Pandas, teahouses, and the best food in China. The most laid-back of the big cities — and the easy gateway west to Leshan, Mount Emei and beyond.
Tip See the pandas early — 8:30–10:00 they're most active, then they nap through the afternoon. Hotpot "mild" (微辣) is usually still hot; pace yourself.
Route guide
The relaxed first-timer loop: Panda Base at opening, People's Park tea in the afternoon, Jinli and Kuanzhai lanes by night, hotpot to finish.
Practical guide
High-speed rail to Leshan in ~1 hour, the river-view queue vs the stairs, ticket booking with your passport, and back to Chengdu by dinner.
Food guide
How to ask for a mild or split pot, what to dip, the dipping-sauce bar, and the dishes worth the numbing málà — plus paying by QR.
Tianfu airport's metro stops before the last flights land. Land after ~23:00? Budget ~¥160–200 for the taxi into the center (60–70 min).
Passport works on the official mini-program. Be at the gate for 07:30 — pandas are active early and nap by 10, and summer slots sell out.
Jun 15, 14:00. Meet at the Heming Teahouse sign by the lake. Tea, cards, ear-cleaning optional. Just show up.
Variety night — face-changing, hand shadows, fire-spitting, with tea included. Front rows sell out; the balcony is cheaper and fine.
1 DAY · ¥ BUDGET · HSR ~1HR · BOOK ENTRY WITH PASSPORT
Open the route →Alipay's "Transport" mini-app makes a QR for every gate — no card, no deposit. Foreign cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) tap straight in at the gates — keep the QR as a backup.
By 10 they're asleep in trees. First bus + ¥55 entry, booked the night before with my passport. Go straight to the nursery enclosures first, then loop back. Full timing in the thread.
Can't do crazy spicy. Is the split yin-yang pot the move, or will I still cry? What should I dip, and how do I say "mild" so they believe me?
Bottomless cup of jasmine for ¥20, old men playing mahjong, the famous ear-cleaning guys with their tuning forks. Spent a whole afternoon and ¥40. Photos in the thread.