Famous Landmarks in Chengdu

Famous Landmarks in Chengdu are considered the Name Card of Chengdu, like the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Sanxingdui Museum, etc. ancient and new. They are somehow, represent a certain character or role Chengdu played to the world. Come with TopChinaTravel, to witness and appreciate those famous Chengdu Landmarks.

 

Dujiangyan Irrigation System

Located 45km north of Chengdu City, the Dujiangyan Irrigation System is the great technological achievement of ancient China. For more than 2,300 years of irrigation, Dujiangyan has benefited the local people just as it prevents Min River basin from annual flooding and made the ancient Shu State a famed ‘land of abundance'. This system still plays an indispensable function in agriculture. Beside, Dujiangyan survived from the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake because of its firm structure. So it really deserves a visit.
 

This is one of the oldest irrigation systems and this is still in function these days. They are the major source of water for many fields in China. They are placed in the min river in China. This irrigation system has a major function to regulate the flow of water. That is, during the rainy season they need to store the water so that they can manage the next summer season. This river was selected first as fields which are situated in the banks were flooded often in a single year. So the best method to stop this is by building an irrigation system in its banks.

The world famous Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is located about 25km out of Chengdu City. This huge institution replicates the natural habitat of the giant panda and is dedicated to preserving and increasing their population so they will not become extinct. You are able to get real close-up to some pandas and photograph them as well as the so-called lesser red pandas which really look and act like raccoons.

 

One of the biggest attractions is the panda breeding center where you can watch the baby pandas through glass in their playpens. Another highlight is the video you watch about the reserve and panda reproduction and learn how a panda gives birth to a baby cub. It is nice to see all in the panda breeding center.

 

Sanxingdui, located in Guanghan City, is the ruins of the capital of the ancient Shu, a Kingdom over 4,000 years ago. The site covers an area of 120,000 square meters. The discovery of Sanxingdui predates 2,000 years of Sichuan's history and proves that the upper reaches of the Yangtze and the Yellow River region are the cradle of the Chinese civilization. The Sanxindui is recognized as one of world's most important ancient remains because of its vast size, age and cultural contents.

There are a variety of unique, grotesque bronzes, such as 2.62-meter-tall standing statue, 1.38-meter-wide bronze mask, 3.95-meter-high bronze tree, all of which stand out as treasures unparalleled. In addition, the gold ware represented by the gleaming gold scepter, and jade ware such as the blades with heavy motif, turn out to be undeniable rare jewels never seen before.
 

 

Located in the bank of Wanhua Stream outside the West Gate of Chengdu City, the Thatched Cottage of Du Fu, is the former residence of the famous Tang Dynasty poet, Du Fu. During nearly four years of his stay here, Du Fu composed more than 240 poems reflecting upon the misery and the real life of the common people.
 

Although the original residence disappeared long ago, the site was renovated in the Ming and Qing dynasties and enlarged to its present scale as a park with fine gardening. A symbolic thatched hut was built to give visitor association to the original site. The poet's thatched cottage is esteemed as the holy land of Chinese traditional literature, and the place to memorize this Saint of Poem.

 

IFS(Chengdu International Finance Square)

Chengdu International Finance Square is located in the intersection of Hongxing Road and Dacisi Road, Jinjiang District, Chengdu. With the iconic landmark of the giant panda on the wall of the IFS, IFS is a popular destination in Chengdu. Integrating shopping mall, hotels and offices, there are many famous brands in IFS, where you can spend time shopping and stroll around. Chengdu IFS is the paradise of shopping lovers.
 

There are many locations to photograph the giant panda of IFS. You can take photos of the giant panda at the road just opposite the IFS. And if you want to get close to the giant panda at the IFS, you can enter the IFS and get to the 7 floor, then you can see the iconic giant panda landmark of IFS. Kindly reminder, there may be many tourists here to photograph the giant panda, and you may wait in line here.

