Best time to visit

 

Located in Sichuan basin, Chengdu has a subtropical monsoon climate, characterized by its early spring, hot summer, cool autumn and chilly winter. 

 

• Spring

 

Spring in Chengdu often comes early from the beginning of March and lasts until early May. The temperature gradually climbs up, but there are cold snaps, so you may feel chilly in spring.

 

It is recommended to wear sweatshirts, long skirts and thin sweaters, windbreakers, and jackets.

 

(Photo by Fifi)

 

Chengdu is among the most popular places to enjoy flowers in China. In middle and late March, the pink peach blossoms and the white pear blossoms are dotted among the golden rapeseed blossoms all over the mountains and fields. Cherry blossoms, rhododendron, apricot and canola flowers will be in season from now until May.

 

With more than 60 urban parks, 100 flower-appreciating walking trails, and 36 country parks, the beauty of the park city Chengdu are waiting for you to discover.

 

• Summer

 

Summer in Chengdu is both hot and rainy, starting from mid-May to nearly the end of August. The weather is sultry with lower temperatures in the morning and evening, but hot during the daytime, usually about 35°C.

 

It is recommended to wear sun protection shirts, sunhats, sunglasses, cotton and linen shirts, thin skirts, thin T-shirts and other breathable clothes for the daytime and always remember to bring an umbrella.

 

 

One of the most stunning things about visiting Chengdu is the incredible landscapes around the city. Mt.Qingcheng, Mt. Siguniang and Mt. Gongga will offer hikers an excellent experience. Take a trip to Jiulong Valley and Southern Sichuan Bamboo Sea to escape the summer heat will also be a good choice. 

 

• Autumn

 

Autumn usually starts in September and lasts till the end of October or early November. In the late autumn, the temperature drops quickly and rainfall increases.

 

It is recommended to wear shirts, long skirts and thin sweaters, windbreakers, jackets, sneakers for the early autumn, and you may need to get wear more clothes to keep warm in the late October and November.

 

 

Autumn is a perfect season to visit Chengdu when the Ginkgo trees become the best scenery in the city. People's Park, Baihuatan Park, and Qingyang Palace are among many sites worth a visit. You can take splendid photos with the ancient buildings hidden in the golden trees.

 

• Winter

 

Winter is from December to February, the average temperature is about 5°C. Due to the cloudy and moist weather, it feels chilly.

 

It is recommended to wear leather jackets, down coats, woolen hats, scarfs, and boots.

 

Xiling Snow Mountain

(Photo by Chengdu Culture & Tourism Development Group Ltd.)

 

Xiling Snow Mountain is a good place for skiing and the snow-covered scenery on Mount Emei is also very stunning, while the plum blossoms in Happy Meilin Park and Tazishan Park are also the winter highlights in Chengdu.

 

How to get to and travel around Chengdu

 

Chengdu is now the third city in China to have two international airports - Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport. There are frequent international or regional flights from San Francisco, Singapore, Melbourne, Kathmandu, Paris, Amsterdam, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Tokyo, etc., and some non-scheduled flights from Sydney, Dubai, Frankfurt, Madrid, and Moscow. Besides, Chengdu can be reached easily by flight or high speed train from many big cities of China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Xian, Chongqing, etc.  

 

Public transport in Chengdu is extremely affordable and efficient.

 

The fastest and most efficient way to travel around Chengdu is by subway. The subway system is incredibly efficient and there are stations near all the major Chengdu attractions.

 

 

If you want, you can also use the bus. It is affordable but sometimes due to traffic it might take a bit longer to get to your destination compared with the subway.

 

Another mode of transportation available in Chengdu is the taxi.

 

Where to stay in Chengdu

 

In Chengdu, there are lots of different kinds of hotels ranging from international brands to boutique styles. First-timers are strongly suggested to accommodate in the downtown area with the most convenient transportation, shopping malls, and great restaurants.

 

Here are five accommodation areas inside the first ring road of Chengdu, including the east area (near Chunxi Road, Taikooli, IFS, and the Anshun Bridge), the southwest area (near Wuhou Shrine Museum and Jinli Street), the central area (near Tianfu Square, Chengdu Museum, People’s Park, and Kuanzhai Alley), the west area (near Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum, Sichuan Museum, and Qingyang Palace), and the north area (near Wenshu Monastery).

 

Taikooli

(Photo by Jiang Renke)

The east area is the most popular choice for the beautiful cityscape along the river at night, shopping malls, accessible walking distance to attractions and metro stations, as well as plentiful nice hotels.

 

Edited by Huang Xiaomei