CHENGDU

Experience the best of Chengdu with a stay in a luxury serviced apartment.

Looking for an apartment hotel in Chengdu? Sichuan's provincial capital is a fascinating city of 12 million people renowned for its fiery cuisine, cutting edge architecture, history, iconic wildlife and innovative start-up culture. Whether travelling for business or leisure, visitors to Chengdu will find plenty to do in China's "land of abundance", as the area is known. Meet China's iconic giant pandas, relish the flavours of 'Chuan' cuisine and see ancient wonders from China's imperial era. The best way to experience all that Chengdu has to offer is with a stay in Frasers Hospitality's apartment hotel in central Chengdu.

Staying in Chengdu

As one of the leaders in China's "new first-tier cities", Chengdu is a bustling and dynamic city that in recent years has seen an explosion in innovation from start-up culture to fashion. Known as a hi-tech hub, Chengdu still manages to retain much of the rich culture and history that has made Sichuan's provincial capital so popular over the centuries. Chengdu's cuisine has earned the city the accolade of being a UNESCO Creative City for Gastronomy, and the city's efforts at integrating urban life with sustainability principles won Chengdu a Thiess Riverprize for its work on restoring the Sha River.

The people of Chengdu are young, entrepreneurial and enamoured of their urban lifestyle and add to the city's thriving street life. Hanging out with friends in teahouses, cafes and restaurants is an everyday affair, and life in Chengdu feels very laid back compared to other cities in China. When staying in your apartment hotel in Chengdu, don't miss out on the opportunity to explore the city's history through its temples and museums, enjoy some traditional tea at the Wénhuà gōngyuán (Culture Park) and of course pay a visit to Chengdu's most famous residents, China's iconic giant pandas.

Historical Chengdu

Chengdu's recorded history goes back over 3,000 years and throughout that time the city played a significant role in imperial China's rise. Today, Chengdu boasts some stunning cultural and historical monuments to its storied past. Start with Zhai Xiangzi and Kuan Xiangzi, two historical alleys that date back to the Qing dynasty located and only a short trip away from your apartment hotel aboard Chengdu's metro. Lovingly restored, the two alleys provide an enchanting glimpse into what life used to be like in Chengdu. They're also a great place to indulge in some boutique shopping.

To experience Chengdu's spiritual side, pay a visit to one of the city's many temples. The Chengdu Wuhou Shrine is one of the city's oldest - dating back to 302 CE - and is also one of the easiest to get to from your serviced apartments with a short metro ride north. The temple is also conveniently close to the Chengdu Museum, the premier museum in the Sichuan province which holds over 200,000 pieces cataloguing the region's history and culture.

Tea and culture

For a taste of nostalgia and old Chengdu, take the time to relax and catch up with friends or colleagues at Chengdu's traditional teahouses. The art of making tea is a culturally respected role in the community and in the teahouses of Sichuan, particularly in Chengdu, the art has found a home. Teahouses are used by locals to catch up on the day's news, for business meetings, or to take a minute out from the bustle of the city. There are a wealth of different teahouses to choose from, some close to your serviced apartment. Take the metro from the Hi-Tech Zone station to Nijiaqiao station and walk the short distance along Nijiaqiao Rd to the Shengtianlu Tea House. This traditional teahouse offers a long list of traditional teas in a relaxed and informal setting. Sitting back on a bamboo chair and letting the hum of conversation wash over you is a simple pleasure not soon forgotten.

Beauty in the mountains

Some genuinely stunning natural wonders surround Chengdu, and one of the must-see destinations is the Jianmen Scenic Route and the Jianmen Pass. The pass is a few hours drive away from Chengdu but the journey is well worth the time it takes; you'll pass through some remarkable countryside. Along the way, marvel at wide-open wheat fields, steep mountains and deep tree-filled valleys. Arriving at the Jianmen Pass, you'll be greeted by sheer cliffs and peaks that rise sharply into the sky. The pass's ancient gate still stands sentinel over pathways that were once a strategic route into the region, contested over by varying factions throughout Sichuan's history.