If you think Chengdu is all about pandas and a laid-back culture, you might be pleasantly surprised — we certainly were. Our recent trip opened our eyes to a far more dynamic, family-friendly side of the city, and one place in particular completely shifted our impression of what an urban attraction could be: Chengdu Global Center (No. 1656–1700 Tianfu Avenue North Section, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China).
Chengdu Global Center: Largest Building in the World by Floor Area
Often described as the largest building in the world by floor area, the Global Center feels less like a mall and more like a self-contained town sealed under one enormous roof.
It is almost difficult to comprehend its scale until you are standing inside it — a vast structure housing an indoor beach, a water theme park, a luxury hotel, shopping zones, and a surprising number of child-centric attractions.
We decided to end our 9D8N Chengdu trip with a 3D2N stay here, thinking it would be a gentle, convenient way to wrap up the journey.
After days spent exploring the city through shopping streets and cafés, the Boays were clearly craving something more playful, and the Global Center seemed like the perfect balance between rest and entertainment.
Living Inside a Mega Complex
We checked into InterContinental Chengdu Global Center (No. 1736 Tianfu Avenue North Section, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China), and the sense of scale followed us straight into the lobby.
A giant transparent dome stretched overhead, flooding the space with natural light and creating an almost outdoor atmosphere despite being fully indoors. Staff gliding quietly across the floor on hoverboards made the scene feel strangely futuristic.
The hotel itself is divided into several blocks, and in a place this large, location matters more than you might expect. Some blocks (A-C) sit closer to the lobby, breakfast area, gym and pool, while others (D-E) are nearer to the mall and water park. We were fortunate to be moved closer to the main facilities — a free upgrade that saved a lot of walking.
Our room leaned into a classic European style with warm wooden tones and canopy bed curtains. It wasn’t quite our aesthetic, but it was undeniably comfortable and generously sized. With two large double beds and plenty of floor space, it worked beautifully for a family of four.
The bathroom became my personal favourite, especially the large bathtub by the window, perfect for soaking at the end of the day while still keeping an eye on the Boays.
Mornings That Felt Like a Resort Holiday
Breakfast each morning felt like a small holiday ritual. Set beside the pool, with palm trees and tropical touches beneath the glass dome, it carried strong resort vibes even in winter.
The food selection was extensive, but what stood out most were the live stations — particularly the DIY congee counter where ingredients were freshly cooked right in front of us. It became something we genuinely looked forward to every morning.
An Indoor World with Its Own Sky
A short buggy ride brought us to the central amusement area — one of the most surreal spaces we’ve ever seen in a mall. Hanging above the entire zone was an enormous LED screen that acted like a digital sky, shifting from bright blue afternoons to glowing sunsets. It gave the illusion of being outdoors, even though everything was fully enclosed.
Below it sat what is usually the indoor beach and water theme park. Unfortunately, winter meant the water attractions were closed and temporarily converted into a giant ball pit with slides.
Though we tapped out of the activity, it was easy to imagine the vibe of this space must feel in warmer months, when water splashes beneath a glowing artificial sky.
Four Indoor Playgrounds That Redefined Mall Entertainment at Chengdu Global Center
What truly transformed the Global Center into a family destination was Level 3 of the mall.
Rather than a single playground tucked into a corner, the entire level was filled with indoor playgrounds, adventure zones, role-play centres and toy shops — everywhere you turned felt intentionally designed for children. It was less like a shopping floor and more like a mini world where everything revolved around play.
Ai Li Shu
At both ends of the wing sat two outlets of Ai Li Shu — 艾莉树·奇异沙漠 (Miracle Desert) and 艾莉树·童话森林 (Fairy Forest), both located within Level 3 of Chengdu Global Center itself.
These weren’t typical free-play playgrounds. Children were invited into quest-based adventures led by staff acting as NPC (Non Player characters), turning playtime into live storytelling experiences.
