Things to Do in Chengdu: New Events & Hot Spots (Updated 2026)

The 2026 cohort of newborn panda cubs made their first appearance in the outdoor play area of the Sun Nursery at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Their chubby little bodies and bright, innocent eyes melted visitors' hearts. 🐼 First appearance of the newborn panda cubs On a cool fall day in Chengdu, the 2026 newborn panda cubs finally made their first outdoor appearance. These little ones wear crisp black-and-white coats, with roly-poly bodies like little bouncing dumplings, waddling along irresistibly cute. In the lush green play area, keepers gently watched over them while the cubs gazed around with curiosity or tried climbing near the perches, their dark, shiny eyes full of innocence and mischief. How could anyone not smile at a scene like this? 🦊 The adorable charm of the red panda cubs Beyond the giant panda cubs, the red panda cubs are just as eye-catching. In the red panda nursery, these little ones win countless hearts with their unique cuteness. Whether it is their endearing moves or their curiosity about the world around them, they make people stop and watch. 🌿 Friendly reminders Please keep quiet while visiting to avoid disturbing these lovely animals. Turn off your camera flash, and do not feed them or throw in any items. Do not tap the glass or climb the barriers. Let’s work together to maintain a pleasant visiting experience. Come to the Sun Nursery at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and experience the everyday cuteness of the newborn cubs.

The front mountain of Mount Qingcheng is renowned for its tranquil natural scenery and Taoist culture, making it a popular hiking destination near Chengdu. The classic route starts at the main gate, passes Tianshi Cave, Chaoyang Cave, and Laojun Pavilion (summit), then continues to Shangqing Palace. Take the cable car down to return. The route is picturesque and ideal for hikers. 🌄 Classic hiking route Walking up from the main gate takes about 2 hours, with attractions such as Tianshi Cave, Chaoyang Cave, and Laojun Pavilion along the way. Trails can be slippery, so wear non-slip shoes and bring trekking poles to save energy and improve safety. 🚡 Downhill cable car One-way and round-trip tickets are available, and you can scan near the cable car to buy tickets. Riding down saves time and energy, and offers bird’s-eye views of Mount Qingcheng’s beautiful scenery. 🚗 Transportation: Take Chengdu subway line 2 to Xipu station, then transfer to the intercity railway directly to Mount Qingcheng. For the return, head back to Chengdu from the high-speed rail station the same way, or from your bus drop-off point take a bus to Dujiangyan Lidui Park. 💡 Travel tips: During holidays, tickets must be purchased in advance via the official mini program. Start before 9:00 AM to avoid crowds. Luggage storage is available opposite the high-speed rail station. Sightseeing shuttle tickets can be purchased next to the high-speed rail station exit. Come experience the perfect blend of Taoist culture and natural beauty on the front mountain of Mount Qingcheng!

Starting September 24, 2026, the direct bus route between Dujiangyan Scenic Area and Florentia Village will become a regular service, offering residents and travelers a convenient route for sightseeing and shopping. 🚌 Highlights of the bus route The full route is approx. 37 km, passing Xuanhuamen, Dujiangyan Avenue, and other roads, with 6 stops covering the scenic area, shopping districts, and residential areas. It provides direct service with no transfers. The buses are 29+1-seat tourist coaches with one seat per passenger for a comfortable ride. During Mid-Autumn Festival, National Day, and other holidays, services will be more frequent, with departure times adjusted based on demand to keep travel smooth. ⏰ Business hours: Working days 9:00 AM–5:30 PM (4 departures/day), weekends and public holidays 9:00 AM–6:00 PM (6 departures/day) 🚗 Transportation: Departures from Dujiangyan Scenic Area: working days 9:00 AM, 2:30 PM; weekends and public holidays 9:00 AM, 1:30 PM, 4:30 PM. Departures from Florentia Village: working days 12:30 PM, 5:30 PM; weekends and public holidays 11:30 AM, 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM. On holidays, plan ahead and avoid peak hours. When returning from Florentia Village to Dujiangyan Scenic Area, you can ride for free with a same-day shopping receipt (excluding dining). ⏰ Time: Regular service from September 24, 2026 ⏰ Business hours: Working days 9:00 AM–5:30 PM (4 departures/day), weekends and public holidays 9:00 AM–6:00 PM (6 departures/day) Come ride the direct bus between Dujiangyan Scenic Area and Florentia Village and enjoy a convenient sightseeing and shopping trip!

