A pedestrian street and a wider shopping district
Chunxi Road refers both to a specific pedestrian shopping street and, often, to the larger shopping district around it. Taikoo Li and IFS are in this central commercial area, but they are separate shopping developments, not the same mall or entrance. This article focuses on the shops, department stores and connecting lanes along the Chunxi Road pedestrian street. Taikoo Li's open-air, low-rise development is covered separately.
Chunxi Road was built in 1924 and gradually became home to businesses including watch shops, hair salons, restaurants and department stores. Its appeal today still lies in the mix: traditional shops, brand retailers and newer consumer spaces line the street, while illuminated signs and advertising screens make the evening streetscape quite different from daytime. You can come to see how shopping works in central Chengdu or compare specific products using a shopping list.
Comparing clothing, everyday goods and department stores
If you are shopping for clothing, shoes or everyday items, distinguish between street-level specialist stores and department-store counters. Specialist shops make it easy to browse by brand, while department stores bring several product categories together in one building. If you want shelter from rain or less time walking outdoors, you can compare options in one indoor complex. The number of brands across the whole district does not mean any single store carries everything.
A 2025 People's Daily report describes old and new department stores, youth-oriented retail spaces and long-established brands coexisting on Chunxi Road. It also records temporary markets for creative goods and collectibles. Markets and events change with the date, so enjoy them if you happen to find one rather than making a special trip based on an older report. When buying clothes, check the price and currency, fitting arrangements and return terms; it is more useful than assuming you can bargain everywhere on the street.
Using landmarks to find your way
Around the central plaza, you can see large shopping-center façades and the climbing panda on IFS. These help identify nearby commercial developments, but a photo spot, a mall entrance and an entrance to the pedestrian street are different places. When arranging to meet someone, name a specific building and entrance rather than saying only “on Chunxi Road,” so you do not end up at different points in the shopping district.
If you also want to see Taikoo Li, think of it as another nearby shopping development, not the next level of the Chunxi Road pedestrian street. Their buildings and retail settings are distinct: Chunxi Road concentrates street-facing shops and department stores, while Taikoo Li arranges stores around low-rise lanes and plazas. Choose based on what you want to browse; there is no need to repeatedly cross the same area just to collect landmarks.
Details to check when shopping and walking
Department stores, specialist shops and temporary stalls may have different return policies and payment arrangements. Before paying, check the total price in renminbi, the product specifications and accessories, and the after-sales documentation. If using a foreign bank card, confirm acceptance at the actual checkout; do not assume that every small stall has the same payment options as services available elsewhere in the district. For tax refunds, check a general travel guide and the official rules in effect at the time.
You may still need to cross vehicle roads between the pedestrian street and shopping centers; use the marked crossings and follow the signals. At night, advertising screens and shop signs can distract you, so leave room for people passing when taking photos. In rain or hot weather, shorten long periods outdoors and take a break in a suitable indoor retail space. If you are with older adults or children, choose a specific mall as a resting and meeting point.
Useful official references
Check the relevant official service before making arrangements. These links are references, not a guarantee of current services.
