Watching pandas, strolling through old streets, drinking bowls of tea, and then finding a favorite restaurant to eat Sichuan cuisine - a day in Chengdu can be both enriching and relaxing. You don’t need to follow a fixed template for the route, just arrange it according to what you really want to see and eat.
Fun places in Chengdu are distributed in different areas. The Panda Base is in the north of the city, while Wuhou Temple, Du Fu Thatched Cottage, People's Park and Kuanzhai Alley are in different directions. If you want to go to several places in one day, what really takes time is often not sightseeing, but repeated searching for buses, waiting for buses, and transferring.
The private car charter mentioned here is a car customized for urban use according to the number of guests, interests and arrangements for the day. The driver will wait at the hotel, B&B or designated location in advance. The departure time is decided by the guest; after the tour, he will pick you up at the agreed location and continue to the next stop.
When you come to Chengdu for the first time, it is recommended to choose 2-3 main tourist areas a day, and then set aside a meal or a period of tea time. A private charter will pick you up from the hotel. One car will drive you to several places. After the tour, you can also take it directly to the dinner location, which will make the whole day much more relaxed.
Classic places in Chengdu, let’s see which one you like first
You don’t have to visit every popular place in Chengdu. Do you like pandas, Three Kingdoms culture, garden poetry, or would you rather experience life in old Chengdu? Choose the key points first, and you will have a more comfortable day.
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is suitable for guests who are visiting Chengdu for the first time, traveling with their children, or who already like giant pandas. The park is not small, so it is recommended to set aside a relatively complete period of time for the visit. The Panda Base currently implements online real-name reservations and time-sharing admission. After the date is confirmed, tickets can be arranged first.
If you want to understand the culture of the Three Kingdoms, you can start from Wuhou Temple, and after the tour, stop by Jinli next to it. If you like poetry, history and gardens, you can take a stroll at Du Fu Thatched Cottage. The two places have different styles, so you can choose according to your own interests.
People's Park is suitable for experiencing the daily life of Chengdu. You can sit down and drink a bowl of tea, or you can use it as a rest period during the day. The distance between Kuanzhai Alley and People's Park is relatively close, so you can walk together and stroll together.
If you want to see modern Chengdu, go shopping or arrange dinner, you can visit Chunxi Road and Taikoo Li area in the late afternoon or at night. There are many pedestrian areas in the business district. After the driver drops the customers off at a convenient location, everyone can take their time shopping.
- Panda Base: Suitable for parents and children, first time visitors to Chengdu and giant panda lovers;
- Wuhou Temple and Jinli: suitable for guests who like the culture of the Three Kingdoms and traditional streets;
- Du Fu Thatched Cottage: suitable for guests who like poetry, history, ancient architecture and gardens;
- People’s Park: suitable for drinking tea, walking and experiencing Chengdu’s slow life;
- Kuanzhai Alley: suitable for viewing streets and courtyards, combined with People's Park;
- Chunxi Road, Taikoo Li: suitable for shopping, dinner and experiencing modern Chengdu.
A one-day trip to Chengdu city can be combined like this
Below are three common ideas, not a fixed itinerary that must be followed. The morning and evening of departure, how long you stay at each place, and what you want to eat for lunch can all be adjusted according to the guests' habits.
| route | Reference order | Suitable for whom |
|---|---|---|
| Classic introduction | Hotel pick up → Panda Base → Lunch → Du Fu Thatched Cottage or People’s Park → Kuanzhai Alley → Dinner location | This is my first time in Chengdu and I want to combine pandas, culture and urban neighborhoods. |
| Cultural slow tour | Hotel pick-up → Wuhou Temple, Jinli → Sichuan cuisine lunch → Du Fu Thatched Cottage → Tea in People’s Park → Designated location | I like history and culture, and also want to slow down and have a cup of tea. |
| Relaxed and casual | Hotel pick-up → Chengdu lunch → People’s Park → Kuanzhai Alley → Chunxi Road, Taikoo Li → Hotel or restaurant | If you want to sleep in, start again at noon and add a night tour in the afternoon |
When visiting Chengdu, food is also part of the itinerary
There are many ways to eat in Chengdu, and you don’t necessarily have to go to an internet celebrity restaurant for every meal. It is often more natural to first look at the tastes of your fellow travelers and which area you are in that day before deciding whether to eat hot pot, Sichuan cuisine or snacks.
If you haven’t decided which restaurant to go to, you can tell the driver what type of food you want to eat, whether you can eat spicy food, your budget, and where you want to go next. The driver can give some suggestions based on familiar areas, and the final choice is up to the guest. When encountering popular restaurants or holidays, it will be easier to book a reservation in advance.
It's suitable for eating slowly in the evening, and it's lively when there are many people traveling with you. When bringing children and the elderly, you can check out the Yuanyang Hotpot and light dishes.
Twice-cooked pork, Mapo tofu, Kung Pao chicken, etc. are suitable for sharing among a table, and are also suitable for lunch.
If you want to experience Chengdu’s urban fireworks, you can try Chuan Chuan or Mao Cai. The choice is relatively flexible.
Dandan noodles, Chao Shou, Zhong Shui Dumplings, Egg Baked Cake and Ice Noodles, etc., can be eaten while shopping.
