Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street is located in Jinjiang District, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province. It starts from Zongfu Road in the north, extends to East Main Street in the south, connects Qingnian Road in the east, and borders Yanshikou in the west. As a national 4A-level tourist attraction, it covers an area of approximately 20 hectares, consisting of the main Chunxi Road, the connected Hongxing Road Pedestrian Street, Zongfu Road, and other surrounding areas. The main street is about 1.1 kilometers long, with a daily average foot traffic of over 300,000 people, which can exceed 500,000 during holidays. As Chengdu's most iconic commercial center, it integrates modern commerce with historical culture. Its architectural style mainly combines Western Sichuan residential buildings of the Republic of China period with Western-style architecture. It is home to modern commercial complexes such as IFS and Taikoo Li, while preserving time-honored buildings like Hengdeli Watch Store and Fengxiang Building, forming a unique "blend of ancient and modern" landscape.
History and Culture
The history of Chunxi Road dates back to 1924, when it was built under the supervision of Yang Sen, the then Supervisor of Sichuan Province. It got its name from the phrase "The spring breeze is warm and pleasant, and people come in joy", implying "a warm spring breeze and happy people". Initially, it was a gravel road lined with arcade-style shops, making it one of Chengdu's earliest commercial blocks. In 1935, Chunxi Road was expanded and became a commercial hub for Chengdu and even the southwest region, gathering various shops such as silk stores, teahouses, and restaurants.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Chunxi Road underwent multiple renovations. In 1992, it was named a "China-Characteristic Commercial Street". In 2001, the government launched a comprehensive renovation project: some old buildings were demolished, modern commercial elements were introduced, and leisure facilities were added to the pedestrian street, forming a "cross-shaped" commercial block. In 2014, Chengdu Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li opened to the public and connected with IFS International Finance Center, further enhancing Chunxi Road's commercial grade and cultural atmosphere, and turning it into a modern commercial block integrating shopping, catering, entertainment, and culture.
Chunxi Road is not only a commercial landmark but also a carrier of Chengdu's urban memory. The preserved Republic of China-era buildings on the street, such as Jinhua Hall and Zhengkejia Lane, have witnessed the development of Chengdu's commercial industry. Additionally, Chunxi Road is the birthplace of Chengdu's fashion culture. It once led the trends of clothing and entertainment in the southwest region and remains a representative of Chengdu's trend culture to this day.
Major Attractions
Chengdu IFS International Finance Center
With a total construction area of approximately 760,000 square meters, it consists of two towers and a podium building. The main tower stands 239 meters tall, making it one of the iconic buildings on Chunxi Road. The shopping mall houses over 200 international brands. The 15-meter-tall "Panda Climbing the Wall" art installation in its rooftop garden has become a popular photo spot, receiving over 20 million visitors annually.
Chengdu Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li
Covering an area of about 66,000 square meters with a construction area of approximately 100,000 square meters, it is composed of 22 low-density buildings and adopts the design concept of "Fast Lane" and "Slow Lane". The "Fast Lane" gathers international fashion brands, while the "Slow Lane" focuses on cultural art and characteristic catering, housing cultural spaces such as Fangsuo Bookstore and Guangdong Guild Hall. It receives over 30 million visitors every year.
Zhongshan Square
Located at the intersection of Chunxi Road and Zongfu Road, it covers an area of about 3,000 square meters, with a bronze statue of Sun Yat-sen standing in the center. As the core landmark of Chunxi Road and an important gathering place in Chengdu, it is surrounded by many time-honored shops, such as Lai Tangyuan (Glutinous Rice Balls) and Zhong Shuijiao (Boiled Dumplings).
Jinhua Hall
Built in 1914, it is the best-preserved complex of Republic of China-era buildings on Chunxi Road. Composed of three two-story brick-and-wood structures, it has a construction area of about 1,500 square meters. Now transformed into a cultural and creative block, it showcases Chengdu's history and culture and hosts various art exhibitions.
