There are some tremendous sights near Chengdu and they are easily accessible for day trips. The highlights are the Leshan Grand Buddha, Emei Mountain, the Dujiangyan Irrigation System and a series of old towns that ring the municipality, most notably Luodai, the centre of Sichuan's Hakka culture.
Most people do not have the time to visit all the sights in and around Chengdu, but that is no bad thing. The best way to experience a city is through multiple trips spread across different seasons and Chengdu is no exception.
The Ming-style Southern Bridge and the River District are popular because of the many restaurants along the mighty, rushing Min River, and the proximity to the Dujiangyan Dam Park.
The entrance to the park is right by the Southern Bridge and its attractions include the Erwang Temple, which was completely destroyed by the 2008 earthquake, but is now being rebuilt.
The centrepiece, however, is the irrigation system that was built more than 2,000 years ago and which uses ingenious methods to divert the Min River, so that the Chengdu Basin was not only irrigated but also safe from destructive flooding.
Like much of Dujiangyan, the 2008 earthquake devastated the Taoist Qingcheng Mountain. Miraculously, although almost all of the villages, and smaller, newer temples were flattened or buried, the old White Cloud Monastery at the mountain's top survived relatively unscathed.
Another must see is the Leshan Grand Buddha statue, whose toes are taller than a man.