CyPARK Chengdu: China’s Coolest Cycling Mall

CyPARK Chengdu

Most shopping malls in Chengdu ban bikes. CyPARK Chengdu does the opposite—it built bike elevators and ramps so you can ride between floors. The place opened in June 2024 near Minle Metro Station, and it's basically a regular mall that lets cyclists cruise through.

People call it China's first cycling-themed shopping complex. That's accurate. You can roll your bike from the city's greenway straight into the stores. The layout is different too—they dug out the ground floor to create this sunken street that looks like a canyon. Free entry, pet-friendly, and it stays open till 10 PM daily. If you're planning your Chengdu itinerary and want to explore beyond just this mall, check out our comprehensive 2025 Chengdu travel guide.

Quick Facts about CyPARK Chengdu

Bike Elevators and Open-Air Streets

China's First Bike-Through Shopping Complex

Last week I have taken my folding bike to CyPARK. The elevator door is larger than a usual one of that kind--at least half a foot larger. You drive in, push the button and that is it. No fumbling over and bumping into others. Even the elevator has markings of the floor on which to place your wheels.

This biking route links Chengdu and the 8.6 kilometer Tiexiang Cultural Tourism Ring. Riding into the mall you can also ride into it through the greenway in the city without leaving your bike. There are specific lanes on the floors with dedicated cycling paths that have not been mixed with the walk paths. They are painted with light gray color that is easy to identify.

Others take the ramps instead of taking the lifts. The ramps go round every floor with a slight inclination. I attempted to ride up one--that can be done but you will feel that in your legs. Coming down is smoother. Bikes have free parking at every floor. The racks are of the common U-shaped type, nothing much.

The "Canyon" Design Everyone's Talking About

The first floor is not actually a first floor. They excavated it and made it this sunken business street. It does appear to be a small canyon when you are at the street level looking down. It has concrete walls and metal railings, which are highly industrial.

The bottom receives afternoon sunlight at 3 or 4 PM. The special light is entering at an angle and forms these long shadows over the stepped seating areas. It is not flashy, simply unlike the typical indoor mall arrangement. The sunken area in CyPARK is not covered like Taikoo Li, but the open air is open to the sky. You experience the real weather wind, change of temperatures, everything.

Seven Things Worth Doing at CyPARK Chengdu

Take Your Bike for a Mall Ride

Sunken Street

Space Corridor

Wild Dog Store

Pet Party

Browse Art Exhibitions

Pet-Friendly Facilities

1. Take Your Bike for a Mall Ride (Yes, Really!)

At the western entrance where you find the cycle path connect, you will follow a single route which creates a loop that traverses through all four levels of the building when following all of the paths. I recommend using the ramps when coming into the building and an elevator for returning back out to the cycle path, as this will make it easier on your legs. The ramps have nicely contoured surfaces that create a very gradual and smooth descent, making them very manageable for beginners. I watched a person on a large cargo bicycle use the elevator with no difficulty whatsoever. Just be mindful of pedestrians that might be near the entrances to the stores.

2. Explore the Sunken Street & Terraced Seating

Between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM, the sun shines down perfectly on the stepped seating area creating warmth all around and is the ideal time to sit outside and have coffee while relaxing or reading your phone. On weekdays, about twenty to thirty people can be found sitting on all levels of the stepped seating area. On weekends, that number may triple. The mood changes dramatically when there are so many of you. The terraced effect of CyPARK creates a great visual element; when seated on one of the levels, you can see what other people are doing above and below you.

3. Hunt for Instagram-Worthy Spots

The aerial corridor on the 3rd floor features geometric metal lines that look great in photos. Wear light colors (beige, white, pale blue) so they contrast nicely with the cyberpunk-style background. Photos taken during the morning (10-11 am) are generally better than those taken in the afternoon, as you won't have to deal with harsh shadows. I've seen people take 20 mn to get their angles just right in that corridor. It isn't long (maybe 50m), but it provides a lot of repeating patterns to create interesting compositions.

4. Visit Grid Coffee & Wild Dog Store

Grid Coffee has an outdoor setup with plants and wooden stools, small enough to have about 2 tables seating up to 4-8 people. Their flat white will cost between ¥35 and ¥40 and is average price for specialty coffee in Japan. The decoration of their storefront changes depending on the season. The Wild Dog Store sells curated products for lifestyle including ceramic cups, various small leather items and art prints (¥50 for postcards and up to ¥300 for larger pieces). Both shops receive increased foot traffic because of the design-conscious market around CyPARK, and offer great lighting for those wishing to photograph any of the items.

5. Catch a Pop-Up Market or Pet Party

Markets are generally held on Saturdays. The pet-themed markets bring in lots of crowds, and on bus days (20,000+ people); I could be being generous there. One example of this was the "Paw Mix Night" event held in which people dressed dogs in costumes; there were thousands of vendors selling anything from pet treats and toys to clothing and accessories; I would assume you know from experience how crowded and noisy things can get when lots of barking mixed with a lot of people socializing. If you're not a fan of crowds, avoid attending markets on the weekends. Regular weekends at CyPARK will be much less crowded, and it's generally pretty relaxing except on Market Days; otherwise they grow into a frenzy.

