Chengdu

Located in Southwest China, Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan province. Chengdu is more than 2000 years old, and was already known as the political, economic, and cultural centre of western Sichuan by 400 B.C. With its lush green spaces, Chengdu was recently considered China’s fourth most livable city, a good recommendation on a China vacation.

A fertile land, Chengdu sits on a flat plain surrounded by various mountains, some of which are home to giant pandas. Located 10km north of Chengdu is the Giant Panda Breeding and Research Center. Designed to imitate their natural habitat, the centre provides the best environment for rearing and breeding pandas and is one of Chengdu’s major tourist attractions on China tours.

Historically, Chengdu has been home to some of China’s literary giants, including Du Fu, a noted Tang Dynasty poet, whose life has been honoured with memorial buildings and relics lining the river bank.

While the city centre is being developed with new, modern buildings, to help support Chengdu’s growing manufacturing and commercial industry, Chengdu has retained its historic feel in its outer districts and is considered a somewhat laidback city.

With its many temples, historic towns, teahouses, and annual festivals, Chengdu is an ideal place to relax and enjoy this culturally rich metropolis on tours to China.