Chengdu Autumn Travel Guide: A Different Golden Autumn Journey

In autumn, Chengdu sheds the summer heat and welcomes the unique romance and comfort of the season. Golden ginkgo leaves, fragrant cuisine, and rich cultural heritage fill every corner with enchanting charm. If you want to embark on a spontaneous trip this autumn, please check out this Chengdu autumn travel guide! Itinerary Day 1: Encounter Ancient Charm and Local Life Morning: Step into Wuhou Shrine, where red walls reflect the ginkgo leaves, and the stories of the Three Kingdoms seem to come alive. As Du Fu once said, "Where to find the Prime Minister’s shrine? Outside Jin’guan City, cypresses stand tall." In autumn, Wuhou Shrine’s cypresses and ginkgo trees complement each other, creating a profound and poetic atmosphere. After visiting Wuhou Shrine, walk a few minutes to Jinli Ancient Street, full of traditional charm and delicious food like Zhang Fei beef, Ye’er Ba, and Bingfen, satisfying your taste buds. Afternoon: Head to Du Fu Thatched Cottage, where the osmanthus fragrance surrounds the cottage mentioned in the poem "In August, the autumn wind roars." Behind the cottage is a bonsai garden with winding paths and scenic spots, fully showcasing the autumn vibe. Evening: Watch a Sichuan Opera face-changing show at Shu Feng Ya Yun, experiencing authentic Chengdu culture. End your fulfilling day with exciting performances like face-changing and fire-spitting. Day 2: Cute Animals Meet Trendy Vibes Morning: Arrive early at the Giant Panda Breeding Base. The pandas are especially lively in autumn, and 9 to 11 a.m. is the golden time to watch them. See the round pandas eating bamboo, playing, and rolling around, melting your heart. Afternoon: Visit Dongjiao Memory, where old factory buildings are covered with ivy, and the ginkgo trees near the Locomotive Square turn golden, full of artistic atmosphere. There are many creative shops and unique restaurants here to satisfy your trendy exploration desires. Evening: Head to Jianshe Alley for a snack feast. Try Xu Liang’s roasted pig trotters, Sister Gao’s foil-wrapped roasted brain, and iced drunken tofu pudding... Eating your way through will fill you with happiness. Day 3: Seek Taoism at Qingcheng Mountain, Worship Water at Dujiangyan Morning: Go to Qingcheng Mountain, known as "the most secluded under heaven," which is even more charming in autumn. The osmanthus scent and prayer flags dance at the front mountain temples, while the maple leaves in the Red Leaf Valley at the back mountain gradually turn red. Climb up from the side gate of Jianfu Palace, pass by the Celestial Master’s Cave, and enjoy a cup of homemade kiwi wine from the Taoist temple, feeling the harmony of "heaven and man as one." Afternoon: Tour Dujiangyan Irrigation System, where the millennium-old water project blends with autumn scenery. The Min River rushes with red leaves, majestic and powerful. At sunset, the Fish Mouth Water Division Dam turns golden, and you might catch the live water release ceremony. Food Recommendations - Breakfast: Don’t miss the iced drunken tofu pudding and sweet water noodles at Xiyuecheng Tan Douhua. The iced drunken tofu pudding is sweet and smooth, and the sweet water noodles are chewy and unique; Ganji Fat Intestine Noodles are best enjoyed with added jiezhi, a perfect way to start a vibrant day with every bite of noodles and soup. - Main Meals: Mingting Restaurant’s brain tofu is exceptional, full of local flavor in a humble setting; Piaoxiang Hotpot, a 20-year-old shop on Yulin South Road, offers mildly spicy hotpot that lets you savor Chengdu’s hot and fragrant flavors; Chen Mapo Tofu flagship store inherits intangible cultural heritage techniques, with Mapo tofu that is spicy, numbing, and fragrant, and tofu so tender it melts in your mouth. - Snacks: The Fifth Avenue on Jianshe Road offers a wide variety of snacks like roasted brain, fermented tofu, and durian cheese cake, each bite full of satisfaction; after drinking at Jiuyanqiao Bar Street, have a bowl of Old Mom’s Pig Trotter Soup, with soft pig trotters and rich broth, warming both body and heart. Helpful Tips - Weather: Chengdu in autumn is often foggy with little rain, but the temperature difference between day and night can reach 10 degrees Celsius. It’s recommended to dress in layers like an onion for easy adjustment. - Transportation: The subway is the best choice for city attractions; just scan with the Tianfu Tong app for convenient and affordable rides. To reach Dujiangyan and Qingcheng Mountain, take the intercity railway from Xipu Station for a fast and comfortable trip. The Giant Panda Base has direct shuttle buses departing from the Chunxi Road IFS stop. - Avoid Pitfalls: Be cautious when choosing "old brand" food near scenic spots, as many may be counterfeit. Look for the "Chengdu Famous Snacks" bronze plaque awarded by the city government for reliability; hotpot restaurants’ recommended "special dishes" may be expensive, so ask prices before ordering; many "handmade silver jewelry" in Kuanzhai Alley are actually Yiwu products, so be careful when buying. This autumn, come to Chengdu to experience its unique charm, and let the city’s autumn scenery and cuisine become your unforgettable memories.