Chengdu Day Tour: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding + Farmers' Market + Sichuan Cuisine Cooking + People's Park
Welcome to Chengdu, the hometown of giant pandas. This morning our guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and take you to start today's Chengdu tour.
First, you will drive about 17 kilometers to visit Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in the northern suburbs of Chengdu, to see China's adorable national treasure, the giant panda, and learn about their living habits and conservation status. [Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding], referred to as Chengdu Panda Base, has raised more than 100 giant pandas and is the base with the largest number of captive giant pandas in the world. Here, you can see giant pandas of different ages playing, eating, climbing hills, climbing trees, sleeping, and other cute and interesting scenes in the park. You can also follow the guide to visit the Chengdu Giant Panda Museum to learn more stories about pandas. If you visit in autumn, you may also have the chance to see adorable giant panda cubs in the Moon Nursery and Sun Nursery. Moreover, the famous Chinese panda star Hua Hua lives here, known for her cute appearance and unique personality, and is called a "top female celebrity." In addition, besides giant pandas, at Chengdu Panda Base you can also see red pandas (rarer than giant pandas), Baer's pochards, golden pheasants, collared scops owls, and other rare animals. (Note: 1. Giant pandas prefer cool weather and are more active in the morning, so it is recommended to arrive early to see more natural panda behavior; 2. Admission to Chengdu Giant Panda Museum is free, but advance reservation is required, and it is closed every Monday.)
Then, go to a bustling local farmers' market to deeply experience Chengdu's unique lively atmosphere, everyday life, and food culture. Here, you can not only buy fresh vegetables, fruits, meat, and other foods, as well as local specialty ingredients, but also hear the calls of vendors and the sounds of locals bargaining. It is the best place to experience Chengdu's daily life and appreciate a different cultural atmosphere. Ingredients such as chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns used in Chengdu cuisine can all be bought here.
Afterwards, you can follow the guidance of a local chef to learn and make Sichuan dishes known for their numbing, spicy, fresh, and fragrant flavors, and gain an in-depth understanding of the blended flavors of Sichuan cuisine culture. In the Sichuan cuisine class, you can not only master classic Sichuan flavors, but also create unique Sichuan flavors according to your own imagination, and through a fun approach, deeply understand the lifestyle and eating habits of Chengdu people.
After experiencing Sichuan cuisine preparation, head to People's Park, known as one of the "most beautiful parks in Chengdu," to closely feel the leisurely Chengdu culture and experience the slow pace of local life. Here, in a century-old teahouse, you can order a cup of fragrant covered-bowl tea, sit on bamboo chairs with a few friends and chat leisurely, experience intangible cultural heritage ear cleaning and enjoy the "little comfort" that sends a tingling sensation straight to your head, or watch lively local mahjong games and visit the famous matchmaking corner. If you are lucky, you may also encounter locals dancing square dances, practicing tai chi, or playing traditional Chinese instruments.
Other optional activity recommendations
1. Kuanzhai Alley: Known as one of the "Top Ten Most Beautiful Streets in Sichuan," Kuanzhai Alley is the only remaining ancient street from the Qing Dynasty in Chengdu. It preserves the authentic old Chengdu style and is a great place to experience the authentic leisurely slow life of Chengdu. Strolling leisurely through it, you can admire exquisite ancient architecture, taste authentic old Chengdu foods (Dan Dan Noodles, spicy rabbit head, skewers, etc.), and take excellent travel photos.
2. Sichuan Opera Performance: When night falls, Chengdu's colorful nightlife is just beginning. Under the charming lighting atmosphere, it is the best time to watch Sichuan Opera. In places such as Kuanzhai Alley, Jinli, and small theaters, you can watch brilliant Sichuan Opera face-changing and fire-spitting performances.
3. Hot Pot: Hot pot is one of Chengdu's most representative foods. Whether for locals or tourists, hot pot is one of the top choices for experiencing Chengdu's food culture. Its broth is fresh, fragrant, numbing, and spicy, paired with various vegetables and meats, and accompanied by rich seasonings, with a rich and unique flavor.
After the tour, this wonderful and unforgettable 1-day leisurely Chengdu tour will come to an end. Our driver will take you to the airport/train station or return you to the hotel. If you would like to extend this trip and explore more destinations in China, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Huangshan, Harbin, Yunnan, Xi'an, Zhangjiajie, Tibet, Guilin, Xinjiang, and others, you can also contact our customer service to arrange them for you.
🍽️ Lunch included
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