Chengdu

Day Trips

Visit the Chengdu Research Base early to observe pandas during their most active hours. Wander among the enclosures as playful cubs tumble and parents roam lazily. The morning light filters through bamboo stands, offering perfect photo opportunities.

Stroll through the on-site museum to learn about panda conservation efforts and breeding programs. Enjoy a vegetarian Sichuan lunch at the base's cafe, sampling local tea and snacks. Participate in a hands-on volunteer session, helping keep the habitat clean.

Return to the city center for a leisurely dinner in the bustling pedestrian street. Sample local snacks like dan dan noodles or spicy rabbit head. Finally, relax in a traditional teahouse soaking in the tranquil ambiance and live folk music.

Begin at Wuhou Shrine to explore the memorial complex dedicated to Zhuge Liang and the Three Kingdoms era. Marvel at ornate halls, ancient trees, and informative displays depicting historic strategies. The tranquil atmosphere offers a glimpse into China’s storied past.

Head to Jinli Ancient Street to sample Sichuan snacks like baozi and sugar-coated hawthorns. Shop for handmade crafts, traditional masks, and calligraphy scrolls from local artisans. Street performers entertain with face-changing acts and folk songs.

Enjoy a leisurely tea ceremony in a cozy courtyard teahouse, savoring jasmine or rose-scented blends. Watch as the lanterns ignite along the ancient street, creating a warm, festive glow. Indulge in Sichuan opera or puppet shows in one of the cultural theaters.

Travel to Leshan to see the colossal 71-meter-tall stone Buddha carved into the river cliff. Hire a boat cruise to appreciate the grand scale from the water as mist rises around the head. Learn about the ancient engineering feats that halted river rapids to accommodate the statue.

Climb the winding path around the statue, pausing to study the intricate details on the face, ears, and lotus base. Enjoy a packed lunch amidst lush greenery overlooking the confluence of three rivers. Descend through shaded groves while listening to local legends about the Buddha’s protective role.

Return to Chengdu and dine at a restaurant specializing in river fish dishes simmered in spicy broth. Sample Sichuan cold noodles and peanuts to balance the heat. Cap off the evening with a stroll around People’s Park illuminated by lanterns.

Drive to Dujiangyan Irrigation System, an ancient marvel dating back over 2,000 years. Walk along the water channels and spillways while guides explain how the system tamed floods and irrigated fertile plains. Admire the harmony of engineering with nature.

Head to neighboring Qingcheng Mountain, a Taoist sacred peak cloaked in verdant forest. Hike the misty trails dotted with ancient temples and pavilions, breathing in fragrant pine and bamboo aromas. Discover the spiritual heritage at Shangqing and Tianshi palaces.

Return to Chengdu and unwind at a local hotpot restaurant, threading raw ingredients onto skewers for communal cooking. Sip on homemade rice wine or jasmine tea between mouthfuls of numbing soup base. Chat with friendly locals at the bar, sharing stories of the day’s adventures.

Stroll through Kuanzhai Alleys to admire restored Qing-dynasty courtyards and traditional courtyard homes. Sip Pu’er tea at a shaded teahouse while watching residents practice tai chi. Browse boutique shops selling silk scarves, antique mirrors, and calligraphy brushes.

Visit Sichuan Opera Museum to learn about the region’s dramatic art form and costumes. Try on opera masks and gowns for a fun photo session guided by costumed performers. Watch a short behind-the-scenes demonstration of face-changing techniques.

Attend a full-length Sichuan opera show in an atmospheric theater, complete with elaborate costumes and musical accompaniment. Experience the thrill of the Bian Lian (face-changing) performance up close. Afterward, stroll the lit alleys savoring street foods like tingmo buns and sweet potato balls.

Explore the Jinsha Site Museum to uncover gold masks, jade suns, and ancient bronze artifacts from the Shu civilization. Walk among glass display cases that illuminate relics dating to 1200 BCE. Informative plaques and interactive exhibits bring this lost culture to life.

Wander through the surrounding archaeological park showcasing buried ruins and restored earthen walls. Relax on a bench by the water feature in the museum garden, reflecting on the ingenuity of early inhabitants. Enjoy lunch at a museum café offering fusion Sichuan cuisine.

Return downtown for a Chengdu snack crawl in a hidden alley market. Sample mapo tofu, spicy skewers, and crispy rice cakes washed down with local beer. The neon-lit stalls hum with chatter, creating an electric end to the day.

Visit Wenshu Monastery, a serene Buddhist temple complex with courtyards, incense burners, and koi ponds. Observe monks chanting sutras in the main hall and admire intricate wood carvings. Pause by the garden pavilion to meditate in tranquil surroundings.

Wander the adjacent tea street lined with traditional tea houses and shops selling thousands of tea varieties. Join a tea master demonstration, learning to brew and taste delicate Puerh and green tea. Savor a multi-course tea ceremony accompanied by light vegetarian dim sum.

Dine at a nearby vegetarian restaurant that infuses Sichuan flavors into creative plant-based dishes. Enjoy a quiet evening listening to live guzheng or erhu melodies wafting from the teahouses. The calm atmosphere offers a perfect counterpoint to Chengdu’s vibrant pace.

Roam the historic wide and narrow alleys, tracing back to the Qing Dynasty through narrow lanes and stone archways. Stop at a local breakfast stall to try dan dan noodles and steamed dumplings. The morning sun casts long shadows between grey brick walls.

Visit boutique shops and galleries showcasing Chengdu’s contemporary art and design scene. Participate in a calligraphy workshop, using ink and brush under the guidance of a local artist. Recharge with a signature Chengdu ice cream rolled with fruit slices.

Relax at a chic bar nestled in a restored courtyard, sampling craft cocktails infused with Sichuan peppercorn. Order small plates of pickled vegetables and bang bang chicken to share. The fusion of historic architecture with modern décor creates a unique vibe.

Depart early for Mount Emei, one of China’s Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains. Ride the cable car up through cloud-kissed forests to the Golden Summit. Gaze at the sea of clouds beneath and the towering statue of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva.

Hike a segment of the mountain’s lush trails, crossing ancient bridges and passing hidden temples. Stop at monks’ guesthouses for a bowl of noodle soup flavored with wild mountain mushrooms. Listen to birdcalls echoing through bamboo groves.

Return to Chengdu for a late dinner of spicy fried rice with preserved vegetables. Stroll through Tianfu Square to see the giant Mao statue surrounded by illuminated fountains. The city lights sparkle against the night sky as you reflect on the journey.

Enjoy a slow start at a local bakery, savoring freshly baked mantou stuffed with red bean paste. Spend the morning shopping for souvenirs like tea sets, local embroidery, and silk scarves. Revisit any favorite tea house for a final tasting session.

Relax in People’s Park with locals dancing, singing, or playing mahjong under old trees. Join a leisurely boat ride on the central lake and share snacks with friendly elders. Capture candid moments of everyday Chengdu life.

Head to the Huaxi Street Night Market, famed for adventurous eats like turtle soup and stinky tofu. Sample spicy skewers, grilled river snail rice noodles, and sugary fruit kebabs. End the evening with a chilled Sichuan beer at a riverside stall, soaking in the festive street atmosphere.