Cultural center in chengdu china. Chengdu city: attractions and points of interest. What to see attractions in Chengdu

Chengdu nestles on the plain along which the Min River flows in Sichuan province. Today it is the provincial capital. The city was founded in the 4th century BC. During the Song era, it served as the capital of China and was the first in the world to use paper money.

Now Chengdu has taken the lead in China's traditional medicine to cure incurable diseases. The subtropical climate with monsoons is characterized by a rainy season in July and August. Therefore, it is better to come between March and June.

The city and its surroundings are famous for cultural, historical sights and unexpected places:

The mention of this street dates back to the 3rd century BC. Green tiles decorate the street for 0.5 km. Here tourists will see craftsmen who can write hieroglyphs on a grain of rice or paint the inner walls of a fragile glass ball.

The Qing period is traced in the architecture of the street buildings. In the last tens of meters of the street, you can smell the local delicacies that tourists will not miss.

The southern part of the city sheltered a temple, the area of ​​which is estimated at 36-38 thousand m 2. The time of the creation of the memorial dates back to the period of the three kingdoms in the 3rd century. The temple is surrounded by a red wall, inside which is a peach garden. The complex includes the tomb of Liu Bei, the gallery and the pavilion of the commander, as well as gates 1 and 2. The buildings are oriented from south to north.

Location: 231 - Wuhouci Street.

The first buildings in Chengdu are dated to the 7th-10th centuries during the Tang Dynasty. At the end of the 17th century, the monastery was rebuilt. The complex boasts a collection of 480 paintings and manuscripts. It contains autographs of artists, masters of hieroglyphic writing and the skull of a monk who managed to translate 1333 sacred texts from Sanskrit.

In the early 1920s, the monastery was replenished with a Burmese statue of the White Buddha. At the same time, there are 290 iron, stone, wooden, bronze and jade statues of Buddha in the storerooms of the complex.

The tea house, located on the territory of the monastery, surpasses similar buildings in the city. There is a vegetarian restaurant nearby.

Location: 66 Wenshuyuan Street.

The city of Leshan is located at the confluence of three rivers. The distance between Chengdu and Leshan is covered by bus in 1 hour.

The rock sculpture of the seated Buddha brought glory to the city, the production of which began at the beginning of the VIII century and lasted for 9 decades. A person descending from the top of the mountain at the level of the Big Buddha's head reaches his feet, which are washed by the waters of the river, passing a distance of 71 m. The southern and northern walls depict 9 dozen beings with awakened consciousness who decided to become Buddhas (bodhisattva).

Location: No.2435 - Lingyun Street.

Tourists visiting Chengdu for the first time confuse the panda breeding research center, located 10 kilometers to the northeast, with the panda sanctuary, which is located in westward 150 km.

The number of bears feeding on bamboo has dropped to 980 animals. The challenge for scientists is to create adapted conditions for the breeding of these animals. Then the matured pandas are released into the wild. Pandas love to sleep. Therefore, it is better to see these cute creatures when feeding with bamboo in the morning.

Location: 10 km northeast of the city center.

Temple "Cave of the White Dragon"

The Buddhist building on Mount Eimeshan dates back to the 3rd century BC. Qin period. The temple consists of 3 halls, inside which stalactites and stalagmites of rainbow colors amaze with their natural resourcefulness. Buddhas and enlightened bronze ones guard the sacred mountain.

Location: Emei, Leshan, Sichuan.

The creation of the reserve on the mountain is due to the safety of the Tibetan macaques. The number of these mammals is 1180. Macaques have chosen only these Emeishan forests. The weight of an adult monkey reaches the weight of a 7-8-year-old child. These macaques do not suffer from shyness, grimace in front of cameras and steal fruits and shiny things. The reserve staff forbid feeding the monkeys so as not to violate the restrictive diet.

Location: Emeishan, Leshan, Sichuan.

The building dates back to the 4th century and is located on Mount Eimeshan. Bodhisattva Pusyan is the protector of the shrine, which I also call a temple for 10 Thousand Years. A bronze sculpture in 8 m of a bodhisattva on an elephant with 3 heads has exceeded 10 centuries.

According to legend, the touch of tourists to this monument makes a wish. The places that tourists can reach have been shining for a long time. The cable car takes you to the temple in minutes, and the hike takes 3 days.

The sacred Mount Emeishan is home to a shrine whose Chinese name is Jindingsi. The temple was founded in the 2nd century of the Han Dynasty. The Bodhisattva Pusyan is considered a symbol of worship.

The carved roof, ornamented columns and ornate gratings represent the Chinese architectural style.

On observation deck at an altitude of 3,080 m, artists, photographers and nature lovers will catch the views of the unique environment.

400 km separate Chengdu and the Nine Village Nature Reserve with the Chinese name Jiuzhaigou. By bus, the time will be 9 hours. This national park is located in the Minshan Mountains at an altitude of 2000-4800 m, covering an area of ​​600 km 2.

Scientists have discovered on the territory of the reserve multi-cascade waterfalls and 108 lakes formed from melting glaciers, with blue, green and yellow colors, explaining the resulting color by the vital activity of algae. It is worth paying attention to the Panda waterfall, the five-stage Zhemchuzhina waterfall, the Ancient forest and the Swan and Travyanoe lakes.

Chengdu and the reserve with the Russian name Yellow Dragon are separated by 200 km and a 4-hour bus ride north. The height of the location of the terrain reaches 3500 m with an area 20 thousand km 2... 3100 lakes are cascades in some places. Here tourists will find the most big waterfall Zhaga in China, reaching a fall height of 93 m.The mountain with a summit in the snow rises to 5588 m.

The reserve is home to rare species of panda and monkey.

The complex is divided into imperial palace and the park. The palace was intended for members of the imperial family and for the performance of state functions. The beauty of the park is that the designers have placed 260 secluded spots, copied from the Chinese landscapes. There are: a lake with bridges, small mountains, valleys.

Location: Shuang Qiao Qu.

The beginning of construction dates back to the 3rd century BC. The abundant overflow of the Minjiang River resulted in annual crop losses. To combat this natural phenomenon a dam was built in the middle of the river, dividing the river into two branches.