The Chengdu Wuhou Shrine Museum is a temple complex that commemorates Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang, and other heroes of Shu Han. Its main building is the Wuhou Shrine. The grounds enshrine 50 statues of Shu Han heroes and preserve numerous steles and plaques related to Zhuge Liang and Three Kingdoms culture. Starting January 1, 2027, the Wuhou Shrine will offer free admission for minors. 🏛 Main buildings of the Wuhou Shrine The complex includes the main gate, second gate, Liu Bei Hall, passage hall, Zhuge Liang Hall, and the Three Oaths Temple, among others. The buildings align along a south-to-north central axis, showcasing the distinctive style of the Shu Han period. Inside the shrine, 50 statues of Shu Han heroes such as Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang are enshrined, giving visitors a profound sense of Three Kingdoms heritage. 🎋 Red walls and bamboo shadows The red walls and bamboo shadows in the scenic area are one of Chengdu’s most popular photo spots. The interplay of red walls and bamboo silhouettes exudes a classical charm, perfect for memorable photos. 🌳 Garden area On the west side of the Wuhou Shrine, the garden area features a stone archway gate, a triple-arch gate, a four-sided pavilion, Jianxin Hall, and a burial chamber, among other structures. It is the only northern-style cemetery architecture complex in Southwest China, showcasing a unique architectural artistry. Come to the Chengdu Wuhou Shrine Museum and experience the unique charm of Three Kingdoms culture!

Chengdu's fall scenery has arrived right on cue. Golden rice waves, seas of pink muhly, and osmanthus fragrance across the city... multiple great fall spots await your visit to feel the city's romantic charm. 🌾 Chongzhou Tianfu Granary National Modern Agricultural Industrial Park ✨ Highlights: • Continuous rice paddies form endless golden waves. • Panda-shaped land art sways in the breeze with a gentle rustle. • Cycle through the sea of rice and breathe in the fresh scent of ripening grain. 🌾 Pujiang rice fields ✨ Highlights: • Golden rice waves roll as farm machinery roars, composing a harvest symphony. • Joy fills the vast fields as every grain is gathered in. 🌾 Rice fields in Yinghan Community, Gaogeng Subdistrict, Qionglai ✨ Highlights: • From the small hut's platform, enjoy sweeping views of endless paddies. • Wind over the fields creates tiered golden swells. 🌾 Nongke Village, You'ai Town, Pidu District ⏰ Time: The Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday are the prime harvest period ✨ Highlights: • A 300-mu countryside of sorghum and rice unfolds in winding terraces. • Sorghum ripens in stages, creating interlaced blocks of light and dark red. • Pastoral scenery blends deeply with hands-on farming experiences. 🏯 Yanhua Reservoir, Chongzhou ✨ Highlights: • A millennia-old western Sichuan garden, founded in the Tang and flourishing in the Song. • In early fall, crape myrtles bloom in the sun, adding life to red walls and dark tiles. • Osmanthus fragrance mingles with ancient architecture, rich in classical charm. 🏞 Zhaojueli Cultural Riverside Park ✨ Highlights: • A modern take on traditional Chinese aesthetics, where black-tile wooden structures echo the skyline. • The core feature, Qinglong Pool, is crystal clear like a mirror. • Waterside corridors and pavilions make it easy to snap stunning photos from any angle. 🌼 Xindu Guihu Park ✨ Highlights: • The Ming-era residence of top scholar Yang Sheng'an, renowned for its osmanthus garden. • Golden, silver, and orange osmanthus varieties fill the air with fragrance. • Lakeside pavilions and groves of osmanthus set the scene for leisurely strolls and photos. 🌉 South Bridge in Dujiangyan ✨ Highlights: • One of Chengdu's most traditional-style bridges, standing over the Min River. • After dusk, a breathtaking "blue tears" bioluminescent display appears. • Intricate carvings at the bridge entrance showcase classical craftsmanship. 🌸 The Yima River Park ✨ Highlights: • Vast pink muhly grass blooms create a dreamy, misty blush. • Fine, soft flower plumes offer excellent visual appeal. • Please enjoy the flowers responsibly and avoid stepping on or damaging plants. 🌼 Chengdu Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum ✨ Highlights: • A classic and poetic spot in Chengdu for osmanthus viewing. • Quiet, elegant osmanthus echoes the site's centuries of poetry and serene garden ambience. • Savor the city’s unique fall grace and literary charm while admiring the blooms. ⛩ Qing Yang Gong Temple ✨ Highlights: • A thousand-year-old temple where flying eaves and gray tiles exude historic charm. • Osmanthus trees bloom in the courtyards, their delicate scent drifting past ancient eaves. • Fragrance and heritage intertwine to create a calm, timeless atmosphere. 💡 Travel tips: Please enjoy flowers responsibly and avoid stepping on or breaking plants. Crowds are heavier during the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday, so consider visiting at off-peak times. Come to Chengdu to enjoy the bountiful beauty and poetic romance of fall!

