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Picture of Chengdu, Sichuan, China

Travel Guide for
Chengdu

China

Humid subtropical, mild winters, hot summers

Introduction

Chengdu, the lively capital of Sichuan Province in southwest China, blends ancient history with modern charm. Famous for its spicy cuisine and laid-back teahouse culture, the city offers rich experiences for culture seekers and digital nomads alike.

In mid-November, you can expect cool, misty weather—perfect for cozying up in local cafés with reliable Wi-Fi. Wander through historic temples, visit the iconic Giant Panda Base, and enjoy affordable coworking spaces. Chengdu's friendly vibe and delicious street food make it an ideal spot to work, explore, and unwind.

Customized for these preferences:

Travel StyleDigital nomad

Dates14-21 November 2025

BudgetAverage budget

AccommodationHotel, hostel

Interests and Activities:

gastronomyfestivals and eventssightseeing and toursoutdoor adventuresvolunteeringfamily activitiesarts and culturenightlife and entertainment

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Picture of Chengdu, Sichuan, China

Key Facts

Location

Sichuan Province, Southwest China

Currency

Renminbi (Chinese Yuan) (CNY)

Religion

Buddhism, Taoism, folk religions

Population

16,000,000

Language

Mandarin Chinese (Sichuanese dialect)

Electricity

220V, 50Hz, Type A/C/I plugs

Time zone

UTCChina Standard Time (UTC+8)

Country code

+86

Internet access

Widespread broadband & 4G/5G, moderate cost

Climate

Humid subtropical, mild winters, hot summers

See More China Facts

Language:

Chinese

  • hello

    你好 (nee how)
  • goodbye

    再见 (dzai jyen)
  • yes

    是的 (shir duh)
  • no

    不是 (boo shir)
  • how much

    这个多少钱? (jer guh dwor shao chyen)
  • please

    (cheeng)
  • thank you

    谢谢 (shyeah shyeah)
  • excuse me

    对不起 (dway boo chee)

Map

Logistics

Chengdu is easily reached by air via Shuangliu International Airport, which offers many flights from major Asian and international cities. The airport is well connected to the city center by metro, shuttle buses, and taxis, making travel easy for digital nomads on a budget.

High-speed trains also link Chengdu with cities like Chongqing, Xi’an, and Beijing, and are reliable alternatives to flying. Long-distance buses are an affordable option for regional travel, though less comfortable than trains. November weather is generally mild, but bring layers for cooler evenings and some rain protection, as showers are possible.

Weather

Chengdu has a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Winters are mild and gray, while summers are hot, humid, and often rainy. Spring and autumn are generally pleasant with moderate temperatures but can be cloudy or damp.

From November 14 to November 21, expect cool, overcast days with temperatures between 8°C and 16°C (46°F–61°F). Rain is possible but usually light and infrequent during this period. Extreme weather is uncommon, so travel plans are rarely disrupted in mid-November. The misty atmosphere can actually enhance scenic visits and local cultural experiences.

Food & Drink

Chengdu is famed for its spicy Sichuan cuisine—don’t miss signature dishes like mapo tofu, kung pao chicken, hotpot, and street snacks such as rabbit heads and dandan noodles. Sample tea culture at People’s Park teahouses or enjoy local flavors at Jinli Ancient Street’s casual stalls, ideal for adventurous digital nomads.

For affordable sit-down meals, try popular chains like Chen Mapo Tofu, Shu Jiu Xiang Hot Pot, or the lively Yulin Night Market. Vegan and veggie options are available but may require specifying “no meat.” Tipping isn’t customary; good service is expected and included.

Chengdu’s nightlife includes trendy cafes like Maan Coffee and lively bars in the Kuanzhai Alley area. Spicy food is common, so let staff know if you prefer mild dishes. Wi-Fi is widely available, making it easy to work while sampling the local flavors.

A picture of Peking Duck

Peking Duck

Peking Duck is a famous Chinese dish featuring crispy duck skin, tender duck meat, and thin pancakes, all...

A picture of Xiaolongbao

Xiaolongbao

Xiaolongbao is a type of steamed bun (baozi) originating from Jiangsu province. Filled with hot soup and a...

A picture of Mapo Tofu

Mapo Tofu

Mapo Tofu is a spicy Sichuan dish made with soft tofu, minced meat, and fermented black beans, all...

A picture of Hot Pot

Hot Pot

Hot Pot is a communal dining experience involving a simmering pot of flavorful broth into which various raw...

A picture of Kung Pao Chicken

Kung Pao Chicken

Kung Pao Chicken is a classic Sichuan dish featuring tender chunks of chicken stir-fried with peanuts, vegetables, and...

