One of Sichuan's most popular icons is the panda, and no visit to the city is complete without a trip to the Giant Panda Research Center or the Chengdu Zoo, which has the best panda houses in China. Travelers interested in seeing an active Panda should get there early because pandas are not known to be very active creatures; most of the time, they just forage and sleep!

Travelers interested in the city's culture and history, should visit Wenshu Temple, the best of Chengdu's religious sites. The temple has a fine vegetarian restaurant. For those more interested in Taoism, Qinyang Temple features impressive Taoist relics. Chengdu has one of the most beautifully constructed mausoleums – Yong Mausoleum (Yong Ling). Originally, this culturally rich structure was believed to be a zither terrace; however, in 1942, the burial ground of Wang Jian was discovered. The Mausoleum is known to many for its exquisite musician carvings from the Tang Dynasty. Another attraction is Wuhou Memorial Temple, which was constructed in honor of Zhuge Liang, a famous martial figure and polymath from the Three Kingdoms period. Chinese visitors come to pay homage to him both for his genius and his noble character.

Travelers should also visit the Thatched Cottage of Du Fu, the former residence of the celebrated Tang Dynasty poet. Much of Chengdu is rich in sites that mark the strength of culture and innovation in the area: Dujiangyan Irrigation Project is the first major irrigation project in China, dating back to 250 BC. For those interested in traveling a bit further, the Giant Buddha of Leshan is recommended. This spectacular statue, which stands on a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the largest stone Buddha in the world. Another longish detour is to the matchless Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area: this region of snowcapped peaks, crystalline lakes and alpine meadows has twice received recognition from UNESCO – as a World Natural Heritage site, and as a Man and Biosphere Reserve.

The Sanxingdui Museum has been built near the site of a remarkable archeological find: Bronze-age artifacts produced in a style unlike anything seen before, and unlike works from other Chinese civilizations of the era. Chengdu is also home to the largest museum in the region: the Sichuan Provincial Museum, which has a good collection of murals and frescoes from tombs in the region' along with many other exhibits of interest.

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