In one zone, the Boays had to navigate a maze while freezing whenever a mummy character approached, collecting treasure balls to unlock a final mechanism.
In another, they teamed up to battle a pirate in Pirate Valley — first weakening her by throwing balls, then finishing the quest with foam swords. What struck me was how naturally teamwork, problem-solving and imagination came into play.
Completing the quests earned small prizes at the gift counter, adding a lovely sense of accomplishment.
There were also free-play areas with slides and building zones for children who preferred open exploration. Unfortunately, we only managed the full experience at Miracle Desert.
By the time we visited Fairy Forest in the evening, there were no staff available to run the NPC storylines. From what we gathered, weekend afternoons are the best times to go if you want the complete quest experience.
Cave Discovery Chengdu: Crawling Through Caves and Growing Confidence
The third standout playground was Cave Discovery Chengdu, located within Chengdu Global Center’s family zone.
This playground transforms play into an interconnected cave system, complete with tunnels of varying difficulty and themed chambers ranging from lava caves and ice caves to fossil exploration zones. Some tunnels even included simple puzzles to solve before moving on.
This time around, the Boays were far more confident, racing ahead through tight passages and even pausing to check on me when I struggled in narrower gaps — moments that felt unexpectedly heart-warming as the roles briefly reversed.
For parents who prefer not to squeeze through tunnels, instructors can be hired to guide children through the caves while adding small challenges along the way.
Note: This outlet is accessed from OUTSIDE Chengdu Global Center — no entrance from inside the mall
Address: Level 1 of Chengdu Global Center, near Gate N5 along Tianfu Avenue North Section.
Super Neobio: A City Where Kids Try on Adult Roles
The final indoor attraction was Super Neobio, also located within Level 3 of Chengdu Global Center (same Tianfu Avenue North complex). This role-play city allowed children to rotate through different occupations scheduled across the day, each with its own storyline and capacity.
The Boays became firefighters battling a furious dragon, Arctic explorers helping a distressed polar bear while learning about environmental conservation, and — their absolute favourite — soldiers participating in a mini battle with staff.
After each role-play, the facilitators gently explained the lesson behind the activity, whether it was fire safety, teamwork or caring for the environment.
Completing occupations earned in-game vouchers that could be exchanged for extra experiences such as VR games or ice-cream making.
Address: SUPER NEOBIO @ Chengdu Global Center
1F, S1 Hall, No.1700 Tianfu Avenue North Section, Wuhou District, Chengdu
Ending with Light, Water and Wonder: Tower of Vitality
A short walk from the Global Center brought us to the striking Tower of Vitality, located in the plaza outside Chengdu SKP Mall in the Jiaozi Avenue business district. By day it feels understated, but by night it comes alive, with cascading water columns illuminated in shifting colours that ripple across the plaza.
Just beside it sits Chengdu SKP (No. 2001 Tianfu Avenue North Section, High-Tech Zone, Chengdu, Sichuan, China) — a massive sunken shopping complex stretching across multiple underground levels and filled with luxury brands. While the shopping was far beyond our budget, wandering through the architecture alone was worth the visit.
Looking Back on a Family-Centred Finale
Ending our Chengdu trip at the Global Center gave the Boays exactly what they had been missing earlier — space to play freely, adventures that sparked imagination, and moments that brought the family together in unexpected ways.
While it sits slightly away from the city centre, the sheer concentration of entertainment made it a worthwhile and relaxing finale.
That said, we couldn’t help feeling the experience would be even richer in warmer seasons when the water park is fully open and the central zone buzzes with energy. Some areas felt quieter in winter, and a livelier crowd would likely lift the atmosphere even further.
Still, for families visiting Chengdu and looking for a one-stop destination that blends comfort, novelty and meaningful play, the Global Center is well worth considering.
For us, it became more than just a building — another reminder of how China never fails to amaze us with its sheer scale, creativity, and ability to turn everyday spaces into something mind-blowing.
