3 days in Chengdu: pandas, hotpot, ancie

#cityplaybook quick 3-day Chengdu itinerary that blends culture, food, and nature: Day 1: Chengdu City Essentials Morning Wuhou Shrine & Jinli Ancient Street – Dive into Three Kingdoms history and enjoy traditional snacks and crafts. Lunch at Chen Mapo Tofu (for classic Sichuan cuisine). Afternoon People’s Park – Sip earl grey or jasmine tea at a teahouse by the lake and watch locals play mahjong. Optional: Sichuan Museum (free, great overview of local culture). Evening Hotpot dinner – Try Haidilao or Shujiuxiang for the full Sichuan spicy hotpot experience. Optional show: Sichuan Opera with face-changing performance (Shufengyayun Theatre is popular). Day 2: Pandas & Culture Morning Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding – Go early (before 9:30am) to see active pandas. Lunch nearby or back in town. Afternoon Wenshu Monastery – Peaceful Buddhist temple with a nice vegetarian restaurant. Walk around Kuanzhai Alley (Wide & Narrow Alley) for snacks and boutique shopping. Evening Street food dinner at Yulin Night Market or Jinli Street if you missed it Day 1. Optional: Chill at Jing Bar Street for local craft beers. Day 3: Nature Day Trip Choose one of these half/full-day trips: Leshan Giant Buddha (2 hrs by train) – World’s largest stone Buddha. Combine with local river cruise. Mount Qingcheng + Dujiangyan Irrigation System – Taoist mountain and ancient waterworks, UNESCO site. Luo Dai Ancient Town – Less touristy Hakka village closer to Chengdu. Evening return to Chengdu Final dinner: Try Chengdu-style dumplings or spicy rabbit head (if adventurous)#chengdu