Be a Happy Foodie in Chengdu
Sichuan is a province with fabulous flavors, renowned for its bold tastes and distinctive styles. As a UNESCO-listed City of Gastronomy, Chengdu is one of the best places in Sichuan for experiencing local snacks, hot pot, fried dishes and culinary culture.
Just tasting is not enough? On this tour you will be able to learn how to cook like the professionals. Sign up for a "hot" adventure with China Highlights.
Highlights
- Stroll along Jinlin Old Street and sample various local snacks
- Take up the challenge of the famous hot pot
- Meet the lovely pandas in the Panda Breeding and Research Center
- Visit Sichuan Cuisine Museum and learn to cook typical Sichuan dishes
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

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Amazing DuJiangYan!
![]() I had an amazing trip to Dujiangyan in Chengdu! The site itself is incredibly impressive, with its ancient irrigation system and stunning scenery. Our fantastic tour guide, Helen. She was knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about sharing the history and culture of the area. Her explanations made the visit much more meaningful. Highly recommend China Highlight for anyone visiting China! more
Jan 2025, Audrey
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Thanks to Helen and China Highlights for an amazing time in Chengdu.
![]() I highly recommend Helen, who guided our group of three during a private two-day tour in Chengdu. From start to finish, Helen was proactive, enthusiastic and incredibly insightful. She shared fascinating information about the places we visited and offered deeper context about the culture and history of Chengdu and Sichuan. Her eloquent English, extensive local knowledge and friendly, accommodating nature truly elevated our experience. Her flexibility, patience and genuine passion made our stay far more enjoyable than it would have been on our own. She went above and beyond, making us feel like friends rather than just clients. Here are some highlights of what made our time with Helen so memorable: - Panda Centre: She knew exactly where and when to go to avoid crowds and see the pandas at their most active. - People's Park: She introduced us to the local lifestyle, including tea-drinking rituals, line dancing and even the fascinating 'marriage market.' - Local Market: At our request, she guided us to buy very sweet mandarins and pears from a local market. - Jinsha Museum: She provided detailed and engaging explanations, bringing the artifacts and history to life. - Jinli Old Street: She led us to the most interesting spots, helped us purchase local snacks and ensured we didn’t miss anything special. - Sichuan Opera: She arranged for us to watch an incredible performance at the city’s best opera house. - Local Restaurants: She took us to authentic local eateries far from the typical tourist traps — hidden gems we would never have found on our own, even with Baidu Maps. - Community Centre: As an unexpected bonus, Helen introduced us to a local community centre supporting the elderly and individuals with special needs, which was a heart-warming experience. more
Jan 2025, Dominic
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Helen In ChengDu. A great guide makes our trip even more pleasant and memorable
![]() Helen in ChengDu was our guide. Beside her deep knowledge and experience, she is a very sweet, smiley and pleasant lady. She speaks very well English and Mandarin. Visited SanxinDui and the Panda was the best thing to do in Chengdu. Wish we had more time to explore. more
Dec 2024, Cindy
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Suggested Itinerary
Your private driver and guide will be ready and waiting when you arrive in Chengdu. Sit back and enjoy a trouble-free transfer to the city center.
Then let's start the gourmet adventure at Jinli Old Street, a cluster of constructions with architectural styles traditional in western Sichuan. Along the narrow alleys, pavilions, courtyards, and stone bridges, you can sample the authentic taste of various local snacks, which are well-known and unique in China. For lunch, try out (for example) some bean jelly in chili sauce, sweet potato noodles, baked egg pancakes or Sichuan-style won ton.
Spend a relaxing afternoon at a local tea house then head to a famous local restaurant for a special hot pot dinner. It's rich, delicious and exciting, and your guide will lead you through this gastronomic adventure. If you are not a fan of spicy food, your guide can help you order the alternative flavors of your choice.
Well-satisfied, you will be escorted back to your hotel for a good rest.
Recommended Hotel in Chengdu:
Sofitel Chengdu Taihe (5-star)
Tibet Hotel Chengdu (4-star)

Rise and shine. Prepare for an eventful day. Your guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel at 8am.
First stop is the Panda Breeding and Research Center, home to nearly 50 giant pandas and red pandas. It is best to go early, to see the pandas feeding at around 9:30am, the time of day when they are most active.

Enjoy lunch at a popular local restaurant. Have a short rest during the private 1-hour drive to the Sichuan Cuisine Museum.
When you arrive at the museum, its bilingual guide will take you to the tourist center. You will start your Sichuan culinary journey by tasting a renowned Sichuan snack and by viewing a series of museum attractions.
Your guide, a professional chef, will teach you how to cook three typical Sichuan dishes, so that you will gain firsthand experience of Sichuan cuisine cutting skills, heat control, and cooking processes, along with some private tips on food presentation. The chef will evaluate your dishes and show you the correct way to eat authentic Sichuan food.
Recommended menu: panda steamed dumplings, kung pao chicken, mapo tofu
For dinner, eat the dishes you have prepared. Then you will receive the "Rookie Master Chef" certificate signed by the chef, and take home with you the "secret" recipes of the dishes you have cooked. After waving your museum guide goodbye, your tour guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel in Chengdu city.

After breakfast, your private guide and driver will be waiting for you in your hotel lobby. They will accompany you to the station or airport and help you check-in for your next destination.
Trip Notes
1. Dietary Requirements
Chili, garlic and peppercorns are frequently used in Sichuan dishes. If you have any allergies or special dietary requirements, please advise us at the time of booking. If you don't like spicy taste, your private guide can help you order less-spicy dishes or ask for no spices at all, according to your preference.
2. Optional Activity
With a history of over 100 years, Shufengyayun Tea House is an ideal place for enjoying local arts. The variety of performance there includes traditional Sichuan spectacles such as face-changing, spitting fire, hand shadows, a puppet show, and acrobatics. Have a cup of tea with some local snacks, and enjoy a musical, colorful, and magical night. It's recommended to book with your guide a day before or for extra flexibility on the day.
Time: 8-9 pm
3. 72-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy for Chengdu
Since 1 September 2013, Chengdu has offered a 72-hour visa-free transit policy for foreign visitors. With a confirmed airline ticket to a third country or region, any holder of a passport issued by any of the 51 qualifying countries can stay in the city for 72 hours without a visa to China, assuming direct transit via the Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport.
Tour Price
Price includes: