Chengdu Tours

With its fascinating undercurrent of Tibetan influences and cuddly giant panda fame, Chengdu is popular with travelers of all ages. It’s why we’ve created such a wide selection of Chengdu tours catering to the diverse tastes and interests of visitors. We’re happy to say there’s something for everyone. Depending on your time and budget, choose from our Chengdu day tours or multi-day tours. You can also opt for one of our best China tours that include Chengdu, or a tour from Chengdu that includes other exciting destinations in China. Small group, private, and custom tours are available, and each includes many or all the city’s highlights.

• Leshan Giant Buddha– You could be forgiven for thinking everything is giant in Chengdu, but it’s not, although the Leshan giant Buddha might make you think twice. Like giant pandas, the Leshan Buddha inspires awe and wonder. At 71 meters high, the statue is a relic from the Tang dynasty, being built over a thousand years ago. It was carved out of a sandstone cliff face at the confluence of the Min and Dadu rivers. The statue faces Mount Emei, near the town of Leshan and continues to draw people to worship even today.

• Mount Emei – Soak up the breathtaking views from one of the four sacred Buddhist mountains in China at the western rim of the Sichuan Basin. A place of reverence for locals, Mount Emei is believed to be the place where enlightenment was attained by bodhisattva Samantabhadra and where Shaolin kung fu was first practised. If the views from Mount Emei are a guide, it’s not hard to see why it holds such significance. Add it to your Chengdu must-see bucket list.

• Wannian Monastery – Also known as Ten Thousand Year Temple, Wannian Monastery sits at the foot of Mount Emei. Here you can wonder at the foresights and engineering miracle of construction that has survived an incredible 18 earthquakes to leave the spectacle of five halls and statues regarded as a rare national treasure. Apart from that, enjoy the opportunity to reflect in quietude, just as buddhists still do today.

• Baoguo Temple– Yet another highlight at Mount Emei, Baoguo Temple is a Buddhist temple, believed to be the second oldest surviving wooden structure in southern China, with the main hall dating back to 1013. A place of quiet contemplation for monks, locals, and travelers alike.

• Chengdu Research Base of Giant Pandas – Nowhere else in the world can you gain such a complete appreciation of these amazing wonders of nature, giant pandas, and record your experience with them in photographs. See the breeding program, delivery room, and compelling baby pandas who will inevitably steal your heart, no matter how serious you are.

• Jinli Street – So much of what China has to offer is ancient and Jinli Street is no exception. While a drawcard for international visitors, it’s still possible to gain an insight to the commercial heritage behind Jinli Street. Operating in the same capacity for 2000 years, it is a testament to the vital role Jinli Street has played in preserving local culture and traditions. It’s the perfect place to experience and enjoy Sichuan food, tea, and bustling markets.

• Wangjiang Pavilion Park – Wonder at the architecture, history, and conservation to be found at Wangjiang Pavilion complex in the heart of Chengdu. The pavilion grounds hold a memorial to a beloved poet Xue Tao, established during the Tang dynasty. Bamboo gardens containing 150 different varieties are a tribute to Xue who loved bamboo, as well as a remarkable effort to conserve an important food source for the pandas.

When in Chengdu, be sure to check in with your local guide to discover how you can experience even more in this unique China destination. With our commitment to creating beautiful travel memories for every customer, we’ll curate a collective of experiences on our Chengdu tours that you’ll remember long after arriving back home.

• Savor food Sichuan-style – For an authentic culinary experience, brave the heat and share one of Chengdu’s fine hot pot dinners. Flavorsome and fun, hot pot is a wonderful way to meet the locals and eat as they do.

• Experience the drama of Chinese performance arts – Chengdu’s nightlife via Chinese opera exposes the full breadth of drama and passion with its gorgeously ornate costumes, make-up, and ear-piercing singing, but it doesn’t stop there. Marvel at the incredible skill, wit, and craftsmanship demonstrated through Bian Lian, China’s mask changing art form. As the definitive symbol of Sichuan opera, in Bian Lian, the masks and fans change from one face to another with virtually imperceptible movements. Experience it on a Chengdu tour with us.

