9 reasons to visit Chengdu, the happiest city in China CNNE arrow-down close comment-02 comment globe playlist search social-facebook social-googleplus social-instagram social-linkedin social-mail social-more social-twitter social-whatsapp-01 social

(CNN) -- While China has yet to announce any solid plans to reopen its border to international leisure travelers, there's nothing wrong with starting to dream of your next visit now. There are hundreds of worthy destinations in the country for every taste. Arguably at the top of that list is Chengdu, the capital of the southwestern province of Sichuan.

It is the perfect starting point for those looking for a combination of stunning natural landscapes and wildlife; It's the panda capital of the world, of course, and some of the most incredible food on the planet.

In recent years, the city has expanded its offering, which includes a host of new projects that tourists will want to experience, including a flashy new international airport and several architectural wonders.

Whether you're here on business or just dreaming of traveling post-pandemic, here are nine reasons Chengdu should be a part of your itinerary when China reopens to the world.

Happiest City in China

If visiting a place with happy locals is a priority for you, there is no better city to visit than Chengdu.

Chengdu has been voted the happiest city in China for 12 consecutive years by an annual survey conducted by Oriental Outlook, a Shanghai-based magazine affiliated with the state-run Xinhua news agency.

The survey results combine big data, questionnaires, site visits and expert opinion, and take into account everything from income and medical services to the city's standard of living.

Chengdu's pandas have a cool new home

Home to Chengdu's most adorable residents and biggest attraction, the pandas, is getting a major upgrade.

Opening in early 2022, the new panda pavilions at the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base are a collection of ring-shaped buildings located within the facility.

"We were very impressed with the natural setting of the site, surrounded by rolling hills and covered in dense, leafy green forests," says Ping Jiang, the brains behind Panda Pavilions and design director of Atelier Ping Jiang / EID Arch, during an interview with CNN Travel about his visit to the site.

The light-filled, cedar-clad spaces are "inspired by the natural scenery of Chengdu's grasslands" and "an animal-friendly environment."

The Panda Pavilions house the indoor and outdoor activity spaces and bear living quarters, along with staff administrative offices and support facilities.

"In addition, the pavilions provide interactive exhibition and educational spaces designated for panda research and preservation," Jiang says.

It has one of the most beautiful bookstores in China

Shanghai-based Architecture Studio X + Living is known for building some of the most beautiful bookstores in China and its latest opening in Chengdu is no exception.

The new location in Dujiangyan, the northwestern part of Chengdu, is the second Zhongshuge bookstore in the provincial capital. The first, which opened in 2017 in downtown Chengdu, is modeled after the terraced fields.

Inspired by the ancient Dujiangyan irrigation system, the oldest of its kind in the world, the whimsical new bookstore features meandering floor-to-ceiling walnut shelving and high and low archways.

The mirrored ceiling makes the hallways look like a kaleidoscope.

"Dujiangyan is a city with flowing landscapes. The magnificent dam project and the magnificent mountains and waters have become the cultural landscape that I want to express in Zhongshuge," the founder and chief designer of X+ told CNN Travel. Living, Li Xiang.

"I hope the beautiful environment of the bookstore can attract more people who do not love books, and arouse their interest and memory for reading."

There's a Spectacular New Mega Airport

One of the flashiest new airports in the world, Chengdu Tianfu International Airport is as modern as it gets.

Tianfu International Airport, which began operations in 2021, is the largest civilian airport to have opened as part of the country's 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020).

With a total of six runways (only three have been completed as part of its first phase), the mega-airport is expected to handle up to 60 million passengers per year by 2025.

Travellers can experience a variety of cutting-edge technologies at Tianfu, including facial recognition software, self-check-in kiosks, and AI robot concierges.

The shopping and dining options are also amazing.

It is a food capital of the world

It is the first city to be certified as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy in 2010. Chengdu's gastronomic prowess is undeniable.

So much so that Michelin will add Chengdu as its fourth city guide in mainland China after Shanghai, Guangzhou and Beijing, with a guide due out in 2022, according to a post on Michelin's official Weibo channel.

