chengdu park pavilion temple and lake

Chengdu Holidays

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Chengdu - the heart of Sichuan

Chengdu holidays are your gateway to the magical heart of Sichuan province – home to the much-loved giant panda. 

This magnificent destination has been voted the happiest city in China and is a truly enchanting part of this spellbinding country, combining rich cultural traditions with rare wildlife and delicious cuisine. 

Get close to those legendary pandas at the local conservation centre,  discover the secrets of fire breathing at the famous Sichuan Opera, or sample some of the best food in China at vibrant Jinli Street. 

You can also soak up the local heritage and learn about the history of Chengdu at its many temples – as well as those at nearby Mount Qingcheng.

Holidays to Chengdu provide some of the most inspirational travelling experiences you can imagine.

chengdu qintai road at night

Things to do in Chengdu

Holidays in Chengdu have much to offer. From enchanting, iconic wildlife to mouth-watering food and magical cultural traditions, your time here will be full of wonderful surprises.

chengdu china chinese pandas eating

Get up close to pandas

Around 85 per cent of China’s giant pandas live in the forests and mountains of Sichuan province.

The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, just outside the city, is the best place in the world to get within touching distance of these marvellous animals. 

Visit during the summer or autumn and you might even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of cute new-born cubs. Head to the on-site museum to find out more about the vital conservation efforts here too.

Where to stay in Chengdu

Close to nature

Giant pandas are a huge draw in Chengdu, with children and adults alike sure to fall in love with Sichuan’s most famous and delightful residents. 

A holiday to Chengdu might include a stay close to the famous panda sanctuary. 

One convenient option nearby is the Crowne Plaza Chengdu Panda Garden, just over a mile from the conservation centre – with a spa, several restaurants and both indoor and outdoor pools to relax in.

chengdu chinese panda eating bamboo
chendu anshun nightscape and river

The heart of the action 

Chengdu’s traditions and cuisine make for a rich cultural experience. Stay in the Jinjiang district and you’ll be perfectly placed for the museums and galleries of the wider city centre, as well as the opera houses and theatres in Jinjiang itself. 

The tasty delights of Tang Song Food Street are also close by – a must-visit for foodies on a Chengdu adventure.

You can also head out on dolphin tours and fishing trips. 

The lap of luxury

Chengdu has some wonderfully elegant and sophisticated hotel options – with a number of dazzling five-star stays available among the towering downtown skyscrapers. 

The Waldorf Astoria offers one of the finest luxury stays in the city. Guest rooms feature floor to ceiling glass windows, delivering incredible views of the surrounding area.

You can also enjoy a dip in the indoor pool or visit the on-site spa. 

chendu jin river night moonrise
chengdu night skyline

All you need to know about Chengdu

Local currency

Chinese currency is officially called the renminbi (CNY), but is widely known internationally as the ‘yuan’. ATMs are widely available in central Chengdu.

Getting around

Getting around in Chengdu is relatively simple as it has a metro system that is efficient and easy to use. There is also an extensive bus network.

Languages spoken

The official language of Chengdu is Mandarin. Some people in the city also speak a local Sichuanese Mandarin dialect. 

Public holidays

Public holidays in Chengdu include Chinese New Year, which lasts for a week, and Chinese National Day on 1 October.

More about Chengdu

Local cuisine

Sichuan cooking is world-renowned for its spicy, bold flavours – not to mention its richness and depth.

One of the eight major cuisines of China, it makes liberal use of chillies, garlic and Sichuan spices. 

Some of the most famous Chinese dishes and recipes originate from Sichuan, including kung pao chicken, dandan noodles, hot and sour noodles and soup, as well as mapo tofu.

Freshwater fish is common here, as is rabbit. Make sure you sample some of the delicious street food on offer to enjoy an authentic taste of Chengdu - while dining like the locals do.

chengdu chinese traditional kung pao
chengdu annual lantern festival

Culture

A city of long-held traditions, Chengdu is one of the most interesting and diverse cultural centres in China.

Sichuan opera has had a major influence on the country’s art and music, with Chengdu being particularly renowned for the quality of its performances.

During events such as Chinese New Year, the city also comes to life with bright lights, fireworks and beautiful lanterns. 

This is also a place of great literary heritage. Many notable poets and novelists lived here, including Li Jieren, Ba Jin and Hu Lanqi. 

The Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu spent some time in Chengdu, and you can even visit the quaint thatched cottage where he stayed around 1,300 years ago.

History and heritage

Chengdu is one of China’s oldest cities, with evidence showing there were inhabited settlements in the area more than 4,000 years ago. 

It was ultimately conquered by the Qin empire, with its resources helping the First Qin Emperor to bring various warring states together under his banner. 

Chengdu prospered during the Imperial era, becoming a commercial centre for fabric and later tobacco. It is also believed to have been the first place in the world to use paper money – and was briefly the Chinese capital prior to the Second World War. 

Today, the legacy of its long past can still be found in the historic temples and sites dotted around its streets.

chengdu dragon dish
chengdu sichuan province

Why we love Chengdu

“The giant pandas of Chengdu are almost too delightful for words, but they’re not all that the city has to offer. The food is simply incredible here. Try some traditional Sichaun dishes on Tang Song Food Street – especially if you’re fond of chillies.”

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