 

Kuanzhai Alley

Kuanzhai Alley is one of the most popular destinations in Chengdu. Kuanzhai Alley is composed of Kuan Alley, Zhai Alley and Jing Alley and other well-preserved quadrangles. Kuan Alley is one of the best places to experience the life of old Chengdu, where you can experience the folk customs of old Chengdu. And Jing Alley is more modern with western restaurants, cafes and bars, where you can experience the modern life of Chengdu. At the Jing Alley, you can see the history and culture of Chengdu at the cultural wall.
 

Strolling around the Kuanzhai Alley is one of the must-do things in Chengdu. You can experience the life of local people here and admire the quadrangles combining the northern and southern elements.

 

Wuhou Temple

Wuhou Temple, also known as Wuhou Shrine, is located in the No. 231 Wuhouci Street, Wuhou District, Chengdu. Wuhou Temple is China's only shrine where emperor(Liu Bei) and ministers are enshrined together, and the most influential Three Kingdoms relics museum in the world. At Wuhou Temple, you can know about the history and stories of Three Kingdoms Period. If you are interested in the history of Three Kingdoms Period, you should not miss the Wuhou Temple in Chengdu.
 

And the red walls and the bamboo forest are really suitable for taking photos. And Wuhou Temple is also a popular position where tourists take photos with the red walls and lush bamboo forest, then post them on the social media.

 

Jinli Old Street

Jinli Old Street is located near the Wuhou Temple, which can be your alternative after visiting the Wuhou Temple. At the Jinli Old Street, you can experience the Sichuan cuisines, Sichuan liquors, Sichuan tea, Sichuan Opera and Sichuan brocade. Jinli Old Street is full of Sichuan culture and ancient Sichuan atmosphere, where you can spend time exploring.
 

At Jinli Old Street, you can see the cultural performances including Sichuan Opera, sugar painting, clay figurine making, paper-cutting and shadow play performances. You can also taste the diverse local foods and snacks of Chengdu and Sichuan. In some traditional festivals like Lantern Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, etc, there will be many activities held at Jinli Old Street, which are interesting and full of festival atmosphere.
 

Chengdu Twin Towers

Chengdu Twin Towers is located in the No. 966 North Tianfu Avenue, Gaoxin District, Chengdu, which is called one of the most beautiful skylines in Chengdu. It is one of the best places to enjoy the night view of Chengdu. Chengdu Twin Towers consist of two 220-meter tower-style buildings. The Chengdu Twin Towers are most charming at night where the lights are on. And there are many different patterns in different time on the Chengdu Twin Towers. In some special time like New Year, there are light shows at the Chengdu Twin Towers, which are gorgeous and impressive. At the Chengdu Twin Towers, you may often see the words of I LOVE CHENGDU and patterns of giant panda with high-tech feeling, which attracts many tourists here to visit it.
 

Jiuyan Bridge

Jiuyan Bridge is one of the best places to enjoy the night view of Chengdu. Jiuyan means nine eyes in Chinese, which is named because there are nine bridge holes of the Bridge. Jiuyan Bridge is beautiful and gorgeous at night when the lights of the bridge are on. It is also a place that local people will stroll around at nights.
 

Near the Jiuyan Bridge, there are many bars, which are prosperous at night. To experience the night life of Chengdu, you can visit the Jiuyan Bridge at night and taste the wine and listen to the music at the bars near the bridge.
 

Located near the Jiuyan Bridge of Chengdu, the Wangjiang Tower is the most magnificent building in the Wangjiang Tower Park which is one of the three famous cultural relics in Chengdu along with the Wuhou Memorial Temple and the Thatched Cottage of Du Fu.
 

It is a four-floor architecture with a height of 39 meters. Built in Qing Dynasty Guangxu Period, each floor is decorated by the animal clays and characters carvings. Wangjiang Tower is dedicated to Xue Tao, a poetess in the Tang Dynasty. A Woman in the past lacked social status and therefore it is all the more fascinating.

 

It is also called Chongli (grand and beautiful in Chinese) Tower, derived from an ancient article describing Chengdu as beautiful and grand. Of the four stories of the tower, the upper two are octagonal while the lower two are square with every eave layer exquisitely decorated with sculptures.