How should I spend a first weekend in Chengdu?

A first weekend in Chengdu should feel compact and clear, not heroic.

The best weekend structure:
- one major anchor each day
- one softer second layer like food, tea, or a shorter neighborhood walk
- fewer long transfers than you think

A good first-weekend pattern:
- Day 1: Panda Base in the morning, then a lighter afternoon
- Day 2: one classic district like Wuhou and Jinli, then food or a calmer local-life stop

What to cut first if time gets tight:
- long cross-city moves
- extra heritage stops that add walking but not much depth
- the weakest attraction on the list, not the best meal or the best morning

If you only have a weekend, Chengdu is still worth it. The city just works better when you protect mood and rhythm instead of chasing maximum coverage.