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Sichuan Travel

Sichuan Travel Guide

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Sichuan, short for Chuan or Shu, is located in Southwest of China with two geographically distinct parts. The eastern part is mostly within the fertile Sichuan basin and the western Sichuan is the numerous mountain ranges forming the easternmost part of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It borders the Tibet Autonomous Region to the west, Chongqing to the east, Yunnan to the south, Gansu to the north, Qinghai to the northwest, Shaanxi to the northeast and Guizhou to the southeast.

Called the Land of Abundance, the vast Sichuan has beautiful nature scenery as well as profound culture. Besides, it is the province with the most natural and cultural World Heritage Sites in China, altogether five at present, including Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic Area, Huanglong Scenic Area, Dujiangyan Irrigation System with Mount Qingcheng, Mount Emei Scenic Area with Leshan Giant Buddha, Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries.

No matter you want to dig in-depth into the amazing sites within Sichuan or travel outside to Tibet, Yunnan, Gansu, Qinghai and Chongqing, you can fulfill your dream today! Discover with local based China Discovery now!

Why Visit Sichuan Province:

  • Hometown of Giant Pandas. Many travelers come to Sichuan for the adorable giant pandas where you can see it in Chengdu, Dujiangyan, Ya’an and Wolong. At present, Dujiangyan Panda Base is the only place to do panda volunteer program that travelers can have close contact with panda up close and personal, take care of the lovely creatures and even hug in your arms.
  • Gorgeous Natural Scenery & Colors of Nature. Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong are the best painting presenting the best color used by the Mother Nature. Visiting Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong is a feast of vision. Wild forests, flowers, lakes changes colors in different season – grey in spring, green in summer, golden in autumn, white in winter.
  • Ancient Shu Lost Civilization. Before the discoveries of Sanxingdui and Jinsha Site, most people believed Sichuan played more as a constituent part in China history than an independent local civilization. But after research on the cultivated relics, archaeologist has indicated that the cultural existence of Sanxingdui and Jinsha were quite different from those typical civilization in northern or center ancient China, such as Xia Dynasty, Shang Dynasty.
  • Three Kingdom Culture. Three Kingdoms Culture is one of the most exciting parts of China history which is full of stories. Sichuan, known as Yi State in ancient time, is the stronghold or the base of Shu Han Bloc of which the leaders are Liu Bei, Zhu Geliang, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, etc.
  • Holy Land for Buddhism. Sichuan Buddhism has a long history since Han Dynasty and the temple in Sichuan reached more than ten thousand in history. Mount Emei is one of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains in China which is regarded as the Bodhimanda, or place of enlightenment, of the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra.
  • Birthplace of Taoism. For those who are interested in Taoism, travelers should explore the origin in the birthplace of Taoism – Mount Heming and know more sect and architectural building in Mount Qingcheng and have a bite of the legendary story about Laozi in Qingyang Palace.
  • Leisure Life..Sichuan is known for its leisure culture and slow-paced life which can be vividly experienced in Chengdu. No matter how quick the city develops and how fast-paced the locals move, the consistent relaxing and calm way of life resonates throughout every aspect of Chengdu.
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Top Travel Destinations in Sichuan

Chengdu is the capital city of Sichuan which is regarded as the no.1 destination to be visited. Besides Chengdu, there are some other destinations in Sichuan well worth your visit. Transfer to the following destinations, like Chengdu (2~3 days), Jiuzhaigou (3~4 days), Leshan (1 day), Emeishan (2 days), and Dujiangyan (1~2 days), etc. Discover now!

Popular Attractions in Sichuan

Sichuan is a wonderful province with a mind-whirring number of places to explore and part of which makes travel to Sichuan so addictive. Nature, culture, adventure, or a mix of all the three - no matter what your passion is, you will be able to indulge in somewhere in Sichuan. For more attractions info, please see all Attractions in Sichuan.

Chengdu Panda Base
Chengdu Panda Base

Take half day to have closely contact with Giant Pandas and Red Pandas to see them playing, eating bamboos, sleeping, climbing trees...

Jinli Old Street
Jinli Old Street

Closed to Wuhou Memorial Temple, Jinli Old Street is known as “First Street of the Shu Kingdom”. Great for strolling, photo and snack tasting.

Jiuzhaigou Valley
Jiuzhaigou Valley

Jiuzhaigou Valley is famous for its colorful crystal lakes, layered waterfalls, authentic Tibetan villages, towering peaks, virgin forests and more, makes it like a fairyland ...

Huanglong Valley
Huanglong Valley

Huanglong Valley is a 7.5 kilometers long, 1.5 kilometers wide gentle-slope valley. Vast yellow travertine landforms exist in the valley, and look like a yellow dragon ...

Leshan Giant Buddha
Leshan Giant Buddha

Leshan Giant Buddha is the largest stone Buddha in the world with 71m high rock Buddha carving from a cliff. Sitting in the confluence of three main rivers of Sichuan, it’s the symbol of Leshan City.

Mount Emei
Mount Emei

Mount Emei is a famous Buddhist mountain in China. The whole mountain has 28 temples, besides that, the stunning scenery on the mountain also attracts numerous tourists.

Dujiangyan Irrigation System
Dujiangyan Irrigation System

Dujiangyan Irrigation System was built two thousand years ago, and it’s the representative of Dujiangyan City. It makes a great contribution to the abundance of Chengdu.

Dujiangyan Panda Base
Dujiangyan Panda Base

For panda lovers, Dujiangyan Panda Base is a great place to go. Tourists can participate the Panda Volunteer Program here to learn more about pandas through experiencing the keepers’ daily work.

Mount Qingcheng
Mount Qingcheng

Mount Qingcheng is a very tranquil mountain and it’s one of the famous Taoism mountains in China. Aged Taoism temples sitting in the serene forest, just like in paradise.

Jianmenguan Pass
Jianmenguan Pass

Jianmen Pass is called the No.1 Impregnable Pass in the world for its magnificence and danger, showing Shu Road Culture, Three Kingdom Culture, Warfare Culture.

Langzhong Ancient City
Langzhong Ancient City

With the theory of the “unity of heaven and man”, Langzhong Ancient City is one of the "Four Ancient Cities in China" and enjoys multiple places of interests, like Zhang Fei Temple and so on.

Shunan Bamboo Forest
Shunan Bamboo Forest

It is the oldest and largest bamboo forest in China which covers 120 square kilometers. It features the beauty of natural bamboo, limpid lake, winding path as well as numerous streams and waterfalls.

Xiling Snow Mountain
Xiling Snow Mountain

Xiling Snow Mountain, is a great place both to get close to the purest natural beauty and to experience the excitement of skiing sports in this Ski Wonderland.

Yading Nature Reserve
Yading Nature Reserve

Found by Joseph Rock and is widely praised as “The Last Pure Land on Earth” with idyllic paradise-like Shangri-La world with 3 holy snow peaks, stunning lakes…

Mount Siguniang
Mount Siguniang

Reputed as “Oriental Alps” and Queen of Sichuan Mountains” , Siguniang Mountain has 52 snow mounatins, steep valleys, meadows and alpine lakes showing breathtaking beauty and charm.

Hailuogou Glacier Park
Hailuogou Glacier Park

The national only ice glacier park to discover magnificent transparent blue and green glacier and admire dense alpine forest, golden snow mountain view, red rocks…

Mount Gongga
Mount Gongga

This holy mountain is reputed as “King of Mountains in Sichuan” with the provincial highest altitude reaching 7,556 meters with fascinating snow and alpine sceneries….

Xinduqiao
Xinduqiao

Praised as “Paradise for Photography” with very poetic countryside view of villages, grassland, yaks & horses, etc. dyed by charming lights and seasonal colors…

Tagong Grassland
Tagong Grassland

Garze's most famous grassland with picturesque sceneries of endless alpine flowery grassland, dotted Tibetan dwelling houses, temples, surrounding snow peaks…

Jiaju Tibetan Village
Jiaju Tibetan Village

Praised China’s No.1 Beautiful Village to see hundreds of exquisite white dwelling houses in typical Gyarong Tibetan styles dotted among enchanting emerald forest…

Wolong Giant Panda Sanctuary
Wolong Giant Panda Sanctuary

The biggest nature server with the largest number of rare animals (Giant Panda, Leopard...) and plants, the third national nature reserve in China.

Taoping Qiang Village
Taoping Qiang Village

Taoping Qiang Village is the best place to appreciate the authentic watchtowers, the undisturbed Qiang village, embroidery, music, dance, pure life and rich culture of Qiang people.

