and touch them. Most of the time, these lazy people either eat or sleep, and often they eat lying down and fall asleep in an embrace with half-eaten bamboo, the process of eating exhausts them so much. Only young animals frolic, and even then rather clumsily. When I saw pandas hanging on a tree like that, I couldn’t even believe that they could climb there, I thought that they were specially planted there to amuse people, but no, it turns out that they climb there themselves and even manage to sleep there, it’s a pity only it was not possible to see the moment when they climb there.

In addition to pandas, there is a lake with swans on the territory of the center, peacocks walk along the paths, and you can also get acquainted with another, no less amazing animal - the red, or small, panda.

Unlike their larger counterparts, red pandas are more like raccoons in both appearance and behavior. They are very mobile, playful and restless.

Center opening hours and entrance fee

The center is open daily from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm, but ticket sales end one hour before closing. It's best to come in the morning when the pandas have breakfast time, but to be honest, we were stuck in the park for the whole day, I loved watching these cuties so much. The entrance ticket costs only 9 dollars (58 yuan), which is extremely cheap considering the amount of positive emotions and impressions that you will get there.

How to get there

You can get to the center by taxi, which will cost 5 dollars (30 yuan) one way (if you are traveling with a group or family, then this is a great option). If you are interested a budget option, then you should use public transport, which is cheap, but not very convenient, because you will have to make a transfer. But this is the way I chose. The easiest way to change is at the Zoo stop (动物园 dòngwùyuán). You can get to it by buses at numbers 39, 70, 99, 150, 193. If you are coming from the central railway station, then you need the 9th bus, and from the main square - 53, 64, 99. Then at the bus stop zoo you need to transfer to bus number 198, 198a or 87 to 大熊猫基地站 (dàxióngmāo jīdìzhàn).

The downside for those who do not know the language is that stops are only announced in Chinese. But most buses have a scoreboard that displays the name of the next stop and a route map, where special lights come on to indicate stops that have already been passed and which have not. Even without knowing the meaning of the hieroglyphs, you can visually compare them or show the driver where you need to, so that he tells you where to get off.

House Museum of Poet Du Fu

Du Fu (712-770) is a great Chinese poet who lived and worked in the Tang era. One day he left the capital and settled on the outskirts of Chengdu in a small house with a thatched roof. In this place, he wrote more than 200 poems that have become a national treasure. The house in which Du Fu spent several years has survived to this day and has become a museum. In it you can learn about the life path and work of the poet.

Now on this territory, in addition to the museum itself, there is a temple, a beautiful orchard, a pavilion, gazebos and a monument to the poet.

The museum is open from 8:00 to 18:00, the entrance fee is $10. You can get there by the following buses: 19, 35, 58, 82, 151, 165, 170, 309, 319, 1024 or 1031 to the stop 杜甫草堂站.

Wuhou Memorial Temple Complex (武侯祠

wǔhouci)

temple complex Wuhou is a reminder of such a period in Chinese history as the Three Kingdoms, when the struggle for power was fought between the three kingdoms: Wu, Wei and Shu. At that time, Chengdu was the capital of the Shu kingdom, headed by Emperor Liu Bei. But the temple itself is dedicated to Zhuge Liang, an assistant to Liu Bei, a famous commander and statesman of that era. On the territory you can see sculptures of Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang, pavilions of their name and ancient plates with inscriptions.

Opening hours from 8:00 to 18:00, entrance fee - $ 10. To get there, take a taxi or bus number 1, 57, 82, 109, 334, 335 to 武侯祠站.

Qingli Ancient Street (锦里古街 jǐnlǐ gǔ jiē)

Another tourist attraction in Chengdu is Qingli Ancient Street, which has a special flavor and seems to take you back in time. It is located next to the Wuhou temple complex, so I recommend not to miss the opportunity and combine visiting these two places. Qingli has many cozy cafes, bars and souvenir shops. How to get to the street, see above, where the Wuhou Temple is described.

The largest building in the world

The Chinese once again broke all records and built the building, which became the largest in terms of area in the world. It was the New Century Global Center (新世纪环球中心 xīnshìjì huánqiú zhōngxīn), with an internal area of ​​1.7 million square meters. Since opening in 2013, the mall has become a treasure of Chengdu and a tourist attraction.

What is there inside? In addition to the huge number of shops, offices, restaurants, conference halls, two five-star hotels, an ice rink and the largest IMAX cinema in Chengdu, there is something that simply does not fit in your head. Inside the shopping complex, the Chinese have equipped an artificial beach with an area of ​​​​5 thousand m², which can simultaneously accommodate more than 500 people. If you want to visit it, then here you are helpful information: The beach is open from 10:00 to 20:00, and the entrance costs 28 dollars (180 yuan).
You can get to this marvel of architecture by subway to Jinchen Plaza Station (锦城广场) Exit A.

Churches and temples. Which are worth a visit

If you are not the first time in China, then perhaps the temples and other traditional architectural buildings have become boring and no longer impressive, but there are several in Chengdu that will interest you.

Green Goat Temple (青羊宫 qīngyáng gōng)

The Temple of the Green Goat is not just an example of Taoist architecture, but also one of the most ancient temples, which contains the sacred relics of Taoism. For those who are not fond of religion, the place is still worth a visit, because there is a beautiful well-groomed area, beautiful architecture and unique atmosphere. The temple itself is located on the territory of Wenhua Park (文化园wénhuàyuán), where you can also have a good time.

Bronze goat statues can be found at the entrance to the Hall of Three Origins. They have already been polished to a shine by visitors who believe that touching the statue will bring them good luck. One goat there, by the way, is very unusual, the main thing is to look carefully :)

The temple is open from 8:00 to 18:00, and the entrance fee is symbolic, less than $ 2.

You can get there by subway, the nearest station is Provincial People's Hospital 中医大省医院 on Line 2 and then walk a little more. Or by buses: 11, 19, 27, 34, 35, 58, 59, 82, 129, 151 , 170, 309, 319 to the stop 青羊宫.

Wenshu Monastery

Wenshu Buddhist Monastery is one of the best preserved sacred Buddhist sites in Chengdu. More than 300 Buddhist statues made of stone, bronze, wood and other materials are kept on the territory of the monastery. The oldest of them belong to the Liang (502-557) and Tang (618-907) dynasties. In addition, the monastery exhibits valuable paintings, frescoes and calligraphy.

It works from 8:00 to 18:00, the entrance fee is symbolic, about a dollar. To get there, take the first subway line, the station is called Wenshu Monastery (文殊院) or city buses 16, 52, 55 and 298.

Museums. Which are worth a visit

Sichuan Provincial Museum

The museum consists of four halls and covers an area of ​​46,000 square meters. Its collection includes more than 300,000 artifacts that tell the history of Sichuan from prehistoric times to the present day.

Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to visit it, so I can’t tell from my own experience, but I think it’s worth a visit, because it is there that you can get to know the history and culture of the province better. Open from 9:00 to 17:00, except Monday. According to rumors, admission is free, you only need to have a passport with you, but I'm not sure about this information. You can get there by buses No. 19, 35, 58, 82, 151, 165, 170, 319 to the stop Songxianqiao 送仙桥.

In addition, if there is nothing to do, you can visit such museums as:

• Sichuan University Museum (四川大学博物馆). Entrance fee 5 dollars.
• Sichuan Museum of Science and Technology. It is located on the main square of the city, behind the statue of Mao Zedong. It works from 9:30 to 16:30, but visitors are no longer allowed in an hour before closing. Entrance 5 dollars.
• Dinosaur Museum of the Polytechnic University. Located on the territory of the Polytechnic University - 成都理工大学. Entrance 1.5 dollars.

parks

The Chinese are very fond of spending their free time outdoors, so every city has many parks and gardens. They are worth visiting not only to be closer to nature, but also to see how the locals spend their leisure time. It is especially interesting to watch the older generation. The old people play mahjong, gather, so to speak, in "interest groups" and sing songs, play instruments, read poetry, do dancing and breathing exercises, and practice calligraphy.
Almost every park has a teahouse where you can taste local teas and play board games.
Parks worth visiting:

• People's Park (人民公园 rénmín gōngyuan). It is located within walking distance from the main square of the city, you can get to the metro station of the same name.

• Baihuatang Park Admission is free and the park is open from 6 am to 9 pm. Buses 35, 115, 126, 127, 129, 170 go there.

• Wangjiangtang Park You can visit the park for free from 6 am to 9 pm. Immediate bus stops三官堂 (sānguān táng) and 龙船路 (lóngchuán lù), which are served by buses 3, 12, 18, 31, 56, 68, 74, 82, 106, 152, 218, etc.

tourist streets

Wide and Narrow Alleys (宽窄巷子 kuānzhǎi xiàngzi)

This place is a popular tourist attraction in the city center. It consists of three parallel streets with cafes, shops and funny monuments.

Here you can sit in a cafe, buy souvenirs or try local "delicacies" and feel that you are in ancient China. But the prices for everything are a bit overpriced, after all, this is primarily a tourist attraction.

It is easy to get to the street, from the center it will not be a problem to walk from the square (30 minutes) or the People's Park (15-20 minutes).

From other parts of the city, you can take the subway station 人民公园 Line 2, and then walk.

I really liked this place, there is some special atmosphere in it, so I advise you to visit.

What to see in the surroundings

Many tourists come to Chengdu not for the sake of the city itself, most often it serves as a starting point for exploring the treasures of Sichuan. I would like to offer several of them, all of them are included in the UNESCO list.

Dujiangyan Irrigation System

Almost 50 km from Chengdu, on the Minjiang River, there is a kind of monument to the engineering thought of the ancient Chinese - the Dujiangyan irrigation system, which was created more than two thousand years ago. Now it is a tourist place with interesting temples to visit, a suspension bridge and tea houses.

There are several ways to get there from Chengdu:

• as part of tourist excursion,
• by bus,
• by train,
• by taxi.

Buses to Dujiangyan run from the airport, Xinnanmen, Chadianzi and other bus terminals. Upon arrival in the city, you still need to get to the park on the city route number 4 or by taxi for 3-5 dollars. If you want to get there by train, then you need the main station (journey time is only 30 minutes, ticket price is 2-3 dollars). A taxi straight from Chengdu will cost 20-25 dollars per car. The entrance ticket to the park itself costs $15.

Mount Qingchenshan

70 km from the city of Chengdu and only 20 km from Dujiangyan is Mount Qingchenshan, revered by the Taoists, since it was here that the first Taoist temple complex was erected. Now on its territory you can see Taoist monasteries, pavilions and pagodas, caves and lakes. This place combines Taoist culture and natural beauty. To get from Chengdu, you can take the train (to the station 青城山火车站), then take bus number 101 along the front of the mountain. Or take a bus from Xinnanmen or Chadianzi stations. In addition, you can get from Dujiangyan. You will have to pay about 15 dollars to enter, plus cable car and visiting some caves are paid separately.

If you have enough time, I would advise you to combine a visit to the irrigation system and the mountain, especially since they are nearby. You can stay overnight in the park at the hotel or at the monastery, or outside at the foot of the mountain and return to Chengdu the next day. But I have not tried this option.

Leshan Giant Buddha Statue (乐山大佛 lèshān dàfó)

Near the city of Leshan, which is 140 km from Chengdu, in a beautiful park, there is a unique 70-meter Buddha statue carved into the rock, the work on which lasted for about a hundred years. Its dimensions are really impressive, as several people can fit on just one toe. Leshan Town can be reached by bus from bus stations or Chengdu Airport by tourist bus, taxi or train from South Railway Station. The entrance fee is about 15 dollars (90 yuan).

