China · month by month
Chengdu food calendar
What is in season in Chengdu, what to eat right now, the food festivals worth planning around and the months to be careful with. Tap a month.
January in Chengdu
The best of January: La rou and sausages, Hot pot season, Temple fairs.
In season
- Hot pot season
Sichuan hot pot is year-round, but the damp winter is when the city lives in it.
Nov–Feb
Eat it now
- La rou and sausageswinter
Cured pork and spicy sausages hang drying from balconies before the new year.
Dec–Feb
On the calendar
- Temple fairsLunar New Year
Wuhou Shrine and Qingyang Palace fairs with snack stalls.
Jan–Feb
Plan around
- Spring Festival closuresLunar New Year
Small places close for a week or more.
Jan–Feb
Nothing of this kind in January. Try Everything.
February in Chengdu
The best of February: La rou and sausages, Hot pot season, Temple fairs.
In season
- Hot pot season
Sichuan hot pot is year-round, but the damp winter is when the city lives in it.
Nov–Feb
Eat it now
- La rou and sausageswinter
Cured pork and spicy sausages hang drying from balconies before the new year.
Dec–Feb
On the calendar
- Temple fairsLunar New Year
Wuhou Shrine and Qingyang Palace fairs with snack stalls.
Jan–Feb
Plan around
- Spring Festival closuresLunar New Year
Small places close for a week or more.
Jan–Feb
Nothing of this kind in February. Try Everything.
March in Chengdu
Shoulder seasonThe best of March: Spring greens.
In season
- Spring greens
Pea shoots, toon shoots and bamboo; spring is the city's mildest season.
Mar–May
Nothing of this kind in March. Try Everything.
April in Chengdu
Peak seasonThe best of April: Spring greens.
In season
- Spring greens
Pea shoots, toon shoots and bamboo; spring is the city's mildest season.
Mar–May
Nothing of this kind in April. Try Everything.
May in Chengdu
Peak seasonThe best of May: Spring greens.
In season
- Spring greens
Pea shoots, toon shoots and bamboo; spring is the city's mildest season.
Mar–May
Nothing of this kind in May. Try Everything.
June in Chengdu
The best of June: Zongzi and Cold dishes.
In season
- Cold dishes
Liang mian (cold noodles), liang fen (jelly) and rabbit heads with beer on summer nights.
Jun–Aug
Eat it now
- ZongziDragon Boat Festival
Including spicy pork ones.
Nothing of this kind in June. Try Everything.
July in Chengdu
A hard monthThe best of July: Cold dishes.
In season
- Cold dishes
Liang mian (cold noodles), liang fen (jelly) and rabbit heads with beer on summer nights.
Jun–Aug
Plan around
- Heat and humidity
Hot, damp summers.
Jul–Aug
Nothing of this kind in July. Try Everything.
August in Chengdu
A hard monthThe best of August: Cold dishes.
In season
- Cold dishes
Liang mian (cold noodles), liang fen (jelly) and rabbit heads with beer on summer nights.
Jun–Aug
Plan around
- Heat and humidity
Hot, damp summers.
Jul–Aug
Nothing of this kind in August. Try Everything.
September in Chengdu
Peak seasonThe best of September: Mooncakes and Sichuan peppercorns.
In season
- Sichuan peppercorns
The new harvest from Hanyuan; the numbing ma is at its brightest.
Sep–Oct
Eat it now
- MooncakesMid-Autumn Festival
Including salted and spicy fillings.
Sep–Oct
Nothing of this kind in September. Try Everything.
October in Chengdu
Peak seasonThe best of October: Mooncakes, Sichuan peppercorns and National Day holiday.
In season
- Sichuan peppercorns
The new harvest from Hanyuan; the numbing ma is at its brightest.
Sep–Oct
Eat it now
- MooncakesMid-Autumn Festival
Including salted and spicy fillings.
Sep–Oct
On the calendar
- National Day holidayGolden Week (1-7 October)
Kuanzhai Alley and Jinli are packed.
Nothing of this kind in October. Try Everything.
November in Chengdu
Shoulder seasonThe best of November: Hot pot season.
In season
- Hot pot season
Sichuan hot pot is year-round, but the damp winter is when the city lives in it.
Nov–Feb
Nothing of this kind in November. Try Everything.
December in Chengdu
The best of December: La rou and sausages, Hot pot season.
In season
- Hot pot season
Sichuan hot pot is year-round, but the damp winter is when the city lives in it.
Nov–Feb
Eat it now
- La rou and sausageswinter
Cured pork and spicy sausages hang drying from balconies before the new year.
Dec–Feb
Nothing of this kind in December. Try Everything.
Festival dates move from year to year, so check this year's dates before you book. Seasons are how growers, markets and local guides describe them; edges vary with the weather. Know something we missed? Tell us.