Local Life in Chengdu: Tea Houses, Street Food & Travel Tips

Chengdu is one of the best places to live and visit in China, thanks to a laid-back lifestyle, great food culture, and easy access to some of China's best attractions. Locals enjoy a relaxed atmosphere and way of life with all the conveniences of the big city.
You'll love the easy pace of life and excellent local food and enjoy a public transportation system that lets you see the best of Chengdu and beyond.

Chengdu local people have fun

Popular Local Activities in Chengdu

Sichuan Opera actress

Local life in Chengdu tends to be more relaxed than in other Chinese cities. Local people like to take their time and savor every moment with activities like sipping tea at traditional teahouses, enjoying hot pot and Chengdu street food, and playing mahjong in the city's beautiful parks. People's Park and Wangjianglou Park are two popular choices.

When you visit, it's fun to do as the locals do: sit in the park with a steaming cup of tea and a nice book or take a refreshing walk. Tea culture is an essential part of Chengdu's day-to-day life and a must-do for visitors. Heming Teahouse and Shunxing Old Teahouse are excellent options.

At night, you can check out a Sichuan Face-Changing Opera show or visit Jiuyanqiao Bar Street for a taste of local nightlife and some of the best street food in town. Day or night, this city has so much to offer!

Food Culture

chengdu hotpot

While Chengdu is known for its leisurely lifestyle, food is also an important part of the culture. You can find delicious local dishes on every corner and enjoy the best of Chengdu without spending a lot of money. Chengdu is famous for spicy cuisine, like Sichuan Hotpot. If you want a little less heat, you can opt for mushroom or clear broth, which still gives you an excellent taste of the iconic flavors of this dish. Chuan Chuan Skewers are another highly popular food, and at just 1-3 RMB apiece, they're a popular, cheap option, especially after a night in the town.

Dan Dan Noodles are another popular dish, with homemade noodles, hot sauce, and pork. Enjoy a delicious bowl for 12-15 RMB. Spicy Rabbit Heads are another excellent food, served with chili and oil. If you want to dine on the most authentic Chengdu food, make sure that you try them.

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Education

Chengdu has a thriving local and international community of students with some of the best universities in the country. Sichuan University is renowned for its research and academic programs and is affiliated with China's Ministry of Education. Southwest Jiaotong University is an excellent engineering school, particularly for those interested in becoming railway engineers, and the Chengdu University of Technology focuses on research and cutting-edge technology.

The best and brightest local students attend these universities, and they're also attractive to the international community looking to get a good education in a welcoming city. Chengdu's culture and great quality of life bring students from all around the world to these prestigious schools.

Transportation and Cost

High speed train in China

While Chengdu offers a more leisurely pace of living than other cities in China, it still has plenty of big-city conveniences. The transportation system is second-to-none, with buses, metros, high-speed trains, and two major airports that can get you wherever you need to go within the city and beyond.

Two major airports, Tianfu International Airport and Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, serve the city. You can fly into or out of destinations like Nanjing, Xi'an, Beijing, and Shanghai. These airports are connected to the city by metro and bus lines, or you can grab an airport taxi or Didi shared ride (China's version of Uber) from the airport.

High-Speed Trains

Chengdu's high-speed trains are an excellent way to reach local destinations like Leshan Giant Buddha, Mount Emei, and Jiuzhaigou. These trains run from the Chengdu South and Chengdu East stations regularly and offer a unique way to see the country and get to these great attractions quickly. You can even take high-speed trains to places like Shanghai or Beijing instead of flying.

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Metro and Bus Lines

The Chengdu metro is one of the best ways to get around the city, with plenty of top tourist attractions like Tianfu Square, Wuhou Shrine, and Fanyinsi Temple right near the metro lines themselves. The Chengdu metro spans throughout the city, runs regularly, and has signs in both Chinese and English, so it's easy to navigate even for first-time visitors.

You can pay 20 RMB for the Tianfu Tong Travel Card, which allows you to ride multiple times and top up as needed.

Buses are another easy way to get around, both in the city and to nearby attractions. Standard intercity bus fare is 2 RMB, and most drivers only accept exact change. If you want to take a bus outside the city, you'll want to visit Chadianzi Bus Station or Xinnanmen Bus Station. You can also use the Didi ridesharing app to get around or a standard taxi service. Taxis start at 9 RMB and run all hours of the day.

Explore Local Life in Chengdu

At China Odyssey Tours, we can help make your Chengdu vacation as smooth as possible with a customized trip that suits your taste and needs. Learn about the culture, history, and lifestyle of this unique city and make memories to last a lifetime. Email us at trip@odynovotours.com or visit our contact page to get started today.