CAPTIVATING CHENGDU


Located in the geographical centre of China, Chengdu brims with cultural sites, historical architecture and delicious Sichuan cuisine. It’s a city full of history and character, whether that’s taking a trip to the renowned Sichuan opera, visiting its temples or sampling an authentic hotpot


MARVEL AT THE GIANT PANDAS Sichuan Province is home to 80% of the country’s wild panda population and a trip to its capital city of Chengdu would not be complete without a visit to the world-famous Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Here, visitors can observe the giant pandas up close in their outdoor environment. The sanctuary is


also home to a number of red pandas and has celebrated more than 100 panda births since it opened in 1987.


CATCH THE ‘CHANGING FACES’ SICHUAN OPERA The ancient art of Bian Lian, or ‘face changing’, is a dramatic subgenre of Sichuan opera. This performance really is what it says it is. Performers make dramatic movements to music


and change from one bold and colourful face mask to another in the blink of an eye. Take a trip to watch it for yourself at the Shu Feng Ya Yun Sichuan Opera. It really is something you have to see to believe.


EXPLORE THE REGION’S ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES Chengdu, like many Chinese cities, boasts an extensive ancient history. Visitors


can explore the Jinsha archaeological site, only discovered in 2001, which dates back to the Shu period around 1,000BC. Or take a trip two hours south of the city to visit the famous Leshan Giant Buddha, the largest stone Buddha statue in the world. At 71 metres tall, the statue is carved out of the cliff of Xijiao Hill. And northwest of Chengdu lies Mount Qingcheng, one of the birthplaces of Taoism. Visitors can climb to one of the mountain’s many peaks, stopping at temples and shrines along the way.


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