Chengdu accommodation from AU$108

Chengdu attractions cover a lot of ground, from history to some stunning scenery provided by midland China, but there is one place that is a must-visit, especially for lovers of nature and cuddly, adorable animals. The Chengdu Panda Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is the largest facility of its kind in the world and has gone from having six pandas in 1987 to 83 in 2008. The enclosures let you have a much closer view than most other facilities and you can even hold a panda cub for an extra fee. The base is located northeast of the city and if you go in the morning you’ll see the pandas at their most active.

Those looking for more nature will find it in abundance both in and outside the city. You can take daytrips to see the waterfalls, wooded landscape and historic architecture of Mount Qingcheng and Qingchengshan-Dujiangyan National Park 40 kilometres to the northwest, or spend a couple of hours in Huan Huaxi Park in the city centre.

From afar, Chengdu has a modern skyline of high-rise buildings, but at the street level you’ll see that this hides some very impressive monuments and buildings that are stunning remnants of a history that stretches back to 311 BC. Sites like Qingyang Temple and Wenshu Yuan Monastery are home to a peaceful atmosphere in this already laid-back city, helping them become more a part of the cityscape than historical attractions found in other destinations. There is also the Anshun Bridge, which resembles historical architecture despite being built in 2003. It is a beautiful, multi-tiered structure that crosses the Jin River and houses a popular restaurant on its upper veranda.

Food is something of a specialty in Chengdu. It lives up to its role as the capital of the Sichuan province, with the area’s spicy cuisine found well-prepared and almost everywhere you look. Everything enjoys at least a sprinkle of Sichuan pepper, from the famous hotpot – in which you cook all sorts of meats, vegetables and other ingredients – to snacks. If you’re keen for other cuisine, there’s everything from Thai food to pizza to fill you up.

So wot are you waiting for? Take those first steps into inner China with a city that has more than you could ask for. Check our flights to Chengdu and book your Chengdu accommodation!