6. Browse Art Exhibitions

There's usually something on display near the Salmon Bookstore on the second floor. Last rotation was an Inner Mongolia illustration series called "I Have a Friend" (《我有一个朋友》). Blue and white tones with bright yellow accents. Very gentle aesthetic. Exhibitions change every month or so—there's no strict schedule posted. The bookstore itself stocks Chinese and some English titles. I've seen discount stickers on certain books, maybe 20-30% off, but you have to browse to find them. CyPARK Chengdu positions itself as a cultural space, not just retail.

7. Enjoy the Pet-Friendly Facilities

Poop bags and wet wipes are available near the main entrances and by the lawn area in the central courtyard. The grass isn't huge, but dogs can run around a bit. Most people bring smaller breeds—I haven't seen many large dogs there. Keep your pet leashed. The rules aren't heavily enforced, but staff will remind you if your dog is off-leash. Water bowls show up during summer months near seating areas. It's decent for a quick outing with your pet, though not a replacement for an actual park.

Where to Point Your Camera at CyPARK Chengdu

The Aerial Corridor's Cyberpunk Geometry

Third floor, which connects the east and west. These repetitive geometric forms made of metal frame formations appear very cyberpunk Chengdu when they are taken. I have tried both perspectives, shooting skywards will give you dramatic lines, however shooting directly will be better in case you want a symmetrical picture.

At approximately 4 PM, the backlight breaks through. Your subject will be somewhat silhouetted, and that is good actually, when you expose to the highlights. Light-colored garment, cream, beige, soft gray. Dark clothes are lost in the shadows on the metal. The aisle in CyPARK is not too long, perhaps 40 meters in all, so you will find other individuals having the same photo setup. Afternoons during weekdays are not so congested. On a Tuesday I could have counted perhaps 5 other photographers and on Saturday 15.

The Sunken Plaza's Golden Hour Magic

The stepped seating is illuminated by direct sunlight between 3 and 5.30 PM, according to the season. The winter sun rays are earlier and better. The summer light is softer and it is more lasting. The actions form natural directional lines- stand at the base and shoot up or stand at the street level and shoot down.

Weekends after 2 PM are to be avoided in case you want empty frames. Individuals sit on them and sleep in their coffees and phones. Mornings of weekdays (about 11 AM) are much better, but the light is not so warm. In editing, I would prefer warm colors. The concrete and metal are skeletal already, hence balancing this out is a good idea. The C1 or A6 filters of VSCO are quite close to the vibe at CyPARK. Do not over saturate it--the room would be more attractive with subdued colors.

Storefront Setups Worth Capturing

The outdoor setup of Grid Coffee varies according to the season. They are currently using wooden benches and plants. The installation is changed after every few months. The window display of Wild Dog Store is minimalistic- there is only one or two items in the white shelves. Very clean aesthetic. The afternoon shade on both spots is at around 4-5 PM, and it assists in the even light.

There is a sportswear shop close to the north entrance that has neon exterior lights which are very good to capture on a dusk. And a little bookstore with a yellow light that spurts out on the sidewalk after 6 PM. Only that employees may request you not to block the entrance during the peak hours. The majority of locations at CyPARK Chengdu are not mindful of photography, but there is a sense of courtesy. When you have a tripod or you are occupying space, then relocate on peak hours.

Where to Eat & Shop at CyPARK Chengdu

Coffee Shops & Cafes

Grid Coffee is the main draw. Their flat white is 38 yen, or 32 in an Americano. That is about 10-15 percent more than Starbucks, however, the room is more spacious and less chain-ish. They roast their own beans, I believe it is a medium roast mixture, good but not great. The outdoor seating is occupied within a short time over the weekends. You will have to wait or stand up in case you arrive after 2 PM on Saturday.

On the second floor, there is a small cafe close to the bookstore. I have no idea what the name is, but they have pour-overs that cost approximately 28-35. Quieter than Grid Coffee. A few, perhaps ten seats altogether. Sitting at CyPARK cafes is normally narrow. Individuals work in the camp with laptops and hence slow turnover. Mornings of the weekdays are the most promising to get a table and not hover.

Restaurants & Dining Options

The majority of restaurants are concentrated in the region of the sunken streets. We have the hotpot, Sichuan, a Japanese place and a few fusion places. The average is ¥ 80-150 each person, and it varies by the location and quantity ordered. That is high towards Chengdu. I have heard locals say that the prices are not really good.

In case you are on a tight budget, there are less expensive alternatives that are within a 10-minute walk. The surrounding areas of Tianfu 4th street are full of hole-in-the-wall noodle shops and small restaurants where one can have a complete meal with only 30-50 yuan. The food is good, but there is nothing spectacular, inside CyPARK. It is a good mala broth at the hotpot place. The Japanese restaurant is alright in bows of donburi. You are not paying so much because of any revolutionary tastes, but more so because of the location and the convenience. If you're serious about experiencing authentic Sichuan cuisine beyond commercial mall offerings, our complete Chengdu food tour guide covers the best local spots, street food markets, and traditional restaurants where prices match the quality.