Accommodation

For digital nomads, Chengdu’s popular districts like Jinjiang and Wuhou are ideal. Here, you’ll find reliable mid-range hotels such as Niccolo Chengdu and The Temple House, which offer solid Wi-Fi and business amenities. If you prefer hostels, Flipflop Hostel and Chengdu Lazybones are backpacker favorites with coworking spaces and social vibes.

Booking.com, Agoda, and Ctrip are reliable platforms for finding accommodations. November is a less crowded season, so it’s easier to score deals, but book early for the best selection. Stay near Chunxi Road or Taikoo Li for easy access to great food, transport, and lively atmosphere—perfect for mixing work and exploration.

Itinerary

Ease into Chengdu’s vibrant atmosphere, acquainting yourself with local gastronomy, lifestyle, and culture while getting comfortable with the city’s pace.

Morning Stroll and Breakfast at People's Park

Ease into local life with a relaxed morning walk around People's Park. Sample Sichuanese breakfast snacks at nearby street vendors, watch locals play mahjong, and enjoy the tranquil lake views—a gentle introduction to Chengdu’s daily rhythms.

Savor Sichuan Flavors at Wide and Narrow Alleys

Discover Chengdu’s culinary scene while exploring the historic Wide and Narrow Alleys (Kuanzhai Xiangzi). Sample local street food favorites like dan dan noodles and watch traditional performances in this lively, beautifully restored area.

Relax with Local Tea Culture at Heming Teahouse

Immerse yourself in Chengdu’s iconic teahouse ambiance at Heming Teahouse. Observe locals chatting or playing cards, and sip jasmine or green tea in a serene, leafy setting—a perfect spot to unwind and soak in the city vibe.

Half-Day Chengdu Back Alley Foodie Tour

Half-Day Chengdu Back Alley Foodie Tour

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

During this 3-4 hours foodie tour, you’ll ramble through back streets and try the best local foods shop by shop on foot and learn traditional culture with an English-speaking local food expert. During this adventure, you will be taken into a journey of food lovers to explore some famous types of foods into back alleys of Chengdu, which is one of the most famous gourmet cities in the world, where you can experience 7-8 different foods or snacks with a tea break in local tea house, plus a HOT-POT dinner or Lunch at the end of the “Chilli Cool Foodie Tour”. We promise it will surprise you a lot and you’ll have a lot of fun and some unforgettable memories for you to take home! Join us for this rare experience!

5.0 (58 reviews)

From $80 USD

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Attractions

5.0 (1 reviews)
Leshan Giant Buddha and Wenshu Temple Day Tour(Private Tour)

Leshan Giant Buddha and Wenshu Temple Day Tour(Private Tour)

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

The personal drivers we provide are professional drivers who serve foreign tourists all year round. They will do a good job of safety and service! We will prepare a detailed text introduction for all the attractions! Communication with the driver We all downloaded translation software! In order to save your costs we do not include tickets, and some older guests do not need tickets, but please bring your passport.

From $90 USD

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5.0 (16 reviews)
Half-day Private Mahjong course in Local Tea House

Half-day Private Mahjong course in Local Tea House

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

During this 3 hours mahjong course, you’ll be taken into an authentic local spice market to explore it and learn different species of Sichuan spices and ingredients that will be used in the Sichuan cuisine. After that, you’ll go to a cozy room with Chinese characteristics and learn how to play the famous traditional Chinese game, mahjong, with a English speaking guide. You’ll learn rules in an easy way and then test your mastery degree with a local tea. If you want to test your intelligence, you can not miss mahjong when you visit Chengdu.

From $60 USD

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4.0 (13 reviews)
Private Chengdu Half Day Bike Tour

Private Chengdu Half Day Bike Tour

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

Get a good workout on this half-day bike tour while learning about the daily customs of Chengdu locals. Visit People’s Park, where the locals come to relax and pursue their daily leisure activities. See the Qingyang Palace and the Wenshu Temple to learn about the importance of religion. Absorb Chengdu’s special atmosphere and see the sights of the city through a different lens.

