Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street is located in Jinjiang District, Chengdu, Sichuan Province. It runs from Zongfu Road in the north to Dongda Street in the south, borders Qingnian Road in the east, and faces Yanshikou in the west. As a National 4A Tourist Attraction, it covers an area of about 20 hectares and is composed of Chunxi Road Main Street and the connected Hongxing Road Pedestrian Street, Zongfu Road, and other areas. The main street is about 1.1 kilometers long, with an average daily foot traffic of over 300,000 people, which can exceed 500,000 during holidays. This is the most representative commercial center in Chengdu, integrating modern commerce with historical culture. Its architectural style is mainly a combination of Republican-era Western Sichuan folk houses and Western styles. It is home to modern commercial complexes such as IFS and Taikoo Li, while also preserving old-brand buildings such as Hengdeli Watch Store and Fengxiang Lou, forming a unique landscape of "blending the ancient and the modern."
Historical Culture
The history of Chunxi Road can be traced back to 1924, when it was built under the supervision of Yang Sen, then the military governor of Sichuan Province. It was named after the phrase "spring breeze is gentle, the people come and go in harmony," symbolizing "a gentle spring breeze and a harmonious and joyful populace." It was initially a gravel road with arcade-style shops on both sides and was one of the earliest commercial districts in Chengdu. In 1935, Chunxi Road was expanded and became the commercial center of Chengdu and even the southwestern region, gathering various shops such as silk and satin stores, teahouses, and restaurants.
After the founding of New China, Chunxi Road underwent multiple renovations. In 1992, Chunxi Road was named a "Chinese Characteristic Commercial Street"; in 2001, the government launched a comprehensive renovation project, demolishing some old buildings, introducing modern commercial elements, and adding leisure facilities to the pedestrian street, forming a "cross-shaped" commercial district. In 2014, Chengdu Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li opened, connecting with IFS International Finance Square, further enhancing the commercial level and cultural atmosphere of Chunxi Road and making it a modern commercial district integrating shopping, dining, entertainment, and culture.
Chunxi Road is not only a commercial landmark but also carries the urban memory of Chengdu. The Republican-era buildings preserved on the street, such as Jinhua Guan and Zhengkejia Lane, have witnessed the development of Chengdu's commerce. In addition, Chunxi Road is also the birthplace of Chengdu's fashion culture. It once led the clothing and entertainment trends of the southwestern region and remains a representative of Chengdu's trendy culture today.
Main Attractions
Chengdu IFS International Finance Square
With a total construction area of about 760,000 square meters, it consists of two towers and a podium. The main tower is 239 meters high and is one of the landmark buildings of Chunxi Road. The mall gathers more than 200 international brands. Its rooftop garden's "climbing panda" art installation is 15 meters high and has become a popular check-in spot, receiving more than 20 million visitors annually.
Chengdu Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li
Covering an area of about 66,000 square meters, with a construction area of about 100,000 square meters, it consists of 22 low-density buildings and adopts the design concept of "Fast Lane" and "Slow Lane." "Fast Lane" gathers international fashion brands, while "Slow Lane" focuses on culture, art, and specialty dining. It has cultural spaces such as Fangsuo Bookstore and Guangdong Guild Hall, with annual visitor traffic exceeding 30 million.
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. This is the core landmark of Chunxi Road and an important gathering place in Chengdu. Surrounding it are many time-honored shops, such as Lai Tangyuan and Zhong Dumplings.
Jinhua Guan
Built in 1914, it is the most completely preserved Republican-era architectural complex on Chunxi Road. It consists of three two-story brick-and-wood buildings with a construction area of about 1,500 square meters. It has now been transformed into a cultural and creative district, displaying Chengdu's history and culture and hosting various art exhibitions.
Zhengkejia Lane
About 200 meters long, it is one of the oldest lanes on Chunxi Road and was once the concentration of Chengdu's silk and satin industry. Most of the existing buildings are in Republican-era style, preserving the sites of old brands such as "Fengxiang Lou" and "Baocheng Silver House." It now serves as a specialty commercial street, mainly featuring jewelry, clothing, and other businesses.
Suggested Route:
Visitors can enter from the north entrance of Chunxi Road Main Street, first visit Zhongshan Square and the surrounding time-honored shops, and taste snacks such as Zhong Dumplings and Lai Tangyuan. Then go to Chengdu IFS International Finance Square to check in at the rooftop "climbing panda" and browse international brand stores. Next, walk to Chengdu Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li to visit Fangsuo Bookstore and Guangdong Guild Hall, and experience the cultural and artistic space in the "Slow Lane" area. Lunch can be chosen at a specialty restaurant in Taikoo Li. In the afternoon, go to Jinhua Guan to learn about Republican-era architecture and Chengdu history, then visit specialty shops in Zhengkejia Lane. In the evening, taste snacks such as Sandapao and Tangyou Guozi at the Chunxi Road snack street, and choose hot pot or Sichuan cuisine restaurants nearby for dinner. At night, enjoy the lighting night view of Chunxi Road or visit the night market on Hongxing Road Pedestrian Street. The entire tour is recommended to be arranged for one day.
Travel Tips:
Arrive before 10 a.m. to avoid the crowd. Prioritize checking in at the IFS panda sculpture and Taikoo Li street views for better photos.
Carry a lightweight backpack for convenient shopping; wear comfortable shoes because the pedestrian street is more than 1 kilometer long and requires a lot of walking.
Food is concentrated on both sides of the main street and on the B1 floor of Taikoo Li. It is recommended to dine during off-peak hours. Popular restaurants such as Ma Wang Zi require queuing about 30 minutes in advance.
After 6 p.m., the lights of Chunxi Road turn on. The night views of IFS and Taikoo Li are very atmospheric and suitable for photographing the city at night.
If time permits, you can combine nearby attractions such as Kuanzhai Alley (4 stops on Metro Line 2) and Chengdu Museum (15 minutes on foot).
Notes:
Chunxi Road has a large average daily flow of people, especially on holidays. Take care of your belongings and avoid crowding or pushing.
Smoking is prohibited in shopping malls such as IFS and Taikoo Li. Some stores have designated smoking areas, and regulations must be followed.
Time-honored snack shops such as Zhong Dumplings and Lai Tangyuan have long lines during meal times. You can choose off-peak hours or take food away.
The pedestrian street ground is made of stone slabs and is slippery on rainy days. It is recommended to wear non-slip shoes and carry rain gear.
Parking lots around Chunxi Road are expensive, and parking spaces are tight during peak hours. It is recommended to give priority to public transportation.
Transportation:
Metro: Take Metro Line 2 to Chunxi Road Station (Exit E1) for direct access to the core area of the pedestrian street; or take Metro Line 3 to Chunxi Road Station (Exit D) and walk about 5 minutes.
Bus: Multiple bus stops cover the area, including Chunxi Road North Station, Chunxi Road South Entrance Station, and Zongfu Road Station. Bus routes passing through include No. 4, No. 58, No. 81, No. 98, etc., and you can choose according to your departure point.
Driving: There are underground parking lots around Chunxi Road, such as the IFS underground parking lot and Taikoo Li underground parking lot, with about 5,000 parking spaces. The charging standard is 10 yuan/hour. During peak hours (10:00-22:00), it is recommended to look for a parking space in advance.
Opening Hours:
Open all day. Shops usually operate from 10:00 to 22:00, restaurants until 23:00, and some bars and night markets extend to 1:00 a.m.
Tickets:
Free and open to the public. Shopping and dining in shopping malls are paid according to actual consumption.