The irrigation structure functions to this day, irrigating arable land with an area of 5280 km 2, and between the cities of Chengdu and Dujianyan - 1 hour by bus.

Local craftsmen will offer tourists to make a painting with a relief image on a stone with their own hands, learn how to shoot a bow and even cook local dishes.

In the vicinity of the city of Zigong, 9 km away, paleontologists have discovered the remains of dinosaurs with an age of 175 million years. This gave impetus for the construction and opening at the end of the 80s of the 20th century of a three-story museum with an area 65 thousand m 2.

The exposition is divided into three areas: the evolution of dinosaurs, skeletons found in this area and recovered with success, and an excavation site where paleontological work continues.

Near the city of Dujiangyan, an hour's bus ride from Chengdu is located mountain range with 36 peaks and 70 temples in the caves. The slopes of the massif are densely overgrown with forest and bamboo. Taoist and Buddhist objects of worship have been found on the Front Mountain of the Qingchengshan Massif. Legend has it that here the Yellow Emperor laid the canons of Taoism for the Chinese. The back mountain attracts tourists with views of waterfalls and roaring streams of water among the mountains.

In addition to the listed sights and places of interest in Chengdu, tourists will find other objects of interest: the Qing-yin Pavilion, Baogo Monastery, Wolong Nature Reserve, Chengdu Museums, Three Star Mound and the House of the Poet Du Fu, Panda Base in Dujianyang, Black Goat Temple, Shu Brocade Academy , The Flutist sculpture in Chengdu, the eight Outer Temples, the Sichuan Opera in Chengdu, the Tibetan Sauna in Chengdu, the Global Center New Age”, The ancient settlement of Sanxingdui, the ancient settlement of Huanglongxi.

City of sub-provincial significance
whale. 成都
30 ° 39'49 ″ s. NS. 104 ° 04'00 ″ east etc.
Country	China China
Provinces
History and geography
Founded	311 BC NS.
First mention	5th century BC
Square	14312 km² km²
Center height	500 m
Climate type	Subtropical monsoon climate
Timezone	UTC + 8
Population
Population	16 million people (2016)
Density	887.9 people / km²
Agglomeration	16040000
National composition	Khan nationality
Official language	Sichuan dialect
Digital identifiers
Telephone code	+86 28
Zip codes	610000 (Area number 028)
Car code	川 A
chengdu.gov.cn (whale.)

A city of sub-provincial importance in southwestern China, in the valley of the Minjiang River, the administrative center of the province.

Population - 16,040,000 people (2016), the 4th most populous city in China.

The emblem of the city is the ancient golden disc "Birds of the Golden Sun", found in 2001 during the excavations of the Jinsha culture within the city.

History

Chengdu arose in the 4th century BC. NS. When people came to these places at the founding of the kingdom of Shu, they were told: “The first year became a gathering area, the second became a city, the third year became the capital” (一年 成 聚 ， 二年 成 邑 ， 三年 成都); from the words "to establish a city" (成都) the name "Chengdu" appeared. V ancient kingdom Shu was famous for Chengdu, Xindu and Guangdu (modern Shuangliu), collectively referred to as "three Du" (三 都), but later it was Chengdu that rose to the top, and Xindu and Guangdu have now become its constituent parts.

At the beginning of our era, Chengdu was famous for the production of brocade and was also called Jincheng ("city of brocade"). Until 316 BC NS. Chengdu was the capital of the Shu kingdom, in the era of the Three Kingdoms from 221 to 263 - the capital of the Shu Han kingdom, in the first half of the 4th century - the capital of the Cheng state, at the beginning of the 5th century - the capital of the Western Shu state, and during the five dynasties - the capital of the Early Shu and Late Shu. In 994, Chengdu was for a time the capital of the rebel state of Li Shu.

In 1644-46 Chengdu was occupied by the rebel army of Zhang Xianzhong, becoming the capital of the Great Western State he created. During the years of the Great Peasant War, the Manchu conquest of China and the war of the three tributary princes, the city suffered greatly and was practically depopulated.The people of the entire city were killed, and now the inhabitants of Chengdu consist of a million people from the provinces of Hubei, Hunan, Canton and other provinces. After the establishment of the Qing Empire, the government had to take special measures to repopulate the deserted Sichuan province, and the city gradually rebuilt. The province of Sichuan was separated into a separate military governorship, and in 1731 Chengdu became the seat of the governor of Sichuan.

Until the 20th century, Chengdu was a county town that did not have its own governing bodies. In 1928, Chengdu and Huayang counties were officially merged into Chengdu City with their own governments.

On December 27, 1949, the People's Liberation Army of China entered Chengdu, and Chengdu became part of the PRC. In 1952, Sichuan Province was restored, and Chengdu became a city of direct provincial subordination, and the provincial government was located in it.

Geography and climate

Jinjiang River, Anshun Bridge and New Development in Chengdu

The city is located at the western end of the Sichuan Basin, on the Chengdu Plain. The urban district stretches 192 km from west to east and 166 km from north to south with an area of ​​12 390 km². It borders on urban districts: Deyang, Ziyang, Meishan and Ya'an, as well as on the Ngawa-Tibet-Qiang Autonomous Region. The urban area is located at an altitude of about 500 m above sea level. The lowest point of the Chengdu urban district is 378 m, the relief is more varied outside the city.

Chengdu's climate is characterized as humid subtropical. Comfortable for people living as well as for farming. The Qinling Mountains protect the city from the penetration of northern air masses from Siberia, so the winter in Chengdu is milder than in the lower part of the Yangtze. The average January temperature is 5 ° С; snow falls extremely rarely, although short-term frosts are sometimes possible. Summers are humid and rather hot, but not as hot as in cities down the Yangtze. Average temperatures in July and August are about 25 ° C, although during the day they can reach 37 ° C and higher. Persistent heat waves are also quite rare. The greatest amount of precipitation falls from June to September.