Making a wish feels great in the moment, but paying it back can bring tears — worse yet, your wish came true and you don’t know where to go to give thanks. When it comes to giving thanks at temples, the biggest pitfalls are going to the wrong temple or making the wrong offering. Here’s a guide to 6 temples in China and Thailand for giving thanks: who to thank, how to do it, and what to bring. Plan it all at a glance 👇 🛕 Hangzhou Lingyin Temple · dedicated session for giving thanks at a wish-making sanctuary 📍 Address: No. 1 Fayun Lane, Lingyin Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou 🙏 How to give thanks: choose one of three — copy sutras, have a vegetarian meal, or donate incense. Repay whatever you promised when you made your wish. Remember to provide your name and address. ✨ Highlights: The official guideline says “if your wish comes true, you must return to give thanks.” One of the busiest sites for giving thanks. 🛕 Beijing Lama Temple · the most popular place where people line up to give thanks 📍 Address: No. 12 Yonghegong Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 🙏 How to give thanks: offer incense + fruit (apples for safety, oranges for wishes fulfilled), then get a glass-bead bracelet with incense ash to take the blessing with you. ✨ Highlights: A gathering place for young “incense-offering” visitors. At opening time, people dash in to offer the first incense, and the line for giving thanks can be even longer than the line for making wishes. 🛕 Nanjing Jiming Temple · dedicated session for giving thanks for romance 📍 Address: No. 1 Jimingsi Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing 🙏 How to give thanks: if you found a partner or got married, return to offer flowers in thanks to the Bodhisattva. Remember to come back if your wish for love came true. ✨ Highlights: Equally famous for cherry blossoms and romance. Those returning to give thanks often smile even brighter than those making wishes. 🛕 Chengdu Wenshu Monastery · a site for giving thanks after exams 📍 Address: No. 66 Wenshuyuan Street, Qingyang District, Chengdu (Wenshu Monastery Station, Subway Line 1, Exit K. Approx. 400 m on foot) 🙏 How to give thanks: return after exams to thank Manjushri. Pick up three sticks of light incense at the entrance. Remember to come back to give thanks when your wish is fulfilled. ✨ Highlights: Most popular around high school and college entrance exams. Parents pray to Manjushri for top scores, and students come back after the exams to give thanks. 🛕 Bangkok Erawan Shrine · giving-thanks dances that made it famous 📍 Address: Ratchaprasong intersection, Bangkok (across from the CentralWorld shopping mall, next to the Erawan Hotel) 🙏 How to give thanks: when your wish comes true, invite dancers to perform as an offering. Choose 2/4/6/8 dancers. Provide your name and wish, and the classical dance will be performed on the spot. ✨ Highlights: Thailand’s most renowned giving-thanks ritual. The dances run in rotation all day, easy to watch as you pass by. 🛕 Bangkok Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan · drop coins to give thanks and make merit 📍 Address: South of The Grand Palace, Bangkok (a short walk from Tha Thien Pier) 🙏 How to give thanks: drop coins sequentially into 108 bronze alms bowls to make merit. You can also apply gold leaf to the Buddha statue in gratitude. ✨ Highlights: A 46 m reclining Buddha and 108 auspicious symbols on the soles of the feet. While giving thanks, touch the Buddha’s feet for double the luck. If you owe a vow to the Buddha, you’ll have to repay it sooner or later. Closing the loop means paying it back the right way. *For reference only. Making and repaying vows can serve as a psychological anchor. Good luck and outcomes ultimately come from your own steps forward. Sincerity helps, and action helps even more.

As a gentle fall breeze sets in and the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day draw near, the giant and red panda cubs at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding are turning the cuteness all the way up to welcome the holidays. Their days are full of delightful growth stories and playful moments, just waiting for you to witness. 🐼 Sun nursery The 2026 newborn giant panda cubs are thriving in the Sun nursery. Warm fall sunshine fills every corner of the exhibit. The little ones stretch at ease or curl up to bask in the light, lazy yet sweet, or amble about to explore new things with endless curiosity. Every move brims with lively energy and invites you to stop and admire. 🦊 Red panda nursery The caramel-colored little residents in the red panda nursery are lively and spirited, romping and playing with their companions. Their carefree antics add a burst of energy and fun to the base. Day by day, these little ones change in subtle ways, revealing the adorable process of growing up. Come to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to celebrate the Mid-Autumn and National Day holidays with a fun visit, and feel the charm and energy of giant and red panda cubs!

