Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan Province in southwestern China, a city of over 20 million people famous as the global home of giant panda conservation, the birthplace of fiery Sichuanese cuisine and mala hotpot, and a relaxed teahouse culture that stands in contrast to China's faster-paced coastal metropolises. Landmarks range from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to the historic Kuanzhai Alleys and Jinli Ancient Street beside the Wuhou Shrine.
Chengdu has been continuously settled for more than 2,300 years, first as the capital of the ancient Shu kingdom and later as capital of the Three Kingdoms-era state of Shu Han under Liu Bei. Archaeological finds at the Jinsha Site and at Sanxingdui, northeast of the city in Guanghan, point to a distinct bronze- and jade-working Shu civilization dating back more than 3,000 years, long before Chengdu came under the control of the Qin and Han empires. During the Tang and Five Dynasties periods the city grew into a major administrative and cultural center of southwest China, later serving as the capital of the independent Former Shu and Later Shu kingdoms. Its Buddhist and Taoist institutions, including Wenshu Monastery, Daci Temple, Baoguang Temple and Qingyang Palace, date substantially from this era, though most standing structures were rebuilt after later fires and the widespread destruction that struck Sichuan in the 17th century. Chengdu was also home to the Tang-dynasty poet Du Fu during his exile in Sichuan, and to the earlier Shu Han chancellor Zhuge Liang, both commemorated at dedicated sites within the modern city. In the 20th century Chengdu grew from a walled provincial capital into a major industrial and technology center of western China, a shift reflected in converted industrial sites such as Dongjiao Memory.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Chengdu.
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1
Bronze Age Shu civilization flourishes at Sanxingdui, near present-day Guanghan
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2
Shu civilization settlement at the Jinsha site, within modern Chengdu, succeeds Sanxingdui as a regional center
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3
The Kingdom of Shu is conquered by the state of Qin and incorporated into its territory
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4
Chengdu serves as capital of the Three Kingdoms-era state of Shu Han under Liu Bei and chancellor Zhuge Liang
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5
Tang-dynasty poet Du Fu lives in Chengdu, composing many of his best-known poems at his thatched cottage
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6
Chengdu is capital of the Former Shu kingdom under Wang Jian, later buried at the Yongling Mausoleum
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7
Chengdu serves as capital of the Later Shu kingdom during the Five Dynasties period
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8
Widespread destruction and depopulation of Sichuan during the Ming-Qing transition under Zhang Xianzhong
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9
Hakka migrants resettle depopulated areas around Chengdu, founding communities such as Luodai
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10
The Jinsha site is discovered during construction work, revealing a major Shu civilization settlement
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11
The former Hongguang Electronic Tube Factory reopens as the Dongjiao Memory arts and culture park
Historical eras
The chapters of Chengdu's past.
Historical sites
Places where Chengdu's past comes alive.
Wuhou Shrine (Wuhou Ci)
Where: Wuhou District, Chengdu
Admission: Adult: ¥50 ($6.90) | Child: Free for children under 1.2m
Jinli Ancient Street
Where: Wuhou District, Chengdu
Admission: Adult: Free | Child: Free
Du Fu Thatched Cottage
Where: Qinghua Road area, Chengdu
Admission: Adult: ¥60 ($8.30) | Child: Discounted rate for students, seniors, and children
Qingyang Palace (Green Ram Temple)
Where: Qingyang District, Chengdu
Admission: Adult: ¥10 ($1.40) | Child: Free for children under 1.2m; ¥5 ($0.70) student/senior rate
Wenshu Monastery
Where: Qingyang District, Chengdu
Admission: Adult: Free | Child: Free
Jinsha Site Museum
Where: Qingyang District, Chengdu
Admission: Adult: ¥70 ($9.70) | Child: Half-price for ages 7-18 and full-time students; free for over-60s and disabled visitors
Sanxingdui Museum
Where: Guanghan, Deyang, Sichuan (day trip from Chengdu)
Admission: Adult: ¥80 ($11.10) | Child: Free for children 1.2m and under
Chengdu Museum
Where: Qingyang District, Chengdu
Admission: Adult: Free (reservation required) | Child: Free (reservation required)
Yongling Mausoleum (Wang Jian's Tomb)
Where: Jinniu District, Chengdu
Admission: Adult: ¥30 ($4.15) | Child: Discounted rate for students and seniors
Daci Temple
Where: Jinjiang District, Chengdu
Admission: Adult: Free (ID required for entry) | Child: Free
Baoguang Temple
Where: Xindu District, Chengdu
Admission: Adult: ¥5 ($0.70) | Child: Discounted rate for children
Luodai Ancient Town
Where: Longquanyi District, Chengdu
Admission: Adult: Free | Child: Free
Huanglongxi Ancient Town
Where: Shuangliu District, Chengdu
Admission: Adult: Free | Child: Free
Wangjianglou Park
Where: Wuhou District, Chengdu
Admission: Adult: ¥20 ($2.80) for the cultural relic zone; garden area free | Child: Discounted rate available
Museums
Curated collections that tell Chengdu's story.
Jinsha Site Museum
Sanxingdui Museum
Chengdu Museum
Wuhou Shrine Museum
Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum
Historical tours
Guided experiences that bring history to life.