The sacred mountains of Emeishan (峨眉山 éméishān)

Mount Emeishan is one of the four great and sacred Buddhist mountains of China and is a special place in terms of its beauty and atmosphere. Today, about 300 monks live in this territory and more than 20 monasteries operate. It attracts pilgrims and ordinary tourists who are ready to overcome the difficult path to the top and meet the dawn in this amazing place. The ways to get there are the same as to Leshan.

Jiuzhaigou National Park

One of the main treasures of Sichuan Province is a unique nature reserve with incredible beauty lakes, waterfalls and mountain scenery 400 km from Chengdu. All the necessary information about the park can be found in my article.

Huanglong National Park

No less beautiful is national park Huanglong, which is located 70 km from Jiuzhaigou. The pride of the park is the extraordinary beauty of colored pools, waterfalls and a mountain 5588 meters high, which all year round wears a snow cap. Best combined with a visit to Jiuzhaigou.

I highly recommend visiting at least a few of these amazing places, because each of them is unique in its own way. By nature, I am a big nature lover, so visiting Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong was an ideal choice for me, but for people who are interested in Buddhism, I advise you to conquer Emeishan, this is just a mandatory item on the program. If there is not much time, then you can escape from the city to Mount Qingchenshan, admire nature, and at the same time visit Dongjiangyan. Well, it is best to visit everything, so as not to regret later.

Food. What to try

You probably know that Chinese cuisine is very interesting, varied and sometimes exotic. I wrote more about food in China and dishes worth trying in another article, you can read it.

But the province of Sichuan has its own special cuisine 川菜, which is famous all over the world for its burning spiciness. So, if you are in Chengdu, be sure to try the local signature dishes. Some of them, such as gongbao chicken (宫保鸡丁gōngbǎo jīdīng), hogo (火锅）, and pork in fish sauce (鱼香肉丝 yúxiāng ròusī), I have already mentioned before.

• mapo tofu (麻婆豆腐 má pó dòufǔ) - bean curd tofu fried with minced meat and hot Sichuan pepper;

• boiled fish in spicy Sichuan sauce (水煮鱼shuǐzhǔ yú);

• twice-cooked pork, or "meat returned to the cauldron" (回锅肉 huíguōròu) - pork stewed in a special way with hot peppers;

• beef with citrus zest (陈皮牛肉chénpí niúròu);

• braised pork chunks (东坡肘子dōng pō zhǒuzi);
• chilli fish (辣子鱼丁làziyúdīng);
• fish with pickles (酸菜鱼suāncài yú) - steamed fish with marinade according to a special recipe;

• dan-dan noodles, or Sichuan-style spicy noodles (担担面dàndànmià).

By the way, to extinguish the spiciness after eating, you need to drink not water, but milk.
Finding what to eat in Chengdu is not a problem, because, as in all of China, there are establishments for every taste and budget on every corner. The price will depend on the place you choose, the dish and the type of cuisine. European cuisine is more expensive, Chinese is cheaper. The most budget option is street food: various snacks, sandwiches, kebabs. A trip to a good restaurant will cost decent money, but I won’t say that it tastes much better than in small street establishments.

As you understand, you can eat almost everywhere in Chengdu, there are both Chinese establishments and cafes, restaurants and fast foods with European cuisine, so you won’t have to go hungry.

A variety of dishes can be found at tourist streets ah, which I wrote about above, there are a large number of places near the main attractions. The photo shows restaurants near the ancient Qingli Street (锦里古街).

There are even separate, so-called food streets, but I would say that this is more suitable for the Chinese than for foreigners. The most famous are Shaxixian (沙西线美食一条街), Yangxixian（羊西线美食一条街), Wenshuyuan (文殊院小吃街) and others. .

In addition, in any shopping center or mall there will definitely be a whole floor with cafes and restaurants. Most often these will be good and clean places with quality food.

In case you can't put up with spicy Sichuan cuisine, you can always grab a bite to eat at MacDonald's, KFC (except for hamburgers and fries, there are often rice dishes with meat) or Pizza Hut.

Things to do

Shopping and shops

Chunxi Shopping Street (春熙路)

If you want to buy something for yourself in Chengdu, then I would advise you first of all to go to Chunxi Street, which is called a shopping paradise.

On this street, there are just a lot of boutiques, shopping centers, supermarkets and just shops where you can find things from Chinese and world brands at moderate and not very prices. Most shops are open from 10:00 to 22:00.

In addition to shops, there are a lot of coffee shops, fast foods and restaurants, both Chinese and European, where you can have a delicious meal and have a good time.

How to get there

It is located almost in the center of the city, and it is best to use the metro. There is a station on Line 2 called Chunxi Road (春熙路), which is exactly what you need. Arriving at the place, use exit C or D. In addition, you can also get by city buses, here are a few routes that run here: 43, 47, 55, 56, 58, 81, 98, 104 and others.

Zongfu Street

This street is near 天府广场 Square. It has a large number of shopping malls that attract both locals and visitors. There you can buy branded cosmetics, shoes, clothes and jewelry. But as for me, it will be enough to go to Chunxi street, because there is more choice, and there is a special flavor. But if you go to go, then the map below will help you, it will take about 20 minutes on foot from the square.

• product market self made and antiques (送仙桥 sòng xiānqiáo);
• Broad and Narrow Alley (宽窄巷子kuānzhǎi xiàngzi);
• Tibetan souvenir market near Wuhou Temple (武侯祠横街 wǔhóucí héngjiē);
• Qingli Ancient Street, next to Wuhou Temple (锦里古街sòng xiān qiáo);
• antique market on Renmin South Road (人民南路rénmín nán lù).

Bars. Where to go

Chengdu is a big and advanced city where young people also like to have fun and relax. Therefore, there are a fairly large number of interesting establishments and even entire streets of bars and nightclubs. It is enough to tell the taxi driver 酒吧街 jiǔbā jiē, and he will take you to one of the many bar streets.