Administrative divisions

The sub-provincial city of Chengdu is divided into 9 districts, 5 urban counties, 6 counties:

Economy

Chengdu Agro-Industry Fields and Chimneys

Chunsilu is one of the largest shopping streets in the city

Traffic and reconstruction in the city center

Chengdu is a major center of economy, trade, finance, science and technology, as well as an important center of transport and communications. According to the 2007 World Bank report on the global investment climate, Chengdu was declared the benchmark for the investment climate in China. Also, according to a study conducted by Nobel laureate of economics Robert Mundell and renowned Chinese economist Li Yining, published by the State Information Center in 2010, Chengdu has become the engine of the Western development program and the benchmark for the investment climate in China, as well as a major center of new urbanization.

In 2010 alone, 12 Fortune 500 companies including ANZ Bank, Nippon Steel Corporation and Electricite De France opened offices, subsidiaries or operational centers in Chengdu. In total, at the end of 2010, more than 200 companies from this list had their offices in Chengdu, which is the highest figure among cities in western and central China. The city has become the largest investment attraction center in the western part of the country.

Production plays an important role in the economy. The main industries in Chengdu include the manufacturing of engineering products, equipment, food, medicine and IT. The largest businesses in these industries include Chengdu Sugar and Wine Co. Ltd., Chengdu Food Group, Sichuan Medicine Co. Ltd., Chengdu Automobile Co. Ltd. other.

A high-tech industrial park has been deployed and expanded in Chengdu, where one of the country's largest aerospace industries is located. Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation manufactures military and other aviation equipment, including the modern Chengdu J-10 "Swift Dragon" fighter and the first copies of one of the few fifth-generation fighter in the world, the Chengdu J-20 "Black Eagle".

The city is one of the most important centers for the automotive industry and the production of auto parts in the country. The city produces several hundred thousand cars a year and plans to increase production to 1.25 million in 2020. Car manufacturers such as Volvo, FAW Volkswagen, FAW Toyota and Sinotruk Wangpai are represented in Chengdu. There are also about 200 major manufacturers of component parts for German, Japanese and other vehicle lines.

Chengdu has been developing as a national electronics and IT base for quite some time now. Chengdu High-Tech Industrial Development Zone attracts at least 30 "500" companies and about 12,000 Chinese companies, including Intel, IBM, Cisco, NOKIA, Motorola, SAP, Siemens, Canon, HP, Xerox, Microsoft, Tieto, NIIT and Wipro as well as a local giant like Lenovo. Dell also plans to open its second major center in China in Chengdu as an extension of the center in Xiamen. Chengdu is one of the five largest software industry bases in China.

National Development and Reform Commission approved the proposal to establish in Chengdu state center bio-industry. The city government also approved a plan for the development of the biopharmaceutical industry.

At the beginning of the 21st century, a large hydroelectric power station was built in the upper reaches of the Minjiang River near the city of Dujiangyan.

Transport

One of the Chengdu subway stations

Shuangliu Airport New Terminal

East station

The Chengdu Metro was officially opened in Chengdu on October 1, 2010. As of the end of 2017, it consists of 6 lines, including a circular one. There are about 400 bus routes in the city and the metropolitan area.

Shuangliu International Airport is located about 16 km from the city center. It is the 2nd busiest airport in mainland China; in 2015 traffic amounted to 4,000 million passengers. It operates flights to most major cities of the country, as well as international flights to cities such as: Hong Kong, Osaka, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Phuket, Bangkok, etc. In 2009, an agreement was signed to improve the airport infrastructure. which would allow Shuangliu to increase its traffic to 4 million passengers by 2015. The airport is based major airline Chengdu Airlines. There is also a long-term plan to build another airport with five runways. With the plan, the journey from the new airport to downtown Chengdu would take no more than 30 minutes /

Chengdu is a major railway junction. The branches intersect here - Chengdu, Chengdu - and Chengdu - Dazhou. Currently, the city has 4 main stations. In addition, North-Sorting Yard is the largest marshalling yard in all of China. Another station will be built in the coming years. Two more high-speed rail lines operate from Chengdu (Chongqing and Dujiangyan) and three more high-speed railway lines are being completed, while the line to Chongqing is being converted into part of the main latitudinal national high-speed highway (up to speeds of 350 km / h).

In Chengdu, many national highways cross from Shaanxi provinces, and. The Chengdu-Chongqing highway became one of the first highways in the country and the first in its western part.

Chengdu Temple

Highway and railway line to Dujiangyan

Jinli Street Historic District

In the giant panda sanctuary

Chengdu Sports Center

sights

• complex of the temple of Uhoutsi (XVI-XVIII centuries)
• Temple of the Green Goat - Taoist Temple
• Baoguansa monastery
• house-museum of the poet Du Fu
• Sichuan Provincial Museum
• China Giant Panda Nature Reserve
• Tianfu Square
• Western Pearl TV Tower - with a height of 339 meters, it is the tallest structure in Western China, the 16th tallest structure in all of China, and also occupies the 18th line in the list of the highest television towers the world.
• more than 20 high-rise buildings of 30-45 floors, in 2012-2013 the construction of three 48-60-storey skyscrapers is being completed; in the number of such buildings, Chengdu is second only to Chongqing in western China
• Chengdu Sports Center
• The largest building in the world. The opening took place on July 1, 2013. 1.7 million square meters, equivalent to three Pentagon buildings or 20 Sydney Opera buildings

Twin cities

• (French Montpellier, Occitan. Montpelhièr), (1979)
• (Slovenian Ljubjana), (1981)
• (German Linz), (1983)
• (Japanese 甲 府 市), (1983)
• (English Phoenix), (1986)

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, distinctive cuisine, traditional art and much more.

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

Over the years of my life in China, I have 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. Nearest international Airport Shuangliu (成都 双流 国际 机场) is located 20 km from the city and is one of the ten largest airports in China.

The largest number of flights, of course, is 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 from Chengdu you can easily fly 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 a Moswka-Chengdu flight. This is the only direct flight from Russia to Sichuan province so far. Departure is carried out on even numbers from Sheremetyevo airport. Such a flight lasts 8 hours and 30 minutes, and the air ticket price starts from $ 275 per person one way. In addition, there are many different options for departing from Moscow with transfers to Guangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai, etc. But, as I checked on flight 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 the best way 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 bus routes in total that will take you 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 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; 08:00 - 20:00.

