1. Wuhou Shrine Museum, "Lecture Room" of Three Kingdoms culture

Built from 223AD, Wuhou Shrine is the most famous memorial site for Three Kingdom heroes as well as the most significant museum of the culture of the Three Kingdoms Period (221-280).

Add: 231 Wuhouci Street (next to Jinli Street)

Opening hours: 8:00-21:30, 08:00-18:30 (slack season)

Ticket: RMB 60 (Multilingual tour guide is available at tourist reception center with an extra charge)

2. Jinli Street, showcase of local architecture and folk customs

Jinli Street is one of the most popular spots in downtown Chengdu featuring old-style architecture of West Sichuan and local culture. The name "Jinli" dates back to the Han Dynasty about 2, 000 years ago and means "the street of embroidery workshops". As one of the most popular tourist attractions of Chengdu, Jinli Street is a paradise of Chengdu snacks, souvenirs, Sichuan Opera and various folk performances.

Add: 231 Wuhouci Street

Opening hours: 24 hours. Shops are closed at 10:00-11:00pm and bars at 2:00am.

Admission: free

3. Wide and Narrow Alleys (Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi), "The Lounge" of the city

This is a pedestrian street consisting of three old parallel alleys, i.e. Kuan Alley, Zhai Alley and Jing Alley, which were built in Qing Dynasty. Strolling in the alleys, you can get a glimpse of the splendid, leisurely and comfortable life in old times, but also be impressed by a wide variety of shops with the vitality and fashion of Modern Chengdu.

Add: North of Jinhe Hotel and west of Shudu Avenue

Opening hours: 24 hours. Shops are closed at 10:00-11:00pm, with bar closed later.

Admission: free

4. Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

Located in the northeast suburb of Chengdu, it is the largest group of artificially-bred captive giant pandas of the world. Apart from giant pandas, you can also see many other animals living leisurely and comfortably in the Base, such as red pandas, black-necked cranes, white storks, white swans, black swans, wild geese, mandarin ducks and peacocks.

Add: 1375 Xiongmao Avenue (about 10km from downtown)

Opening hours: 7:30–18:00

Ticket: RMB 58

5. Du Fu's Thatched Cottage Museum, a poetic and picturesque place

Situated by Huanhuaxi Brook, it was the residence of Du Fu (712-770AD, a great poet of Tang Dynasty) during his stay in Chengdu. It has now been transformed into a museum integrating memorial shrine and Du Fu's residence. If you want to experience the appeal of classical Chinese gardens, you cannot miss it.

Add: 28 Caotang Road

Opening hours: 8:00–18:30 (summer), 8:00–18:00 (winter)

Ticket: RMB 60

6. Daci Monastery

It is a peaceful and tranquil ancient monastery, closely located to Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li and Chengdu International Finance Square (IFS).

Add: 21 Dacisi Road, Chengdu

Opening hours: 8:00–17:30

7. Zhaojue Monastery

Built in the early years of Tang Dynasty more than 1, 300 years ago, it has long been reputed as the "first monastery" of West Sichuan. Not only an important role in the history of Chinese Buddhism, it is also regarded as the Buddhist sect birthplace (i.e. monastery where the founder of a sect lived) by many Buddhist temples and monasteries of Japan and Southeast Asia.

Add: 333 Zhaoqing Road

Opening hours: 8:00–17:00

Ticket: RMB 2

8. Jinsha Site Museum

A large amount of relics, including pieces of ivory, gold and jade articles, bronze and stone tools have been unearthed at the site, providing evidence of the brilliant civilization of the ancient Shu Kindom of more than 3, 000 years ago. The museum is believed as the first major archaeological discovery of China in the 21st century.

Add: 227 Qingyang Avenue

Opening hours: 8:00–18:00

Ticket: RMB 80 (English tour guide available at tourist reception center, with an extra charge)

9. Dujiangyan Irrigation System

Constructed more than 2,000 years ago for flood control, it is the only ancient irrigation system of the world which is still functioning properly till now. It has been playing an important role in farmland irrigation of Chengdu Plain and making Chengdu a land of abundance.

Traffic: It only takes 30mins to get to downtown Dujiangyan by expressway; visitors can also choose high-speed rail and it only takes 29mins (ticket: RMB 15).

Opening hours: 8:00-17:30 (winter), 8:00-18:00 (other seasons)

Ticket: RMB 90 for all-in-one ticket, including Dujiangyan Irrigation System, Erwang Temple, Anlan Suspension Bridge, Lidui Park and many other scenic spots.

10. Qingcheng Mountain

As one of the birthplaces of Taoism, it is a peaceful and secluded mountain. Its front range is famous for cultural appeal and back range for natural landscape.

Traffic: It is about 70km away from downtown Chengdu and 10km from the Dujiangyan Scenic Spot; it takes at least 42mins to get there by high-speed rail from Chengdu North Railway Station (ticket: RMB 15).

Opening hours: 8:00-17:00 (March 2- Nov. 30); 8:00-18:00 (Dec. 1- Mar. 1).

Admission: RMB 90 for front range and RMB 20 for back range.