A popular street frequented by both locals and foreigners is Lan Kwai Fong 兰桂坊, which has about 30 bars, restaurants and nightclubs in one place, but the prices are not cheap. If you like parties and do not spare money for them, then you definitely go there. It is located near Dong Da Road (东大路) ​​subway station. In addition, you can visit:

1. Shaoling Road Bar Street (少陵路酒吧一条街);
2. Jiuyanqiao Bar Street (九眼桥酒吧街);
3. Yulin Neighborhood Bar Street (玉林酒吧一条街);
4. Wuhou Temple Bar Street.

If you want to spend the evening in a bar with a glass of beer or a cocktail, then I advise you to take a walk along one of these streets, where you can definitely find something to your taste, or you can look into one of the establishments suggested below.

Bars popular among foreigners:

• Beernest (啤酒窝j酒吧),
• Underground (隧道酒吧),
• bookworm,
• bar-restaurant Lazy Pug,
• Irish pub Shamrock, live music bar Music House (音乐房子).

Others frequented by local youth include:

• Machu Picchu,
• little bar,
• Elephant Bar,
• Lotus Place,
• Shark's and others.

Most bars are open from noon until 2 am.

Clubs and nightlife

In addition to bars, there are nightclubs and discos in the city, but from my own experience I can say that the format of such an institution is different here and in China. With the exception of VIP establishments, which I have not been to, in most of them the entrance is free, and there are no requirements for appearance either. And no one touches foreigners at all, because it will be prestigious for any club if such guests come there. In some places, there is even a practice that administrators specially invite laowai (as the Chinese call all foreigners 老外) and treat them for free, just to create a reputation for their institution. In addition, there may not be a familiar dance floor, instead there will be a narrow stage for a dance show or singers (this is also a feature of local clubs), and the Chinese themselves rarely dance in clubs. By the way, another big disadvantage of many "Chinese" clubs is that they do not sell single drinks and cocktails, and to sit down at a table, you need, for example, to take a case of beer or expensive whiskey (often a fake), and if you come together, then it is absolutely not beneficial. But there are exceptions. Chinese clubs also close early, at 2-3 am, although in my homeland I used to dance until the morning :)

The most popular clubs include:

• jellyfish,
• Muse,
• NASA,
• Here We Go
• BABI,
• Kakadu.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

The choice of souvenirs is probably an important part of any trip, because all these pleasant little things will later remind you of a great time. And from China you definitely won’t want to return empty-handed. Chengdu is no exception, the choice of shops and markets is quite large, I would even say that your eyes run wide, so if you have free time, devote the day to shopping. In addition to the usual Chinese souvenir products, Sichuan has its own interesting and special products.

Bamboo products

Sichuan is rich bamboo forests who love panda bears so much. Not surprisingly, bamboo souvenirs have become popular here. As a gift to yourself or your loved ones, you can bring boxes, lamps, baskets, kitchen and writing utensils made from this material, they are sold both in expensive stores and in the markets.

If you want to buy some unusual gift, then here's an idea for you: recently it has become fashionable to combine porcelain and wicker bamboo, very beautiful interesting things are obtained, such as this tea set in the photo below.

Sichuan Shu brocade (蜀锦 shǔjǐn)

The craftsmanship of making Sichuan Shu brocade, or, as it is also called, patterned silk, originated more than two thousand years ago and has survived to this day. Previously, only emperors could have such a luxury, but now it is considered important. cultural heritage Chengdu, but at the same time anyone can buy it. By the way, the city even has a Shu brocade museum, in Chinese it is called 成都蜀锦织绣博物馆 (chéngdū shǔjǐn zhīxiù bówùguǎn) and is located at 青羊区草堂东路2号(qīngyáng qū cǎotáng lō home of Du Fu Museum and Baihuatang Park.

Sichuan Shu embroidery (蜀绣 shǔxiù)

This is a traditional artistic silk embroidery, typical for this province. In Chengdu, you can buy paintings, scarves, clothes, pillowcases and bedding with traditional Sichuan embroidery, but it will not be cheap. From inexpensive tourists, such small embroidered paintings in frames are in demand.

Lacquerware（漆器qīqì）

Variety of lacquerware became popular souvenirs from Chengdu: crockery, vases, boxes. Sichuan lacquerware has been famous for its quality since ancient times, so if you like this kind of thing, don't miss the opportunity to get it.

Other souvenirs

In addition, you can buy silverware, jade jewelry, porcelain, tea, spices, local alcohol, antiques and ordinary Chinese souvenirs (fans, paintings, Chinese traditional clothes, Chinese masks, etc.).

How to move around the city

Chengdu has an excellent public transport system; to the services of local residents and tourists there is a metro, regular and sightseeing buses, taxis. To date, the most convenient way transportation around the city is a bus, but only for those who know Chinese, because the names of the stops are written only in hieroglyphs, and the stops are also announced in Chinese. With many different routes, you can easily reach the main city and suburban attractions, railway and bus stations, shopping centers and tourist streets. Traveling by bus is also the cheapest - $ 0.3 per trip. The metro system is not yet sufficiently developed, because the first line was launched relatively recently, in 2010. But you can also get to many places, and at the same time without traffic jams. The subway will cost 0.3 - 1.1 dollars depending on the distance, plus all signs are duplicated in English. For those who do not like public transport, it is always possible to use a taxi. More on all this below.

Taxi. What features exist

In Chengdu, as in all of China, there are fixed prices for taxi services. Most of the cars are equipped with a taximeter and are charged at certain rates. I specifically checked what the current rates are in Chengdu, and you can use this information to roughly calculate how much you need to pay for the fare, provided that you, of course, at least know the approximate distance.

From 6:00 to 23:00, landing and the first 2 km cost 8-9 yuan, then the price for each kilometer is 1.9 yuan for a distance of up to 10 km, over 10 and up to 60 km for each kilometer you will have to pay 2.85 yuan. At night it gets a little more expensive. From 23:00 to 06:00 landing - 10 yuan, up to 10 km the price per km is considered to be 2.2 yuan, from 10 to 60 km - 3.3 for each km.