Shopping Highlights & Unique Stores

Wild Dog Store (野狗商店) is a small-scale retailer that specializes in small-scale items, such as homemade ceramics, leather wallets, art prints, etc. Prices aren't cheap. A simple mug might be ¥80-120. It is not a mass-production but something that is curated.

CyPARK Chengdu was also imported with some brands that are new in Southwest China. The outdoor supplies store, Garmont (as far as I can tell the first they have in Chengdu), a bike-biking store, and some street-style boutiques that I had not noticed anywhere in the city are present. Sports and outdoor category consumes possibly 30-40% of the retail space. That is far beyond Taikoo Li or IFS which leans heavily in the direction of luxury fashion.

The Salmon Bookstore carries design magazines, books on art and a little fiction. Selection is not great but it is fair. The entire shopping atmosphere at CyPARK Chengdu bears a lower and more niche than the general shopping malls. You won't find Zara or H&M here.

FAQs About CyPARK Chengdu

Q: Is CyPARK Chengdu free to enter?

Yes, completely free. No tickets, no reservations, just walk in anytime during opening hours. It's the same setup as Taikoo Li—open access, you only pay for what you buy or eat. The difference is CyPARK Chengdu feels newer and less touristy. Taikoo Li gets packed with tour groups and luxury shoppers. CyPARK attracts more locals, cyclists, and people who just want to hang out without spending much. The pet parties and markets are also free to attend, though some vendor stalls charge for food or merchandise.

Q: Can I bring my own bicycle to CyPARK?

Absolutely. The whole place is designed for it. You can ride your bike through the main entrances and use the designated bike elevators to access all four floors. The elevators have wider doors and floor space specifically for bikes. Just roll in, press your floor, and you're good. Bike parking is free on every level—look for the U-shaped racks near the elevators or along the cycling lanes. I haven't seen bike rentals at CyPARK, so bring your own or use a shared bike from the city's system outside.

Q: Is CyPARK pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are welcome throughout the mall. I've seen plenty of dogs walking around with their owners. There are poop bag dispensers and wet wipes near the main entrances and by the lawn area in the central courtyard. Most people bring smaller dogs—chihuahuas, corgis, poodles. Keep your pet leashed. I haven't noticed any restricted zones, but common sense applies. Don't let your dog into food prep areas or bother other shoppers. Pet-themed events happen regularly at CyPARK. Check their Xiaohongshu or Douyin accounts for event schedules and registration details.

Q: What are the opening hours of CyPARK Chengdu?

The mall operates from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM every day, including weekends and most holidays. Individual stores might close earlier—some cafes shut down by 9 PM, and a few boutiques close around 8 PM on slower weekdays. During major Chinese holidays like Spring Festival or National Day, CyPARK Chengdu might extend hours slightly or stay consistent with the regular schedule. I'd check their official social media closer to those dates if you're planning a holiday visit, though honestly, 10-10 covers most people's schedules.

Q: How long should I spend at CyPARK?

Depends what you're doing. If you're just there for photos, two hours is enough. You can hit the aerial corridor, the sunken plaza, and a few storefronts without rushing. If you want to bike around and browse the shops, give yourself three to four hours. People who come for weekend markets or special events usually stay longer—maybe four to five hours including meal time. The market crowds at CyPARK make it worth sticking around to people-watch, grab food from the stalls, and explore. Weekday visits are faster since there's less going on.

Q: Are there lockers or storage at CyPARK?

I haven't spotted dedicated lockers for personal belongings. There might be some near the bike parking areas, but I can't confirm that. If you're carrying a large backpack or shopping bags, you'll just have to keep them with you. For bikes, the free parking racks on each floor work fine—most people lock their bikes there using their own locks. If you're arriving with luggage from the train station or airport, CyPARK probably isn't the most convenient stop. There's no formal storage service that I've seen.

Q: What's the best way to get to CyPARK from Chunxi Road?

Take Metro Line 3 from Chunxi Road Station toward Taipingyuan. Transfer at Sichuan Gymnasium Station to Line 5 heading toward Huagui Road. Get off at Minle Station, exit from Exit D, and walk about 600 meters south. Total travel time is roughly 30-40 minutes depending on how long you wait for trains. A Didi or taxi from Chunxi Road to CyPARK costs around ¥25-35 depending on traffic. Driving takes about 20-25 minutes in light traffic, longer during rush hour. The metro is more predictable.

Q: Can I find English-speaking staff at CyPARK Chengdu?

English is limited. The information desk staff might know basic phrases, but don't count on fluent conversations. Individual store employees vary—some boutiques catering to younger crowds have staff with decent English, but it's hit or miss. Download a translation app like Pleco or Google Translate before you visit. Baidu Translate works better in China if Google services are blocked. Learn a few basic Mandarin phrases: "多少钱?" (duō shǎo qián - how much?), "洗手间在哪里?" (xǐ shǒu jiān zài nǎ lǐ - where's the bathroom?). Most transactions at CyPARK Chengdu are straightforward enough that pointing and payment apps get you through.