Capital of Sichuan province for over 2,300 years, Chengdu is one of China's most culturally significant cities and home to the famous Giant Panda breeding research center. The city was a center of the ancient Shu Kingdom and later became a hub for printing, paper money (invented here in the 11th century), and silk production. Its fiery Sichuan cuisine, teahouse culture, and face-changing opera define its laid-back character.
Nights sit around 21°C and afternoons around 27°C, though some days reach 33°C.
Chengdu has real seasons: summer afternoons sit around 32°C, winter ones around 12°C.
Some summer days reach 38°C, and some winter nights drop to 1°C.
Most of the rain falls in summer, least in winter. The wettest month is July, with 232 mm.
Wind is rarely an issue; most months sit between calm and a light breeze. Air quality is worth watching: December averages an AQI of 174, while October clears to 134.
Days stretch to about 14.0 hours of light in June and shrink to 10.0 in December — something to weigh if you work to a fixed timezone.
For what you're after, the best months in Chengdu are May – June. Expect fast internet (229 Mbps) and a moderate cost of living (about €900 a month).
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