Day 1: Explore the City

Start your first day in Chengdu by exploring the city. Visit the famous Wuhou Temple which honors Zhuge Liang, the famous strategist of the Three Kingdoms. Take a stroll in the Jinli Ancient Street which is a hub of traditional Sichuan culture. You can find all sorts of traditional snacks, trinkets, and handicrafts here. Enjoy the flavors of the Sichuan cuisine here including the famous Dan Dan noodles, hot pot, and spicy tofu.

Next, visit the People's Park which is the largest park in downtown Chengdu. The park houses various attractions such as the artificial lake, teahouse, amusement park, and aquarium. You can also watch locals performing Sichuan Opera and play mahjong. You can rent a boat to row around the lake or enjoy a cup of tea while people-watching.

In the evening, catch the Sichuan Opera show. It is a traditional form of opera which features fire breathing, face-changing, and acrobatics. You can see performers dressed in colorful costumes and enjoy traditional music. The most famous venue for the Sichuan Opera is the Shufeng Yayun Theater.

Day 2: Visit the Giant Pandas

Chengdu is famous for being the hometown of the giant pandas. Start your second day in Chengdu by visiting the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding which is home to more than 100 pandas. Here you can see baby pandas playing, pandas eating bamboo, and red pandas climbing trees. Try to visit the park early in the morning to see the pandas at their most active time.

Next, visit the nearby Dujiangyan Irrigation System which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The irrigation system dates back to the 3rd century BC and still provides water to the region today. It is a marvel of ancient engineering and demonstrates the ingenuity of the people of the time.

In the evening, take a stroll in the Kuanzhai Alley which is a traditional Chinese street with renovated houses that serve as tea houses, restaurants, and shops. You can experience the old style of Chengdu here and try out traditional Sichuan dishes.

Day 3: Explore the Countryside

On your final day in Chengdu, venture out of the city and explore the countryside. Start by visiting the Leshan Giant Buddha which is a 71-meter tall statue carved out of a cliff face. This Buddha statue is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the largest stone Buddha in the world.

Next, visit the nearby Mount Emei which is one of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China. The mountain has over 30 Buddhist monasteries and temples, many of which were built more than a thousand years ago. The most famous temple is the Golden Summit which can be reached by cable car. The temple is perched at an altitude of 3,079 meters and offers panoramic views of the region.

In the evening, try out the famous Chengdu hot pot which is a type of Chinese fondue that is known for being spicy and flavorful. You can find hot pot restaurants all over Chengdu but the most famous is Huang Cheng Lao Ma.

With this three-day itinerary, you can experience the best that Chengdu has to offer in terms of culture, food, and natural beauty. Come visit this vibrant city which is a perfect blend of ancient and modern Chinese culture.