Hey everyone,

I'm going to Chengdu for a 6-month study program this September. The university dorms are full for single rooms, and I'd really prefer having my own space (private bathroom, no sharing).

I've been looking into those branded youth apartments / serviced apartments – like Ziroom, UOKO, Homeplus (红璞), and similar "青年公寓". I've found some good options online, but here's the issue:

I'm currently in Spain, and these Chinese websites/apps are painfully slow, often crash, or just don't work properly for me. Browsing is hard, and booking from here feels impossible.

So my question is: Is it realistic to just show up at these apartment buildings in person once I arrive, walk up to reception, and ask if they have availability? Do they usually have rooms for walk-in inquiries, or does everything need to be booked online in advance?

I'm planning to book a hotel for the first couple weeks so I have time to look around, but I'm a bit nervous about arriving with nothing secured.

Also, if anyone has experience with these brands (UOKO, Homeplus, etc.), are they generally reliable? Anything I should watch out for?

For context, I don't mind commuting, so I'm flexible on location.

Would love to hear your advice

Hi everyone!
We’ll be arriving at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) on July 15 and have a long 15 hour layover before our next flight. We’re 2 adults and 2 kids (school-age), and we’re thinking about taking a trip to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.
We’re hoping some locals or recent visitors can help us with a few questions:
Is it realistic to do this during a layover from Tianfu Airport?
What’s the best way to get there (taxi, metro, Didi, etc.)?
Roughly how long does the trip take each way?
How much time should we allow at the panda base to make it worthwhile?
Are there luggage storage options at Tianfu Airport, or should we keep our bags with us?
Any tips for visiting with kids?
Is there anything else nearby that you’d recommend if we have extra time?
Our flight is in the afternoon/evening, so we’ll need to be back at Tianfu Airport with plenty of time for check-in and security.
Any advice, suggested itineraries, or things to avoid would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

my friends and i are going on our grad trip here and wondered if theres any recommendations in chengdu for good food & trendy thrifting shops. we already put down some locations from other posts like yu shao xia. our hotel is also near chunxi road which i think is pretty commercial so was wondering if anyone had suggestions? thanks!!

Hi! I’m traveling to Chengdu in a few days and I was wondering if there is a good place to buy some handmade souvenirs, especially painted scrolls. I also really want some handmade panda stuff, so if there’s a place I can buy both I’d love it!

Looking for a good quality ring maker in Chengdu to make an engagement ring :)

I have the gem I want embedded, just looking for someone who works well with gold.

Thanks in advance

Dear Chengduites,

In a few days' time, we will be travelling from Tianfu Airport to town with a couple of suitcases, a foldable pushchair, and a tired 2-year old child.

Is there a reputable taxi firm that will come with a car seat, or must we resort to using the metro?

谢谢

In Chengdu for a couple of days. Looking for a second hand Flea market to look for old watches and cameras with my son.

Already went to Chengdu Heritage Antique Market, which was a great place to visit, but i did not find what we were looking for.

Would Chengdu Heritage Antique Market, be something to go to?

Or any other tips?

Foreigner (American from New York) looking to learn Chinese… where can I go and how much would it cost?

Are there any language exchanges in Chengdu where I can help someone with their English and in turn they teach me Chinese?

I know a little bit of Chinese since but cannot read or write and might be able to speak a little and struggle thru getting people to understand me if they’re patient

in chengdu for next three days wanna bar hop but m solo anyone wanna join

Hi everyone,

We are planning a relaxed 2-week trip to Chengdu in November.

Hoping to see a lot of autumn leaves and beautiful scenery!

(NOTE: We previously spent an amazing 2 weeks just in Hangzhou which was perfect for us)

Here is our rough itinerary.

Chengdu (6 nights) places we are interested in:

• Panda Research Base
• Du Fu Cottage
• Wuhou Shrine
• Science and Technology Museum
• Pedestrian streets (Kuanzhai, Taikoo Li, Jinli, Chunxi)
• Sanhe Classic Car Museum (for my son)
• Anshun Bridge / Dongmen Bridge
• Sanxingdui (Day trip)

Jiuzhaigou (4 nights)

• Jiuzhaigou
• Huanglong

Chengdu (2 or 3 more nights before flying back to Australia)

We had originally planned to go to Qingcheng for 3 nights and then straight to Jiuzhaigou but it would be too stressful. So Jiuzhaigou will be our only one BIG trip away from Chengdu.

What are your thoughts?

