Chengdu Holidays

What is there to do on a Chengdu Holiday?

Chengdu, the Sichuan capital, is the perfect introduction to China. As one of the country’s leading rice growing regions, the lush fields and verdant hillsides that surround the city frame its high-rise buildings beautifully. Just outside the city, nestled in the bamboo grove-covered hillsides, lies the Dujiangyan Panda Base which is the perfect place for animal lovers and curious explorers to take a dive into the lives of pandas. Shadow the keepers and even help clean out the pandas' cages and give them their dinner.

For a bit more adventure, don your boots and head up Mount Qingcheng. As the birthplace of Taoism (an ancient Chinese harmonious philosophy), there are lots of temples to explore all over the mountainsides. Its name translates to ‘mountain of green’ as its slopes are blanketed with evergreen forest all year round, making for spectacular hiking opportunities, but watch out as the humidity and height makes for tricky conditions, so exploring on foot here is not for the faint hearted. A gondola runs up and down the mountain for those who want to appreciate its beauty without the huffing and puffing.

For culinary connoisseurs, a courtyard cooking class with a professional chef in a local spice market is a great way to spend an afternoon. Navigate the market with a local guide and learn about local, seasonal ingredients that are used in everyday cuisine. The best part, of course, is sitting down and tucking into your delicious creations.