Things to do in Chengdu, Sichuan: The Best Cultural Tours

April 21, 2022 Milan Banda

Perched in a high mountain valley, Huanglong or Yellow Dragon National Park offers invigorating adventure options. The ambitious can trek to Lhasa, whitewater raft or embark on multi-day river journeys. Alternatively, a five-mile trot brings you to five terraced, temple pools glowing with stunning hues.
Restaurants in Chengdu

1. One Day Giant Panda Leisure Private Tour in Chengdu

Top China Travel
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

This private day tour in Chengdu will bring you in to the world of the giant pandas and learn how they live and grow. You will also have chance to experience local culture by walking around People’s Park and enjoy a cup of tea. Stroll along Wide and Narrow Alley is a perfect way to end the tour.

Inclusions: Chinese lunch at local restaurant, Local English speaking guide, Hotel/port pickup and drop-off (centrally located hotel in Chengdu), Private transfers during the tour

Exclusions: Hotel accommodation, Meals, Personal expenses, Personal travel insurance, Any services not mentioned in the itinerary, Gratuities

Reviewed By Elizabeth G

This tour is good if you have a short time in Beijing and want to tick these three off in a fairly 'hands-off' tour style. We were taken to a pearl shop and chinese medicine school but were in no way pressured to buy anything (and the foot massage was lovely - worth the 5 cny for sure)

2. Private One Day Chengdu Panda Tour and Chengdu City visiting

Xi'an Private One-day Tour Guide Anna
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, is a city you never want to leave once you arrive. Reputed as a very “laid-back” city, it is so large and diverse abounding with options. You could visit the giant pandas, and support the efforts towards ensuring the survival of Chengdu iconic but endangered species. Or, you could take in other historic legacies, like Jinli Old Street, Wenshu Temple, Three Kingdoms-era Wuhou Temple, the more recent Ming-Qing neighborhoods of the Kuan-Zhai Alley, or the ancient and still-operational Dujiangyan Irrigation System.

Inclusions: Professional guide, Hotel/port pickup and drop-off, Lunch, Entrance Fee

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By veronicacF8473KW

It is a must see. It requires walking and to be able to climb stairs. It is wonderful as the weather is also cooler this time of year. The Ming Tombs were also pretty awesome.

3. Half-day Private Mahjong course in Local Tea House

Zhangjia Alley, Jinniu District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China Chilli Cool China
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5.0 based on 5 reviews

During this 3 hours mahjong course, you’ll be taken into an authentic local spice market to explore it and learn different species of Sichuan spices and ingredients that will be used in the Sichuan cuisine. After that, you’ll go to a cozy room with Chinese characteristics and learn how to play the famous traditional Chinese game, mahjong, with a English speaking guide. You’ll learn rules in an easy way and then test your mastery degree with a local tea. If you want to test your intelligence, you can not miss mahjong when you visit Chengdu.

Inclusions: Afternoon tea, Bottled water, Food tasting, Professional guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Snacks, Coffee and/or Tea

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By Darujack

My friend David and I decided to take this class on the recommendation of a friend, and we were not disappointed. Our tour started with a jaunt through the local market. The knowledgeable and lovely Ocean the low-down on all the local ingredients and how they are used in Sichuan cuisine. My favorite part was learning about the “pigs-anus” vegetable, that despite the name, actually tastes good. For the second part of the tour we went and cooked three dishes guided by a real chef. This was my favorite part of the afternoon, as we cut, roasted, and mixed, I really felt like I learned how to make a few of my favorite Sichuan dishes. This experience is highly recommended for anyone who is heading to Chengdu, and wants to learn how the amazing cuisine here gets made. - David and David.

4. 16-Day Small-Group Tour: Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, Chengdu, Chongqing, Yangtze River Cruise and Shanghai

Travel China Guide
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5.0 based on 5 reviews

This small group trip is a perfect combination of popular tourist destinations in China. You can explore rich historical and cultural heritages in Beijing and Xi'an, by visiting the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Army and many other attractions. Continue to appreciate charming natural scenery in Guilin, observe the lovely pandas in Chengdu, relax during the 5-star Yangtze River Cruise and experience dynamic metropolitan life of Shanghai.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Dinner, Lunch, Lunch, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Breakfast, Lunch, Breakfast, 15 nights hotel/ cruise ship accommodation based on twin-sharing room, One way Economy-class airfare from Beijing to Xi'an, Xi'an to Guilin and Guilin to Chengdu. , One way First-class seat of High-speed Train Fare from Yichang to Shanghai, One way soft seat train from Chengdu to Chongqing, Two bottled water per person per day, Professional guide & experienced driver, Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Gratuities, China visa fees, International airfare, Airport drop-off service in Shanghai on Day 16, Single room supplement for solo guest is compulsive and is available on request.