During the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays, Dujiangyan is rolling out a variety of activities, including tours of the irrigation system, Taoist culture experiences on Mount Qingcheng, immersive night shows, giant panda viewing, and a snow and ice park—perfect for a family trip. 🏯 Dujiangyan Irrigation System ✨ Highlights: • A millennia-old marvel: a masterpiece of ancient flood control that has operated for over 2,200 years. • Historic sites: Baopingkou, Anlan Bridge, and Erwang Temple, each with rich stories to tell. • Qingxi Garden: home to precious ancient tree bonsai and graceful scenery. ⛰ Mount Qingcheng ✨ Highlights: • Birthplace of Taoism: one of the key birthplaces of China’s indigenous Taoism. • Temples and relics: Taoist sites such as Jianfu Palace, Tianshi Cave, and Shangqing Palace are well preserved. • Laojun Pavilion: climb to the top for sweeping, breathtaking views that stretch for miles. 🌌 Dujiangyan night tour ✨ Highlights: • Three chapters: "Weir of Divine Craftsmanship," "Weir of Mountains and Rivers," and "Weir of Fireworks" blend projection mapping with live performances to showcase the history of water management and the culture of western Sichuan. • Night walkways: dappled lights through the trees and drifting mist create a dreamlike atmosphere. 🎭 Dreaming of Qingcheng live show ⏰ Dates: Sep 1–Sep 20, 2026 🎫 Tickets: Teachers with valid credentials get discounted entry and may bring up to 2 family members at half price. ✨ Highlights: • Outdoor immersive theater: an over 20,000 sq m venue with glasses-free 3D water curtains, aerial wire stunts, laser fountains, and other thrilling effects. • Intangible heritage interactions: experience Sichuan opera face-changing, iron-flower forging, the Flower Goddess parade, and more. 🐼 Dujiangyan Panda Valley ✨ Highlights: • Panda research base: a branch of the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding focused on reintroduction research. • Panda viewing: pandas are energetic—great for close-up observation. ⛷ Chengdu Sunac Snow World ✨ Highlights: • Real ice and snow: open year-round so you can enjoy snow fun in any season. • Ski runs: 7 runs for kids, beginners, intermediates, and advanced skiers. • Snow-play: over 10 activities, including snow tank rides and bumper cars on ice. 💡 Travel tips: We recommend wearing comfortable hiking shoes and bringing a light jacket due to large temperature differences in the mountains. For night tours, book in advance to avoid peak-time lines. Come to Dujiangyan and unlock a colorful holiday experience for the Double Festival!

Just outside Chengdu, Dujiangyan is a 2,000-year-old irrigation marvel that showcases the unique landscape and ingenuity of ancient Shu. 🌊 Three core hydraulic works The Fish Mouth Levee automatically splits the flow 40/60, the Feisha Dam diverts floods and silt, and Baopingkou meters the intake. Harnessing the natural terrain, the system handles flood control and irrigation with no mechanical gates—an elegant design in tune with nature. Seeing this waterworks operate up close is awe-inspiring. 🏮 Blue Tears at South Bridge At dusk, South Bridge becomes the top photo spot. As night falls, lights shimmer on the river and the flowing water takes on a clear blue hue. The evening breeze carries the sound of the current, setting a rich mood—perfect for stunning shots. 🪨 Stone carvings and ancient steles along the way You’ll find many carvings and old steles along the route that record Li Bing’s water-management legacy. Stroll and read as you go to learn the roots of the region’s long-lasting prosperity and feel the culture and wisdom of this land. 💡 Travel tips: There’s plenty of walking, so wear comfortable walking shoes. Enter in the afternoon to avoid the midday sun and catch the Blue Tears at night. Purchases in the scenic area are entirely optional—no need to follow the crowd for souvenirs. Come to Dujiangyan and experience millennia of landscape wisdom and grandeur.

Chengdu blends deep history with modern energy. From the red walls and bamboo at the Chengdu Wuhou Shrine Museum and the lingering poetry at the Chengdu Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum to the light show at the Tianfu Twin Towers, every stop reveals the city's unique charm. 🏯 Chengdu Wuhou Shrine Museum ✨ Highlights: • Red walls and bamboo shadows: echoes of the Three Kingdoms and a millennium of history, where culture runs deep. 🏡 Chengdu Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum ✨ Highlights: • Thatched eaves and a murmuring stream: timeless poetry that recalls the Chengdu scenes in Du Fu's verse. 🌆 Tianfu Twin Towers ✨ Highlights: • Light show: a beacon of the city's youth and passion, symbolizing modern architecture and urban energy. 🏘 Kuixinglou Street ✨ Highlights: • Lively old-street vibes: feel the down-to-earth charm of everyday life. • Genshin Impact-themed building: a popular photo spot where old-town charm meets modern pop culture. Come to Chengdu and unlock the city's many charms!

