Joanna James
Chengdu is a place that has a lot to offer to both its locals and visitors. This list takes you through the best attractions in Chengdu and also guides you in ways to plan smoother day trips to the area.
If you, like everyone else in the world, absolutely love these cuddly looking animals, then, a visit to this place is a must do. Begun in the year 1987, this giant panda breeding centre had just 6 rescue pandas at the start. Now, they have more than 80 animals within their facility, with proper tours that take you around the whole area, showing you the daily lives of these furry creatures. If you are put up at a Chengdu hotel the likes of Ascott Raffles City Chengdu, the nearest panda breeding place is the Wolong Nature reserve, which is about a 120 kilometres away. This conservation area is close to the hills and apart from the pandas, has about 300 kinds of birds, more than 50 types of mammals, and giant trees that intimidate anyone with the height.
Known as one of the oldest temples in Chengdu, this shrine was built back in 302 AD, to honour the prominent personality, Zhuge Liang. The Chengdu Wuhou Shrine has a few upgrades later, in 1672, and this structure now takes pride in having a massive hall that is home to a clay statue of the man himself. All over the shrine, you will find inscriptions in the local language, which has writings and poems from the culturally important periods of the Chinese history.
Spreading more than 12 acres, this monastery has five temples that have been built with only wood and stone. Created in the year 1691, this place was built over the ruins of an older monastery that used to belong to the Southern Dynasty that existed during the earlier years. The main attractions in the Manjushree Monastery are the bronze statues of the saints, plus the ornaments and artefacts made of wood and jade.
One can easily reach this scenic route if they go down the Sichuan Road from Chengdu. Though you have to travel about 300 kilometres to reach the coveted scenic view, this drive will be well worth the visit if you are someone who likes to experience the place they travel to completely. Also, if you have the love for photography, checking this place out might be a good idea.
Considered to be one of the most prominent Islamic sites in China, this mosque has a history that dates back to the eighteenth century. Located in the central part of the Xicheng District, this mosque has gone through a lot of natural and man-made disasters over the years, but still stands tall. The library in the mosque is well worth looking into as it has thousands of Qurans that can be found in both Arabic and the main languages of China.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