The convenience of private charter is hidden in many small details of the day
Chartering a car in the city is not just about connecting several addresses. The smoothness of the route, when to depart, where to pick up after the tour, and whether to go to the hotel or restaurant at the end can all be decided based on the actual arrangements of the guests.
If you just want to hang out around Chunxi Road and Taikoo Li, walking and the subway are already very convenient. Chartering a car is more suitable for guests who arrange multiple areas in one day, bring the elderly and children, have a lot of belongings, or want someone to connect the transportation from the hotel to the end of dinner.
There is no need to take your family and belongings to a fixed meeting point first, you can get on the bus directly at the appointed location.
The driver pays attention to the day's schedule in advance and arrives at the pick-up point, and the guest is ready to go.
If you want to get up early to see pandas, you can leave early. If you want to sleep in and then visit the city center, you can also leave later.
Within the scope allowed by the management of roads, scenic spots and pedestrian streets, deliver them to a location that is convenient, safe and closer to the entrance.
After the tour, return to the agreed location, get on the bus, and continue to the next stop. There is no need to re-check the route and call for a taxi every time.
The driver can assist in opening and closing the doors and loading and unloading ordinary luggage, making it easier for the elderly and children to get in and out of the vehicle.
If you want to find a place to eat nearby, you can chat with the driver about the taste and then choose the route for the day.
At the end of the day, you can go back to the hotel, or go to a restaurant, station, or other location agreed in advance.
If you want to rent a car in the city, you can choose the car model like this
If you have a stroller, large luggage or a lot of belongings, just let us know in advance. When the number of people is just full, choose a car with more space. It is usually more comfortable to sit down all day in the city.
| Peer situation | Car models to consider | What needs are more suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| 1-4 people | Five-seat sedan or SUV | There are not many people and few belongings, so traveling in the city is flexible |
| 1-6 people | GL8, Odyssey and other MPVs | I hope the seats are loose, bring the elderly and children, or want to improve the riding comfort |
| Multi-person small team | Coaster or minibus | Travel together with friends, family groups or small business groups |
| More people | bus | Team activities, conference receptions or group tours require unified scheduling |
The cost of chartering a car in Chengdu is usually related to these
Chartered cars in urban areas are generally calculated based on the date of use, vehicle type, number of people, transfer range, itinerary of the day, duration of car use, and whether parking fees, overtime or new routes are involved. Vehicle schedules may also differ from regular weekdays on weekends, holidays and major events.
It doesn’t matter if you haven’t completely figured out the route yet. First, tell me where you want to go most, and then you can sort out the order together.
- What day will the car be used and what time will it depart?
- How many people are there, whether there are elderly people, children or a lot of luggage;
- Where to pick up from and where you want to go;
- Finally, if you want to send it back to the hotel, send it to a restaurant, station or other location.
Before departure, please confirm your reservation and pick-up method
The Panda Base implements online real-name reservations and time-sharing admission. The opening arrangements may be adjusted according to seasons or special events. For ticketing and opening information of Wuhou Temple, Du Fu Thatched Cottage and other venues, it is also recommended to check the official notice before departure.
Parking and temporary parking regulations are different at different urban attractions. The driver will make an appointment in advance about the drop-off point and pick-up method, and will transfer the guests when they are about to finish the tour; the specific location is subject to traffic management and communication between the two parties on the day.
For ordinary belongings, you can first communicate with the driver about the storage space. It is recommended that you carry valuables such as documents, cash, and electronic equipment with you.
Some frequently asked questions
How many attractions can you visit in Chengdu in one day?＋
Generally, it is more comfortable to choose 2-3 main play areas. If the panda base is included, it is recommended to make it the focus of half a day; arrange a cultural attraction and a neighborhood in the afternoon, and the rhythm will be more natural.
If I want to sleep in, can I leave again at noon?＋
Yes. Departure time for private charter is determined by the guest. When setting off at noon, you can combine People's Park, Kuanzhai Alley, Chunxi Road and dinner to take an easy city center route.
Will the driver always wait at the entrance of the scenic spot?＋
Parking and temporary parking regulations are different at different urban attractions. The driver will make an appointment in advance about the drop-off point and pick-up method, and will transfer the guests when they are about to finish the tour; the specific location is subject to traffic management and communication between the two parties on the day.
Can a private charter drive directly into Kuanzhai Alley or Taikoo Li?＋
These areas have pedestrian streets and traffic management areas, and vehicles cannot enter at will. The driver will transfer at a place that is convenient, safe and close to the tourist area within the scope allowed by the rules.
Can the driver help recommend Chengdu food?＋
You can listen to some suggestions based on areas the driver is familiar with. Tell the driver whether you want hot pot, Sichuan food or snacks, whether you can eat spicy food, what your budget is, and then choose a restaurant from the nearby suitable options.
Can I not go back to the original hotel after the tour?＋
Yes. The end location can be set in advance as a restaurant, another hotel, a station or other designated location, and the whole day arrangement is subject to the guest's subsequent needs.
Can I keep my belongings in the car at all times?＋
For ordinary belongings, you can first communicate with the driver about the storage space; it is recommended to carry valuables such as documents, cash, and electronic equipment with you. When choosing a car model, strollers and large luggage should also be taken into account.