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Chengdu is famed for its spicy cuisine, bustling teahouses, atmospheric temples and adorable pandas.

Sichuan's capital is a city known for its spicy cuisine, bustling teahouses and, of course, its pandas. Founded over 2,000 years ago, it may be the only major city in China to have remained in the same location and still bear the same name.

One of the highlights of Chengdu is the People's Park, where you can get a glimpse into everyday life as locals gather to sing, take exercise, relax and share a drink at one of the bustling teahouses. The atmospheric Wenshu Monastery houses a large collection of important cultural relics and is a fine example of Qing era architecture, whilst Jinli Street offers an abundance of shopping opportunities.

Of course, for most the main reason to visit Chengdu is to see the the famous Panda Research & Breeding Centre; the best place to see giant pandas and their adorable cubs at close quarters. A short drive south of Chengdu leads to the Leshan Giant Buddha, the largest carved stone Buddha in the world, and the ancient town of Huanlongxi.

Browse our selection of holidays below to find inspiration for your ideal Chengdu itinerary.

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Our hotels were very good and our guides, Marvin, Mariel & Fernando were excellent: They had exceptional knowledge and made absolutely sure that our Peruvian experience was of the highest quality.
We were very impressed by the transport as our drivers were helpful and always on time. Our guides were knowledgeable, enthusiastic and their command of English could not have been bettered.
All the guides we had were excellent. We were contacted by phone twice by Veloso Tours' representatives who checked if we were satisfied and offered assistance if required.
Our Argentinean guides and drivers were excellent, especially in Purmamarca and Iguazu: very knowledgeable and helpful.
All guides were excellent: Malla was a pleasant young lady, Hildana had a perfect mix of humour and friendliness, Manuel provided useful information and Fernando was enthusiastic and knowledgeable.
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Chengdu & Pandas

Chengdu's Local Life & Tea Culture

Join the locals as they gather in the People's Park to play cards and drink in lively teahouses.

Wenshu Monastery

Admire the statues, paintings and Qing architecture of this atmospheric Zen Buddha temple in the heart of the city.

Panda Research Base

Get up close to adorable Giant Pandas and their young cubs at this specialist research base, close to Chengdu.

Dujiangyan Irrigation System

A marvel of ancient Chinese engineering and still the lifeblood of farmland and cities in the province.

Leshan Giant Buddha

Marvel at the immense features of this 71m high Buddha, carved out of the cliff-face 1,200 years ago.

Accommodation
Chengdu & Pandas

The Ritz-Carlton

A multi-award winning luxury hotel, located in the heart of Chengdu, on the site of a former imperial palace.

Sofitel Tahie

The Sofitel is described as "a meeting of Chinese modernity and Sichuan tradition, mingled with French passion", creating a l…

Buddha Zen

This character hotel offers a peaceful and spiritual retreat in the heart of the bustling metropolis, designed in true Buddha…

Dorsett Grand

This modern city hotel delivers stylish rooms, modern facilities and a great location, making it an ideal place to base yours…