Reviewed By 283brianneb

Really great experience! Our guide Rocky was really knowledgeable and took some amazing photos for our group. This tour made our trip stress free, leaving us to enjoy the beautiful views.

5. Zigong Dinosaur Museum& Salt Industry History Museum&Sichuan's best teahouse

Sichuan Adventure
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Zigong is an amazingly beautiful and unique city known as the hometown of dinosaurs and capital of salt. During this one day trip, you will explore Zigong Dinosaur Museum to learn about this ancient creature that once ruled the world. While Zigong’s Salt Industry History Museum is a perfect place for you to learn about the long history of China’s salt industry as well as appreciate the beauty of the exquisite architectures and sculptures. Another highlight is the visit of its unusual riverside Wangye Temple Teahouse, which is considered by BBC as the best teahouse in Sichuan. Furthermore, Zigong’s delicious local food has often been one important reason for travellers want to come to the city.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, We will arrange lunch for you in a local restaurant for you to try some authentic local dishes., English-speaking tour guide service, Entrance tickets to Zigong Dinosaur Museum and Salt Industry History Museum, Drinking a cup of tea at Wangye Temple Teahouse, which is considered as the best teahouse in Sichuan

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Reviewed By mathengrary

It was really a amazing to ride Chengdu countryside. I had a wonderful time out of the city. Loved the village kids waving their hands, running beside us, some asked us to take photos with them. The senior people were really friendly too. Thnaks Leo, Greenie and Sichuan Adventure Team.

6. Western Sichuan- Chengdu, Daocheng Yading

YAT Travel
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Daocheng Yading Scenic Area not only has magnificent and sacred snow mountains, but also vast meadows, colorful forests and clear blue lake. Almost all the most beautiful things in the snow plateau are gathered here, all of which make people linger and forget. Like the local devout Tibetans, walking around the mountains is the best way to experience the scenery of Daocheng Yading.

Inclusions: Accommodation as per itinerary, Bottled water, Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner), Professional guide, Port pickup and drop-off, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)

Reviewed By Elena_gltan

I have travelled with YAT Travel since 2018 and the places that I went with them are North-East China, Harbin, Heilongjiang, Guizhou, West Sichuan and the most recent one that I went is the Silk Road and North Xinjiang. All together they were 3 long tours, all covering more than 20 days in each trip. I find this travel agency reliable and they deliver what were promised in the itineraries. They guides that were assigned to us are passionate and responsible in their duties..namely Zach and Jason whom I have the privilege to meet. Both of them went all the way out to make sure their guests are comfortable and well taken care of. If not for the pandemic the whole world is facing now, I would have gone with YAT for my fourth trip and that is to Yunnan Photography Tour in March this year. When the trip was cancelled due to the pandemic our deposits were promptly refunded by the company to our much relieved. If you plan to see China as a traveller and not seeing the usual touristy stuff which is often jam packed and very commercialised I would highly recommend YAT Travel. They will bring you to see the real interesting China and not forgetting to mention the delicious local food they bring to.

7. Leshan Giant Buddha Day Tour

Chengdu, Sichuan, China Panda China Go
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Our driver has many years of experience in receiving foreign tourists, and has prepared a written description of the Leshan Giant Buddha in the car to ensure that you can complete the entire tour smoothly, and there is no guide to save you a part of the cost.

Inclusions: Fuel surcharge, Bottled water, Driver, Private transportation

Exclusions: Gratuities, Tourist guide, Tickets

Reviewed By 123pordiego

If you are looking to have an incredible trip ask for Wu Cheng. He is very professional and give his 100% to help you in anything you need. He was all the time nice and very flexible with the time and the places you want to visit. I strongly recommend this tour and to him. About the Buddah, please consider weather conditions and the fact that you have to go downstairs and upstairs. It worth it, but will require some physic condition to get it.

8. Dujiangyan Irrigation and Mt.Qingcheng 1 day tour (all inclusive)

Private Guide Aline - Day Tour
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built over 2000 years ago and still in use today , Dujiangyan Irrigation makes Chengdu plain as one of the most fertile place in China , not only the engineering is interesting , but also the scenery is beautiful .