• Celebrate the culture of tea – While tea is at the very heart and soul everywhere in China, it is argued by some that tea culture originated in Chengdu. This makes it the ideal place to take time and savor one – or many – flavors of tea. Visit a traditional tea house, meet connoisseurs, learn about leaves, sip slowly, and breathe deeply. Truly the perfect way to spend an afternoon in Chengdu.

• Get up close with pandas – Our Chengdu tours include time visiting giant pandas, however for an extra special panda experience, visit Dujiangyan Panda Base. By making a donation (check costs when booking your Chengdu tour with us), you can sit with these gorgeous animals, be photographed, and understand more about what makes them so lovable.

• Extend your tour – There are many options for extending your Chengdu tour. You can do so by spending more time in the city itself by adding on other cultural experiences, or capitalizing on Chengdu’s proximity to other stunning landmarks like Mount Qingcheng and Jiuzhaigou National Park.

Whether you’re after a private, custom, or small group tour, we’ll help create the kind of experience that stays with you for a lifetime.

One of the many benefits of a ChinaTours.com tour is the opportunity to experience a city through the eyes of a knowledgeable local guide. Of course, this applies in Chengdu too! We carefully select our guides, just as thoughtfully as we design our tours. Understanding how important an authentic experience is for our customers, we work with local people who love their city and have a genuine desire to build bridges of understanding between cultures. Reviews from our customers tell us we’re doing something right, especially when it comes to our guides. In fact, with hundreds of  reviews, many of them complimenting the professionalism of our travel consultant team and guides, we’re proud to say, we’re definitely helping create beautiful travel memories for people from all over the world.

In response to demand for luxury travel, we’ve taken the bold step of adding luxury tours  to our repertoire. Of course, Chengdu made the cut when it came to our selection of cities that showcase China’s best. Here’s just a taste of what’s in store.

For our luxury tour guests we offer our 24/7 Luxury Tour Advantage service. Providing attentive care every step of your journey, you’ll be escorted in style from the moment you arrive in Chengdu. A thoughtful selection of luxury tour accommodation is designed to relax and restore. Enjoy an exclusive suite at The Waldorf Astoria Chengdu; it’s the perfect sanctuary after a day’s exploration.

The more relaxed nature of our luxury itineraries allow ample time for visiting the city highlights that profile Chengdu’s very best in tea, culture, and nature, as well as time for unique, once in a lifetime experiences. A chance to immerse yourself in real China in understated style, our luxury tours are the perfect way to create beautiful travel memories with a difference.

While Chengdu is a big city, even by China’s standards, there is still a deep connection with nature to be found here. Of course, everyone loves the giant pandas, but don’t be fooled. There is far more than pandas in this exciting city.

• Jiuzhaigou National Park – Located in the north of Sichuan Province, Jiuzhaigou Scenic Spot is famous for its stunning natural beauty. Steeped in mythology and legend, Jiuzhaigou National Park is considered sacred by the local Tibetan and Qiang people and it’s easy to see why. Visit here and you’ll have the chance to take in the spectacular view of Nuorilang Waterfall and admire the Long Lake which is surrounded by rolling mountains and enjoys pure blue sky as background.

• Huanglong Scenic Spot – Revered for its stunning views of colorful ponds that are formed by calcite deposits, at Huanglong Scenic Spot you’ll also discover waterfalls, caves, snow-capped mountains, and valleys. It is now preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage site and plays an important role in providing a home to many endangered species, including the giant panda and golden snub-nosed monkey.

• Mount Qingcheng – As the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mount Qingcheng is also considered the birthplace of Chinese Taoism. Surrounded by vibrant lush green mountains and peaks, discover why it continues to be a place of contemplation and peace for locals.

Don’t let China’s big city bustle let you believe there aren’t beautiful natural landscapes to admire and appreciate. We’ll help you find and enjoy them on any of our Chengdu and best China tours. Just ask us.