Zhengkejia Lane
With a total length of about 200 meters, it is one of the oldest lanes on Chunxi Road and was once a concentration area for Chengdu's silk industry. Most of the existing buildings feature the architectural style of the Republic of China period, preserving the remains of time-honored brands such as "Fengxiang Building" and "Baocheng Silver Building". Now, it serves as a characteristic commercial block, focusing on businesses like jewelry and clothing.
Tour Route
Tourists can enter from the north entrance of Chunxi Road's main street. First, visit Zhongshan Square and the surrounding time-honored shops, and taste local snacks like Zhong Shuijiao (Boiled Dumplings) and Lai Tangyuan (Glutinous Rice Balls). Then head to Chengdu IFS International Finance Center to take photos with the "Panda Climbing the Wall" on the rooftop and visit international brand stores. Next, walk to Chengdu Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li to explore Fangsuo Bookstore and Guangdong Guild Hall, and experience the cultural and art spaces in the "Slow Lane" area. For lunch, you can choose a characteristic restaurant in Taikoo Li. In the afternoon, go to Jinhua Hall to learn about Republic of China-era architecture and Chengdu's history, then visit the characteristic shops in Zhengkejia Lane. In the evening, taste snacks like San Da Pao (Glutinous Rice Cakes) and Tangyou Guozi (Sweet Fried Dough Balls) at Chunxi Road's snack street, and opt for hot pot or Sichuan cuisine restaurants nearby for dinner. At night, you can enjoy Chunxi Road's night view with lights or visit the night market on Hongxing Road Pedestrian Street. It is recommended to allocate one full day for the entire tour.
Travel Tips
- Arrive before 10:00 a.m. to avoid peak hours. Prioritize taking photos with the IFS Panda Sculpture and the street scenes of Taikoo Li for better photo results.
- Carry a lightweight backpack for convenient shopping; wear comfortable shoes as the pedestrian street is over 1 kilometer long and requires long periods of walking.
- Most food options are concentrated on both sides of the main street and the basement floor of Taikoo Li. It is advisable to dine during off-peak hours, as popular restaurants like Mawangzi may require a 30-minute wait.
- Chunxi Road's lights turn on after 6:00 p.m. The night views of IFS and Taikoo Li are highly atmospheric, making them ideal for shooting urban night scenes.
- If time permits, you can combine your visit with nearby attractions such as Kuanzhai Alleys (4 stops via Metro Line 2) and Chengdu Museum (a 15-minute walk).
Notes
- Chunxi Road has a large daily foot traffic, especially during holidays. Be sure to keep your personal belongings safe and avoid crowding or pushing.
- Smoking is prohibited in malls like IFS and Taikoo Li; some shops have designated smoking areas, so please abide by the rules.
- Time-honored snack shops such as Zhong Shuijiao and Lai Tangyuan have long queues during meal times. You can visit during non-peak hours or take the food to go.
- The pedestrian street is paved with flagstones, which can be slippery on rainy days. It is recommended to wear non-slip shoes and carry rain gear.
- Parking lots around Chunxi Road have high fees and limited parking spaces during peak hours. It is recommended to prioritize public transportation.
Transportation
- Metro: Take Metro Line 2 to Chunxi Road Station (Exit E1) to reach the core area of the pedestrian street directly; or take Metro Line 3 to Chunxi Road Station (Exit D) and walk for about 5 minutes.
- Bus: Multiple bus stops cover the area, including Chunxi Road North Station, Chunxi Road South Station, and Zongfu Road Station. The passing bus routes include Route 4, Route 58, Route 81, and Route 98; you can choose the route based on your departure location.
- Self-driving: There are underground parking lots around Chunxi Road, such as the IFS Underground Parking Lot and Taikoo Li Underground Parking Lot, with approximately 5,000 parking spaces. The parking fee is 10 yuan per hour. It is recommended to find a parking space in advance during peak hours (10:00-22:00).
Opening Hours
The pedestrian street is open 24 hours a day. Most shops are usually open from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., catering establishments are open until 11:00 p.m., and some bars and night markets extend their hours until 1:00 a.m.
Tickets
Admission is free. Fees for shopping and catering in the malls are based on actual consumption.