During the 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday, Chengdu’s Qingyang District links millennia of culture with everyday city life across multiple landmarks, offering a fall-only mix of poetry and laid-back charm. 🏯 Qing Yang Gong Temple ⏰ Business hours: 8:00 AM–6:00 PM 🎫 Tickets: discounted admission ✨ Highlights: • In late September, the old sweet osmanthus trees enter full bloom. Petals drift on the breeze and fragrance fills the air. • Century-old ginkgo trees turn a soft yellow, with sunlight casting dancing shadows through the upturned eaves. • Pomelo trees beside the halls hang heavy with fruit, adding a homely fall touch to the temple. • Visit in the morning when the osmanthus fragrance is strongest and to avoid peak crowds. 🚇 Transportation: direct via Subway Line 5 to Qingyanggong Station 📚 Chengdu Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum ⏰ Business hours: 8:30 AM–6:30 PM (last entry 5:30 PM) 🎫 Tickets: paid admission; 50% off for students; advance reservation required ✨ Highlights: • In fall, golden and orange osmanthus fill the grounds with a clean, sweet scent. • The themed exhibition "The Moon Is Brighter in My Hometown — Du Fu and Qinzhou" runs through October 8, 2026. • Poetry gatherings and elegant literary events take place in rotation. • A teahouse to the north, a bookstore to the south, and Thatched Cottage Cafe offer varied places to rest. • A cultural and creative market under Wanfo Tower sells handmade crafts, intangible cultural heritage items, and local snacks. • Best to enter in the afternoon: stroll the gardens and enjoy the osmanthus first, then visit the exhibition for a poetic finale. 🚇 Transportation: within walking distance from Subway Line 4 Caotang North Road Station 🏘️ Kuanzhai Alley 🎫 Tickets: free entry, no reservation needed ✨ Highlights: • Western Sichuan courtyards of gray brick and tile glow in the fall sunlight. • Independent bookstores, pastry shops, folk culture halls, and blind box design shops hide in the lanes. • Visit before 11:00 AM or after 4:00 PM to avoid peak crowds. • When night falls and lanterns light up, the alleys take on a gentle, everyday charm. • Visiting after 4:00 PM lets you enjoy both daytime fall views and evening moonlight for a better experience. 🚇 Transportation: direct via Subway Line 4 to Kuanzhai Alley Station ⏳ Recommended time: all day 🌳 People’s Park 🎫 Tickets: free entry ✨ Highlights: • Shaocheng Jinghua Garden bursts with osmanthus in bloom, its sweet scent drifting across pavilions and towers. • Afternoon tea ceremonies and traditional Chinese dance performances create a rich ambiance. • The century-old Heming Teahouse offers an authentic Chengdu tea culture experience. • The park’s ginkgo avenue brims with fall color; fallen leaves dot the lake, making for lovely views. • Spend a leisurely fall afternoon like a local: sip tea, enjoy the osmanthus, and take a boat ride. 🚇 Transportation: direct via Subway Line 2 to People’s Park Station ⏳ Recommended time: all day 🏛️ Chengdu Museum ⏰ Dates: Sep 30–Dec 27, 2026 🎫 Tickets: free admission but ticket required; advance reservation needed ✨ Highlights: • The permanent exhibition "Splendor of Brocade City" traces Chengdu’s history from the pre-Qin period to the Ming and Qing dynasties. • The shadow puppet and puppet gallery vividly recreates traditional festivals and everyday market life. • The National Day holiday features themed education activities, shadow puppet experiences, Hanfu events, and elegant gatherings. • A top-tier British porcelain exhibition comes to Chengdu for the first time, on view through Dec 27, 2026. 🚇 Transportation: direct via Subway Lines 1 and 2 to Tianfu Square Station 💡 Travel tips: Wear comfortable walking shoes. Fall temperatures can vary widely, so bring a light jacket. Expect larger crowds during the National Day holiday and try to avoid peak times. Visit in the morning to beat the lines, and allow 2–3 hours for an in-depth visit. Come to Chengdu’s Qingyang District and unlock fall’s limited-time poetry and ease!

Chengdu’s fall is painted with reeds, golden rain trees, pink muhly grass, and sulfur cosmos, creating a colorful panorama. Flower fields across each district are at their peak, perfect for a half-day visit at the tail end of the holiday. 🌾 Reeds in Chengdu Hi-tech Zone Vast stands of reeds sway along the water’s edge, painting fall in creamy white, pale yellow, and soft pink. Stroll the greenways to admire reed vistas at sunrise and sunset as waterbirds dart about and the river glides by. 📍 Location: Zhonghe Wetland Park, Jincheng Lake Park, and along the Qingshuihe in Chengdu Hi-tech Zone 🍁 Golden rain trees in Chenghua District A single tree shows three colors—buttery yellow, orange-red, and green leaves—with flowers and fruit on display at the same time. Lantern-like pods and every snap delivers strong fall vibes. 📍 Location: Beihu Ecological Park, Shanban Bridge Park, and Eastern Suburb Memory with nearby streets in Chenghua District 🌸 Airport Flower Field in Shuangliu District Kochia shifts from green to crimson like a red velvet carpet, while pink muhly grass forms fluffy, cloud-like plumes. Capture planes skimming low over the flower sea for guaranteed stunning shots. Special parades run during the National Day holiday. 📍 Location: Airport Flower Field, Section 1 of Muhua Road, Shuangliu District 🌼 Wangjiawan Flower Sea in Wenjiang District Across more than 30 acres, sulfur cosmos intertwine with pink muhly grass to create a dazzling sea of blooms. Brew tea over a fire, picnic, or camp among the flowers for a romantic early-fall escape. 📍 Location: Wangjiawan Flower Sea, Wenjiang District 🌷 Changliu River Park in Qingbaijiang District Pink muhly grass plumes float like clouds and mist, as if from a delicate oil painting. Tidy greenways and open lawns are ideal for relaxing, exercising, and family-friendly fun. 📍 Location: Changliu River Park, Qingbaijiang District ⏳ Recommended time to visit: September–November each year. ⏰ Timing: September–November each year 💡 Travel tip: Be mindful while viewing flowers. Do not trample, pick, or break the blooms. Head to Chengdu’s flower fields, catch the last of the holiday, and savor the romance of fall!

Want to see giant pandas? Beyond Chengdu, many cities across China offer great viewing, with pandas of all personalities waiting to meet you. Here’s our roundup 👇 Sichuan 🐼 Hehua (Huahua) 📍 Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding Born in 2020, a short, chubby, and super-fluffy sweetheart at the Chengdu base. She stays calm even when her bamboo gets snatched. In 2023, her “triangle rice ball” look dominated trending searches, sending the base’s ticket sales soaring 9x, with 800,000+ Super Topic followers. Widely regarded as today’s top female star among pandas. 🐼 Fu Bao 📍 Wolong Shenshuping Base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda Born in 2020 at Everland in South Korea. Keepers made her a guitar, flower crowns, and little glasses. Before she came home, a petition on Korean sites drew tens of thousands of signatures. She returned to Sichuan in April 2024, with Chinese and Korean media coverage rivaling a celebrity’s airport arrival. 🐼 Xiang Xiang 📍 Bifengxia Base, Ya’an Born in 2017 at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo. A nationwide naming vote drew 320,000 entries. She generated billions of yen in economic impact each year for Japan. When she returned to China in February 2023, Japanese media aired a 12-hour live farewell. Beijing 🐼 Meng Lan 📍 Beijing Zoo Born in 2015, Beijing Zoo’s serial escape artist. He’s climbed walls by stepping on a red ball, twisted door handles, and cheekily teased visitors from afar. A single Douyin video topped 300 million views. Netizens jokingly call him Beijing’s “985” genius on the loose. Jiangsu 🐼 Mengxun & Aobao 📍 Suzhou Taihu National Wetland Park A brother-sister duo born in 2022 and total foodies. You can also watch them play-fight—super lively and adorable. 🐼 Jiujiu 📍 Nanjing Hongshan Forest Zoo Known as the most beautiful panda in East China. More than just a pretty face, Jiujiu is quite the performer—you might even catch this panda dancing. Chongqing 🐼 Shuangshuang, Zhongzhong, Xixi, and Qingqing (the “Four Joy Meatballs”) 📍 Chongqing Zoo There are 23 pandas here—one of them is sure to steal your heart. The viral foursome “Four Joy Meatballs” is from this zoo, and if you’re lucky, you might even see them “playing mahjong.” Liaoning 🐼 Feiyun 📍 Dalian Forest Zoo The zoo’s first-gen internet-famous female: round head, snow-white coat. Fans lovingly call her “Feiyun piggy.” Together with Jinhu and Miaoyin, she’s one of “Dalian’s three treasures.” Livestreams often draw 100,000+ viewers year-round. Shaanxi 🐼 Qizai 📍 Qinling Four Treasures Science Park The world’s only captive brown giant panda, discovered in Foping, Shaanxi, in 2009. With chocolate-colored fur, he’s jokingly nicknamed the Labrador of the panda world. Shandong 🐼 Yaji 📍 Jinan Zoo A little hidden gem who really knows how to work a crowd. When standing on all fours, Yaji looks like a small bench—hence the cute nickname “Little Bench.” Which panda has stolen your heart? Beyond the stars above, many other provinces across China have adorable giant pandas waiting to meet you. Start planning your panda trip and witness the charm of this national treasure up close