From $67 USD

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5.0 (35 reviews)
All Inclusive Private Trip to Chengdu Giant Panda Base and Leshan Giant Buddha

All Inclusive Private Trip to Chengdu Giant Panda Base and Leshan Giant Buddha

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

MAXIMIZE YOUR TIME Visit the two highlights of Chengdu-Panda&Buddha in 1 day ALL INCLUSIVE PRICE Informative and friendly private guide,private transportation ,tasty local lunch, entrance fees are all included. HUSTLE FREE Your versatile guide and private transfer will ensure you a smooth and unforgettable journey. MEMORABLE TIME Experienced and informative local guide will give insight about panda, local culture ,history, ordinary people's life and answer all your questions:) Happy Stomach Try the authentic local delicacies at the old neighborhood of Leshan

From $249 USD

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4.7 (15 reviews)
Private Half-Day Tour in Sichuan Culture Show with Hot Pot Dinner in Chengdu

Private Half-Day Tour in Sichuan Culture Show with Hot Pot Dinner in Chengdu

INSTANT_THEN_MANUAL
Free Cancellation

On this fabulous night out in Chengdu, watch the incredible Sichuan Opera and enjoy a hot pot dinner. Discover Sichuan customs as you join in the celebration of Sichuan theatrical traditions. The show includes acrobatics, music, humor and more!

From $100 USD

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4.0 (1 reviews)
Half-Day Chengdu Food and Culture Tour

Half-Day Chengdu Food and Culture Tour

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

The tour is designed for the EATERS and the some of the must-do in Chengdu. 08:30am Meet up at the subway station Wenshu Monastery H Exit. 08:30am-9:00am Have a breakfast, Sichuan style pie, sweet water noodles, dandan noodle, spicy wontons, deep-fried sweet glutinous rice balls. 9:00am-10:30am Visit Wenshu monastery and tea time 11:00am-11:30am Sample different street food, Egg baked cake, sugar ice jelly 11:30am-11:30pm Lunch- skewer in hot pot 13:30pm Back to the subway station *The itinerary is subject to change

From $90 USD

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5.0 (2 reviews)
Private Day Tour to Dujiangyan Panda Base & Dam from Chengdu

Private Day Tour to Dujiangyan Panda Base & Dam from Chengdu

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

Chengdu is a well-known city in southern China for the giant pandas. Dujiangyan Panda Base is another panda base and less popular one situated about 60km from Chengdu. Dujiangyan Irrigation System is a UNESCO cultural heritage that still works nowadays to irrigate the huge area in Sichuan Province. This private day tour will let you start from your centrally located Chengdu hotel to Dujiangyan city by a nice charted car, where you will view the cute giant pandas feeding in the morning. Then you will explore the fantastic Dujiangyan Irrigation System with your local guide to learn its history and working theory. Moreover, Chinese lunch is included. Pickup time is 8:00am from your centrally located Chengdu hotel.

From $239 USD

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4.8 (32 reviews)
Tea Village in lost Town and Buddha 1 day tour

Tea Village in lost Town and Buddha 1 day tour

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

The Buddha is located to the east of Leshan City, Sichuan Province, at the confluence of three rivers, namely, Min River, Qingyi River, and Dadu River. It is carved into the cliffs of Mt. Lingyun. A local saying describes the Buddha like this: "The Mountain unveils a Buddha, while the Buddha fades into the mountain." our tour is NOT ONLY FOR BUDDHA, but also we shall show you deep into the villager's life nearby. In the none touristy town, you can see the oldest tea house, hand crafts shop, local food market, and also the traditional lcoal courtyard house, and family visiting. Local snack is a mini foodie tour in this town. Green tea is so wellkknown in Sichuan, so the beatiful tea planation we can not missing. Go to the nature world, and try to pick the tea by yourself, and make tea in the local family. This is kind of great experience during your China trip.

From $169 USD

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4.9 (435 reviews)
Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu's Local Eats

Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu's Local Eats

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

This is not another walking tour. These small group tours whisk you off the beaten path by private tuktuk and offer unlimited beer and soda while you and your English speaking guide watch the city pass by. You will eat where the locals eat at small, family-run businesses and try the best local food at places you can’t find on your own. After 3-4 hours, you will finish at local bar to try some rice wine or beer with the locals!

From $73 USD

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4.7 (11 reviews)
Evening Foodie Adventure in Chengdu the Land of Plenty

Evening Foodie Adventure in Chengdu the Land of Plenty

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

Chengdu is so-called the “Heavenly Land of Plenty”. Food is absolutely great to explored. The “hidden” but “well known” (by locals) places in the alleys & neighborhood are the best Chengdu has to offer. It’s not only for foodies – following us to wind through alleys & streets on the Tuk-tuk, visiting family-owned restaurants and even a-whole-in-the-wall snack shops is an excellent way to find out the secret of happiness of Chengdu. Lots of fun and unforgettable moments for you to take home! Highlights· Tuk-tuk Ride· 12+ local delicacies· Family-owned restaurants · Amazing & knowledge local guide we start the tour from vendor to vendor,  and restaurants to families. more than 2.5 hours tour will bring you to the old chengdu city to meet up the locals and share the food experience with them. but the most important thing is you can super enjoy the food feast.  well selected food and snacks will surprise you so much.  12-15 different dishes are in 4-5 places. why not? 

