Landmark
Giant Panda Breeding Research Base
The world's largest panda breeding facility, home to over 100 giant pandas. Best visited early morning when pandas are most active.
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
¥55
Chengdu's history stretches back to the 4th century BC, when the ancient Shu kingdom established its capital here. Archaeological discoveries at the Jinsha site reveal a sophisticated Bronze Age civilization that thrived in the Chengdu Plain. The famous Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang has a Sichuan counterpart: the Sanxingdui bronze masks, discovered just 40 kilometers from Chengdu, hint at a mysterious ancient culture.
During the Three Kingdoms period (220-280 AD), Chengdu became the capital of the Shu Han kingdom, led by Liu Bei and his strategist Zhuge Liang. The Wuhou Shrine still honors this legacy today. Throughout the Tang dynasty (618-907), Chengdu flourished as a center of literature and arts—the poet Du Fu wrote many of his greatest works here.
The city's modern transformation began in the late 20th century. In 1983, the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base was established, giving Chengdu a global conservation symbol. The 2008 Wenchuan earthquake brought international attention to the region, and the subsequent reconstruction spurred massive infrastructure development. In 2010, UNESCO named Chengdu a City of Gastronomy, recognizing its culinary heritage. Today, Chengdu is a major tech hub and aviation gateway to western China, while maintaining its distinctive culture of tea houses, hotpot, and "slow life."