That is, if you need to drive 2 km, you should be charged only 1.2 dollars, if 10 km, then 3.6 dollars, 20 - about 8 dollars.

You can catch a taxi everywhere and without much effort, just wave your hand to a passing taxi. In China, you usually don't need to call and pre-order a car, but if you have a flight to the airport, it's better to ask the hotel staff to arrange transport in advance.

When you get in a taxi, have the taxi driver turn on and reset the taximeter, or, when there is none, agree on a price in advance (if you have an idea how much you should pay). In China, you can also take a ride, they are usually also paid at about the same price. The problem with Chinese drivers is that they often don't speak English, so it's always better to have an address written in hieroglyphs on a piece of paper. It's one thing if you need some tourist place or a train station, an airport, the location of which everyone knows, but there are problems with hotels. Drivers do not always understand the back streets of the city and can stray, while you will pay for this ignorance.

Metro

The subway in Chengdu appeared relatively recently. The first line was opened in 2010, and according to the plan, there will be 10 by 2020. But so far, 3 metro lines have been launched: Line 1 (blue), Line 2 (red) and Line 4 (green). The scheme of operating metro stations is presented below.

How much does the metro fare

As I said above, the fare on the metro varies depending on the distance and is calculated by the number of stops. So, for example, driving 6 stops costs $0.3, 12 - $0.46, and so on. That is, if you, for example, need to get from the end to the end on Line 1, you will have to pay 0.77 dollars. (22 stops). The maximum amount will be $1.1 if you drive 40 stops.

Working hours

• Line 1 operates from 6:20-22:50;
• Line 2 from 6:20-22:30;
• Line 3 from 06:30-22:30.

How to buy a ticket

So far, it is not possible to buy a one-day or two-day pass in the Chengdu metro, and each trip is paid separately. The locals have special card smart card, which gives a discount on travel, but it makes no sense for tourists to purchase it.

There are special vending machines to pay for the metro (they have English language), the subway map and the station you are at appear on the screen. Next, you should choose the station where you are going to get off, after which the machine will tell you how much you need to pay. You insert money into the bill slot, you get change and a ticket. Keep the ticket until the end of the trip, because when you exit it will need to be applied to the turnstile. That's all, nothing complicated.

Buses

Regular city buses

City buses are the most popular and developed way of getting around the city. There are stops literally on every corner, and you can get to almost anywhere in the city. Fare in public bus is 0.3 dollars. You need to pay in cash, and it is advisable to always have some small money with you. Most often, buses do not have a conductor, and the fare is placed in a special transparent box next to the driver. Locals use a card to pay, which, if I'm not mistaken, is the same for all urban transport, including the metro. On most routes, traffic starts at 6:30 am and ends at 21:00, although some buses run until 23:00. The exact timetable can be found at the stops, not only the route of movement is written there, but also the hours of operation for each route.

In addition, the city has one night route at number 298, which runs from 22:00 to 05:30, the fare is 0.46 dollars. It goes from the Exhibition Center (Century City New Convention and Exhibition Center) to the Main railway station through the city center. The route practically runs along the first metro line, as can be seen on the map below.

Tour buses

There are also sightseeing buses in Chengdu that you can use to get to some of the attractions of the city and its environs. But the proposal is rather peculiar. I am not a fan of group trips, so I have not tested this option, but I can still tell a little about it.

The advantage of such a bus is that it travels to its destination quickly, without stops and transfers, you do not need to look for a place yourself. Minus - in addition to travel (it can be either one or two directions), its cost includes both the entrance fee and the services of a guide. So it turns out more expensive than driving on your own public transport. Prices and timetables must be checked on the spot.

For example, I found information that sightseeing tour to the panda breeding center will cost 20 dollars (128 yuan) per person, this price includes round-trip travel, an entrance ticket to the center and guide services (I don’t know what they mean by this, most likely you will have to follow him in a group ). At the same time, you can get to the place on your own by city bus, which will cost a maximum of 1.5 dollars (10 yuan) in 2 directions (this is if you go with transfers), and pay 9 dollars for the entrance to the park. (58 yuan). I think the price difference is significant. If you are traveling with a group, then a taxi will be more profitable.

But for those who do not like to look for something on their own, this option is not bad.

Where to buy tickets

There are special offices for selling tickets for such excursions, they are located near the main tourist attractions (at the main entrance to the pandas, the Wuhou Temple, the Dufu House Museum), and buses leave from there. In addition, tickets can be bought at Shuangliu Airport (you need to find the International transit passenger service center in terminals 1 and 2) and at Tianfu main square (at -1F near Starbucks at the Jinzhan Shopping Center)

Where can you get to

On such a sightseeing bus you can go to see the Panda Breeding Center, the house museum of the poet Du Fu, the Wuhou Temple, the Dujiangyan irrigation system, Jingchenshan Mountain and more.

Transport rental

In order to legally drive a car in China, you only need to have a Chinese driver's license. No foreign or international documents are suitable. Therefore, it is not possible to rent a car on your own and quickly. If the question is fundamental, you can apply for Chinese based on the already existing driver's license of your country, but you will have to pass the exam in China, and this takes time and money. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend driving here. But if the desire to drive is irresistible, you can navigate the prices for car rental. Although local roads High Quality, drivers drive as they want, absolutely not following the rules, and it can be very difficult for a person who is not used to such a movement to navigate. If retaking your license is not an option for you, then the only possible way is to rent a vehicle with a Chinese driver or a person who has a document issued in China, but this will not be cheap.

Chengdu is a city in southwestern China, the capital of Sichuan Province. The population of the urban agglomeration is 11,000,670 people (2002).

For the rich Natural resources, mild climate and an abundance of cultural and historical attractions, Chengdu is called the "paradise". The city itself has an extensive green zone, many new buildings in western style in the city center and rich nightlife.

