Sichuan

Sichuan is a province in Southwestern China, occupying the Sichuan Basin and Tibetan Plateau—between the Jinsha River to the west, the Daba Mountains to the north, and the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau to the south. Its capital city is Chengdu, and its population stands at 83 million. Sichuan neighbors Qinghai and Gansu to the north, Shaanxi and Chongqing to the east, Guizhou and Yunnan to the south, and Tibet to the west. During antiquity, Sichuan was home to the kingdoms of Ba and Shu until their incorporation by the Qin. During the Three Kingdoms era (220–280), Liu Bei's state of Shu was based in Sichuan. The area was devastated in the 17th century by Zhang Xianzhong's rebellion and the area's subsequent Manchu conquest, but recovered to become one of China's most productive areas by the 19th century. During World War II, Chongqing served as the temporary capital of the Republic of China, and was heavily bombed. It was one of the last mainland areas captured by the People's Liberation Army during the Chinese Civil War, and was divided into four parts from 1949 to 1952, with Chongqing restored two years later. It suffered gravely during the Great Chinese Famine (1959–1961) but remained China's most-populous province until Chongqing was again separated from it in 1997. The Sichuanese people speak distinctive dialects of Mandarin Chinese. The Sichuan pepper, with its distinctive flavor and numbing effect, is prominent in modern Sichuan cuisine, featuring dishes, including Kung Pao chicken and mapo tofu, that have become staples of Chinese cuisine around the world. There are many panda stations in the province and large reserves for these creatures, such as the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Sichuan is the 6th-largest provincial economy of China, the largest in Western China, and the second-largest among inland provinces after Henan. As of 2021, its nominal GDP was CN¥5,385 billion (US$847.68 billion), ahead of that of Turkey ($815 billion). If it were its own country, Sichuan would be the 18th-largest economy and 19th-most populous as of 2021.

One-Day Sichuan Tour Itinerary Recommendations

Theme:

Land of Abundance + Spicy Flavors + Panda Paradise

Suitable for:

Short trips to Chengdu/Leshan/Dujiangyan, optimal with metro + high-speed rail/scenic shuttle

Practical Tips

Tickets:

Panda Base ¥55 | Leshan cruise ¥70 | Dujiangyan ¥80

Food Secrets:

Chengdu: Zhong Dumplings, egg pancakes

Leshan: Tofu pudding, Xiba tofu

Dujiangyan: Rabbit heads, palm chicken

Transport Notes:

Panda Base opens 7:30am (arrive by 6:30am for entry)

15-min taxi from Leshan high-speed railway Station to scenic area

Optimization Tips:

Chengdu alternative: Wuhou Shrine (Three Kingdoms fans must-visit)

Short Leshan trip? Skip Wuyou Temple for Buddha + food focus

Enhance Dujiangyan with "Taoist Dujiangyan" live show

(Note: All routes feature Sichuan's iconic pandas - don't forget your camera!)

Option 1:

Chengdu Panda Culture

Best for:

Families, animal lovers

Transport:

Metro Line 3 + scenic shuttle

07:30-09:30 Chengdu Panda Base

Head straight to Moon Delivery Room for cubs | Best feeding activity before 9am

10:00-12:00 Jinli Ancient Street

Three Kingdoms-themed lane | Sugar painting/shadow puppet Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience

12:30-14:00 Sichuan Cuisine Lunch

Recommended: Chen Mapo Tofu (spicy tofu + couple's lung slices)

14:30-17:00 Jinsha Site Museum

Gold mask + Sunbird artifact | Immersive light exhibition

18:00 Kuanzhai Alley Nightscape

Face-changing show | Buy Zhangfei Beef souvenirs

Option 2:

Leshan Giant Buddha & Food

Best for:

History buffs, foodies

Transport:

1-hour high-speed rail from Chengdu East Station

08:00-10:30 Leshan Giant Buddha

Cruise for full view (20min) OR hike Nine-Turn Cliff path

11:00-12:30 Jiadingfang Food Street

Must-try trio: Stewed beef in soup + sweet-skin duck + ice jelly

13:00-15:00 Wuyou Temple + Mahao Cliff Tombs

Han Dynasty carvings | Seek "Oriental Mona Lisa" smile

15:30-18:00 Zhanggongqiao Night Market

Boneless chicken in pot + fried skewers | Night cruise to see sleeping Buddha outline

Option 3:

Dujiangyan-Qingcheng Mountain

Best for:

Nature seekers, wellness lovers

Transport:

30-min intercity train from Xipu Station

07:30-10:00 Dujiangyan Irrigation System

Fish Mouth + Flying Sand Weir + Bottle-Neck Channel (ancient engineering marvel)

10:30-12:30 Qingcheng Front Mountain

Taoism birthplace | Tianshi Cave + Shangqing Palace (cable car up/walk down)

12:30-14:00 Taoist Wellness Meal

Qingcheng Jia (ginkgo chicken soup + cave-aged wine)

14:30-17:00 Guanxian Ancient Town

Blue Tears at South Bridge | Giant "Selfie Panda" sculpture

18:00 Return to Chengdu

Optional: Night session at Sunac Water World (summer only)