There’s a lot you can do with your 72-hour visa-free visit to Chengdu! Our first day in one of China’s biggest cities includes a stroll around Tianfu Square, some mouth-numbing Sichuan food, a leisurely afternoon in People’s Park, and a evening on the Wide and Narrow Alleys.

It’s a busy 1st day!

Check it out in our Chengdu Day One video!

“Our 72 hours in Chengdu begins with a stroll around Tianfu Square. On one side, you’ll find the Sichuan Museum of Science and Technology. Right out front, a giant statue of Chairman Mao waves over the square. There are a few other interesting statues to see here. Looking around, you’ll quickly realize why Chengdu is one of the biggest and fastest growing cities in China.

Sichuan cuisine is one of the most famous in all of China, so try some out for lunch. Order a cucumber salad, which you’ll need to cool you down from the spicy Mapo tofu and a bowl of dan dan noodles.

You can easily spend your entire afternoon exploring the People’s Park. You can rent a boat and go for a cruise around the lake. You can also just sit down and relax with a cup of tea. There are also all kinds of performances you can see. Locals love to come here any day of the week to enjoy some music.. or group dancing. People of all ages and skill levels are welcome to join in and bust a move! Water calligraphy is also popular here.. this nice guy wrote “Mei nu” and “shuai ge” for us – beautiful girl and handsome guy! You may even be able to get in a game of baseball. Finally, it’s time to head out…

In the evening, head to the Wide and Narrow Alleys. These Qing Dynasty-era alleyways were renovated and are now a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. Pose for photos, do a bit of shopping – there’s plenty of panda swag here, of course – watch craftsmen at work, or just dig in to some tasty street food, including whole roasted pigeons.

There are plenty of bars here as well, where you can order up a beer and enjoy some live music. Wind down the evening by smoking on what looks like the world’s longest pipe, and get ready for another busy day in Chengdu.”