A crucial commercial and economic hub for many centuries, Chengdu is an ancient city that dates back to Neolithic times. Throughout the centuries, Chengdu has weathered foreign invasions and natural disasters alike, including the Mongol invasions, World War II, and of course, the recent 2008 earthquake.
Today, Chengdu is a pleasant, sprawling city, voted one of the most livable in all of China as well as one of the best places to invest in. Chengdu is a university town and is home to a large, thriving community of students and intellectuals. Perhaps its most famous residents are the adorable giant pandas, who live in various preserves just outside the city.
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Stroll along the tree-lined Chun Xi Lu Boulevard, whose tea cafés, boutiques and restaurants are popular with students of nearby universities.
Visit the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding and Research Center and meet privately with the scientists responsible for developing the center’s advanced panda reproduction program, which has produced more than 46 cubs in 11 litters over the past ten years. Explore the grounds and have your photo taken with baby and adult pandas.
Jiuzhaigou, or the Valley of the Nine Villages, is a land of expansive, polychrome lakes, thickly forested hills, and gentle valleys. Named for the nine Tibetan villages within the area, Jiuzhaigou’s signature feature may well be its lakes, tinted a surreal shade of aquamarine. In recent years, Jiuzhaigou was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A little over two hours away from Chengdu is the Leshan Giant Buddha. Carved out of a stone cliff face, the Buddha is situated in Leshan at the juncture of three rivers: the Min, Qingyi, and Dadu Rivers. Carving began in the Tang Dynasty in 713 and ended in 803 AD, a monumental 90-year effort that resulted in a 233-foot (71 meter) high Buddha. His hair is comprised of 1,021 separate buns that form an elegant coif.
The Qingyang Taoist Temple is considered the birthplace of Lao Zi, the founder of Taoism. As the day winds down, relax in the tea pavilion’s bamboo chairs, sip fragrant jasmine pearl tea, and observe a fast-paced game of mah jong.
Visit the Shu Xiu Fang embroidery workshop where you learn from artisans who craft Sichuan’s legendary textiles, renowned for fine needlework, elegant colors, graceful lines, and their design in the style of traditional Chinese paintings.
Enjoy a private culinary lesson from a master chef in how to cook and prepare local Sichuanese delicacies.
See an abridged Sichuan Opera at the Wuhou Temple, where performances are held in the traditional courtyard setting with tea service. Different from Western (or even Peking) Opera, this local style is distinguished by elaborate acrobatic stunts, sharp wit, lively characters, and audience participation. Afterwards, meet with the performers and catch a glimpse of the usually off-limits backstage area and dressing rooms.
Visit Wenshu Monastery, an exquisite architectural site. Dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), it is one of the most active Buddhist centers in China; its sculptured roofs, colonnades, reflecting ponds and ornate, crimson buildings are a fine and increasingly rare example of classical Chinese architecture.
Afterwards, enjoy a Sichuan style lunch at the temple’s vegetarian restaurant.
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Get a real feel for China on this luxury 10-day tour that whisks you through Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, and Shanghai. Stay at some of the country’s most prestigious hotels while taking in key sights, from the Temple of Heaven, to the Great Wall of China, to the Terracotta Warriors, Yu Gardens, and more.
Explore China’s most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Sites in style, staying at four iconic Aman properties and traveling by private jet for a seamless experience.
Journey through China’s most picturesque landscapes on this exciting 13-day luxury journey. You’ll hike through the stunning Yellow Mountain and Jiuzhaigou National Park, tour Tibetan villages of the Zharu Valley, and play with Pandas in Chengdu, while staying at luxury hotels like Amanfayun or Banyan Tree.
Marvel at Sichuan, China’s incredible history and natural beauty on this 8-day luxury tour that voyages through Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou, and Mt Emei. Get a taste for the area’s past at sites like Huanglong and the Giant Buddha of Leshan, while also checking out the Chengdu Panda Base and the Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic Area.
Experience the splendor and fun of Tibet’s iconic horse festivals. You’ll travel to rustic lodgings in Xining, Yushu, Serxu, Derge, Xinlong, Litang, Danba, and Chengdu, as you check out key sites like the Great Monastery of Kumbum, Yellow River, Serxu Monastery, and the Yajiang Valley.
A branch of the Hilton Worldwide hotel and resort brand, the Waldolf-Astoria Chengdu provides world-class comforts in the rising economic power located 1000 miles west of China's capital. With a cultural heritage spanning 2,300 years, Chengdu is home to such relics of an older time as Wenshu Monastery and Jinli Market Street as well as modern marvels like the New Century Global Center. The Waldorf Astoria Chengdu itself is anchored in the center of the Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone, close to the Shuangliu International Airport. Its guest rooms’ floor-to-ceiling windows perfectly frame scenes of this modern corridor of Chengdu while their interiors are expertly decorated with Chinese aesthetics. Further views of the citycan be enjoyed from each of the six restaurants and lounges while guests will find an indoor pool and 24-hour fitness center on the 48th floor. The hotel ideally caters to both business and pleasure trip with elegant meeting rooms and a world-class spa. Personal concierges ensure each guest is allotted a unique and unforgettable experience.
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Also unforgettable was our experience driving through Beijing in an old fashioned motorcycle side car followed by lunch with a local family in their traditional hutong house.
