CHENGDU, China — While Shanghai and Beijing often dominate conversations about travel in China, Chengdu offers a different kind of experience: a city where centuries-old teahouse traditions, historic architecture, modern luxury and some of the country’s boldest regional dishes come together.
For Filipino food and travel enthusiast Jin Perez-Go, the appeal of Chengdu lies in its ability to balance tradition and contemporary living. From peaceful courtyards and lively public parks to fiery Sichuan dishes and refined farm-to-table dining, the city offers visitors plenty of reasons to explore beyond China’s better-known destinations.
In her latest travel guide, Perez-Go shares a personal selection of places to stay, eat and experience, offering a glimpse into Chengdu’s distinctive lifestyle.
Her recommendations range from a restored monastery turned luxury hotel to a restaurant serving adventurous local specialties such as rabbit head. She also highlights a popular Sichuan dining establishment and an intimate restaurant combining regional Chinese ingredients with French culinary techniques.
But what makes Chengdu particularly interesting is that the experience does not revolve around food alone.
Could its slower pace, rich culinary traditions and blend of old and new make Chengdu one of the most rewarding destinations for Filipino travellers seeking a different side of China?
CHENGDU: A CITY THAT COMBINES ANCIENT TRADITIONS WITH MODERN LUXURY
Located in southwestern China, Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan province and is widely associated with its distinctive cuisine, historic teahouses and relaxed urban lifestyle.
Unlike the fast-paced atmosphere commonly associated with Shanghai, Chengdu offers a more leisurely experience.
Its agricultural history and longstanding tea culture remain visible in everyday life, even as modern shopping districts, luxury hotels and contemporary restaurants continue to transform the city.
For food enthusiasts, the destination is especially appealing.
Sichuan cuisine is known for its bold flavours, particularly the combination of chilli heat and the numbing sensation associated with Sichuan peppercorns. Popular dishes range from hot pot and sticky rice cakes to fried beef pancakes and other regional specialties.
However, the city’s culinary identity goes beyond spicy food. Chengdu also has a growing fine-dining scene where chefs combine traditional Chinese ingredients with international techniques.
That contrast between everyday local food and sophisticated contemporary cooking is one of the reasons Perez-Go recommends exploring the city.
THE UPPER HOUSE: A PEACEFUL LUXURY STAY INSIDE A RESTORED MONASTERY
One of Perez-Go’s top recommendations is The Temple House (also known as The Upper House Chengdu in the feature), located in the heart of Taikoo Li.
The property stands out for its combination of historic architecture and contemporary comfort.
Its lantern-lined courtyard creates an atmosphere that feels removed from the busy streets surrounding the hotel. The restored monastery setting gives the property a distinctive character, while modern amenities provide the comfort expected from a luxury accommodation.
Its location is another major advantage.
Guests can easily reach Daci Temple and explore the shopping and dining establishments around Taikoo Li.
For visitors who want to experience Chengdu’s historic character without giving up access to modern conveniences, the property offers an appealing starting point.
The experience also reflects a broader travel trend: luxury accommodation is increasingly about connecting visitors with the history and personality of a destination rather than simply providing an upscale room.
PEOPLE’S PARK: WHERE VISITORS CAN EXPERIENCE CHENGDU’S EVERYDAY LIFE
For a more authentic look at local life, Perez-Go recommends spending a Saturday afternoon at People’s Park.
The public park becomes especially lively during weekends, when residents gather to drink tea, dance, play board games and spend time with friends.
One of its most unusual attractions is the so-called marriage market, where parents display information about their unmarried children in the hope of finding potential partners.
The tradition offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into family and social customs that remain part of everyday life.
Perez-Go also recommends visiting Heming Teahouse to enjoy a cup of traditional tea while observing the activity around the park.
For visitors interested in local customs, traditional ear-cleaning services are another experience associated with Chengdu’s teahouse culture.
Rather than rushing between tourist attractions, spending an afternoon here allows travellers to observe how residents enjoy their free time.
It is a reminder that some of the most memorable travel experiences come from ordinary moments rather than carefully planned sightseeing stops.
RABBIT HEAD: THE UNUSUAL SICHUAN SPECIALTY THAT ADVENTUROUS FOODIES SHOULD TRY
Among the more adventurous recommendations in Perez-Go’s guide is rabbit head, one of Chengdu’s well-known regional specialties.
The dish may be unfamiliar to many international visitors, but it has a long-standing place in Sichuan’s food culture.
Typically prepared with aromatic spices and chilli, rabbit head is valued for its flavourful meat and distinctive way of eating.
Perez-Go admits that she was initially hesitant to try it but eventually sampled the dish at You Tu Tou.
Her recommendation is to embrace the experience rather than approach it with too much hesitation.
Rabbit head is commonly eaten by hand, making it a particularly interactive dining experience.
For adventurous travellers, trying local specialties can provide a deeper understanding of a destination’s food traditions.
However, it may not appeal to everyone, and visitors should feel free to explore other Sichuan dishes if they prefer more familiar options.
MA WANG ZI: A LOCAL FAVOURITE FOR AUTHENTIC SICHUAN FOOD
For a more traditional restaurant experience, Perez-Go recommends Ma Wang Zi.
Unlike establishments that focus on elaborate interiors or luxury dining, the restaurant is described as a straightforward Sichuan food destination that attracts a steady crowd of local diners.
Because it is popular, arriving before 11 a.m. is recommended to avoid longer queues.
