Chengdu is the vibrant capital of Sichuan province and the undisputed heart of Western China. While it may not possess the high-octane energy of coastal powerhouses like Shanghai, Chengdu champions a famously relaxed pace of life that sets it apart. Its global fame is tied to two icons: the beloved Giant Panda, for which it runs the world’s foremost research base, and the fiery, complex flavours of Sichuan cuisine that originated here. The city’s soul, however, is found in its thousands of teahouses, embodying a culture of leisure and social connection that has endured for centuries. The local currency is the Chinese yuan (CNY), with mobile payments like WeChat Pay and Alipay used for nearly everything, though cash remains an option. The city is very budget-friendly, renowned for its inexpensive yet delectable food and affordable lodging. Chengdu’s climate is humid and subtropical with frequent cloud cover, leading to hot, muggy summers and cool, damp winters, so pack an umbrella and dress in layers for the transitional spring and autumn seasons.
We’ve compared various eSIM providers, such as eSIM4Travel, RedteaGo, and Textr. To see which plan is best for your travel needs, and which network offers the best coverage, feel free to read our detailed guide:
