Sichuan: Spice, Pandas & Peaks

Your essential guide to China’s most diverse province. Explore detailed itineraries for the Leshan Giant Buddha, hunt for the best hot pot, and navigate the Tibetan borderlands.

Thousands of small, brightly colored triangular flags strung across a clear blue sky. The flags are arranged in vibrant swirling patterns of white, blue, yellow, red, pink, and black, forming a dense, decorative canopy.

A Guide to Sichuan's Off-the-Beaten-Path Tibetan Towns

Most travelers land in Chengdu, say hello to a panda, eat a hotpot, and fly home. They miss the reality [...]

A wooden table is set with a traditional Chinese teapot, teacups, and a multi-compartment tray holding various small dishes like dumplings, rice noodles, and a ground meat dish. A bamboo steamer with steamed buns and sticky rice, along with a plate of appetizers and pastries, completes the meal. The scene is outdoors, overlooking a tranquil lake with colorful paddle boats and lush green trees in the background.

Sichuan Teahouse Culture You Can Experience: From Chengdu to Zigong

You haven't truly arrived in Sichuan until you’ve lost an afternoon staring at a lake, listening to the rhythmic clacking [...]

The breathtaking turquoise waters of Five Flower Lake in Jiuzhaigou National Park, China, show submerged tree branches covered in moss. The crystal-clear water reflects the vibrant blue sky with scattered white clouds. The lake is surrounded by a dense forest on steep mountainsides, displaying a mix of evergreen pines and deciduous trees with autumn foliage in shades of orange and yellow. A wooden boardwalk with tourists walking along it is visible on the left bank, and snow-capped mountains rise in the distance under a bright sunny sky.

Jiuzhaigou or Huanglong? How to Choose and Plan Your Sichuan Fairyland Trip

Sichuan Province is home to two of the most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage sites in China: Jiuzhaigou Valley and Huanglong [...]

An aerial view of the majestic Leshan Giant Buddha, carved into a vibrant red sandstone cliff face. The colossal statue features a serene expression with closed eyes, a gentle smile, and dark, tightly coiled hair-like features, with a red urna on its forehead. Lush green trees partially obscure the lower portion of the statue, while a paved walkway with a red railing is visible in the upper left, alongside the moss-covered, layered rock of the cliff. This iconic Buddhist site is a major attraction near Chengdu, Sichuan, China.

Day Trips from Chengdu: Leshan, Emeishan and 5 Underrated Alternatives

Chengdu is famous for its laid-back teahouse culture and the adorable residents of the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. However, [...]