Explore China
Famous for pandas and Sichuan cuisine
Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, is one of China's most relaxed and liveable cities. It is best known as the home of the giant panda — the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding allows visitors to observe these beloved animals in a naturalistic setting, often just metres away from playful cubs.
The city is the undisputed capital of Sichuan cuisine, one of China's Eight Great Culinary Traditions. Famous for its bold use of chilli and Sichuan peppercorn — which creates a unique numbing-spicy sensation — the local food ranges from fiery hotpot to the more subtle flavours of kung pao chicken and mapo tofu. Chengdu was designated a UNESCO City of Gastronomy in 2010.
Chengdu's teahouse culture is central to daily life. Locals gather in bamboo-shaded teahouses to sip jasmine tea, play mahjong, and watch traditional Sichuan opera performances featuring the mesmerising art of face-changing (bianlian). The city also serves as a gateway to spectacular scenery, including the Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei.
Best time to visit: March to June or September to November to avoid summer heat and winter chill
A 17-day journey through China's greatest imperial and cultural treasures — from Beijing's Forbidden City and the Great Wall to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, a Yangtze River Three Gorges cruise, and the dazzling skyline of Shanghai.
NZD $9,999
The ultimate 27-day China experience — from the Great Wall and Forbidden City to a Yangtze River cruise, giant pandas in Chengdu, the Li River in Guilin, classical gardens of Suzhou, West Lake in Hangzhou, and vibrant Shanghai.
From NZD $10,899
Discover China's most breathtaking natural landscapes across 16 days — from Shanghai's urban charm to the karst peaks of Guilin, the pandas of Chengdu, the ancient riverside beauty of Fenghuang, and the dramatic "Avatar" mountains of Zhangjiajie.
From NZD $7,670
This stopover showcases Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, known as 'The Land of Abundance'. Explore the region's natural heritage and cultural attractions.
From NZD $1,359
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