Zoige Grassland
Zoige Grassland

Zoige Grassland, or Ruoergai Grassland is a vast prairie with marshes, wetlands, valleys, hills around Zoige County, where you can experience the local nomads’ lifestyle!

Bipenggou Valley
Bipenggou Valley

Bipenggou Valley is an original ecological scenic area combining primitive natural landscape, favorable ecological environment as well as various outdoor entertaining activities.

Dagu Glacier
Dagu Glacier

Enclosed by the snow-capped mountains and primitive forests, Dagu Glacier is located by Heishui River, with abundant natural resources and elusive wildlife.

Langmusi
Langmusi

angmusi is a small town divided by a river into Sichuan and Gansu part. Nicknamed as "Little Oriental Switzerland", it has vast grassland and lush forests.

Dege Parkhang Sutra-Printing House
Dege Parkhang Sutra-Printing House

Called Dege Yinjing Yuan in Chinese, it is a star attraction where you can have a sight of an ongoing printing process with a method of traditional woodblock printing.

Sertar Larung Gar Buddhist Academy
Sertar Larung Gar Buddhist Academy

It is the largest Tibetan Buddhist institute in the world with more than 20 thousand monks and nuns and thousands of red wood houses built on the hill.

 

Featured Activities in Sichuan

You have already known Sichuan is a Land of Abundance, but, do you know how to explore to the fullest in each destination? We have seven different activities for different travelers. No matter what kind of travelers you are (panda fan, foodies, culture lovers, photographers, good hikers, students or children, Buddhists or Taoists), we’ve got a tour that’ll fit you just right. For more things to do info, please see all Activities in Sichuan.

Panda Visit & Volunteer
Panda Visit & Volunteer

Several kinds of panda tours take you to visit Panda Bases in Chengdu, Dujiangyan, Bifengxia and Wolong to see the lovely pandas, feed them or even join volunteer program to take care of them.

Sichuan Food & Gourmet Tours
Food & Gourmet Tours

You will receive an insider’s view of Sichuan cuisine history and culture, explore different sites related to delicacy, do cooking class to get ultimate food experience and let all of your senses come alive.

Sichuan Cultural Travel
History & Culture

Sichuan has created unique culture with about 5,000 years' history from the ancient Sanxingdui Civilization, Jinsha Civilization to later Shu State as part of central government.

Sichuan Photography Travel
Photography Travel

We are so proud of our homeland Sichuan having a lot of sites and destinations which are ideal for photography no matter you are interesting in the landscape, people, culture, customs or history.

Hiking & Walking
Hiking & Walking

We have created some valuable hiking adventures quite different from those mediocre trails which put yourself into crowding of tourists, or some places where you can hardly find something to eat and stay.

Students & Children Travel
Students & Children Travel

Traveling as students or family with kids in Sichuan is a great idea, which is educational and entertaining. Because Sichuan has unique cultures, pleasant sceneries, gluttonous food as well as the Giant Panda.

Buddhism & Taoism Travels
Buddhism & Taoism Travels

We have tours for Buddhists who yearns for a true pilgrimage journey to the holy Buddhist mountains and sacred temples, also trips for Taoist who seeks for harmony trip between human and nature.

 

Weather & Places to Go for Each Season

To have a clear idea about Sichuan climate and weather, travelers should first know the geography and topography about Sichuan Province. It generally can be divided into three parts and the climate is highly variable. Eastern Part is Sichuan Basin and main tourist cities include Chengdu, Leshan, Ya’an, Guangyuan, Zigong, Yibin, Mianyang, Deyang, etc. It mainly experiences a subtropical monsoon climate with long, warm to hot, humid summers and short, mild to cool, dry and cloudy winters, with China's lowest sunshine totals. Western Part is for mountains and plateaus and the main tourist destinations include Jiuzhaigou Valley, Huanglong Valley, Daocheng Yading Scenic Area, Wolong Nature Reserve, Mount Siguniang, First Bend of Yellow River, etc. The western areas have a mountainous climate characterized by very cold winters and mild summers, with plentiful sunshine. Southern Part is also for mountains with a sunny, subtropical climate with very mild winters and hot summers. The main tourist destinations include Panzhihua, Xichang, Lugu Lake, etc. Learn more about Sichuan Weather >>

 

Sichuan Travel Maps

We have collected some useful Sichuan maps including Sichuan Province MapSichuan Tourist Maps and so on to help you have a better understanding about Sichuan and plan a Sichuan tour easily. For more maps, please check 2024 Overall and Detailed Sichuan Maps.