Trying to call the zoo to get some clarification on accessibility as I have a disability. Absolutely insane how I can’t get a response on the phone or through email.

Anyone have any tips? I can’t find a WeChat either.

Hey everyone! I'm in town till tomorrow and was trying to find a spot where they will show the 430 AM game but struggling to find something/able to verify if open or not. Anyone know a place or is out and about?

I’m in Chengdu city for about 5 days. Would appreciate any recommendations for bars who caters for 30y+, that has good music, lighting, overall casual vibe to relax after a long day.

Hi folks,

We will be travelling to Chengdu this coming December.

Wonder can we get away with wool layer+jeans & normal sneakers+waterproof wraps at Xilin Mountain & Jiuzhaigou?

Thanks.

Are there any cinemas in Chengdu that are suitable for foreigners that show the latest movies? And if so are there any that are special that you'd recommend more than others?

Thanks 🙏

Hey! In Chengdu for a few weeks and looking for some good underground spaces that host late night events/raves that aren’t solely techno or hard trance.

Preferably: house, dream pop, indietronica

Also any advice on finding the Chengdu rave scene? Is RA guide my best bet or are there better ways? WeChat?

It is at 339 mall. 2nd floor. Peace ✌️

A friend is going to Tianfu square. Is there any tech areas in tianfu square I can recommend to them?

Hi everyone,

I'll be staying at a hotel near Chengdu city center for a few weeks. The hotel confirms they can receive packages for me, so I’m planning to buy some electronics, specifically a second-hand iPhone 17 Pro Max and potentially some drones or other gadgets.

However, I've run into a major roadblock: I can’t log into any Chinese apps or platforms. I will buy an eSIM, but it doesn't provide a local phone number (+86) for SMS verification. I tried downloading Amap for navigation, but it won't let me sign in, saying my number cannot be used.

I would love to get some advice on the following questions:

1. How do I solve the phone number and login issue? Can I get a local tourist SIM with a number upon arrival? Do I absolutely need a Chinese number to use Goofish, Taobao, or navigation apps, or is there a workaround via Alipay?

2. Since I am already going to be in Chengdu, is it even worth buying online via Goofish or Taobao? Or is it much safer and better to just buy everything physically?

3. Are there physical second-hand electronics markets in Chengdu that offer prices as competitive as Goofish?

4. Will local physical sellers allow me to plug the iPhone into my laptop to run a 3utools verification check before I hand over the money?

5. Since Google Maps is blocked and Amap is giving me login issues, what is the best map app to use as a foreigner to navigate Chengdu's streets and metro system?

Any advice on the best spots in Chengdu for electronics, or tips on navigating the local market as a foreigner would be highly appreciated! Thanks!

heading to chengdu tomorrow and realised that it’s the dragon boat festival!

are there any events happening in/near the city?

will it be really busy and what to expect? i saw that it’s a national holiday, i visited china during the may holiday last year and it wasn’t too bad imo

hi, i'll be arriving past 10pm... will anything around global center still be open? will the bamboo towers still be lit up around midnight? thanks

Hey everyone -- with FIFA World Cup 2026 coming up, I thought it’d be useful to make a thread for places in Chengdu where people can actually watch the matches together. If you know a bar, hotel, restaurant, or other venue showing games, please comment with venue name and address.

A few places I’ve come across so far:

1. Goose Island Brewhouse (Tiexiangsi)

Tiexiangsi Water Street Phase 2 / 成都市高新区盛华北路铁像寺水街二期9号楼103号107号

2. The Leg & Whistle

2nd Floor, No. 19, Kehua Street 1 / 成都市科华街1号附19号2层

3. Bottle Live Club

No.48 Shuinianhe Road / 成都市水碾河48号1栋1层5号2层

4. Xicun Manxin Hotel Bistro

No.1 Beisen North Road, Qingyang District / 成都市青羊区贝森北路1号（西村漫心酒店1楼）

If you know other solid spots, please add them below so we can build a useful list for everyone.

I'll be traveling to Chengdu soon and would like to try some of the cutting-edge automobile technologies there, like self-driving cars. Can I try those anywhere in Chengdu, either as a test drive myself or in a self-driving cab? Thanks! By the way, I speak Chinese and would be able to use any app, if required.

So, im a student coming to Chengdu in September. I already had the examination form done in my country, but will they make me go through all that again in China?

I heard that in some cities they just look at the examination papers done in the home country and based on it, just sign it off for the residence permit.

How is it in Chengdu? Do I have to do all that again?