4 Days Sichuan: Giant pandas and Sichuan Cuisine
Sichuan is one of the largest provinces in China. Its capital Chengdu is famed as home of the cute giant pandas,
and is also UNESCO City of Gastronomy in recognition of its outstanding cuisine available
in high-end hotels as well at street hawkers’ stalls.
WHY THIS TOUR?
The 4 days/3 nights programme from Asian Trails China is both an entertaining and educational outing for all members of the family. Visit the Panda Reserve Base to observe these endangered animals at feeding time and at play, and learn ways taken to conserve them. Explore Chengdu with its monasteries, parks, tea houses and other attractions.
TRAIL ITINERARY
Day 1
ARRIVAL CHENGDU – CHENGDU [-/-/-]
Families will be warmly welcomed upon their arrival at Chengdu’s International Airport by our representative before guided to their air-conditioned vehicle. The comfortable ride from the airport to the city includes visiting some of Chengdu’s local landmarks before checking in at your booked hotel (depending on your arrival time).
The central park of Chengdu is beautifully landscaped with plenty of eye-catching activity and a few secluded areas of respite. While the lakes, rockeries, dense shrubs and stone bridges create a picturesque scene, probably the best part of People’s Park is the people. Playing cards or checkers, dancing, singing, playing music, imbibing at the teahouse or rowing on the lake, this park provides a perfect point for people watching.
The art of drinking and serving tea plays a major cultural role in China. It inspires poetry and songs, discussions and laughs. Mutual love of tea cements lifelong friendships. For centuries, the ritual of preparing and serving tea has held a special place in the hearts and minds of Chinese aristocracy, court officials, intellectuals and poets. Today, tea houses form the meeting point where all layers of society convene and sip some of Chinese finest examples. A visit to a tea house is stepping into one of China’s cultural foundations
No lunch included during this day
The day ends with a transfer from Chengdu to your booked accommodation. For the younger guests, the hotel has made special arrangements to welcome children of all ages with warm and grace. Alongside a welcome kit, their own kid’s passport, a special check-in counter is reserved where they will be warmly welcomed with a welcome drink and goodies. Wait until they check into their room as more surprises await before the unpacking commences.
No dinner is included on this day, on own arrangement
Overnight in Chengdu
Day 2
CHENGDU [B/L/-]
Breakfast is included at your hotel for the whole family
After breakfast, you English speaking guide will welcome you at your hotel lobby, ready to show you and your family around Chengdu. Lots of new impressions will pass the revue today, tailored to please all members of the family. We start the day with visiting Jinli Ancient Street, also known as Snack Street. Only 350 meters long, Jinli Street is a stage for life in Chengdu. You can taste the flavour of old Chengdu by seeing the age-old street, official and folk residences, teahouses, inns, wine bars, stages and handiwork; you can get a taste of authentic Chengdu flavour by trying local snacks and specialties. Expect to be fully enthralled by the glamour of the folk customs in Sichuan Province.
The Wenshu Temple is a great place to feel part of the Chengdu community. Situated nearby Jinli Ancient Street, the Buddhist temple is one of the city’s finest examples of 18th century architecture for spiritual purposes. During the day, there is always a local, relaxing buzz going around the temple’s tea garden which emanates the sounds and rhythms of this fast developing city.
Lunch is included at a local restaurant
A busy morning with lots of impressions deserves a moment of relaxation, and we’ve just found the perfect spot to do so. Chengdu Taikooli is a mixed-used development project in the heart of the city where shopping, residences and open-air public areas. The award-winning complex has many interesting buildings, each depicting the typical architectural style of modern and ancient China. From here, you will head back to your accommodation for a culinary experience, specially designed for children.
Food plays an important role in Chengdu and not taking up a cooking activity that suits the children as well as the parents is leaving out one of the more fun-filled activities in Chengdu. A hands-on cooking adventure – better call it a cooking party – welcomes young aspiring chefs to blend, mix and taste their own creations under the watchful eye of professionals inside your booked accommodation in Chengdu. A better ending of an eventful day cannot be found. At the end of this cooking festival, a new crew of promising master chefs is ready to try out their new skills upon your return back home.
No dinner included, on own arrangement
Overnight in Chengdu
Day 3
CHENGDU – PANDA RESEARCH CENTRE [B/-/-]
Breakfast is included at your hotel for the whole family
Seen as one of the cuddliest animals in the world, pandas have become a symbol of worldwide recognition that our planet and its wildlife are under a constant threat. The Chengdu Panda Research Base is recognized worldwide as a leading research centre for these black and white Chinese native. Founded in 1987, with six giant pandas rescued from the wild, the Panda Research Base provides an unique program and experience for its visitors so that they leave focused on giant panda and wildlife conservation. A guided tour along panda cubs, seeing them playfully interact with each other and learn about the measures taken to preserve the panda population are taken up in this morning excursion
No lunch is included, on own arrangement
It is time to leave the Panda Research Centre and head back to your Chengdu hotel to relax. From using the facilities of the hotel to further explore the city centre, the choice is all yours and for your family. Your guide can point out some unique and other family-friendly activities and sites when more exploratory travel is on your agenda.
No dinner included, on own arrangement
Overnight in Chengdu
Day 4
CHENGDU – DEPARTURE [B/-/-]
Breakfast is included at your hotel for the whole family
Matching breakfast with your scheduled departure time from your Chengdu hotel to our next destination will be something worth considering on the final day of this family adventure package. Following the hotel’s check-out times and conditions, our guide and driver will be waiting for you at the resort to bring you in comfort back to Chengdu International Airport or to the Chengdu train station.
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