Chengdu is widely regarded as one of Chinas most livable and happiest cities, defined by a unique balance between its status as a massive megacity of over 20 million people and a famously laid-back, slow-living culture. It is globally celebrated as the home of the giant panda and a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, where a world-renowned spicy culinary scene and a flourishing teahouse tradition offer a distinct way of life focused on social connection and relaxation. Known for its inclusive and tolerant live-and-let-live attitude, the city also hosts a vibrant LGBTQ scene and a bustling nightlife, all set within a humid, subtropical basin that provides a lush, green backdrop to its rapid modern development and rich 2,300-year history.