What it is
People’s Park is a large public park in the center of Chengdu, a short walk from Tianfu Square and Kuanzhai Alley. Entry is free. It has a lake, tree-lined paths, gardens and a memorial to the 1911 Railway Protection Movement near the east side.
What makes it worth a visit is how people use it. From early morning there is tai chi and group dancing. Through the day, retirees play cards and mahjong, amateur singers gather with an erhu or an accordion, and the teahouses fill with people who sit for hours over one cup.
The teahouse
The best known of the park’s teahouses is Heming Teahouse (鹤鸣茶社), which has served tea in the park for about a hundred years. Its tables spread under the trees beside the lake, with low bamboo chairs that have become a picture of Chengdu itself. In late 2025 it also opened a branch in a shopping mall; make sure you are heading to the one in the park.
Tea comes in a gaiwan, or covered bowl: a lidded cup on a saucer, with loose leaves. You choose a tea, such as jasmine or a green tea, and settle in. Hot-water refills are free and there is no minimum spend, so one cup can last the afternoon.
Prices vary by time of day and tea. In 2026, daytime prices for a basic cup were generally in the ¥20–30 range, with cheaper early-morning rates and pricier teas available. Avoid set-menu areas unless you want a tea performance; the ordinary tables are where local people sit.
Use the lid to hold back the leaves as you sip. When you want more hot water or a snack, catch a server’s eye.
Ear cleaning
You will see ear cleaners walking between the tables, sometimes with a lamp on their headband and a set of fine metal picks and feather brushes. Ear cleaning (采耳, cǎi’ěr) is a long Chengdu teahouse tradition, and many visitors try it once.
Agree on the price before anything starts and ask what is included. A short basic session is the cheapest option; longer packages with extra steps cost several times more. If you have ear trouble, or simply do not like the idea, a polite shake of the head is enough.
The matchmaking corner
On weekend mornings, parents gather along a path in the park to look for partners for their adult children. Notices pinned to railings and umbrellas describe each son or daughter, and parents compare notes with one another.
It is an everyday scene for Chengdu, not a show for visitors. Walk through quietly, and ask before photographing anyone up close. Saturdays tend to be busiest; on weekdays there may be little to see.
A calm half day
Arrive in the morning on a weekend to see the matchmaking corner and the exercise groups. Walk the lake and gardens, then find a seat at the teahouse before the afternoon crowd.
Alternatively, come in the early afternoon after a morning at the Chengdu Panda Base. Settle into a bamboo chair, order tea and let an hour or two pass. Pedal boats are available on the lake if you want to move.
From the park, Kuanzhai Alley is about a 10-minute walk, which makes a natural evening to follow.
Tips
Weekends are livelier but busier. On a weekend the teahouse can be full, so arrive early or be ready to wait for a table.
Most payments are cashless. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before your trip; our paying in China guide explains how. Keep small change in case a vendor cannot take a foreign-linked wallet.
The park often hosts seasonal flower shows, including chrysanthemums in autumn, and a small entry fee can apply while they are on. Bring a light layer in the cooler months, as you will sit in the shade for a long time.
See the Chengdu city guide for how this fits into three days.
Checked on 29 October 2026. Opening times and ticket rules change; confirm on the official site before you go.
