Sichuan Travel Guide – The “Land of Abundance” with Sichuan Cuisine and Giant Pandas
Sichuan in southwestern China is one of the largest provinces in the country. It is known for being the “Land of Abundance” because of its rich resources. It has five natural and cultural World Heritage Sites, the most in China. This Sichuan travel guide will take you through these world-renowned sites, plus many more wonders of this beautiful land, including its famous Sichuan cuisine.
Sichuan has a well-developed system of transportation, borders many other provinces including the Tibet, Chongqing, Yunnan, Gansu, Qinghai, Shaanxi, and Guizhou. Its landform, location, and size make it an ideal destination for your China tour to see mountains, valley, the majestic Yangtze River, all of which have nourished diverse and unique wildlife like the giant panda.
Chinese: 四川 sì chuān
Location: Southwest China
Population (urban area): 840,000,000
Why Travel to Sichuan?
- Home of the Giant Pandas: Sichuan’s climate and natural environment have nourished China’s most well-loved animals, the giant pandas. You can see them in their natural habitat or at the conservation and research facilities.
- World-Renowned Sichuan Cuisine: Sichuan food is one of the eight prominent culinary styles of China known for its spices. Get a taste of Sichuan will grant you a better understanding of the region, their relationship with the land and their lifestyle.
- Stunning and Diverse Natural Scenery: Sichuan has been one of the most popular destinations for hikers, photographers, and nature lovers. Popular destinations include Jiuzhaigou, Mount Emei, and the Leshan Giant Buddha.
- Cultural and Historical Wonders: Sichuan is also known for a long and rich history. On your trip to Sichuan, see the 2,000-year-old Dujiangyan Irrigation System and Tibetan mountain villages of Danba.
- The Laid-Back Lifestyle of Chengdu: Chengdu as an international metropolitan is unique in that its residents have a very laid-back lifestyle. They love to relax at the city’s teahouses and have fun nightlives.
Top Travel Destinations in Sichuan
Leshan
Leshan is home to two of the “Most Desirable Attractions in China,” Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei. Only 2 hours away by car, it is a popular destination for day trips from Chengdu.
Huanglong
Huanglong National Park is best known for its colorful travertine lakes and ponds among the valleys. The lake water appears to be of various colors due to geological evolution over thousands of years.
Top Things to Do in Sichuan
See the Adorable Giant Pandas
Seeing the adorable giant pandas is on the list for almost everyone traveling to Sichuan. There are a few options in terms of where you can go to see them, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Wolong Panda Base, Ya’an Bifengxia Panda Base, Dujiangyan Panda Base, and Dujiangyan Panda Valley.
You may observe the pandas in their natural habitat, learn more about them and the efforts made to preserve them. If you’re interested, you may even volunteer to work for the research center on your panda tour.
Marvel at Dujiangyan Irrigation System
Some would argue that your Chengdu tour would not be complete without spending a day or two in Dujiangyan and witnessing Dujiangyan Irrigation System. About 48 km (30 miles) from Chengdu, Dujiangyan has the oldest existing large-scale water project in the world, with a history of over 2,000 years. It has been critical in flood control and irrigation to Chengdu Plain throughout history.
And while you’re in Dujiangyan, make sure you visit Mount Qingcheng, a birthplace of Taoism in China. It is renowned for its serene beauty, ancient Taoist temples, and its spirituality.
Recommended Dujiangyan Tours:
Hike the “Oriental Alps”: Mount Siguniang
Mount Siguniang is known as the “Queen of Sichuan Mountains” and the “Oriental Alps” for its stunning scenery. In total, there are 52 peaks at over 5,000 meters (16,404 feet), valleys, alpine meadows, lakes, and forests. Mount Siguniang has attracted many experienced hikers from all over the world to travel to Sichuan.
Siguniang means four girls, each representing a famous mountain. There are also three valleys, Shuangqiao Valley, Changping Valley, and Haizi Valley. The tallest Yaomeifeng is 6,232 meters (20,446 feet) tall.
Recommended Mount Siguniang Tour:
Indulge in Sichuan Cuisine
Your Sichuan impression would not be complete without tasting its world-famous foods. Sichuan cooking is characterized by spiciness and numbing sensations, or “mala” in Chinese. The most famous dishes, like mapo tofu, dan dan noodles, kung pao chicken, boiled beef, and hotpot, all include frequent use of chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, and chili oil.
When you travel to Sichuan, you can taste different local flavors of different parts of the province. If you want a typical Sichuan cuisine experience, go on a Chengdu food tour to both traditional and gourmet restaurants.
Top Recommended Sichuan Tours
- 3 Days Chengdu Family Tour with Panda Volunteering & Cooking Class
- 4 Days Chengdu Tour with Giant Panda and Leshan Giant Buddha
- 5 Days Chengdu Private Tour Including Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou
- 7 Days Chengdu Natural Exploration Tour with Mt. Emei & Jiuzhaigou
- 14 Days China Tour with Panda Volunteer Experience and Tibet
Sichuan Weather & Best Time to Visit
With Sichuan being a large province with varied topography, you want to make sure to check the weather before you travel to a region. Generally, the eastern part, including the Sichuan Basin, tends to have mild winters, hot summers, and a lot of rainfall. While the western region, with its mountains, plateaus, and higher altitudes, has colder winters, cooler summers, and less precipitation.
Generally, spring and autumn are the best seasons for your Sichuan tour. In spring, you’ll see blooming flowers and flowing streams in the mountains. And in autumn, you’ll see colorful foliage with cooler temperature.
How to Get to & around Sichuan
How to Get to Sichuan
By air
The easiest way to get to Sichuan is by air. There are multiple airports across different regions with connections to major domestic and international cities. Major ones include Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, Mianyang Nanjiao Airport, Nanchong Gaoping Airport, and Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport. Sichuan has a few airlines of its own which make it well-connected with the rest of China.
By train
For those who prefer a train ride, there’re bullet trains to many parts of Sichuan from cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Chongqing, and Kunming. Although a train ride may take longer, the views along the way might just be an unforgettable part of your Sichuan trip.
How to Travel around Sichuan
As attractions can be far apart in Sichuan, and there are many hidden gems to be discovered in mountains or villages, the best way to travel around Sichuan is by hiring a private car with a driver who knows his way around and the local road conditions. It’ll save you a lot of time and help you avoid any hassles along the way.
Public transportation, including buses, trains, and flights, are common in major cities. But they can sometimes be crowded, slow, or limited in remote areas. You might end up spending a lot of time on the road and not be able to be as flexible as you wish.
