Chengdu is one of the most populated cities in Western
China, only third to Chongqing and Xi'an, and one of the most populated cities in the whole of China. The sub-provincial city is the capital of the Province of Sichuan in the People's Republic of China and remains a vital commercial, economic, cultural, communication, and financial hub.
Chengdu is home to unique antique masterpieces from the 'Three Kingdoms Era' during which it was the capital of the Shu Kingdom, which have been preserved away in the Jinsha Site Museum, to attract visitors. The Giant Panda Breeding center is also another attractive spot for visitors in Chengdu, as is the Shufengya Yun Sichuan Opera where visitors enjoy the magnificent colorful show of the face-changing and fire-breathing dragon.
Modern attractions include the iconic New Century Global Center, a large, intricate shopping mall where numerous hotels and stall are located, as well as an open water park for family fun. Nearby several eating joints stock the local delicacies and some regional fusion dishes for visitors to enjoy.
When to visit Chengdu
Chengdu has a beautiful location complete with the famous Longmen Mountains to the northwestern side and the Qionglai Mountains to the west, with even more hills, forests and rivers surrounding the city.
Chengdu experiences a humid subtropical climate that is Köppen classified as Cwa. The climate is influenced by the monsoons and is characterized by high humidity all year round, as well as four distinct weather seasons. The peak of the travel season is during summer, spring, and autumn.
During summer, Chengdu receives moderate rainfall that reduces the sweltering heat to mildly warm and pleasant ranges. The days are hot and highly humid with a daily mean temperature of 25°C (77°F), occasionally rising as high as 33°C (91.4°F) on the hottest days. Summer is the rainiest season in Chengdu, with most of the rains being experienced in
July and
August.
Winter is cold, with a daily mean temperature of 5°C (41°F), but it tends to feel milder and more tolerable as Chengdu is shielded from the cold winds by the Qin Mountains. The days are gray, cloudy, and with chilly mornings and early evenings. Snowfall is, however, not a common occurrence except for a few frost episodes during the season. Rainfall is minimal, making most of the days dry with only a few showers of rain in the afternoons.
During spring, from
March to mid-
May, days are sunny and warm with the temperature in the warm and pleasant range. The first few days become cold and chilly in the mornings but fade away with the passing of winter. The blossoms of the flowers and trees invite more crowds into the city, and picnicking and sight-seeing become the main activities.
Autumn is warm and lovely, lasting from
October to
November. It sees the summer heat reduce considerably, allowing for the stunning beauty of the fall to transform the city into a magnificent golden brown illumination. Visitors take to picnicking, photography, and sight-seeing in the beautiful parks and gardens in Chengdu.
Some of the major events include the New Year celebrations in varying dates of
January and
February, the Peach Blossom Festival in spring, between March and
April, and the famous Xinjin Dragon Boat Race Festival in
June.