From $59 USD

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4.2 (17 reviews)
Half-Day Sichuan Cooking Class Experience in Chengdu

Half-Day Sichuan Cooking Class Experience in Chengdu

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

Want to impress your friends back home with a delectable Chinese meal made entirely by you? Then take part in this four-hour Chengdu cooking course and learn how to cook four different Sichuan meals and you'll be taught by a professional chef. The best part is you get to dine on your dishes and celebrate your new-found culinary skills with your fellow budding chefs.

From $84 USD

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5.0 (9 reviews)
Sanxingdui Museum+Chengdu Panda Base or Jinsha Site Tour

Sanxingdui Museum+Chengdu Panda Base or Jinsha Site Tour

MANUAL
Free Cancellation

Professional Interpretation helps you to know pandas, Sanxingdui and Jinsha relics better. We have 5 options for people with different demands. Option 1: Private tour to visit Chengdu panda base and Sanxingdui Museum. Visit Chengdu panda base in the morning and then visit Sanxingdui museum in the afternoon by private transfer Option 2: 6 hours joined small group to visit Sanxingdui museum by public shuttle bus in the afternoon. Option 3: Private tour for the people who desirably want to know more abt Sanxingdui. Visit Jinsha site and then visit Sanxingdui museum in the afternoon by private transfer. Option 4 and 5: Private transfer by Chinese speaking driver. Driver will show you the entrance when you reach the attraction and wait for you in the parking lot. Please click the "check availability" button to check the 3 options.

From $75 USD

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5.0 (8 reviews)
Half day Chengdu Dumpling Class: Make from Scratch

Half day Chengdu Dumpling Class: Make from Scratch

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

During this 4-5 hours unique Dumpling making workshop, you’ll be taken into an authentic local spice market to explore it with fun challenges to complete and learn different species of Sichuan spices and ingredients that will be used in the following cooking class. The class will be carried out in a traditional Sichuan style courtyard. You’ll be treated with Sichuan local tea as it’s local’s custom to treat friends and visitors. After that, you then will be guide to start the cooking process by a professional chef in a cozy kitchen. Finally, you can enjoy the dumplings with delicious fillings made by yourself along with some beers or beverages. For it’s really informative, interesting and fun, this class will be an unforgettable experience in your lifetime.

From $70 USD

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5.0 (3 reviews)
Chinese tradional dancing show with sichuan banquet feast

Chinese tradional dancing show with sichuan banquet feast

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

It is an immersive Han culture-themed dining and performance experience space that integrates gourmet cuisine, culture, and shows. Each exquisite dish resembles a beautifully crafted painting, and every performance is like a tunnel through time, transporting you back to the glorious heyday of the Han, Tang, and Song dynasties. With dance and music as the prelude and fine food as the medium, it weaves together the culture of Hanfu, Sichuan cuisine, and ceremonial music and dance performances, offering a uniquely immersive atmosphere of ancient-style banquet dining. Appreciate the grandeur ofancient times, admire the classical dances, witness the mag- nificent Han dynasty ceremonies, and savor the imperial banquet. In 'The Banquet Ode ofShu', let the dreamlike transition of dance take you through time, allowing you to feel the elegance and romance that transcends eras.

From $128 USD

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4.8 (4 reviews)
Bamboo Bicycle Tour in Chengdu

Bamboo Bicycle Tour in Chengdu

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

Dive into the fascinating process of bamboo bike manufacturing by enjoying a brief tour of our workshop while you receive a pre-ride custom bike fitting! Then set off into the heart of Chengdu on a relaxing 3 hour bike tour to absorb the local flavors of this laid-back city. Cruise through back streets and alleys, and along the Jinjiang River past tea gardens full of locals displaying their pet birds. Along the way, spot Chengdu's historical landmarks and attractions such as Wuhou Temple, Jinli Street, Tibetan District, Tianfu Square, People's Park, and Wenshu Buddhist Temple.

From $94 USD

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3.8 (5 reviews)
Half-Day Tour at Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Base

Half-Day Tour at Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Base

INSTANT
Free Cancellation

Sichuan is the hometown of giant pandas and many giant panda research bases. Statistics show that 80% of the giant panda in the world are residing in this beautiful mountainous province in southwestern China with abundance of bamboo trees which is a primary staple for endangered giant pandas. Chengdu Giant Panda Research Base is one of the most popular tour programs in Chengdu, Sichuan.

From $95 USD

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