Perez-Go suggests ordering several dishes to experience different aspects of the region’s cooking.
Her recommendations include:
- Kung pao prawns with eggplant – a combination of seafood and vegetables with bold seasoning.
- Sliced beef and tripe in spicy sauce – a dish showcasing the heat and complexity associated with Sichuan cooking.
- Leshan goose – a regional poultry specialty.
- Mushroom claypot rice – a comforting rice dish with earthy flavours.
- Seasonal vegetables – recommended for their freshness and preparation.
The restaurant’s appeal lies in its ability to offer a more grounded experience of Chengdu’s food culture.
For travellers who want to understand what locals enjoy eating, a busy neighbourhood restaurant can sometimes provide a more meaningful experience than a high-end dining establishment.
CO-: A SPECIAL DINNER THAT BRINGS TOGETHER SICHUAN, FUJIAN AND FRENCH COOKING
For a more refined culinary experience, Perez-Go recommends booking a special dinner at Co-.
The restaurant is led by husband-and-wife team chef Yang and Meiyi, who have developed a farm-to-table concept combining different culinary traditions.
Its menu brings together the bold flavours of Sichuan cuisine and the lighter, seafood-focused traditions of Fujian, interpreted through French cooking techniques.
This approach creates a distinctive dining experience that moves beyond conventional regional dishes.
Among the standout creations Perez-Go remembers are:
- Langoustine served with fermented mushroom sabayon and red lees essence.
- Fish maw cavatelli.
- Rabbit claypot rice.
The restaurant’s concept demonstrates how traditional Chinese ingredients can be presented through contemporary culinary methods without losing their regional character.
Its farm-to-table philosophy also reflects growing interest in ingredient quality, seasonal produce and closer relationships between restaurants and food suppliers.
For diners looking for something beyond the usual hot pot experience, Co- offers a more experimental side of Chengdu’s food scene.
WHY CHENGDU’S FOOD SCENE DESERVES INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION
Chengdu’s appeal is closely connected to its culinary heritage.
Sichuan cuisine has become internationally recognised for its complex seasoning, generous use of aromatics and distinctive balance of spicy and numbing flavours.
However, the city’s dining scene is not limited to traditional recipes.
Contemporary restaurants are experimenting with new presentations, international techniques and locally sourced ingredients.
This development reflects a broader shift in Asian dining, where chefs increasingly seek to preserve regional identities while introducing new culinary ideas.
The same conversation is taking place in the Philippines, where restaurants are gaining recognition for combining local ingredients, creative techniques and distinct dining concepts.
WWC ONE MEDIA recently explored this growing regional hospitality scene in 13 Philippine Restaurants, Bars and Hotels Make Tatler Best Asia Pacific 2026 — But Which Local Venue Earned the Country’s First Regional Best-in-Class Award?.
The recognition of Philippine establishments alongside leading venues across Asia highlights how the region’s restaurant industry is becoming increasingly competitive and internationally visible.
Another important part of that evolution is the dining environment itself.
In 10 Inspiring Restaurant and Bar Designs Win Global Recognition in 2026 — But What Makes a Dining Space Truly Memorable?, WWC ONE MEDIA examined how architecture, interiors and hospitality design can shape the overall restaurant experience.
Chengdu’s combination of traditional teahouses, historic buildings and contemporary restaurants reflects the same principle: dining is not only about what appears on the plate, but also about the atmosphere and cultural context surrounding it.
A TRAVEL EXPERIENCE THAT GOES BEYOND THE USUAL TOURIST CHECKLIST
Perez-Go’s recommendations offer a different way to explore Chengdu.
Instead of focusing exclusively on major landmarks, the guide combines accommodation, neighbourhood exploration, local food and fine dining.
Travellers can begin with the historic atmosphere of The Upper House, spend a leisurely afternoon at People’s Park and explore the city’s culinary identity through rabbit head and traditional Sichuan dishes.
A special dinner at Co- provides a contrasting experience, showing how the city continues to develop its contemporary dining scene.
This mix allows visitors to experience several sides of Chengdu within one trip.
It also reflects an increasingly popular approach to travel: choosing destinations based on their food culture, local experiences and the opportunity to understand how people live.
For Filipino travellers, Chengdu may offer an interesting alternative to the more familiar Chinese destinations.
Its combination of food, history, shopping and everyday cultural experiences provides plenty of reasons to stay longer than a quick stopover.
THE BOTTOM LINE: CHENGDU’S BIGGEST ATTRACTION MAY BE ITS ABILITY TO MAKE VISITORS SLOW DOWN
Jin Perez-Go’s guide presents Chengdu as more than a destination for adventurous food lovers.
The city offers a combination of traditional culture, historic architecture, relaxed public spaces and modern dining experiences that can appeal to different types of travellers.
From the lantern-lined courtyard of The Upper House to the lively atmosphere of People’s Park, Chengdu provides opportunities to experience local life at a slower pace.
Its food scene adds another layer of appeal, ranging from rabbit head and traditional Sichuan cooking to the refined creations served at Co-.
More importantly, the recommendations show how a destination can become memorable through a combination of small experiences rather than a single famous attraction.
For travellers seeking something different from the usual big-city itinerary, Chengdu deserves a place on the list of destinations to consider.
But as more travellers search for destinations that offer authentic food, culture and a slower way of life, could Chengdu become one of the next major travel favourites for Filipinos exploring China?
