For educators considering teaching abroad in China, life outside the classroom is just as important as the experience inside it. From vibrant food scenes and rich cultural traditions to strong international communities and opportunities for travel, Chengdu offers teachers a lifestyle that blends adventure, connection, and everyday comfort. In this blog, Social Sciences teacher David Turpie shares his firsthand experience living in Chengdu, highlighting everything from hot pot restaurants and giant pandas to pub quizzes, weekend getaways, and the welcoming community at BASIS International & Bilingual Schools Chengdu.
Living in Chengdu
Chengdu is a massive city with a surprising variety of areas, each with its own unique vibes and offerings. There are older, quieter areas that are more traditional and Chinese, and modern, vibrant districts that are more Western or a fusion of the two cultures.
Parks, Rivers, and Malls
People’s Park in downtown is a great outdoor space to relax. One big area of the park is known for the dating flyers posted on giant signboards by men and women looking to connect.
The BioParks near the school are a favorite place to take a break, especially if you live on campus or just need a change of pace after work. The city parks even host Spartan Races, have boating options, and are generally beautiful places to spend a few hours.
The city is full of rivers, like the Jinjiang River, and you can meander along miles and miles of walking and cycling paths. Cycling is a common hobby of the locals here.
There are tons and tons of malls, movie theaters, and shopping centers where you can buy all the things you need or enjoy a coffee.
Museums, Temples, and Pandas
Chengdu has many high-level museums and tourist attractions. The Chengdu Research Panda Base in the north of the city is an amazing opportunity to view giant pandas and red pandas up close.
The recently opened Sanxingdui Museum, also in the north area of the city, is one of the most unusual exhibitions of China’s ancient culture. It houses relics unearthed from the nearby Sanxingdui archaeological site, including amazing jade and gold masks and the tree of life, the largest bronze tree ever found in China. The Jinsha Museum on the western edge of the city, showcases recently excavated archaeological items as well as local culture.
Temples are woven throughout the city—from the city center to the outskirts. Wancong Temple in the southwest is a more traditional memorial temple, and Daci Temple, located right in the downtown area, is a historic Buddhist temple.
The Food Scene
I am always finding new places to eat here, especially Sichuan spots that serve delicious local foods like chuan chuan, which is a DIY-style hot pot using skewers. The international food scene is just as strong with foods from around the world, depending on whatever I desire at that moment. There are Korean and Japanese barbecue places all over the city, and you can even find good American-style BBQ at places like Homeplate or a classic American burger at Pallet, if you prefer.
Live Music, Pub Quizzes, and Social Life
If you like live music, dancing, or comedy shows, there is always something happening in the city. I love to go after work to watch the live bands, not far from school, at one of the Gili’s Western restaurants. For clubbing, there is Lan Kwai Fong district in the downtown area that has bars and dance areas.
There is a large expat community in Chengdu and many WeChat groups post about all kinds of social opportunities. Chengdu Ex-Pat lists specific niche gatherings, such as weekly pub quizzes at Brave Kitchen near downtown and at Rita’s Bar in the Tongzilin area. They also post about upcoming sporting tournaments or recreational league opportunities, like our BioTown league, which comprises faculty teams from local schools. The city hosts the Chengdu Open, an ATP tennis tournament, each year, as well as many other food and wine events and activities related to Chinese holidays.
If you want to mingle with expats and locals, there are so many opportunities, and if you’re more of a lone wolf explorer, there is a lot here for you, too.
Getting Around
The expansive Chengdu subway system connects the city fairly well, but ride-shares and taxis are plentiful and relatively inexpensive ways to get around. The train is a convenient and cost-effective way to travel to nearby towns and cities, such as Leshan City, to see the Giant Buddha or the Aba Mountains for a weekend escape from the heat. You can even go to nearby Chongqing to see their 4D urban sights, like a subway that runs through buildings.
School Community
Specific to our BASIS International & Bilingual Schools Chengdu community, we have a strong Sunshine Committee and many informal groups/gatherings. The committee’s focus is on making a welcoming community for everyone as the school continues to grow and settle into its normal routines each year. I have especially enjoyed our on-campus potlucks, which were themed for Western holidays from Halloween to Christmas to Mardi Gras, as well as getting together more casually for a game night or Burger Thursday at Pallet.
Chengdu and BASIS International & Bilingual Schools Chengdu are active places to live, but in a city that is known for its slow, casual pace, you have the best of both worlds.
David Turpie
Social Sciences Teacher
BASIS International & Bilingual Schools Chengdu
