Very few things in Chengdu emphasise the stark contrast of modern and traditional China like the squat buildings of Daci Temple surrounded by the towering skyscrapers of the Tai Koo Li development. There's a pleasant teahouse near the southern entrance that makes a nice change from the upscale foreign-cuisine places to eat outside.Though a monastery has stood here since at least the Tang dynasty, the current structures date mostly to the later Qing dynasty.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Giant Panda Breeding Research Base
6.47 MILES
One of Chengdu’s most popular attractions, this panda park 18km north of the city centre is the easiest way to glimpse Sichuan’s most famous residents…
1.53 MILES
This Tang dynasty monastery is dedicated to Wenshu (Manjushri), the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, and is Chengdu’s largest and best-preserved Buddhist temple…
1.2 MILES
Spanning ancient Shu and pre-Qin dynasties to the Revolutionary era and modern Chengdu, this spectacular five-storey museum (completed in 2016) is packed…
4.5 MILES
In 2001 archaeologists made a historic discovery in Chengdu’s western suburbs: they unearthed a major site containing ruins of the 3000-year-old Shu…
25.17 MILES
The Sanxingdui Museum, 40km north of Chengdu in Guanghan (广汉), exhibits relics of the Shu kingdom, a cradle of Chinese civilisation dating from 1200 BC to…
2.2 MILES
Located adjacent to Nanjiao Park and surrounded by mossy cypresses, this temple (rebuilt in 1672) honours several figures from the Three Kingdoms period,…
3.01 MILES
Aficionados of Chinese history will enjoy a stop here for a look at Sichuan's past through Shu-era calligraphy and painting, bronze works and ceramics,…
2.59 MILES
Alongside Culture Park, this is Chengdu’s oldest and most extensive Taoist temple. Qingyang (Green Ram) Temple dates from the Zhou dynasty, although most…
Nearby Chengdu attractions
0.79 MILES
On a clear day the views from the outdoor 218m observation platform of the 339m Sichuan Tower are said to stretch all the way to Dujiangyan. On a hazy or…
2. Sichuan Science & Technology Museum
1.13 MILES
Families will love the hands-on nature of this huge museum – almost every display is of a touchy-feely nature. Labels and descriptions are light on…
1.2 MILES
Spanning ancient Shu and pre-Qin dynasties to the Revolutionary era and modern Chengdu, this spectacular five-storey museum (completed in 2016) is packed…
1.29 MILES
The earliest public nunnery in Sichuan, this Ming dynasty (1368–1644) nunnery was completely rebuilt in 2001. The small courtyard and two central halls…
1.32 MILES
This six-floor museum is understaffed and understuffed, and the regular rotating exhibitions are hit or miss, but the good is good enough to make it worth…
1.53 MILES
This Tang dynasty monastery is dedicated to Wenshu (Manjushri), the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, and is Chengdu’s largest and best-preserved Buddhist temple…
1.61 MILES
On weekends, locals fill this park with dancing, song and taichi. There’s a small, willow-tree-lined boating lake and a number of teahouses: He Ming…
2.06 MILES
Rotating exhibitions of classical-style Chinese art in a traditionally styled courtyard building that's almost as artistic as the paintings within. It's a…