Top Things to Do with Kids in Chengdu
China is a great country for curious children, and families traveling to Chengdu will be especially delighted with what the city has to offer. From giant pandas to delicious regional cuisine and much excitement in between, Chengdu is full of things to do with kids looking for some fun.
1. Say Hello to the Giant Pandas
- Location: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
- Opening hours: 7:30 am–6 pm daily (8 am–9:30 am is the best time to visit)
- How to get there: Take bus 87, 198, 198a, or 867 to the Chengdu Panda Base (Xiongmao Jidi) station, or Metro Line 3 to Panda Avenue Station.
- Tour with us: 1-Day Giant Panda and Chengdu Highlights Tour
Chengdu is home to the world’s largest giant panda colony and breeding base. Eighty percent of pandas living in China can be found around Chengdu. Located 6 miles from the city, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is regarded as the cradle of giant pandas.
The center has successfully imitated the natural habitat of pandas, giving them the best possible home for rearing and breeding. It’s a delightful experience for children to see tiny newborn pandas in the transparent incubators, or to watch fluffy giant pandas of different ages resting, eating, and playing.
Optional idea: 1-Day Dujiangyan Panda Keeper Program
2. Welcome to the World of Teddy Bears
- Location: Teddy Bear Museum, Wenjiang District
- Opening hours: 10 am–6 pm daily
- How to get there: Take bus 347 to the station at Jinma Binhe Park (金马滨河公园).
- Tour with us: Feel free to add your ‘teddy bear’ ideas to our Chengdu and Panda Tours.
Opened in 2012, Chengdu’s Teddy Bear Museum is the only one of its kind in the country. It has 12 exhibition halls with different themes and a collection of over 1,000 teddy bears. Some bears are anthropomorphic to perform in Journey to the West, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and world-famous scenes, such as one depicting the Egyptian pyramids.
Visitors can also watch movies in a 3D cinema or buy the latest teddy bear products in the museum.
Optional idea: Amusement parks, such as Happy Valley (欢乐谷) and Floraland (国色天乡), are also a good choice for kids.
3. Engage in the Stories of the Three Kingdoms
- Location: Wuhou Memorial Temple
- Opening hours: 8 am–8 pm from May to October; 8 am–6:30 pm from November to April
- How to get there: Take buses 1, 8, 21, 57, 82, 334, or 335 to the temple.
Have you read the Chinese historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms? Do you love the cliff-hanging plot and legendary heroes in the book? Why not take your kids to Wuhou Temple and tell them some related stories?
Founded in 223, Wuhou Temple, which is also known as Wuhou Memorial Temple or the Temple of Marquis Wu, is China’s most influential museum of prestigious heroes who lived during the Three Kingdoms period (220–280). It is a great chance for you and your kids to get close to the real heroes of Chinese history.
Walking out of the temple and starting a relaxing Chengdu Night View and Food Tour along Jinli Ancient Street is also a fun option for your kids.
4. Hike in the Movie Scenes of Kung Fu Panda
- Location: Mount Qingcheng
- Opening hours: 8 am–5 pm from March to November; 8 am–6 pm from December to February
- How to get there: Take the intercity train from Chengdu North Railway Station to Qingchengshan Railway Station before proceeding to the mountain on bus 101 or 102.
- Tour with us: Feel free to create your Mount Qingcheng tour with us.
Mount Qingcheng has been an important Taoist site for centuries and is believed to be one of the places where Taoism originated. Surrounded by undulating peaks and lush forests, it is an ideal destination for you and your kids to escape from the stuffiness of the city and to get a breath of fresh air.
The set of the popular animated movie series, Kung Fu Panda, was inspired by this mountain.
5. Learn to Cook Local Dishes
- Location: Sichuan Cuisine Museum
- Opening hours: 9 am–6 pm daily
- How to get there: Take a shuttle bus from Chadianzi Bus Station to Dujiangyan Bus Station and then transfer to bus 363 to reach the ancient town.
- Cook with us: Customize your family cooking experience with us.
Sichuan Cuisine Museum lies in an ancient town of Pi County, which is about 1½ hour drive from Chengdu city center. It is the only interactive museum in the world displaying Sichuan’s culinary culture. Once you arrive at Sichuan Cuisine Museum, the museum’s bilingual guide will escort you to start your Sichuan cuisine experience.
When learning how to cook three typical Sichuan dishes, you will gain firsthand experience of Sichuan cuisine, cutting skills, controlling the heat, cooking processes, and some secret tips to food presentation.
Note: The Sichuan cuisine cooking experience is not recommended for children younger than 10 years old as the counter may be too high for them. Contact us and we can arrange for your kids to join the pastry-making class instead.
6. Go Skiing
- Location: Xiling Snow Mountain Ski Resort
- Opening hours: 9 am–6 pm daily (mid-December to late March is the best time to go skiing)
- How to get there: Chadianzi Bus Station to Xiling Snow Mountain Ski Field (there is one bus in the morning, at 9 am or 9:30 am, in low seasons or several buses to meet demand in the peak season)
- Tour with us: We can customize a Xiling skiing journey for your family.
Xiling Snow Mountain Ski Resort is the largest and best-equipped alpine ski resort in China. The resort incorporates snow skiing, grass skiing, and other entertainment to create a year-round tourist destination.
You’ll love Xiling’s pure, natural, and unspoiled snow and the scenery of the snow-blanketed forest. The spectacular views of the vast snow-covered forest and undulating countryside are renowned as the “Ice and Snow Land in South China” and “Alps in the East”.
But what if you’re planning a summer holiday? Another truly unique feature of Xiling is grass skiing. The 50,000-acre lawn is capable of accommodating a grass bobsleigh track, grass cross-country vehicles, and a grass hovercraft. Travelers can enjoy activities on the grass when there isn’t any snow, which makes it an enjoyable summer resort when you’re looking to escape the heat.
Experience Chengdu with Us
A local English-speaking guide will definitely enhance your family travel experiences in Chengdu, especially when you want to experience some family activities like paper cutting and sugar painting. We provide a one-stop service and save you time and trouble. Why not book your family tour with us?