The fare is 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 journey 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 to the center of Chengdu and $ 15 to the northern railway station.

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

By train

Given that the railway is the most popular way to travel around the country, you can get to Chengdu 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),
• South (South Railway Station 火车南站).

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

Main Station (North Railway Station 火车 北 站）

The main (northern) station connects Sichuan with major cities country. The main directions are Wuhan, Kunming, Guilin, Lanzhou, Changsha, Chongqing, Guangzhou. There are several trains per day from most of these cities, for example, from Beijing 5 trains a day, Xian - 11, Guangzhou - 4, Shanghai - 5, Kunming - 6. But in use railroad there are some drawbacks: because of the long distances, the transfer takes a lot of time, and the ticket prices are quite high. For example, the journey from Beijing to Chengdu will take about 28-30 hours, and a ticket to second-class carriage will cost $ 70, 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 does not always turn out to be more profitable.

How to get from the station to the city

The station is located near the center. From it you can easily reach the main places by metro, bus or taxi. There is North Railway Station (火车 北 站) subway station right next to the station, which is very convenient. The center of Chengdu is Tianfu Square (Tianfu Square 天府 广场), you need to go to it only 4 stops by subway (it will take 10 minutes - the fastest and most convenient way) and get off at the station of the same name or use buses 16, 52, 55 ( 30-40 minutes). You will need to pay about 2-3 dollars for a taxi. In the photo below, the main square of the city.

East (East Railway Station 成都 东 站)

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

South (South Railway Station 火车南站)

Chengdu South Station carries out passenger transportation to the cities of Sichuan province: Emeishan, Leshan, Mianyang, Jianyou, 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. Before central square 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 by bus. But this is not the most convenient option, because it will take a long time to travel from popular Chinese cities, and moving in the vicinity of noisy and not always cultured Chinese may seem like a nightmare. In addition, there is very little information on the bus schedule on the Internet. Despite this, it can be said that the bus system in Chengdu is very well developed, there are several bus stations in the city that connect it with neighboring cities provinces, 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 train station. How to get from it to the center is described above, the same methods are suitable if you come to this bus station.

Tourist buses from the main attractions of Sichuan such as Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong, Songpan, Leshan, Emeishan, Dujiangyan and others arrive at Xinnanmen (新 南门 汽车站) and Chadianzi (茶 子 客运站) station. How to get from them, it is written in another mine.

Prompt:

Chengdu - the time is now

Difference in hours:

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 a resort city, so the season does not play a special role in its visit. 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 an average temperature of + 5-10 ° C, and snow and cold are rather an exception. I have been to Chengdu twice in winter, and I can say that it was comfortable for me to walk 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 bloomed in the parks.

In summer it is hot here, + 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. They say that it is thanks 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, besides the city itself, you want to visit the natural attractions of Sichuan province, for example, Huanglong, Jiuzhaigou, Emeishan, Qingchengshan, then it is still better to come from April to November.

Chengdu - monthly weather

Prompt:

Chengdu - monthly weather

Districts. Where is the best place to live

In my opinion, it is best to stay closer to the city center in Chengdu for better access to major tourist attractions, parks and restaurants. The most popular areas among tourists are the Qing Yang and Jin Jiang districts, which is where 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. It's the same with food and shopping, prices are different and are determined by your personal preferences. In China, you can always find budget options and not so much, and it does not depend on the region.

You can choose the best option on Booking - and - compare prices from different services. To deeply immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the city, you can rent an apartment or an apartment from the locals, for more details see.

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

• Qing Yang (青羊 区) is the heart of the city and is where most tourists choose to stay. Most of the city's attractions are located in this area: parks, museums, temples, tourist streets.
• Jin Jiang (锦江区) is a vibrant and thriving business center. It contains 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.
• Wu Hou (武侯区) is the largest. It is interesting for tourists because the famous Wuhou Temple and the ancient Qingli Street are located here. There are a sufficient number of hotels, bars and cafes.
• Jin Niu (金牛区) is another shopping area with big amount markets and shopping malls. This includes the main Train Station.
• Cheng Hua District (成华区) is an ordinary urban area with residential buildings, but it is in it that almost the most important attraction is the panda breeding center. The rest of the area does not attract tourists.

Major attractions. What to see

Chengdu and its surroundings 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 entire country. Outside its borders, tourists will get acquainted with the unique and beautiful nature of the Sichuan province. It is not for nothing that tours from Russia are organized here (you can check the 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 practically not found in wildlife... In the center of breeding and study, you can get to know these lazy bumpers, who do not look like bears at all, quite closely.

At the same time, it is located almost 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, or 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 while lying down and fall asleep in an embrace with half-eaten bamboo, so they are exhausted by the process of eating. Only youngsters are frolicking, and even then quite awkwardly. When I saw the pandas hanging on the tree like this, I could not even believe that they could get there, I thought that they were specially planted there to amuse the people, but no, it turns out, they climb in there themselves and even manage to sleep there, it's a pity only failed to see the moment when they get 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 meet another, no less amazing animal - a red, or small, panda.

Unlike their larger counterparts, red pandas are more like raccoons in both appearance and behavior. They are very agile, 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. The best time to come is in the morning, when the pandas have breakfast time, but to be honest, we were stuck in the park for the whole day, we enjoyed watching these cuties so much. The entrance ticket costs only $ 9 (58 RMB), which is extremely cheap considering the amount of positive emotions and impressions you will get there.

How to get there

You can get to the center by taxi, which will cost $ 5 (30 yuan) one way (if you are traveling with a company or family, this is a great option). If you are interested in a budget option, then it is worth using public transport, which is cheap, but not very convenient, because you will have to change trains. But this is the way I chose. The easiest way to change is at the Zoo (动物园 dòngwùyuán) stop. You can get to it by buses numbered 39, 70, 99, 150, 193. If you are coming from the central railway station, then you need the 9th bus, and from main square- 53, 64, 99. Then at the zoo stop you need to change 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 announced only in Chinese. But in most buses there is a board on which the name of the next stop and the route map are displayed, where special lamps light up, marking the stops that have already 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 out.