Sichuan Attractions Map

Sichuan Province Map

Sichuan Attractions Map

Sichuan Attractions Map

Scenic Spot around Chengdu Map

Chengdu Leshan Emeishan Travel Map

 

2024 Speical Theme Tours for Sichuan Travel

1
1 Day Dujiangyan Panda Volunteer Tour
(full day volunteer experience in Dujiangyan Panda Base)
2
1 Day Panda Visit & Leshan Giant Buddha Tour
(adorable pandas + largest stone Buddha)
3
2 Days Chengdu Gourmet Tour with Cooking Class
(taste typical Sichuan food and cook your own dishes)
4
2 Days Chengdu & Sanxingdui Museum Tour
(Explore China's Lost Civilization)
5
3 Days Taoism Tour in Sichuan
(Chengdu / Dujiangyan / Dayi / Chengdu)
6
4 Days Ancient Three Kingdom History Tour
(Chengdu / Jianmenguan / Langzhong)
7
4 Days Daocheng Yading Hiking Tour
(Chengdu / Daocheng / Yading)
8
6 Days Hongyuan & Ruoergai Photography Tour
(Chengdu / Huanglong / Jiuzhaigou / Ruoergai / Langmusi / Tangke / Hongyuan)

 

Sichuan China Map

Chinese Name: 四川

Chinese Pinyin: sì chuān

English IPA: /'si:tʃwɑ:n/

Capital: Chengdu

Population: 81.40 million

Language: Mandarin, Sichuan Dialect, Tibetan, Yi & Qiang

Climate: Subtropical Monsoon Climate

Area: 48600000 Hectare

Rivers: Yangtze River, Minjiang River, Tuojiang River, Yellow River

Mountains: Mount Emei, Mount Qingcheng, Xiling Snow Mountain, Mount Siguniang, Mount Qongga...

Highest Point: Mount Qongga (7556m)

Time Zone: (UTC+8)

Plan your Sichuan Tour

Different travelers come to Sichuan for different reasons and many of them usually do 2~5 days trip by visiting Chengdu as well as Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei, OR Jiuzhaigou Valley and Huanglong National Park, OR Dujiangyan Irrigation System and Mount Qingcheng, etc. that you can pick your favored tours from our classic and popular Sichuan tour packages. If you have your own travel style, like hiking, photography, cultural exploration, you’ll get a tour from our Sichuan themed tours.

Top Sichuan Tours

Chubby Giant Panda at Chengdu Panda Base
2 Days Leisure Chengdu Private Tour with Panda Visit

Chengdu: Jinli Street, Giant Panda Base, Wenshu Temple

Our dear client visited Wenshu Monastery like local
3 Days Chengdu Highlights Tour plus Leshan Giant Buddha

Chengdu: Chengdu Panda Base, Leshan Giant Buddha, Jinli Street

Look up at Leshan Giant Buddha from its foot stage
4 Days Classic Leshan Buddha & Mount Emei Tour from Chengdu

Chengdu / Leshan / Mt. Emei / Chengdu

Dujiangyan Panda Volunteer Experience
6 Days Leshan, Mount Emei & Panda Volunteer Tour

Chengdu / Leshan / Emei / Chengdu / Dujiangyan / Chengdu

The multi-faced golden statue (48m) of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva at Golden Summit
7 Days Sichuan Discovery Tour

Chengdu / Leshan / Emei / Chengdu / Jiuzhaigou

Baopingkou
3 Days Chengdu, Mount Qingcheng & Dujiangyan Tour

Chengdu / Dujiangyan / Chengdu

Xinduqiao Scenic Driving Road in Autumn
7 Days Western Sichuan Small Loop Tour

Chengdu / Dujiangyan / Mount Siguniang / Danba / Tagong / Xinduqiao / Hailuogou / Chengdu

Five-flower Lake in Rize Valley
5 Days Chengdu Jiuzhaigou Comfortable Tour

Chengdu / Huanglong / Jiuzhaigou

MORE

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