Chengdu

mega-city · western-china · sichuan

Fourth largest city. Chengdu has more people living in it than almost any other city in the world, with nearly 21 million residents according to the 2020 census.

Hub of western China. For hundreds of years, Chengdu has been the main center for trade, culture, and connections in the western part of China.

Panda paradise nearby. Chengdu is the gateway to giant panda reserves and conservation centers in the surrounding Sichuan region.

Spicy food capital. The city is famous for its bold, fiery Sichuan cuisine that uses lots of peppercorns and chili peppers to create tingling, numbing flavors.

Major population center. Chengdu is one of only a handful of cities in China with over 20 million people, placing it among Earth's largest urban areas.