House-Museum of the poet Du Fu （杜甫 草堂 dù fǔ cǎotáng）

Du Fu (712-770) is a great Chinese poet who lived and worked during 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 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, 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

wǔhóucí)

The Wuhou temple complex 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 - Liu Bei's assistant, a famous commander and statesman of that era. On the territory you can see sculptures of Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang, pavilions named after them and ancient plates with inscriptions.

Opening hours from 8:00 to 18:00, entrance fee - $ 10. To get there, take a taxi or bus numbered 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 the ancient Qingli 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 a visit to these two places. There are many cozy cafes, bars and souvenir shops on Qingli. 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 a building that became the largest in area in the world. This is the New Century Global Center (新 世纪 环球 中心 xīnshìjì huánqiú zhōngxīn), which has an internal area of ​​1.7 million square meters. Since opening in 2013, the mall has become a Chengdu heritage and tourist attraction.

What's inside? In addition to a huge number of shops, offices, restaurants, conference rooms, two five-star hotels, an ice rink and the largest IMAX cinema in Chengdu, there is also something that simply does not fit in your head. Inside shopping complex the Chinese have equipped an artificial beach with an area of ​​5 thousand square meters, which can simultaneously accommodate more than 500 people. If you want to visit it, here's some useful information for you: the beach is open from 10:00 to 20:00, and the entrance costs $ 28 (180 yuan).
You can get to this architectural wonder by taking the subway to Jinchen Plaza (锦城 广场) Exit A.

Churches and temples. Which are worth visiting

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

Temple of the Green Goat (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 houses 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 a 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 statues of a goat 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 metro, 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 stop 青羊宫.

Wenshu monastery (文殊院 wénshū yuàn)

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

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

Museums. Which are worth visiting

Sichuan Provincial Museum (四川省 博物院 sìchuānshěng bówùyuàn)

The museum consists of four rooms and covers an area of ​​46 thousand square meters. Its collection includes over 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 cannot tell from my experience, but I think it is worth a visit, because it is there that you can get to know the history and culture of the province. Open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, except Mondays. According to rumors, admission is free, you just need to have your passport with you, but I'm not sure of this information. You can get there by buses # 19, 35, 58, 82, 151, 165, 170, 319 to the Songxianqiao stop 送 仙桥.

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

• Sichuan University Museum (四川 大学 博物馆). Entrance fee is $ 5.
• Sichuan Museum of Science and Technology. Located in the main square of the city, behind the statue of Mao Zedong. It is open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, but visitors are not allowed in an hour before closing time. Entrance $ 5.
• Dinosaur Museum of the Polytechnic University. Located on the territory of the Polytechnic University - 成都 理工 大学. Entrance $ 1.5.

Parks

The Chinese love to spend their free time outdoors, so there are many parks and gardens in every city. They are worth visiting not only in order to stay closer to nature, but also to see how the locals spend their leisure time. It is especially interesting to watch the older generation. Old people play mahjong, gather, so to speak, in "hobby groups" and sing songs, play instruments, read poetry, do dances 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 gōngyuán). Located within walking distance from the main square of the city, you can get to the metro station of the same name.

• Baihuatan Park (百花潭 公园 bǎi huā tán gōngyuán). Admission is free, the park is open from 6 am to 9 pm. Buses 35, 115, 126, 127, 129, 170 go there.

• Wangjiangtang Park (望江 楼 公园 wàngjiāng lóu gōngyuán). 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), to which 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. Consists of three parallel streets with cafes, shops and amusing monuments.

Here you can sit in a cafe, buy souvenirs or taste local "delicacies" and feel that you are in ancient China. But the prices for everything are a little 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, take subway station 人民 公园 Line 2 and then walk.

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

What to see in the vicinity

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

Dujiangyan Irrigation System (都江堰 景区 Dūjiāngyàn jǐngqū)

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, a suspension bridge and tea houses.

There are several ways to get there from Chengdu:

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

Buses to Dujiangyan City 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 (travel time is only 30 minutes, ticket price is 2-3 dollars). A taxi straight from Chengdu will cost $ 20-25 per car. The entrance ticket to the park itself costs $ 15.

Qingchengshan Mountain (青城 山 qīng chéng shān)

70 km from the city of Chengdu and only 20 km from Dujiangyan is Mount Qingchengshan, revered by the Taoists, since it was here that the first Taoist temple complex... Now on its territory you can see Taoist monasteries, pavilions and pagodas, caves and lakes. This place combines Taoist culture and natural beauty. From Chengdu, you can take the train (to 青城 山 火车站 Station), then take bus 101 to the front of the mountain. Or take a bus from Xinnanmen or Chadianzi stations. In addition, you can get there from Dujiangyan. You will have to pay about $ 15 to enter, plus the cable car and visits to 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 close by. You can stay overnight in the park at a hotel or monastery, or outside at the foot of the mountain and return to Chengdu the next day. But I haven't tried this option.

Giant Buddha statue in Leshan (乐山 大佛 lèshān dàfó)

Near the city of Leshan, which is 140 km from Chengdu, in the territory beautiful park there is a unique 70-meter high statue of Buddha carved into the rock, the work on the creation of which lasted about a hundred years. Its dimensions are really impressive, as several people can fit on just one toe. You can get to Leshan town by bus from bus stations or Chengdu Airport by tourist bus, taxi or train from the South Railway Station. Entrance fee around $ 15 (RMB 90).

Sacred Emeishan Mountains (峨眉山 éméishān)

Emeishan mountains are among the four great and sacred Buddhist mountains China and are a place of special beauty and atmosphere. Today, about 300 monks live on 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 sunrise in this stunning place. The ways to get there are the same as to Leshan.