Inclusions: local nice restaurant with fresh and beautiful food, Air-conditioned vehicle, Bottled water

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By ghml04

Our large group of 17 family and friends enjoyed our 2 week Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou, Ermei, Leshan trip with Aline very much. Aline planned the itinerary well with highlights being the newly opened Jiuzhaigou/Huanglong areas (super wow), Emei/Leshan and Chengdu city areas. She even took us to the less known Bifengxia zoo where we are able to feed lions, tigers, bears up close and observe the panda in really close range. Aline is extremely dedicated. Before the trip, I mentioned that Singapore does not allow fireworks, and Aline brought along some impressive fireworks for us to set off. That's something the kids (and even adults!) enjoyed very much for the first time! Its an unique experience for us Singaporeans. She also went out of her way to help the group. When we needed bubble wrap to hand carry some fragile items, she ordered it from the Chinese websites and arranged for it to be delivered to the hotel the next day. She also helped us order several things from Chinese websites which saved us a lot of hassle. Of course Aline was completely professional in the usual tour guide duties : flexibly amending the schedule to tailor to weather and our preferences, taking care of the group, recommending food choices etc. She is a very committed tour guide and goes out of the way to meet our needs. We had a great trip and would not hesitate to recommend her to friends who is going to Chengdu!

9. Half-Day Chengdu Courtyard Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit

Renmin Middle Road 3rd Section, Ren Min Zhong Lu San Duan, Qingyang Qu, Chengdu Shi, Sichuan Sheng, China Chilli Cool China
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5.0 based on 240 reviews

During this 4-5 hours unique cooking workshop, you’ll be taken into an authentic local spice market to explore it with fun challenges to complete and learn different species of Sichuan spices and ingredients that will be used in the following cooking class. The class will be carried out in a traditional Sichuan style courtyard. You’ll be treated with Sichuan local tea as it’s local’s custom to treat friends and visitors. After that, you then will be guide to start the cooking process by a professional chef in a cozy kitchen. Finally, you can enjoy the dishes made by yourself along with some beers or beverages. For it’s really informative, interesting and fun, this class will be an unforgettable experience in your lifetime.

Inclusions: English speaking guide, Market tour, Food ingredients, Afternoon tea, Beverages/beer, Light refreshments, Food tasting, Lunch or dinner based on your class schedule, Recipes

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By Spiffytee

We did the half day Chendu Back Alley Foodie tour. Lance was our guide and he was very knowledgeable about different foods, bringing us to spice market, tea house and wrapping it up with the best hotpot ever. I would highly recommend any activity he is in charge of, as he knows his stuff. He a really funny guy and was very patient with us, especially because one of us was moving along slowly. Sorry for the late review, buddy!

10. All-Inclusive Private Day Tour of World Heritage Sites: Mount Qingcheng and Dujiangyan

Westchinago
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4.9 based on 18 reviews

Visit two world cultural heritage sites - Dujiangyan and Mount Qingcheng in one day. Dujiangyan and Mount Qingcheng were the inspiration for the Dream Works team to create the Panda Village in Kungfu Panda 3. Your experienced guide will take you to explore ancient Taoist temples with winding paths, verdant trees and mossy green roofs in Mount Qingcheng as well as the jade colored streams and ancient architecture of Dujiangyan. A tasty local lunch, entrance fees, cable car/Eco Golf Car fare, private guide and transfer service are all inclusive.  

Inclusions: Lunch at a local restaurant, English-speaking guide, Free hotel pickup and drop-off within 3rd ring road, Private transportation according to itinerary, Round-trip cable car at Mt. Qingcheng, Round-trip eco golf car at Mt. Qingcheng

Exclusions: Personal expenses, Gratuities, Dinner

Reviewed By 688AnnieB

Fi-Fi was amazing and so fun! My teenagers loved her! We would not have managed to fit everything into one day, or have figured out the transportation on our own. The arrangements were smooth and painless. Our guide and drivers were on time and very knowledgable. We were at the panda base early and managed to spend almost an hour alone with one panda who showed off for us. Fi-Fi managed to navigate us to the best spots at the park and we were out of here before it got too busy. The Leshan Buddha was awe inspiring, but I enjoyed the train trip seeing some chinese country side even more.

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