Chengdu's Sichuan Cuisine Museum is the first museum in the world to display and teach an original cooking culture. You can not only see the famous Sichuan food, but also smell it, taste it, and even cook it yourself.
- Chinese: 川菜博物馆 Chuāncài Bówùguǎn /chwan-tseye bor-woo-gwan/
- Location: about 35 kilometers northwest from Chengdu city center; 1 hour's drive
- Address: 8 Ronghua North Alley, Gucheng Town, Pi County 郫县古城镇荣华北巷8号
- Open: 9am–6pm
There are six main highlights and things to do in this museum. It will be a unique experience during your China tour.
Museum of Sichuan CuisineRecommended tours:
- 1-Day Dujiangyan Panda Keeper Program Tour
- 1-Day Chengdu Panda and Sichuan Cuisine Tour
- 4-Day Wolong In-Depth Panda Tour
1. Interactive Hall - Cook an Authentic Kung Pao Chicken Dish
You may have tried Kung Pao chicken in your country. At this museum, you can learn how to cook an authentic Kung Pao chicken dish or other Sichuan food.
With the help of your tour guide and the chef, you will learn the cutting and cooking skills of Sichuan cuisine. You will be dressed like a master chef and will cook it yourself. The chef will also teach you how to make a lovely panda dessert.
After the experience, you can enjoy your dishes and will receive a cookery certificate.
2. Collection Hall - See Cooking Tools from a Thousand Years Ago
In the Collection Hall, you can see antique cooking tools and tableware from different dynasties.
There are more than 3,000 cooking tools dated from the Warring States Period (475–221 BC) until the present. The materials include bronze, ceramics, porcelain, iron, wood, and bamboo. You can also see some picture books and models about Sichuan cuisine.
3. Traditional Crafts Display Area - Making Chili Bean Paste
You can see various agricultural tools, participate in making tofu using a stone mill, and grind chili powder using a traditional grinder.
In this area, you can also learn the process of, and take part in, making the famous Pixian chili bean paste.
4. Kitchen God Temple - See a Banquet Worshiping Ceremony
There is a Kitchen God Temple where you may have the chance to see people worshiping the god of the kitchen. The Kitchen God Temple inside this museum is the biggest one in China.
The way to worship the Kitchen God in Chinese culture is to have a banquet. During the Chengdu International Food Tourism Festival, on the 23rd day of the 12th month of the Chinese lunar calendar, a banquet worshiping ceremony will be held there.
5. Old Sichuan Alley - Have Some Leisure Time
There is also a traditional garden in Chengdu with green trees and traditional buildings. It's a great place to walk around. It will take you back to 'old Sichuan'. You can also appreciate the old western Sichuan style buildings and furniture.
6. Tea House - Do as Sichuan People Do
After the half-day activities, it's time to have a cup of tea. There is a quiet tea house for visitors to enjoy tea from a traditional Chinese tea set, and to have some snacks, such as peanuts and sunflower seeds, just like the local Sichuan people do.
Enjoy a Cuisine Tour with China Highlights
Learn to make lovely panda dessert.If you want to visit Sichuan Cuisine Museum, we are happy to create a tour for you.
Please see our popular Chengdu cuisine tours below for inspiration. We can tailor-make the tour according to your interests and requirements.
- 3-Day Chengdu Cuisine Experience Tour - eat delicious local food
- More Chengdu tours