Welcome to Chengdu, the gateway to the largest population of giant pandas! Once your flight lands at the airport, your local guide will greet and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for leisure.

No tour of Chengdu is complete without seeing the giant pandas. These delightful black-and-white creatures are typically most active in the early morning, so plan to arrive at the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base around 8:30 a.m. to witness them climbing trees, munching on bamboo, and frolicking on the grass.

After lunch, you will visit the Sanxingdui Museum, which offers a unique glimpse into ancient Chinese history through a remarkable collection of unearthed relics, including striking bronze sculptures, intricate gold artifacts, exquisite pottery, and beautiful jade pieces from 4,500 years ago. The 2.62-meter-tall standing statue, the 1.38-meter-wide bronze mask, and the 3.95-meter-high bronze tree are unmissable.

Optional: A Sichuan Opera performance in the evening is recommended. You’ll be captivated by the incredible face-changing technique, where performers swiftly transform their masks to convey different emotions and characters.

In the morning, take a 2-hour drive to see the awe-inspiring Leshan Giant Buddha, the largest and tallest stone Buddha statue in the world. Carved into a cliff over 1,200 years ago, this 71-meter-tall statue is a must-see marvel of ancient art and engineering. You can climb to the top for a closer look at its impressive details or enjoy a relaxing boat cruise to take in its majestic grandeur from a peaceful vantage point.

After your unforgettable visit to Leshan, we’ll take you back to Chengdu.

After lunch, explore the unique themed exhibitions at the comprehensive and lively Chengdu Museum, featuring varied bronzes and potteries, as well as lively scenes of local life in the old days presented through delicate miniatures and AR videos. Conclude your tour at the People’s Park, where you can see the locals singing and dancing, exercising, drinking tea, and playing Mahjong at the century-old teahouses.

Some say that “Chengdu is a city soaked in the teapot”, and today you’ll have the chance to experience why. Enjoy a leisurely day at a tranquil tea plantation about 100 km out of downtown, where you can savor the fresh breeze, learn about tea leaf picking and processing, and enjoy a delightful, pollution-free lunch.

Later, visit the Guanyin Temple to admire its stunning murals from the Ming Dynasty, around 550 years old. Afterward, we’ll drive you back to the city for the evening.

After breakfast, join in a cooking tour that begins at a dazzling spice market. From there, stroll through the backstreets to a traditional Sichuan courtyard, where your cooking class will take place. Upon arrival, savor a cup of authentic Sichuan Gaiwan tea and immerse yourself in the rich tea culture. Next, follow a professional chef to learn how to prepare classic Sichuan dishes, which you will enjoy for lunch as a delicious reward for your efforts.

In the afternoon, explore the informative Chengdu Museum and then unwind at People’s Park, where you can sip tea and relax just like the locals do.

This morning is yours to enjoy until your local guide escorts you to the airport for your flight to your next destination.