Jiuzhaigou National Park (九寨沟 jiǔzhàigōu)

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

Huanglong National Park (黄龙 Huáng lóng)

Huanglong National Park, which is located 70 km from Jiuzhaigou, is no less beautiful. The park's pride is extraordinary beauty colored pools, waterfalls and a 5588 meter high mountain that wears a snow cap all year round. 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. I am by nature a great lover of nature, so for me the ideal choice was to visit Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong, but for people who are interested in Buddhism, I advise you to conquer Emeishan, this is just a must on the program. If there is not much time, then you can escape from the city to the Qingchenshan Mountain, admire the nature, and at the same time visit Dongjiangyan. Well, it's best to visit everything so that you don't regret it 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 Sichuan province has its own special cuisine 川菜, which is famous throughout the world for its searing spiciness. So if you're 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.

• 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 pot" (回锅肉 huíguōròu) - pork stewed in a special way with hot pepper;

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

• braised pork pieces (东坡 肘子 dōng pō zhǒuzi);
• chili 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 spicy Sichuan noodles (担 担 面 dàndànmià).

By the way, in order to extinguish the pungency 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 restaurants on every corner for every taste and budget. The price will depend on the location you choose, the dish and the type of cuisine. European cuisine is more expensive, Chinese is cheaper. The most budgetary option is street food: various snacks, sandwiches, kebabs. A visit to a good restaurant will cost a lot of money, but I won't say that it tastes much better there than in small street establishments.

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

A variety of dishes can be found at tourist streets oh, about which I wrote above, there are a large number of places near the main attractions. In the photo there are 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 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 nice and clean places with quality food.

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

Things to do

Shopping and shops

Chunxi Shopping Street (春熙 路)

If in Chengdu you want to buy something for yourself, then I would advise 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 of Chinese and world brands at moderate and not very prices. Most shops are open from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm.

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. Line 2 has a station called Chunxi Road (春熙 路), which is what you need. When you arrive, take exit C or D. In addition, you can also get there by city buses, here are several routes that run here: 43, 47, 55, 56, 58, 81, 98, 104 and others.

Zongfu Street (总 府路 zǒngfǔlù)

This street is close to 天府 广场 Square. A large number of shopping malls are concentrated on it, which attract both locals and visitors. There you can buy branded cosmetics, shoes, clothes and jewelry. But as for me, a hike to Chunxi Street will be enough, because there is more choice and 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.

• handicraft and antiques market (送 仙桥 sòng xiānqiáo);
• Wide 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 large and advanced city, where young people also like to have fun and relax. Therefore, there is a fairly large number of interesting establishments and even whole 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 visited by both locals and foreigners is Lan Kwai Fong 兰桂坊, which has about 30 bars, restaurants and nightclubs in one place, but prices are not cheap. If you love parties and do not spare money for them, then you definitely go there. It is located near the 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 (武侯祠 酒吧 一条 街).

If you want to spend an evening at the bar with a glass of beer or cocktail, then I advise you to walk along one of these streets, there you can definitely find something to your taste, or you can look into one of the establishments 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, bar with live music Music House (音乐 房子).

Among others, often visited by local youth, are:

• Machu Picchu,
• Little Bar,
• Elephant Bar,
• Lotus Place,
• Shark "s and others.

Most of the bars are open from lunchtime 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 never been to, most of the entrance is free, there are no requirements for appearance either. And no one bothers 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, the usual dance floor may not exist, 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 in order to sit down at a table, you need, for example, take a box of beer or expensive whiskey (often a fake), and if you come together, then it is absolutely not profitable. But there are also exceptions. Chinese clubs also close early, at 2-3 o'clock in the morning, although at home 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 you will definitely not want to return from China empty-handed. Chengdu is no exception, the choice of shops and markets is quite large, I would even say, eyes run wide, so if you have free time, devote a day to shopping. In addition to the usual Chinese souvenir products, Sichuan has its own interesting and special products.

Bamboo products

Sichuan is rich in bamboo forests that panda bears love so much. It is not surprising that bamboo souvenirs have become popular here. As a gift for yourself or your loved ones, you can bring caskets, lamps, baskets, kitchen and writing utensils made of this material, they are sold both in expensive stores and in the markets.

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

Sichuan brocade Shu (蜀锦 shǔjǐn)

The skill of making Sichuan brocade Shu, 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 anyone can buy it. In the city, by the way, there is even 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 dōng lù èr háo), which is not far from houses of Du Fu Museum and Baihuatan Park.

Sichuan Shu Embroidery (蜀 绣 shǔxiù)

This is the traditional artistic silk embroidery typical of 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 among tourists, such small embroidered paintings in frames are in demand.

Lacquered products （漆器 qīqì）

Various lacquerware products have become popular souvenirs from Chengdu: dishes, vases, boxes. Sichuan lacquered crafts have been renowned for their quality to the news 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 common Chinese souvenirs (fans, paintings, Chinese traditional clothes, Chinese masks, etc.).

How to get around the city

Chengdu has an excellent public transportation system; to services local residents and tourists have metro, regular and sightseeing buses, taxis. Today, the most convenient way to get around the city is by 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. Many different routes provide easy access to major city and suburban attractions, railway and bus stations, shopping centers and tourist streets. Bus travel 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 metro will cost 0.3 - 1.1 dollars, depending on the distance, plus all the inscriptions are duplicated in English. For those who do not like public transport, there is always the opportunity to take 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 cars are equipped with a taximeter and fees are charged at a specific rate. I specifically checked what are the current rates in Chengdu, and you can use this information to roughly calculate how much you need to pay for the trip, provided that, of course, you know the distance at least approximately.

From 6:00 to 23:00 boarding 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, you will have to pay 2.85 yuan for each kilometer. It turns out a little more expensive at night. From 23:00 to 6:00 boarding - 10 yuan, up to 10 km the price per km is 2.2 yuan, from 10 to 60 km - 3.3 per km.

That is, if you need to travel 2 km, you should take only $ 1.2, if 10 km, then $ 3.6, 20 - about $ 8.

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

When you get into a taxi, see that the taxi driver turns on and zeroes the taximeter, or, when he is not there, negotiate a price in advance (if you have an idea how much you should pay). In China, you can take a ride, they are usually also paid for at about the same price. The problem with Chinese drivers is that they often do not know English, so the address written in hieroglyphs is always better to have on a piece of paper. It's one thing if you need a 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 wander, while you will pay for this ignorance.

