Sichuan

Chengdu Panda Base · Photo: Colegota · CC BY-SA 2.5 ES

Cities in Sichuan

3–4 daysChengdu成都Giant pandas, Sichuan hot pot and slow afternoons in teahouses.best Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov

Top sights

成都大熊猫繁育研究基地Chengdu Panda BaseThe famous giant panda breeding centre, where pandas are most active in the early morning.ChengduBooking required武侯祠Wuhou Shrine and Jinli StreetA temple to the Three Kingdoms heroes, next to a lantern-lit old-style snack street.ChengduBooking recommended宽窄巷子Kuanzhai AlleyThree restored Qing-era lanes of courtyard houses, teahouses and snack shops.Chengdu人民公园鹤鸣茶社People’s Park and Heming TeahouseChengdu life in one place: an open-air teahouse, dancing, mahjong and the marriage market.Chengdu文殊院Wenshu MonasteryA peaceful working Buddhist monastery with a famous vegetarian restaurant.Chengdu

Stories from Sichuan

Architecture and craftThe engineer who tamed a riverSome 2,300 years ago a Qin governor split the wild Min River in two without building a dam. His work still waters the Chengdu Plain.