Chengdu

The story: Opened in 1987, this 100-hectare research base has grown from six rescued pandas to a population of over 200 — the most successful panda breeding program on earth, and the model for panda conservation worldwide. Red pandas roam the same park, and the base has also released captive pandas successfully into the wild.

Why it's a must-see: Nowhere else gives you this access to giant pandas: you can watch them munch bamboo, climb trees and (in breeding season) cuddle their cubs, just meters away. The 8am feeding time is when they're most active — by 10am most are asleep and the tour buses have arrived.

💡 Kat's tip: Arrive at 7:30am opening and head straight to the Moonlight Nursery to see the cubs. Allow 3 hours. It's 20 minutes by taxi or metro Line 3 (Panda Avenue station) + shuttle. Entry 55 RMB.

The story: Wuhou Shrine was built in 223 AD to honor Zhuge Liang, the legendary strategist of the Three Kingdoms era, and Liu Bei, the Shu Han emperor — the only temple in China housing both a ruler and his minister. Next door, Jinli Street re-creates the old Shu kingdom's marketplace: lanterns, snack stalls, folk crafts, and nightly Sichuan opera with face-changing performances.

Why it's a must-see: This is the most atmospheric introduction to Sichuan's history and culture in one stop: a 1,800-year-old story told through temples, teahouses and street theater. The face-changing (bianlian) opera performers who swap masks in a blink are a genuine art form you'll see nowhere else.

💡 Kat's tip: Visit Wuhou Shrine in the afternoon (50 RMB), then walk into Jinli as the sun sets — the lanterns make it magical. Catch the opera/face-changing show inside Jinli (from 60 RMB) in the evening.

The story: Hotpot began as a working-class dish in Chongqing's docks and became Sichuan's culinary religion. The broth is a deep-red cauldron of chili, Sichuan peppercorns and dozens of spices, bubbling over a gas flame while you cook your own meat, vegetables and noodles. The numbing 'ma' of the peppercorn is what makes it addictive — and uniquely Sichuan.

Why it's a must-see: A Chengdu hotpot dinner is not a meal, it's a ceremony: the boiling pot, the dipping sauces, the cold beer, the hours of conversation. It's the definitive way to taste Sichuan food culture — and the spice level is adjustable, so don't be scared.

💡 Kat's tip: Order the 'yuanyang' (鸳鸯) pot — half spicy, half mild — if you're nervous. Go with locals if you can; they'll order the good stuff (tripe, pig brain, lotus root). Book ahead for dinner, especially on weekends.

The story: People's Park has been Chengdu's living room since 1911. Its centerpiece is the Heming Teahouse (鹤鸣茶社), founded in 1923 — one of the oldest teahouses in China — where locals sit for hours over a 15–30 RMB pot of tea, reading, gossiping, playing mahjong and getting ear-cleaned by wandering barbers with silver tools.

Why it's a must-see: This is the real Chengdu lifestyle, preserved in a public park: an entire city that has perfected the art of doing nothing in public. Watch the old men play chess, listen to the tea-water hawkers, get an ear massage — it's the cheapest, most authentic cultural experience in China.

💡 Kat's tip: Pay for your tea (¥15–30, jasmine or green), find a bamboo chair, and stay as long as you like — nobody rushes you. The ear-cleaning service (采耳) is 30–60 RMB and a surreal, wonderful experience. Afternoon is liveliest.

The story: These three parallel alleys — Kuan (Wide), Zhai (Narrow) and Jing (Well) — preserve the courtyard houses (siheyuan) of Qing-dynasty Chengdu. Restored in 2008, they now mix traditional teahouses and puppet shows with designer shops, craft beer bars and Sichuan snacks, all under the city's best-preserved old roofs.

Why it's a must-see: It's Chengdu in miniature: ancient lanes, modern energy, and a perfect spot to taste the city's snacks in one walk. The side courtyards hide some of Chengdu's loveliest teahouses and courtyard restaurants, far quieter than the main alleys.

💡 Kat's tip: Come in the late afternoon for golden light on the grey-brick lanes, then stay for dinner and drinks. Free entry. Try the 'san da pao' (三大炮) dessert — glutinous rice balls with a theatrical bounce.