Underground

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

How much does the metro ride cost?

As I said above, the metro fare varies depending on the distance and is calculated by the number of stops. So, for example, 6 stops cost $ 0.3, 12 - $ 0.46, and so on. That is, if you, for example, need to get from of course to the terminal via Line 1, you will have to pay $ 0.77. (22 stops). The maximum amount is $ 1.1 if you pass 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, there is no way to buy a one-day or two-day in the Chengdu subway ticket, and each trip is paid separately. Locals have a special smart card that gives a discount on travel, but there is no point in buying it for tourists.

There are special machines to pay for metro fare (they have English), the map of the metro and the station you are at appears on the screen. Next, you should select the station at which you are going to get off, after which the car will tell you how much you need to pay. You insert money into the bill slot, get change and a ticket. Keep your ticket until the end of the trip, because you will need to put it to the turnstile when you leave. 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 at every corner, and you can get to almost anywhere in the city. The public bus fare is $ 0.3. You need to pay in cash, and it is advisable to always have 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. Local people use a card to pay, which, if I'm not mistaken, is the same for all public transport, including the metro. Most routes start at 6:30 am and end at 9:00 pm, although some buses run until 11:00 pm. The exact timetable can be found at the bus stops, where not only the route is written, but also the opening hours for each route.

In addition, the city has one night route under number 298, which runs from 22:00 to 05:30, the fare costs $ 0.46. It runs from the 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 you can see on the map below.

Sightseeing buses

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

The advantage of such a bus is that it travels to your destination quickly, without stops and changes, you do not need to look for a place yourself. Minus - in addition to travel (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 by public transport. Prices and timetables should be checked on the spot.

For example, I found information that excursion tour the panda breeding center will cost 20 dollars (128 yuan) per person, this price includes travel in both directions, entrance ticket to the center and the services of a guide (what do they mean by this, I don't know, most likely you will have to follow him in a group). At the same time, you can independently get to the place by city bus, which will cost a maximum of $ 1.5 (10 yuan) in 2 directions (this is if you go with transfers), and pay $ 9 for the entrance to the park. (58 yuan). In my opinion, the price difference is noticeable. If you are traveling with a company, 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 purchased at Shuangliu Airport (you need to find the International transit passenger service center in Terminals 1 and 2) and in Tianfu Main Square (at -1F near Starbucks near Jinzhan Shopping Center)

Where can you get

On this one sightseeing bus you can go see the Panda Breeding Center, the house of the poet Du Fu Museum, Wuhou Temple, irrigation system Dujiangyan, Jingchengshan Mountain and more.

Transport rental

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

Chengdu ("Brocade City") is the administrative center of the southwestern province of Sichuan, China's main giant panda nursery region.

Chengdu is an ancient city founded in the 4th century. BC, when it was the capital of the kingdom of Shu, and later six more kingdoms. Already in ancient times, Chengdu was an important political and shopping center... At the beginning of our era, the city was known throughout the Middle Kingdom for its rich brocade, which was considered the best in the East. During the reign of the Song dynasty, paper money was circulated here for the first time in the world.

Modern Chengdu is one of the largest industrial centers in Western China. The appearance of the city has changed dramatically, one day-old historical Buddhist and Taoist monuments have survived to this day.

One of the main attractions of Chengdu and the province as a whole is the nurseries of giant pandas - China's "national treasure".

What to see attractions in Chengdu

The most famous iconic monument in China dedicated to the period of the Three Kingdoms; was founded in 223, however, most of the buildings date back to the Qing period.

One of the most popular places in Chengdu is located 12 km north of the city. This is a huge center and nursery, where in natural conditions Giant pandas live. There is also a museum exposition dedicated to the evolution, habitats, reproduction and protection of pandas. Also here, under the guidance of the center, a 2-day volunteer work is possible. Listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Jiuzhaigou National Park in Chengdu attracts tourists with its unique beauty, unusual mysterious oriental landscapes, and names unusual for the European ear: Grass Lake, Sleeping Dragon Lake or Five Flowers Lake.

4. Leshan. A small town at the southern foothills of Lingyunshan Mountain, 120 km southwest of Chengdu. In ancient times, it had a reputation for being the most beautiful landscape in Sichuan. Today Leshan is one of the most popular destinations in the province, thanks to the giant stone Big Buddha and the Emeishan Mountains.

The largest Buddha statue in the world, carved from a solid rock in Lingyunshan Mountain, 71 meters high. It inspires a sense of awe with its size, grandeur and impartial face. Listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

One of the sacred mountains of China, dedicated to Bodhisattva Pusyan; is located 160 km southwest of Chad. The highest peak of Emeishan is called the Peak of Ten Thousand Buddhas and reaches a height of 3099 m. Even during the Tang Dynasty, the mountain became a pilgrimage site among Buddhists because of more than 200 sanctuaries built here during this time. 20 churches and monasteries have survived to this day. Among them are the Jindingsi Temple, the "Ten Thousand Years" Temple, the Golden Peak, and the Jining Pavilion. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Weather in Chengdu

Chengdu's climate is characterized as humid subtropical. Comfortable for people living as well as for farming. The Qinling Mountains protect the city from the penetration of northern air masses from Siberia, so the winter in Chengdu is milder than in the lower part of the Yangtze. The average January temperature is 5.6 ° C; snow falls extremely rarely, although short-term frosts are sometimes possible. Summers are humid and rather hot, but not as hot as in cities down the Yangtze. Average temperatures in July and August are about 25 ° C, although during the day they can reach 33 ° C and higher. Persistent heat waves are also quite rare. The greatest amount of precipitation falls from June to September.

How to get there

The Chengdu Metro was officially opened in Chengdu on October 1, 2010. It consists of four lines, construction and planning of other lines, including the circular one, is underway. There are about 400 bus routes in the city and the metropolitan area.

