Sichuan
Go for Chengdu's giant pandas and Sichuan food, then take day trips to Mount Emei's Buddhist temples and the 71-meter Leshan Buddha.
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Sichuan is a province in southwest China, with Chengdu as its capital. Its cooking pairs chili with Sichuan peppercorn for a hot, numbing taste, and the province is home to giant pandas. The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding sits on the northern edge of the city. The land climbs from the Sichuan Basin toward the Tibetan plateau in the west, so the scenery shifts as you travel.
Many trips base in Chengdu and take day trips. Leshan has a 71-meter Buddha carved into a cliff where three rivers meet. Mount Emei is a sacred Buddhist mountain with temples on its slopes. Jiuzhaigou, a valley of turquoise lakes and waterfalls in the north, is a longer trip from the city. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, and Chengdu is often cloudy in winter. Plan at least three or four days for the city and its nearby day trips, and more if you want the mountains.
Sichuan in five
- Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you arriveMany street vendors, taxis and small shops in Chengdu accept mainly Alipay or WeChat Pay. Foreign cards are often refused, so link a foreign card and test a small payment before you travel.Money and costs
- Use Baidu Maps or Amap instead of Google MapsGoogle Maps is blocked in mainland China. Baidu Maps and Amap (Gaode) show metro stations and bus routes, but their English menus are limited.Phones and eSIM
- Check whether your flight lands at Shuangliu or TianfuChengdu has two airports: Shuangliu International (CTU) and Tianfu International (TFU), which is much farther from the city. Book the metro or airport bus for your actual airport.
- Carry your passport at every hotel check-inHotels register foreign guests from the passport itself, not a photo of it. Keep the original with you on day trips, because train stations ask for it when you buy tickets.
- Book Chengdu panda base tickets and go earlyPandas are usually most active in the morning, so book the first entry slot at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Tickets can sell out on busy days, so buy them online before you travel.Tours and tickets
Things to do in Sichuan
See all attractions in Sichuan
Need to know
- Currency
- Yuan (CNY)
- Entry
- Visa-free for many passports; others need a visa. Check before you fly Read more
- Emergency
- 110 police, 120 ambulance, 119 fire
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+8, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, grey
- FebruaryCool, cloudy
- MarchMild, showers
- AprilMild, green
- MayWarm, pleasant
- JuneHot, humid
- JulyHot, humid
- AugustHot, humid
- SeptemberHumid, showers
- OctoberGolden Week
- NovemberMisty, mild
- DecemberCool, grey
Right now in Sichuan
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
16
- Feels like
- 15°
- Humidity
- 70%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 30%
Chengdu
04:40 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today19°14°30%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 19°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 30%.
- Wed21°13°6%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Thu22°14°24%Thursday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 24%.
- Fri19°15°29%Friday: Drizzle. High 19°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 29%.
- Sat18°14°82%Saturday: Drizzle. High 18°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 82%.
- Sun18°13°82%Sunday: Drizzle. High 18°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 82%.
Updated 04:31 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 6.661 CNY
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Dujiangyanabout 1 hour by train or busA UNESCO-listed irrigation system that still works after more than 2,000 years.
- Mount Qingchengabout 1 to 1.5 hours by bus or carA Taoist mountain with forest trails and temples on its slopes.
- Leshanabout 1 to 1.5 hours by high-speed trainThe Giant Buddha is carved into a cliff where three rivers meet.
Before you go to Sichuan
Rules for Sichuan, checked
- Visa-free rules depend on your passport. Check the National Immigration Administration site before you fly.Source
- Declare cash above the limit on the customs form. Check the current limits on the General Administration of Customs site.Source
- Do not photograph airports, railway stations, police or military sites. Ask before photographing people in temples and markets.
- Drone flights need registration and follow Chinese rules. Check them before you pack a drone.
- Drug offences carry severe penalties in China, including the death penalty for trafficking. Never carry a bag or parcel for someone else.
Plan around Sichuan
Metro, high-speed trains and airport links
Read the guideMoney and costsMobile payments, cash and typical prices in Chengdu
Read the guideVisas and entryVisa-free rules and what to check before you fly
Read the guideWhere to stayCentral, Wenshu and Wuhou bases
Read the guidePhones and eSIMMaps, payment apps and mobile data for the trip
Read the guideChengdu travel guideCity sights, food and the panda base
Read the guideSichuan FAQ
Is Chengdu worth visiting?
Yes, for the food, the panda base and the tea houses. It is a large city, so pick the sights you want to see.
How many days do you need in Chengdu?
Three to four days covers the panda base, Wenshu Monastery, Kuanzhai Alley and Jinli Old Street, plus one day trip. Add a day for Leshan or Dujiangyan.
Can I see pandas in Chengdu?
Yes, at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding on the northern side of the city. Go in the morning, when pandas are most active, and book the ticket online.
Does Google Maps work in Chengdu?
No. Google Maps is blocked in mainland China. Use Baidu Maps or Amap, and set up mobile data before you land.
Is Sichuan food very spicy?
Many dishes are. Sichuan peppercorns numb the mouth as well as add heat. Ask for less spicy dishes, or order a split hotpot with one mild and one spicy side.
Can I visit Leshan on a day trip from Chengdu?
Yes. The Leshan Giant Buddha is about 1 to 1.5 hours by high-speed train from Chengdu. Book a same-day return train and allow most of a day.