Several important railway lines of the country intersect in Chengdu: Baoji - Chengdu, Chengdu - Chongqing and Chengdu - Kunming. Excursion trains run to the cities of Kunming, Emei, Yibin, Jiangyu. All trains receive two stations in Chengdu: North and South.

The most convenient urban transport is buses (1 RMB, air-conditioned 2 RMB). A rickshaw costs about the same as a taxi. Within the city limits, the starting price of a taxi is 5 RMB for the first kilometer, then for each kilometer - 1.4 RMB.

Last changes: 11/18/2009

Attractions

Chengdu Zoo- here you can see all the typical animals you would expect in a zoo: elephants, tigers, giraffes, monkeys and pandas. Nice place to visit with family.

Ancient Jinli Street(Jinli) - a street in the old part of the city, where there are hotels and small shops in the old fashioned style. Antiques are sold in many different shops. It is very popular with both tourists and locals, especially at night, with many bars, restaurants and nightclubs.

Wenshu Temple(Wenshu) - This Tang Dynasty Buddhist temple is the most impressive and one of the most visited in Chengdu. It is dedicated to the Buddhist presentation of wisdom, and contains more than 450 Buddha statues and other precious relics. In addition to the halls and gardens, the temple has a charming tea house, frequented by locals who play chess, read, knit or just socialize.

Happy Valley(Huanlegu) - a large amusement park, popular with vacationers with children.

Panda Research Base(Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding) is the world's largest and most important research and breeding center for pandas. 86 pandas out of 239 available in captivity now live here, which is an absolutely incredible number, you can see 4-6 pandas in an enclosure at once. You have to go here in the morning, to feed. After eating, pandas sleep, so if you want to see something other than a sleeping carcass, then you need to go by 9 in the morning. The base is outside the city, you can get here either by taxi or minibus. This unique place recommended for both adults and children.

Other sights of the city: Wuhouci Temple Complex, Qingyangong Palace (“Black Goat Palace”), Baoguangsi Monastery, House Museum of the Poet Du Fu, Sichuan Provincial Museum.

63 km from the city is mountain qingchenshan covered with evergreen trees and shrubs. Entrance 60 RMB, direct bus from Chadianzi stop.

Dujiangyan Dam, which is 49 km from Chengdu, the world-famous ancient hydraulic structure. Built during the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC), this structure, which has survived to this day, is called one of the wonders of the world. In 2000, Dujiangyan was listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site.

Jinsha hillfort is located near the Qingyang Highway in the Western Suburb of Chengdu. Here you can learn about the brilliant culture of the ancient kingdom of Chu, which existed 3,000 years ago. Archaeologists have unearthed more than 3,000 objects of those times: gold and jade jewelry, burial ceramic vessels, ivory items, tortoise shells and deer antlers.

Chengdu- the administrative center of Sichuan province, rightfully named "Paradise Abode". A land of abundance and the most populous province in China. Chengdu has been known since the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), the city is often referred to as Little Beijing. “A city in one year, a metropolis in three!” proclaimed the Prince of Shu, setting his capital at Chengdu during the Warring States era (453–221 BC).

It is located in the western part of the Sichuan depression. Chengdu is the scientific, technological, commercial, financial and transportation center of southwestern China. The total area is 12.4 thousand square meters. km, population - 9.6 million people.

Chengdu has a historical name "Celestial wealthy capital". There are rich natural resources and a favorable climate. Attractions are found everywhere. Chengdu is famous for local handicrafts, unique customs and traditions. Three characteristics are relevant to Chengdu: motherland bamboo bears, the famous historical cultural city, a beautiful landscape of a fertile region.

Chengdu has a convenient geographical position. international Airport Shuangliu is one of the six most major airports in China. The city's railway station is the largest in Southwest China. The railways Baoji - Chengdu, Chengdu - Chongqing, Chengdu - Kunming are connected here. From here it is convenient to get to Three Gorges "Sanxia" in the east, Tibet, Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve, Huanglong Temple in the west, in a northerly direction, the road leads to Xi'an, where you can visit the Museum of the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Moving south, one can reach Emeishan Mountains and Leshan City where the largest seated Buddha statue is located.

Chengdu, a monument city with 3,000 years of history, the uniqueness of the city lies in the fact that throughout the long history of the city's borders and its name has not changed. Chengdu city is one of the best tourist cities China with a rich history.

Chengdu - capital of Sichuan- one of the most important central cities of the country. Chengdu is a secondary provincial level city and is also historical cultural center of China. By definition of the State Council, Chengdu is scientific and technical, trade, financial center, as well as the main communication and communications hub, an important air hub in the western part of China, one of the four air towns in China is located on the territory of Chengdu. Public administration for tourism and World Tourism Organization recognized the city Chengdu best tourist city China, The United Nations World Tourism Organization has listed Chengdu as one of the cities with a great impact on China's tourism development. Tourists now have the opportunity stays in the city for 72 hours without registration transit visa for transit flights from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Chengdu is divided into 9 districts, 4 towns and 6 counties, total area is 12,400 sq. km, the permanent population is 14,070,000 people, of which 11,630,000 people have the right to reside, 7,680,000 people are urban population.

Today's Chengdu impresses with its scale and level of development. Chengdu is regarded as modern city, in which the investments of the entire mainland China are invested, today it is the main engine economic development western China. This economic environment stimulates the surrounding areas of the city to develop, and also attracts more and more investment from outside. October 8th, 2010 famous American Forbes financial magazine published a research report on the fastest growing cities of the past decade, in which Chengdu located at the first place in the list. At present, there are representative offices of Intel, IBM, Dell and more than 200 other well-known enterprises in the world in Chengdu. Chengdu ranks first among the cities of the western part of China in terms of the number of large manufacturing enterprises. Chengdu ranks first in the number of foreign banks and foreign consulates among the cities of the western part of China. The venue for the Global Fortune Forum 2013 was Chengdu, the fourth city after Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong to host the forum.

