I Visited CHINA's Future City and Here's What I Found Out
Explore the dynamic blend of ancient tradition and futuristic innovation in Chengdu, China's vibrant 'Future City.' This map guides you from the adorable pandas and serene temples to cutting-edge architecture and bustling modern districts, offering a comprehensive taste of Sichuan's captivating capital.
Chengdu Panda Base
A government-funded institute and park where visitors can see giant pandas in their natural habitat.
Tianfu Square
The main square of Chengdu, surrounded by skyscrapers, museums, and monuments, featuring a large statue of Chairman Mao.
Chengdu Museum
A six-story museum with over 200,000 exhibits ranging from the Neolithic age to the Republican period.
Chengdu Metro
A modern and efficient subway system with futuristic stations, exceeding the length of subways in New York City, London, or Moscow.
Science Fiction Museum
A new science fiction museum resembling a metallic star floating on a lake, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, hosting exhibition halls and a Time Tunnel.
People’s Park
The first public park in Chengdu, built in 1911, featuring artful landscaping, tea houses, and a pond with boats, offering a relaxing experience of Chengdu's lifestyle.
Kuanzhai Alley
Old alleys turned into a strip of restaurants, tea houses, bars, and galleries, attracting tourists with Sichuan snacks and handicrafts.
Anshun Bridge
A well-known bridge and one of the symbols of the city with a long history, reconstructed as a modern bridge.
Jiuyanqiao Bar Street
A bar street with restaurants and live music venues, known for its nightlife and described as China's Party City.
Yulin District
A neighborhood with a combination of local shops and trendy young people, offering local snacks and coffee shops.
Financial District
A futuristic state-of-the-art district with new buildings, including twin towers with a spectacular light show, and a ring-shaped bridge nicknamed the Hot Pot Bridge.
New Century Global Center
The largest building in the world by floor area, housing shopping malls, business centers, a hotel, an IMAX theater, a skating ring, and a water park.
Xinglong Lake
A massive artificial lake in the Tianfu New Area, surrounded by residential blocks and parks, offering rowing boats and recreational activities.
Luxe Lake
An upscale residential neighborhood around a lake, made up of islands with villas, resort hotels and commercial properties, offering a family-friendly environment.
Chunxi Road
A bustling commercial street with shopping malls, department stores, food stalls, and large LED screens.
Taikoo Li
A modern high-end shopping area with international brands, blending old houses and modern scenery.
Daci Temple
A historic Buddhist shrine located next to a shopping district, offering a contrast of ancient and modern China.
Mount Qingcheng
A scenic mountain considered one of the birthplaces of Taoism, covered with evergreen forests and featuring temples and pavilions.
Dujiangyan Irrigation System
The oldest irrigation system in the world still in use, constructed around 256 BC, diverting water to irrigate the Chengdu plain and prevent floods.
Jinsha Site Museum
A museum displaying the historical culture of the Shu Kingdom from 3,000 years ago, with unearthed relics of gold, jade, bronze, stone, and ivory.
Harry Porter bookstore
A bookstore in one of the malls that looks straight out of Harry Potter movies.