Things to do in Chengdu, no research required

Start with the obvious one. The Giant Panda Breeding Research Base is the most-visited stop on this map for reasons nobody needs explained, and going early is the difference between seeing animals and seeing other people’s phones. Wenshu Yuan Monastery is the counterweight, a working Buddhist temple with courtyards that stay calm while the rest of the city is loud. Ma Wang Zi Chuan Restaurant is the local answer for Sichuan cooking done right, and Taikoo Li handles shopping across restored lanes and newer storefronts. Restaurants lead just ahead of attractions and historic buildings, which is the correct ratio for a city this serious about eating.