Chengdu is rich in tourism resources, on the territory of the city there are famous Qingchenshan mountains, ancient dujiangyan irrigation system, bamboo bear (panda) sanctuary and other cultural and natural heritage such as, Temple Uhoutsy(in honor of Zhuge Liang), hut "Tsaotan"- the hermitage of the poet Dufu, Jinsha ruins, snowy Mountain peaks Silin and other scenic areas state level category AAAA.

As one of the country's historical and cultural cities, Chengdu is famous for unique monuments of ancient architecture. The beauty of the city was sung by such famous poets of Chinese literature Li Bo and Du Fu. During three kingdoms, the city was the capital State Shy, later it was here that culture began to flourish.

Chengdu is known for its food culture and dishes Sichuan cuisine, which has a sharp, spicy and fresh taste. Sichuan cuisine has about 6,000 main dishes. There is a saying: "The most delicious food is Sichuan cuisine, the best food culture is Chengdu". The UNESCO International Organization recognized the city of Chengdu as "Gastronomic Capital of the World" in Asia. From the abundance of dishes during banquets, ripples before your eyes, and the aroma and spicy taste do not leave anyone indifferent.

Chengdu is extraordinarily beautiful during blossoming peach trees. Nice, mild climate, greenery and flowering peach trees everywhere, give tourists sense of harmony and togetherness. Chengdu is not only a large, rapidly developing modern city, but also a cozy, green corner in the western part of China, which will leave unforgettable memories in the memory of tourists.

Chengdu perfect place recreation, Here you can enjoy the solitude and beauty of nature, architectural and other attractions, having a large historical value, learn about the history and culture of the ancient city, or simply walk around the modern, beautiful city. Chengdu is the city of wealth, the capital of success.

The capital of Sichuan Province, the city of Chengdu (Chengdu, China) is the global transport and economic center of the Celestial Empire, one of the five most densely populated megacities of the Middle State.

Historical chronicles

Sinologists still do not have a common opinion about the time of the formation of the settlement in the valley of the Mingjiang River. The date that suits everyone is located in the fork from 2300 to 3000 years. The first documented mention of Chengdu is associated with the acquisition of the city's capital status of the kingdom of Shu in the era of the Three Kingdoms.

For three thousand years, Chengdu, like a mythical Phoenix, either flashed dazzlingly (shone), then fell into ruins and ashes. Best of all, the majestic chronicle of the Sichuan administrative center is conveyed by nicknames, aliases-shortcuts.

Interesting! Since the 200s, the city has been famous for its heavy silk fabric embroidered with gold.

A symbol of luxury and wealth, brocade is still included in the basic list of products produced in the province: Chengdu rightfully bears its middle name "Jincheng" (brocade city).

History has given Chengdu another definition: "Paradise Basin". The Sichuan chernozems are fertile, the peasants working on the land are industrious. The whole world knows the oldest irrigation network Dujiangyan invented and implemented in the region.

There are many names and nicknames, they reflect the glorious history of Chengdu:

• homeland of jiao paper money;
• flower hibiscus garden city;
• the ancient center of engraving and printing of the Celestial Empire;
• alma mater of the Sichuan branch of traditional Chinese opera;
• birthplaces and fruitful everyday life of the great Chinese writers Li Bo and Du Fu;
• center of the tea industry. Mengding Ganlu, Moli Hua Cha with hints of jasmine, the famous Zhu Ye Qing are just the tip of the iceberg of the famous tea varieties cultivated and harvested in the highland plantations of the region.

Location

Chengdu is located in the southwest of mainland China, in the western part of the Sichuan tract. The modern city includes eleven prefectures and five counties on a total area of ​​14,312 square kilometers.

Population

China's official statistics declare sixteen million people inhabiting the metropolis in 2010. In urban prefectures and adjacent rural counties, in addition to the Han (the main population of the country), there are 54 more small ethnic groups.

Paradise weather

Sichuan Province is a classic subtropics with a clear seasonality. The climatic canon of Chengdu is the tropical monsoon.

The region is warm and humid all year round, with average annual temperatures ranging between 12 and 16 degrees Celsius. Early spring, sweltering summers, gorgeous autumns and warm, wet winters.

Chengdu "bestows resort weather" between March and June. "High" season - a segment between mid-September and November. The hottest period: July and August.

Road routes

They get to the metropolis by plane or by railway. Car traffic is also possible, but it is too long and slow.

high speed rail

There are four railway stations in Chengdu. Best Options transit: direct connections from Beijing, or Shanghai.

• Express Shanghai-Chengdu: 1700 km, 160-350 km/h. From 6000 to 14000 rubles.
• Standard flight Beijing-Chengdu: 1517 km, 140 km/h, 4900 rubles.

The negative side of such movement is the high cost of tickets.

Chengdu air harbor

Chengdu Airport is based in Shuangliu District, a suburb of Chengdu. There is a direct Sichuan Airlines flight from the Russian capital to Chengdu: the flight time is about eight hours. Issue price: from 30 to 47 thousand rubles.

To the metropolis air harbor can be reached:

• by taxi: 50-60 yuan;
• by bus: 12 yuan;
• monorail (CRH) 12-15 yuan.

Metropolitan

The Chengdu metro system consists of five directions-branches with a total length of 140 km. The fare is from 2 to 10 yuan.

An elevated monorail also belongs to the grid of metro lines, which really improves the traffic of the urban colossus. In 2018, a new branch line to the airport was solemnly put into operation.

Map of scenic and noteworthy places

Chengdu is the center of an ancient province, there are quite remarkable tourist places in the city and surrounding areas.

The most popular and unique sightseeing hits of the Sichuan region are located outside the city: inquisitive travelers should plan their travel schedule in advance and stock up on a map.

A guide to Chengdu and the surrounding area is striking in its thickness. In the city itself there are many temples, museums, traditional centers of cultural and spiritual heritage. Outside the metropolis, travelers can expect parks and protected areas, unity with the beautiful nature of Sichuan.