When you visit a temple, don’t just pay respects—look for the unofficial monks first 🐶 The temple’s most pampered resident isn’t always the abbot—the laid-back, the hustling, the super social… dogs come in all types. Here’s a field guide to temple dogs at 6 spots in China and Thailand. Don’t go empty-handed 👇 🇨🇳 China 🛕 Longhua Temple · Beta 📍 Address: 2853 Longhua Rd, Xuhui District, Shanghai (subway Lines 11/12, Longhua Station) 🙏 How to spot: Look for Beta on the Main Hall steps or by the incense burner. If it’s sleeping, please don’t wake it. You’ll also find Little Yellow and Little White at the vegetarian canteen. ✨ Highlights: The zen-level king of chilling at Shanghai’s oldest temple. Peak relaxed vibes. 🛕 Foguang Temple · Erliang 📍 Address: Foguang Village, Ducun Town, Wutai County, Xinzhou, Shanxi (self-drive recommended; search “Foguang Temple” in navigation) 🙏 How to spot: Call its name at the small courtyard by the East Hall and it’ll pop its head out to “work.” Bring treats if you want a photo together. ✨ Highlights: An internet-famous pup that gnawed its own little window to greet visitors, guarding a Tang dynasty national-treasure hall that’s over 1,000 years old. 🛕 Yiye Hermitage · Dog Master 📍 Address: Yangliuqian Rd, Baohua Town, Jurong, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, inside Baohuashan National Forest Park 🙏 How to spot: Don’t shy away when you enter. It welcomes people by flopping over—hard to resist that chubby charm. ✨ Highlights: Nicknamed by netizens as Dog Master, this temple mascot is so enthusiastic even worshippers can barely keep up. 🛕 Ancient Tiangou Temple · Xiaotian Dog 📍 Address: In the mountains off Puhong Rd, Dujiangyan, Sichuan (start at the Small Tiangou Temple at the foot and climb the stone steps) 🙏 How to spot: Bring dog food and chew sticks as offerings, and pray for your own fur kid’s safety. ✨ Highlights: Here, offerings go to dogs, not deities. Legend says Xiaotian Dog tamed floods and saved the village—a blessing spot dedicated to pet owners. 🇹🇭 Thailand 🛕 Wat Chin Wararam Worawihan · 12 working dogs 📍 Address: West bank of the Chao Phraya River, Pathum Thani Province, Thailand (taxi/self-drive from Bangkok; search Wat Chin Wararam) 🙏 How to spot: Go at dawn and wait by the river to see the abbot take 12 dogs by boat on an alms round. ✨ Highlights: A heartwarming scene reported by Reuters—dogs “going to work” on alms rounds. 🛕 Ban Cho Temple · ancestral temple of Thailand’s national dog 📍 Address: Ban Cho Village, Bang Rakam District, Phitsanulok Province, Thailand (on the Yom River) 🙏 How to spot: Watch the dogs trace their lineage—the bloodline origin of the Bang Kaew dog, Thailand’s priciest native breed. ✨ Highlights: The abbot adopted a pregnant mother dog, and during flood season an entire breed emerged—founding a canine lineage. If even the pups are so blessed, are you still torn between kicking back or hustling? Which temple’s unofficial monk have you met? Share in the comments 👇

Fall in Ganzi brings a tapestry of colorful forests, snow-capped mountains, lakes, and meadows. The destinations below showcase Ganzi’s most beautiful fall scenery. 🏞 Mugecuo scenic area ⏰ Time: Best viewing from mid-Oct–early Nov 📍 Location: Wangmu Village, Yala Township, Kangding ✨ Highlights: • The main lake, Mugecuo, is known as the plateau’s blue tear, with crystal-clear water. • Snow mountains, colorful forests, lakes, and meadows blend into a rich, layered landscape. • Along the route you’ll find Red Stone Beach and mountain hot springs, and yaks strolling through autumn grasses on the meadows. 🚗 Transportation: Driving from Chengdu takes about 3.5 hours. 🌾 Tagong Grassland 📍 Location: Tagong Town, Kangding ✨ Highlights: • The meadows turn from green to gold, unfurling like a golden carpet. • Yala Snow Mountain is in view, with alpenglow at sunrise and sunset on clear days. • Cattle and sheep dot the pastures, and herds of yaks move slowly across the open plains. 🍂 Xinduqiao Town ⏰ Time: Best viewing from mid-Oct–early Nov 📍 Location: Xinduqiao Town, Kangding ✨ Highlights: • Surrounding hillsides glow in layers of gold, orange, and crimson. • Poplars and birches line both sides of the valley, their leaves gleaming in the sunlight. • The 10 km Ten-Mile Gallery is the core section for viewing along the route. • On clear days, you can see Gongga Snow Mountain and Yala Snow Mountain, their peaks shimmering silver. 🏔 Jiagenba ⏰ Time: Best viewing from late Sep–mid Oct 📍 Location: Jiagenba, Kangding ✨ Highlights: • Gongga Snow Mountain and colorful forests share the same frame, like a land of fairy tales. • Highland barley fields ripen, with golden waves of grain intertwining with the autumn forest for a pastoral scene. • Tibetan-style houses in Muya Village are arranged harmoniously, with beautifully painted window and door lintels. 💡 Travel tips: Wear comfortable hiking shoes. Mountain areas have large temperature swings, so bring a light jacket. At high altitudes, use sun protection and avoid prolonged sun exposure. Come to Ganzi and experience the breathtaking charm of fall foliage and highland scenery!

