Our main reason for going to Chengdu was to see pandas.  However, it has to be said that the city itself does not disappoint either.  Chengdu has a reputation for being laid-back to the point of indolence in China.  I have to say it certainly has a nice vibe to it.  There is a lot of public are, temples by the tonne, cracking food a nice climate.  All of this without mentioning the world's largest Buddha statue.