Many flock to Sichuan's capital city for the spicy, tongue-numbing stews, but the now-famous mapo tofu also hails from here. The addictive dish of minced meat and minced tofu in hot chili and fermented broad bean oil is said to have been invented in Chengdu over a century ago.

Meanwhile, Zhong dumplings (meat balls in a special chili oil and sweetened soy sauce) and fresh water noodles with chilis and peanut crumbles are two other local dishes that visitors must try.

Don't like spices?

Two other must-haves include smoked duck with sweet, crispy skin and savory meat, and tofa, a silky-sweet tofu pudding with various toppings.

The art scene is taking off

Since the founding of the Blue Roof Art Center in 2003, a disbanded artists' quarter, the city has been transformed into the capital of art and culture of southwest China.

Some of the most internationally recognized contemporary Chinese artists, such as Zhou Chunya and Zhang Xiaogang, now have studios in Chengdu.

This year, Chengdu's art scene will get another big boost.

The 400,000-square-meter Tianfu Art Park, an art-themed urban park in downtown Chengdu, will open with two new museums: Chengdu Tianfu Art Museum and Chengdu Museum of Contemporary Art.

Both operated by the Chengdu Academy of Art, the Tianfu Art Museum will focus on local arts, while the Chengdu Museum of Contemporary Art will emphasize forward-thinking international work and promote the global development of art. Chengdu art scene.

Kicking off the openings for these events is the Chengdu Biennale (from now until April 6, 2022), which takes place inside the park and inside the two museums.

The city comes alive after dark

In a recent study by Trip.com Group, Chengdu was named one of China's top 10 most popular nightlife destinations. It has the second highest number of bars in China, behind only Shanghai.

But there's more to the city's nightlife than its famous bars, live music venues and nightclubs.

Residents of Chengdu also appreciate a quiet evening at a local teahouse in an alleyway, sipping hot drinks and playing cards while watching Sichuan operas.

It is a window into ancient China

Chengdu may only have been on the international radar for a decade or two, but it has been a prosperous city for more than 2,000 years. Fun fact: It claims to be the only city in China that hasn't changed its name for about 2,300 years.

To travel back in time to ancient China, visitors should head to Sino Ocean Taikoo Li. Right in the heart of the city, it's a multi-use shopping and retail complex centered around the 1,400-year-old Daci Temple.

Many of the gray brick and tile roofs of the historic buildings have been restored, while contemporary low-rise architecture blends naturally with the surroundings.

And then there's Bitieshi, a beautifully restored Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) courtyard house housed within Temple House, a boutique hotel that pays homage to the area's rich history.

For some classic flavors, the recently opened Jinli Ancient Street is a 550-meter pedestrian street lined with shops selling snacks.

With a history dating back 2,000 years, it was inspired by the architecture of the Qing Dynasty.

It is also a city focused on the future

There are plans to turn Chengdu into a "West China Science City," that is, a leading demonstration area for innovation and entrepreneurship in China, according to a government statement.

Travellers visiting the "City of Science" can expect to see many examples of cutting-edge, eco-conscious architecture created by some of the world's most renowned firms.

Among them is the world's first "Unicorn Island," a Zaha Hadid-designed complex dedicated to incubating the country's next high-tech unicorns: privately owned start-ups valued at more than $1 billion.

There will also be a low-carbon Science and Technology Future City, created by the Office of Metropolitan Architecture and Gerkan, Marg & Partners (GMP). As part of the grand plan for the City of Sciences, the high-tech city will feature an aviation academy, educational complexes, laboratories, and a business center for innovative companies.

After you've marveled at the modern architecture, take a ride on Chengdu's fully automated subway line 9 and see the stations created by J&A and Sepanta Design, or hop on the futuristic panda-background skytrain glass.

Zhongtang Air Railway, the latter, debuted in June. Painted to look like a panda, the train has a transparent underside and offers 270-degree visibility (the top is not transparent).

It is the world's first energy tourism aerial train test line (translation: a suspended aerial train that uses lithium batteries for traction power) and is approximately 11.5 kilometers long.