5 Days in Chengdu Pandas Cuisine and Cultural Heritage

Duration5 days

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesGerman, English, Italian, French, Spanish

Private tourOnly your group will participate

Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

This is not a fast-paced tour — it's a slow journey into Chengdu's laid-back lifestyle. Watch giant pandas munch bamboo , sip traditional tea in People‘s Park, and try your hand at mahjong — the beloved game that brings locals together. Step into Wuhou Shrine and hear epic tales of the Three Kingdoms, wander through Jinli Ancient Street and taste authentic Sichuan snacks, and learn to cook classic dishes like mapo tofu and kung pao chicken at the Sichuan Cuisine Museum. Visit Sanxingdui or Jinsha Site to unlock the mysteries of the 3,000-year-old Shu civilization. In the evening, be mesmerized by a Sichuan Opera show with its lightning-fast face-changing act.

All-inclusive, zero hidden costs. Entrance fees, cooking class, Sichuan Opera show, tea and mahjong experience, 4-star hotels, daily breakfast, private transfers, and English-speaking guide are all included. No shopping stops, no detours, no add-on charges. Just slow down and live like a local — the Chengdu way.

What's included

All entrance fees to attractions listed in the itinerary
Sichuan Opera show ticket (face-changing performance)
Daily buffet breakfast at the hotel
Private driver and air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers and sightseeing
Dinner
Breakfast
· English-speaking guide throughout the tour
All hotel taxes and service charges
Welcome dinner (hotpot or traditional Sichuan cuisine)
Travel insurance
Tea tasting and mahjong experience at People‘s Park
Unlimited bottled water on board
4-night stay at a selected 4-star hotel in downtown Chengdu
Sichuan Cuisine Museum visit + hands-on cooking class (with meal)

· Lunch and dinner (except the welcome dinner and the meal you cook at the cooking class)
Personal expenses, souvenirs and optional drinks
Tips and gratuities (optional)

What to expect

Day 1: Arrival in Chengdu: Welcome to the Land of Abundance

2h · Admission ticket included

Your private driver will greet you at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) or Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) and escort you to your downtown four-star hotel. After check-in, enjoy a welcome dinner featuring Chengdu‘s most famous culinary treasure — hotpot or traditional Sichuan cuisine. Your guide will share stories of the city’s rich food culture and the unique flavors that have made Sichuan cuisine famous worldwide.

Day 2: Three Kingdoms Heritage & Sichuan Opera: A Day of History and Culture

Wuhou Memorial Temple
1h 30m · Admission ticket included

Visit Wuhou Shrine, the most famous memorial temple dedicated to Zhuge Liang — the brilliant strategist of the Three Kingdoms period. This is the only temple in China where both the ruler and his minister are worshipped together. Your guide will bring to life the epic stories of the Three Kingdoms era, revealing why Zhuge Liang remains one of the most revered figures in Chinese history.
1h 30m

Step into Jinli Ancient Street, a lively pedestrian street that recreates the atmosphere of Chengdu during the Three Kingdoms period. Lined with traditional shops, tea houses, and local food stalls, this is the perfect place to sample Sichuan street food and soak in the city‘s vibrant energy. Your guide will introduce you to local specialties and the stories behind them.
Shufeng Yayun Theater . Sichuan Opera Face-Changing Show . Grand Classical Chinese Theater
1h 30m · Admission ticket included

In the evening, experience the magic of Sichuan Opera — a mesmerizing performance famous for its lightning-fast “face-changing” (Bian Lian) technique. Alongside face-changing, you‘ll witness fire-spitting, puppet shows, and traditional music. This is the perfect introduction to Sichuan’s intangible cultural heritage and a truly unforgettable evening of entertainment.

Day 3: Ancient Civilizations & Sichuan Flavors: Choose Your History, Cook Your Feast

2h 30m · Admission ticket included

Visit either the Sanxingdui Museum or the Jinsha Site Museum — two of China‘s most remarkable archaeological sites from the ancient Shu civilization, dating back over 3,000 years. Your guide will help you choose based on your interests. Sanxingdui is known for its giant bronze masks, golden scepters, and towering bronze trees, while Jinsha features the famous “Sun and Immortal Birds” gold foil and exquisite jade artifacts. Both offer a fascinating glimpse into a mysterious lost civilization. Your group will decide together which option to take.
2h 30m · Admission ticket included

Visit the Sichuan Cuisine Museum, where you’ll learn about the history and philosophy behind one of China‘s most famous culinary traditions. Then, roll up your sleeves for a hands-on cooking class led by an expert chef. You’ll prepare classic Sichuan dishes such as mapo tofu, kung pao chicken, or dan dan noodles — and enjoy the delicious results at the end. Spicy, numbing, and full of flavor, this is Sichuan on a plate.

Day 4: Pandas, Tea & Mahjong: Chengdu’s Iconic Lifestyle

2h 30m · Admission ticket included

Visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, the world‘s most famous facility for panda conservation. As pandas are most active in the morning, you’ll arrive early to watch these adorable creatures eating, climbing, and playing in their natural enclosures. Your guide will share insights about panda behavior, breeding programs, and conservation efforts to protect this beloved species.
2h · Admission ticket included

Experience Chengdu‘s famous slow life at People’s Park, the city‘s oldest public park. Sit down at the iconic Heming Tea House for a cup of traditional Chinese tea — the perfect way to relax and watch daily life unfold around you. Then, learn the basics of mahjong, China’s most beloved table game, from your guide. Try your hand at this social pastime that has brought Chinese families and friends together for generations.

Day 5: Farewell to Chengdu — Departure

3h

Enjoy one last buffet breakfast at your hotel, featuring a mix of Chinese and Western dishes. After check-out, your private driver will escort you to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport or Tianfu International Airport. Your guide will assist with check-in and bid you farewell. You leave Chengdu with the taste of Sichuan spices, the memory of giant pandas, and the warmth of a city that knows how to enjoy life.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Chengdu Jinlong Hotel (Chengdu West Station Qingjiang West Road Metro Station Branch), No. 51 Qingjiang West Road, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China

End point

Chengdu Jinlong Hotel (Chengdu West Station Qingjiang West Road Metro Station Branch), No. 51 Qingjiang West Road, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China

Pickup details

Your driver and guide will meet you at the arrival hall of the airport or raliway station. The driver will be holding a sign with "Chango " and the lead traveler's name. For hotel pickups, the guide will meet you at the hotel lobby 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

Additional information

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.