Morning:

Upon arrival at Chengdu Shuangliu/Tianfu International Airport, our bilingual guide will be waiting with a welcome sign and will present you with a panda-themed welcome pack (containing a panda soft toy and a hand-drawn map of Chengdu). You will be transferred by private coach to your hotel to check in, where we recommend you rest and settle in.

Afternoon :

Kuanzhai Alley

Stroll along three parallel historic lanes: Kuanzhai Alley (traditional Chengdu lifestyle), Zhai Alley (trendy, contemporary lifestyle) and Jing Alley (folklore and local life)

Take photos of the traditional West Sichuan dwellings in Jing Alley, with their blue-tiled roofs, red lanterns and grey bricks

Experience: Savour freshly baked egg cakes at the entrance to the alley (recommended: cream and pork floss filling, approx. 5 yuan each)

Evening :

Welcome Dinner

Enjoy authentic Chengdu hotpot at ‘Xiaolong Fan Dajiang’ or Shu Jiuxiang near Kuanzhai Alley, where you can also watch a Sichuan opera face-changing performance

Morning (08:00–12:00):

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

We recommend arriving before 07:30, as pandas are most active in the morning (feeding peak is before 09:30)

Visit the Moon Nursery and Sun Nursery to see panda cubs (seasonal)

You can take a sightseeing bus to tour the new area (25 yuan per person)

Photo spots: Bamboo grove backdrop in the Panda Villa area, lakeside boardwalk

Afternoon (14:00–17:00):

Sanxingdui Museum (Optional) or Chengdu Museum

If you are interested in the ancient Shu civilisation, you can take a private coach to the Sanxingdui Museum in Guanghan (approx. 1-hour drive; advance booking required)

or visit the Chengdu Museum (next to Tianfu Square) to learn about Chengdu’s 4,500-year history

Evening:

Jianshe Road Snack Street

Experience the night market favoured by locals: Zhou’s Crispy Potato Skins, Fu’s Spare Ribs, Xu’s Roasted Pig’s Trotters, and Shaved Ice

Full Day (08:00–18:00):

Dujiangyan Irrigation System

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, constructed over 2,270 years ago by Li Bing and his son, and still in use today

Follow the guide’s explanation of the three key principles: water diversion at the Fish Mouth, flood discharge at the Flying Sand Weir, and water intake at the Bottle Neck

Walk across the Anlan Suspension Bridge and enjoy a panoramic view of the Min River

Mount Qingcheng (Front Mountain)

One of the birthplaces of Taoism, renowned for its serene beauty

Take the cable car up the mountain to visit the Shangqing Palace and Laojun Pavilion, and experience the Taoist philosophy of ‘following the way of nature’

Morning :

Wuhou Shrine

China’s only shrine dedicated to both a ruler and his minister, commemorating Zhuge Liang, Chancellor of the Shu Han kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period

Guide’s commentary on the stories of Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang; search for the stone stele inscribed with Yue Fei’s handwritten version of the ‘Memorial on the Expedition’

Photo spot: Bamboo shadows flanking the red-walled path; the sunlight is at its best after 3 pm

Afternoon :

Jinli Ancient Street

Just a stone’s throw from Wuhou Shrine, experience Chengdu’s folk customs

Sample San Da Pao (glutinous rice balls pounded three times on a chopping board), Tang You Guo Zi and Bo Bo Ji

Jinli is at its most beautiful when the lanterns are lit (around 17:30), as if you’ve stepped back in time through the ancient street.

Evening :
Sichuan Opera Face-Changing Show

Watch masterful performances such as face-changing, fire-breathing and lamp-juggling at the Shufeng Yayun Theatre or the Jinjiang Theatre

Morning :

People’s Park & Heming Teahouse

Experience the authentic ‘slow life’ of Chengdu

Order a cup of gaiwan tea (from 15 yuan) at the century-old Heming Teahouse and watch the locals playing mahjong, chess or walking their birds

Special experience: Ear cleaning – the tingling sensation from the vibrating tuning fork travels right down to your toes.

Afternoon :

Tai Koo Li & IFS

Snap a photo of the climbing panda on the rooftop of IFS; the best vantage point is from the 7th-floor terrace

Browse Fangsuo Bookstore and experience the fusion of industrial design and cultural space

Tai Koo Li blends modern architecture with traditional West Sichuan style; the night-time lights and shadows are absolutely stunning

Evening:

Depending on your flight time, a private car will take you to the airport, bringing your delightful trip to Chengdu to a close.