The Best of Chengdu
One Day Chengdu Panda and Sichuan Cuisine Tour
This tour is recommended for a first-time visitor who seeks a day tour containing the most important features of Chengdu: pandas and Sichuan cuisine.
Highlights
- Meet pandas with a smart route
- See baby pandas in late summer before October
- Take up a food challenge at the city's last farmers' market
- Step into an experienced chef's kitchen and cook real Sichuan cuisine together
- Get a taste of local life and have fun playing mahjong
What Our Customers Said
|
Two amazing tours
Both tours were led by excellent guides who knew a lot about everywhere we went, and were very helpful and friendly. The agent was equally helpful and quick in responding to questions which was ,especially in covid restrictions time, extremely convenient. moreJul 2022, Elizabeth
|
Panda Keeper for a Day at Dujianyan Sichuan
This is was the second time that we had signed up for the program Panda Keeper for a Day, this time at the Dujianyan Panda Base, about 1 hour drive away from Chengdu. Great experience again. We will surely do it once again. moreMar 2022, Thomas
|
Amazing Tibet experience in Sichuan
Henry was an informative guide who went out of his way to ensure positive experiences. Mr Wu was not only a safe and attentive driver on sometimes rough roads but also a great photographer, capturing shots of us as we toured. Henry went out of his way to talk to anyone around to help bring the place alive through stories so we had the opportunity to meet so many locals, real people, and hear about their lives. Another highlight was the opportunity to climb a 1000 year old watchtower in Danba and meet the local family who managed it. Truly magical. Henry was also a consummate foodie who provided us with great local food recommendations along the way. moreJul 2021, Deborah J
|
Amazing visit to panda bases in Chengdu and Woolong
Jason was terrific; he understood our interests in pandas and he made our outings very enjoyable. We plan to return to Chengdu to visit pandas and will be asking for Jason again. moreDec 2019, victoriadH3461ED
|
Amazing visit to panda bases in Chengdu and Woolong
Our 2 day tour in Chengdu, including a visit to Chengdu and Woolong panda bases (part of 9 day tour in China) was amazing. From the planning stages with Carol Wang to the activities on the ground with our tour guide Jason and our driver, everything proceeded smoothly, with appropriate last minute adjustments to ensure the best experience. moreDec 2019, victoriadH3461ED
|
We have just completed the Chengdu leg of our trip to China organised by Robert Hui at China Highlights. Our Guide for the 2 Day trip was Daisy Du who made us feel very welcome and helped us check in and ensured our rooms were satisfactory then gave us directions of where to go for the best food. The next day Daisy took us straight to the Giant Panda Breeding and Research centre. It was fantastic to see the Pandas so close. It’s a little sad that they are in captivity but it is essential to increase the breeding rate and so save these wonderful animals from extinction. We saw Pandas of all ages and sizes including a tiny little baby that was only 36 day old. After an extremely tasty lunch picked for us by Daisy she then took us into the people’s park and showed us the tea houses and dating area where parents can advertise their single ‘30 something’ children to potential partners. The day ended with a wander around Jinli Old Street where you can buy anything from food to souvenirs to furniture. We have had the best time in Chengdu helped no end by the friendly, helpfulness of our guide Daisy who knew all the best places to go and sights to see. Thank you Daisy, a great time was had by all. ---jayne_Stu Halifax, United Kingdom moreNov 2019,
|
With other two friends I have visited Chengdu in September 2018 and our tour guide was Jason, who has been really amazing with us. He had the smart idea to bring us to the Pandas reserve very early in order to avoid the crowds, even if we were visiting Chengdu right during the Chinese national holidays. After the Pandas reserve, we visited the tea park and the city centre, where Jason could give us a lot of information about Chengdu. Jason gave us also very nice suggestions about places to visit in the evenings during our free time. Totally recommended!!! ---Vittorio C Berlin, Germany moreNov 2019,
|
We had a great time in Chengdu seeing the pandas and other excursions. Cecelia, our guide, picked us up with a bag of fruit and a wealth of knowledge. She took great care of us, got us through lines quickly and brought us to great restaurants. We even took a cooking class. Highly recommend her. --Robert D,Seattle, Washington, US moreOct 2019,
|
Suggested Itinerary
Visiting the city’s panda base can be a challenge as it is easily accessible and has various animals. We’ve designed a smart route to beat the crowds while matching the pandas’ active period as much as possible for you.
If you travel in late summer, you will have a chance to see baby pandas.
So many pandas!Chengdu was named as the first city of gastronomy in Asia by UNESCO, and the local delicacies are rooted in close-to-life market.
Try some local snacks, such as pickled dishes, century eggs, Chinese rice wine, and so on.
Intergrating yourself with the locals: how to bargain like a local and how to wrap Chengdu dumplings - learn this from the shopkeepers who can easily make 100 perfect dumplings in minutes.
Authentic farmer market adventureIt is very hard to travel like an insider when you are surrounded by thousands of tourists in incredibly crowded tourist areas. Instead, a visit to a local chef’s home will be one of the best ways to get a taste of local life.
Unearth the secrets of Sichuan cuisine as you cook three typical Sichuan dishes with the chef and invent your own recipe. Try to play mahjong in the living room as well if you want to.
Learn to cook classic Sichuan cuisineTrip Notes
The weather of Chengdu is mild and humid, and it's suitable for travel all year round.
March to June is pleasant to visit with refreshing spring colors.
September to November is the coolest time to enjoy an autumn tour.
March to May is the "falling in love period" for pandas. If you visit Chengdu between late August and December, you will have a greater chance of seeing tiny newborns and cuddle babies in the Panda Breeding and Research Center.
Please avoid peak times for Chinese tour groups. Most schools start their vacation period in the middle of July.
Price includes:
Start planning your tailor-made tour now. Your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day.