"Tract of Magnificent Pandas"

The Sichuan climate is comfortable for giant pandas.

Interesting! The state nursery "Valley of Bamboo Bears" was organized in the nineties of the last century as part of the national program to save an endangered species.

Panda Park employees are doing an excellent job with the task set by the government of the country: visitors to the park can observe prosperous adult animals and cubs in free green areas.

A visit to the park costs 58 yuan. The park is open to the public from 7.30 to 18.00 seven days a week. The reserve can be reached by subway line 3 (Xiongmao dadao station) or by taxi.

Repository of the origins of Taoism

An amazing collection of documentation of the Tao culture (the oldest manuscripts and scrolls) is kept in the Green Goat Pantheon of Chengdu. The collection of Tao Zang is the last surviving library of Taoism, a literary and scientific artifact of the world's philosophical and religious teachings.

The erection of the pantheon is correlated with the Zhou era. The name of the central pagoda is associated with the legendary saying of Lao Tzu: "Look out for a green goat after a century of Tao practice." The temple complex is considered by UNESCO as an object of classical architecture.

The sanctuary is open for visits from 8.00 to 18.00, for only 10 yuan per person. You can get there by subway: Provincial People's Hospital station, line 2.

Park areas and gardens

The green lungs of the metropolis are an independent tourist value. Exotic nature and fauna, accompanying spectacles and entertainment.

"New Century"

The monumental urban giant "New Century" is a universal city building. The architectural masterpiece is listed in the Guinness Register as the largest solid structure in the world.

The giant occupies 1.76 million sq.m. The huge spaces of the building house business offices, conference halls, classrooms of local educational institutions, three shopping malls, two five-star hotels, a cinema and an aquarium.

Tianfu Square

The central square of the city (80,000 square meters), in addition to a business card, is the cultural, historical and transport heart of a huge metropolis.

The square is decorated with a huge monument of Mao Tse Tung and a magnificent fountain. Along the perimeter there are numerous shopping areas and boutiques with expensive brands, entertainment complexes and a metro station. Experienced guides recommend planning a visit to Tianfu in the evening, with the grand illumination on.

Chunxi Pedestrian Road

Chunxi Shopping Street transforms ordinary shopping into a world-class commercial tour. In addition to the exotic surroundings, the pedestrian avenue enchants travelers with an amazing assortment. More than seven hundred shopping centers, department stores, malls and small boutique shops are concentrated on 220 thousand square meters.

The shopping highway is located in the center, you can walk to the establishments on foot or “fly” along the second subway line to the Chunxi Road stop.

Natural Park

Jiuzhaigou - natural Park in the Sichuan mountains. The reserve is famous all over the world for its lakes, waterfalls and stunning mountain views.

It is better to allocate two days for visiting the park: one for the road and hotel accommodation, the second for “unity with nature”.

The price of visiting seasonally ranges from 26 to 50 dollars. The reserve is open from 8.00 to 17.00 seven days a week.

Buddha statue in Leshan

The mountain settlement of Leshan (140 km from the metropolis) is famous all over the world for its giant (71m) statue of Buddha. Statistical reference books of the Middle State classify the colossus as the largest object carved into a mountain range.

The colossus was cut into the rock for 90 years: cutting out of the rock started in 713 and finished in 803. Price for viewing all objects: 90 yuan.

Qingchenshan summit

Qingchenshan is the birthplace of Taoism. IN mountainous areas The first Tao monastery was founded in the region.

In the mountains of Qingchenshan there is a whole complex of Taoist temples, pantheons and pagodas. Those who wish to get acquainted with the life and activity of modern monks will have to make a three-hour walk to the top. There is an alternative option: a cable car for 60 yuan. Tao Reserve is open daily from 8.00 to 17.00.

Accommodation and lodging

Chengdu metropolis offers travelers the widest selection hotels of different comfort and price.

Hostels and youth campsites will provide tourists with good conditions for 10-25 dollars per day. A hotel will “get up” more expensive, more pretentious and much more comfortable:

• three stars / double / 45-50 dollars per day;
• four stars / double / 80-90.

The atmosphere of luxury and unforgettable bliss will be provided by five-star grandees. For a suite at the Millennium Hotel, they will ask for $120 per night.

Where and how to eat?

Professional chefs and restaurateurs consider the Sichuan culinary school to be the most popular and beloved in the world.

The Sichuan culinary tradition is famous all over the world for its enchanting aromas, fiery intensity and spicy spices. Known all over the world are hot pot, bean curd Ma Po, Gong Bao Ji Ding Chengdu (scented chicken with nuts), Ma La Tang (“flaming tongue stew”).

Local gastronomic delights are available in restaurants and right on the street. An exemplary hot pot is served at the famous Huangcheng Laoma on Kintai Road. Excellent local menu Shizilou and Tanyutou are famous.

Gifts and souvenirs

Chengdu is a cult place for gift and souvenir shopping.

Interesting! Walking through the shops, shops and street markets of Chengdu is a great pastime, therapy and relaxation.

The list of souvenirs and gifts with local flavor is incredibly wide: for every taste and budget. All guidebooks and guides recommend to purchase:

• brocade Shu. Two millennia of production history and unconditional popularity all over the world;
• bamboo products and crafts. Local craftsmen skillfully weave bamboo stems and porcelain. Stylish and very original;
• traditional medicine preparations, dietary supplements. Chengdu is the center of traditional medicine, the city's pharmacists practice the most ancient recipes;
• the magnificent tea which is grown up on high-mountainous plantations.

The most popular outlets and street bazaars are based along Zongfu Road, Chunxi and Luomashi.

Conclusion

Chengdu - beautiful city wealth, the capital of success. global metropolis a good place to visit: here you can enjoy the beauties of nature, architectural and historical monuments, to learn a lot about the great Celestial Empire, which organically combines the archaic of antiquity and the ultra-modern facts of progress.