Chengdu Zoo’s new Monkey Hill pavilion is now open. Four primate species have moved into their upgraded ecological home, ready to welcome visitors. 🐒 New home for primates The new Monkey Hill pavilion features a full hardware upgrade to create a comfortable, livable habitat. Natural murals brighten the walls, and bark mulch covers the floor to mimic a forest understory. The pavilion also has wall heaters and full-spectrum lights to provide a warm, healthy environment. Rocks, vines, and perches are layered throughout to recreate a natural setting. 🦧 Four primate species The new pavilion is home to Ghana spot-nosed monkeys, De Brazza’s monkeys, Tibetan macaques, and red-faced macaques. The gentle Tibetan macaques lounge at ease, the distinctively colored De Brazza’s monkeys peek out inquisitively, the agile Ghana spot-nosed monkeys leap between branches, and the distinctive red-faced macaques observe quietly. Playful macaques dash about, showcasing the energy and agility of primates. 🌳 Mixed-species habitat The pavilion also introduces a mixed-species exhibit with pheasants living alongside the monkeys, making the pheasants the monkeys’ new “neighbors.” This compatible setup provides diverse sensory stimulation, encourages natural behaviors like foraging, exploring, and vigilance, and reduces stereotypic behaviors in captivity, allowing the animals to express their nature and highlight the beauty of biodiversity. 🚗 Transportation: The official parking lot is at the zoo’s North Gate. Qinglong Square and Tianfu Animation City have more parking spaces. ⏰ Business hours: Regular park hours 💡 Travel tips: We recommend visiting at off-peak times during the National Day holiday to avoid peak hours. Visit the new Monkey Hill pavilion at Chengdu Zoo to experience the unique charm of the primates’ new home and ecological habitat.

September 25–November 8, 2026, Chengdu’s Night Cruise on Jinjiang River teams up with the Chinese anime IP "Fox Spirit Matchmaker" to launch the annual crossover promotion "Hongchen Thousand Turns: Destiny Continues on Jinjiang," creating an immersive night tour with traditional Chinese flair. 🛶 Chengdu-exclusive "Fate Renewal" themed boat During the promotion, a nationwide exclusive debuts in Chengdu: the city-only "Fate Renewal" themed boat. Adorned with exquisite themed artwork, it offers a 45-minute immersive cruise where you can feel Jinjiang’s timeless romance and gentle charm. Dedicated cosplayer interactions will take place onboard, bringing delightful surprises for fans. 🌉 Xing'an Bridge river section Eight classic themed scenes under "Moon-red by the river: Reunion like old times" unfold along the Xing'an Bridge river section, perfectly blending the touching storylines of "Fox Spirit Matchmaker" with Jinjiang’s millennia-old culture. Stroll the riverbank, soak in the traditional aesthetic, and discover Jinjiang’s unique allure. 🌉 Anshun Bridge At Anshun Bridge, try the "The power of Tushan: A skyward gathering" AR experience and feel the breathtaking moment when Tushan’s spiritual power bursts through the sky. Digital technology seamlessly connects the real world with the anime realm, adding more fun and immersion to your night cruise. 🌳 Dongmen Wharf Dongmen Wharf is one of the core areas of this promotion, featuring the "Red thread lights" show and a giant "Tree of Heartache" themed scene. Here, you’ll find iconic elements from "Fox Spirit Matchmaker" reflecting beautifully against Jinjiang’s nightscape. 🎶 Music Square Wharf Music Square Wharf showcases dual-themed waterfronts, "Moon-red by the river" and "Blossoms and a full moon." Poetic serenity intertwines with romantic elegance, painting a refined waterside tableau of traditional Chinese style. Come aboard the Night Cruise on Jinjiang River in Chengdu and experience the romantic fusion of Chinese anime and urban culture and tourism!

From October 25, 2026, China’s civil aviation will implement the winter–spring flight schedule. Chengdu will add more nonstop routes to Lijiang, Haikou, and other cities, and launch a new route from Kunming with a stop in Chengdu Tianfu to Xingtai. ✈️ Chengdu–Lijiang nonstop route The Chengdu–Lijiang nonstop route will increase in frequency from October 25, 2026, offering travelers more convenient options and better meeting demand for trips to Lijiang. ✈️ Kunming–Chengdu Tianfu–Xingtai route Starting October 25, 2026, Lucky Air will launch a new route from Kunming with a stop in Chengdu Tianfu to Xingtai, operating 4 flights per week on Mon, Wed, Fri, and Sun, providing travelers with more options. ⏰ Time: From October 25, 2026 Experience convenient routes from Chengdu and kick off a wonderful winter–spring journey!