Shuangliu International Airport is located about 16 km from the city center. It is the 5th busiest airport in mainland China; in 2012 traffic amounted to 31.6 million passengers. It operates flights to most major cities of the country, as well as international flights to cities such as: Hong Kong, Osaka, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Phuket, Bangkok, etc. In 2009, an agreement was signed to improve the airport infrastructure, which would allow Shuangliu to increase its traffic to 40 million passengers by 2015. The major airline Chengdu Airlines is based at the airport. There is also a long-term plan to build another airport with five runways. With the plan, the journey from the new airport to downtown Chengdu would take no more than 30 minutes.

Brief video overview of Chengdu

The largest museum of this kind in South-East Asia... Located 9 kilometers from the town of Zigong (Sichuan), in the Dashanpu area. It is one of the largest dinosaur remains in the world.

Today the museum, opened in 1987, is a large 3-storey building bizarre shape... The total area of ​​museum expositions exceeds 65 thousand square meters.

The museum houses three large thematic exhibitions. The first tells about the history of the evolution of dinosaurs and gives general idea about the life and development of giants on our planet.

The second part is the recovered dinosaur skeletons found in Dashanpu. Some of them are very well preserved. The most interesting exhibit is the fully preserved skeleton of a dinosaur that lived about 175 million years ago. Its height exceeded 10 meters, and its weight was 4 tons.

The third exposition is located directly at the site of dinosaur bones. Here you can see how the search work is being carried out and even touch the remains of ancient lizards.

Big Buddha

Leshan's main attraction is the world's largest Buddha statue carved into the rock. The Big Buddha is located in the Lingyunshan Mountains. The height of the statue is 71 meters - only the index finger is 8 meters long. Its construction began in 713 and the work lasted 90 years.

The seated Buddha's head is at the level of the top of the mountain, and his feet touch the river. All proportions of the human body are skillfully conveyed and even the face of the Buddha was able to give an expression of calm and kindness. Near the statue - on the southern and northern walls - there are more than 90 stone images of bodhisattvas carved.

In 1996, Leshan Big Buddha was included in the UNESCO Catalog of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

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Turquoise lake

In the east of China, in the Sichuan province, there is the Jiuzhaigou National Park. Its name translates as "the valley of nine villages". This park is famous for the fact that there are more than a hundred lakes in it and the water in them is crystal clear green, blue and turquoise colors, since all these lakes were formed as a result of melting glaciers. In 1992, the park was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, and since 1997 it has been declared a biosphere reserve.

Jiuzhaigou is located in the highlands, and due to the abundance of water and hills, many not only lakes, but also waterfalls are formed on its territory, which amaze tourists with their views.

More than a hundred species of animals live on the shores of these lakes and throughout the park. The forests here are mostly mixed and are especially beautiful in autumn when they are colored yellow, orange and red. Among the plants here you can find numerous bamboos, rhododendrons and others.

Mount Emeishan is considered the eternal residence of the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra. This mountain, along with the other three, is sacred mountain Chinese Buddhists.

The first Buddhist temple on the mountain was built in the 1st century. It was called "The Temple of Ten Thousand Years". The most valuable monument of the temple is the statue of the sacred Bodhisattva Samantabhadra on an elephant, made in the 9th-10th centuries. By the twentieth century, there were already more than 100 temples on the mountain, but most of them were damaged during the "Cultural Revolution". About 20 temples have survived to this day, which can be reached by cable car and along two paths. Hiking to the top will take 2-3 days.

Now Mount Emeishan is very popular among Chinese pilgrims. Their number is so great that special rooms in churches for spending the night are allocated and rented for tourists.

Near the mountain is the most tall statue in the world - Big Buddha Leshan, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Jiuzhaigou Valley

The Jiuzhaigou Valley is known for its mesmerizing mountain landscapes and flowering meadows. In addition to natural beauty, the valley is home to several pristine mountain lakes and ancient villages that have become popular tourist destinations.

The valley is located in the north of Sichuan province on the territory of an amazingly beautiful national park-reserve. The valley is fifteen kilometers long.

Since ancient times, there are nine villages in the valley, and the most tourist ones are Heye, Shchuzheng and Dzechawa.

Local residents of these villages offer to see how various handicrafts, dishes and much more are made. The decor items you like can be bought in souvenir shops, and in small cafes you will be offered to try traditional Chinese dishes.

Jiuzhaigou national park

Not far from the Chinese province of Sichuan, there is one place of indescribable beauty. Such paints, such paintings, such views can be seen only in well-processed photographs. But Jiuzhaigou National Park is quite real place where people from all over the world come to see the incredible wonders of Asian nature with their own eyes.

This place is called the Valley of Nine Villages, because there are nine Tibestan settlements. The park is famous for its multi-level waterfalls, valleys and lakes. The most popular places here are Panda Falls, Swan and Grass Lakes, and the Ancient Forest.

This national park looks most amazing in autumn, because the local forests wear a yellow-red color, which, combined with the bright blue and green waters of local lakes, is a stunning picture. Here it is - a corner of harmony with nature and with oneself.

Panda Research Center

You can watch the leisurely panda bears at the Chengdu Panda Research Center. Pandas live in spacious enclosures, where natural conditions have been recreated for them, there are rooms for feeding, sleeping, and treatment. Grown up bears are set free.

Due to the fact that these animals reproduce slowly, they are threatened with extinction - which is why Chinese scientists have taken them under their protection. It is believed that no more than 1000 individuals live in natural conditions. The Big Panda Sanctuary is located 150 km from Chengdu.

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Baogo monastery

The Baoguo Si Temple is located in sacred mountains Eme. Despite the fact that other Buddhist temples are located in these mountains, Baogo is considered the most striking example of local Emei architecture.

Baogo was formed during the reign of the Ming Dynasty. It began to be built in 1573, but the construction was delayed - the gates of the monastery opened only in 1620. In the middle of the eighteenth century, it underwent reconstruction, the result of which has survived to this day.

Baogo Temple boasts sights steeped in history. One of them is a statue of a seated porcelain Buddha, whose age is over 600 years. Another attraction is the seven-meter bronze tower, on which thousands of Buddha images and ancient sutras are engraved.

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