Best Places to Visit in Sichuan

Sichuan, the birthplace of giant panda, is located in the southwestern China. Besides giant panda here, it boasts the most attractive natural scenic place Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong. TopChinaTravel would like to introduce some of the Best Places to visit in Sichuan, to help you find your way to get close touch with the giant panda as well as unique scenery here. Where to visit in Sichuan? Travel with us, we would like to be your guide and accompany with you to find the most charming things and culture in Sichuan.

 

Panda Base, Chengdu

Panda Base in Chengdu, full name Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, is popular with travelers who love giant panda. With a distance of 25km away from Chengdu city, this huge institution replicates the natural habitat of the giant panda and is dedicated to preserving and increasing their population so they will not become extinct. You are able to get real close-up to some pandas and photograph them as well as the so-called lesser red pandas which really look and act like raccoons.

One of the biggest attractions is the panda breeding center where you can watch the baby pandas through glass in their playpens. You are not allowed to photograph the baby pandas, as the flash can hurt their eyes. It is a popular place for family tour as well as tour with kids. The lovely pandas will immediately loved by not only kids but also adults.

 

Sanxingdui Museum, Chengdu

If you plan to dig about the history of Sichuan, Sanxingdui Museum will be an ideal place for you to visit. This museum is based on the ruins of the ancient Shu state’s capital which was prosperous in 4,000 years ago.

 

As one of the greatest museums in China, Sanxingdui site covers an area of 120,000 square meters. In 1986, a great number of relics were brought to lights, among which six pieces are evaluated as national treasures, representing the best of the art of copper in China.

 

The discovery of Sanxingdui predates 2,000 years of Sichuan's history and proves that the upper reaches of the Yangtze and the Yellow River region are the cradle of the Chinese civilization. The Sanxindui is recognized as one of world's most important ancient remains because of its vast size, age and cultural contents.

 

Jinli Old Street, Chengdu

Jinli Old Street was originally a commercial street mainly selling brocades in Qin Dynasty, Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms Period.

Chengdu Jinli Old Street was set up and opened for public in 2004. Walking in this street, historic lanes, old official residences, vernacular dwelling, inns and shops will bring you back to the ancient China.

 

The elegant style of the architectures tells you what Sichuan looks like during the ancient time. Sichuan Culture is inlayed in this ancient street.

 

Jiuzhaigou Valley, Jiuzhaigou County

No need too many worlds to introduce, Jiuzhaigou Valley has been enjoyed international fame for decades of years. The colorful lakes, the unique mountainous structures, the unique minority culture here are combined harmoniously.

 

Upon entering the resort, you will find yourself strolling in a fairyland, leaving behind nothing but earthly troubles and vexations. It is a world of water, the clearest in the world. Water brings Jiuzhai Valley its most enchanting views, which is the soul of the place. Whether you are met with serene lakes or plunging waterfalls, you will enjoy yourself so much among the charming sights as to linger on with no thoughts for home.

 

Huanglong National Park, Jiuzhaigou County

With the same international fame of Jiuzhaigou Valley, Huanglong Park is another best place to visit in Sichuan. Huanglong, a World Natural Heritage site, touching Jiuzhaigou, is also famous for its colorful ponds, snowy mountains, deep valleys, and dense forest. Between 3,145 and 3,578 meters above sea level at the foot of Xuebaoding, the main peak of Mt. Minshan, lies a 3.6-km-long calcified hill, resembling a giant golden dragon galloping among the virgin forest, and this is how the mountain was named. More than 3,400 ponds, varied in color and shape, picture the most spectacular view in the world, known as the Jasper Lake Under Heaven.

 

Huanglong is also home to many endangered species including the Giant Panda and the Sichuan Golden Snub-nosed Monkey. Huanglong's beauty is beyond mere words, you need see it in person to truly appreciate this 'Fairy Land on Earth'.

 

Mount Emei, Sichuan

Mount Emei, a holy mountain in Sichuan with its cultural connotation and extremely beautiful scenery, is 3,099 meters above sea level. Since ancient times,

 

Mt. Emei has been famous for its natural landscape and Buddhism and Taoism. The main scenic spots on the mountain include Baoguo Temple, Wannian Temple, Fohu Temple, Qingyin Pavilion, Heilongjiang Tunnel, Hongchun Platform, Xianfeng Temple, Jiulao Cave, and Xixiang Pond. These places are at different altitudes with different temperatures. Usually, the temperature at the top of mountain is 15 ℃ lower than at the foot.

 

Leshan Giant Buddha, Leshan City

Reputed as the tallest stone Buddha statue in the world, Leshan Giant Buddha had been listed as one of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage in 1996. The grand scene of this Buddha makes every traveler impressive and unforgettable.

The stone sitting sculpture faces the sacred Mt. Emei, with the rivers flowing below his feet. Construction on the Giant Buddha began in 713 A.D. It was the idea of a Chinese monk named Haitong, who hoped that the Buddha would calm the turbulent waters that plagued the shipping vessels travelling down the river. The rock and mud excavated from the mountain exposing the Buddha filled up the riverbed, creating a more favorable flow of water. Consequently the river did become calmer.

 

Hailuogou Scenic Area, Garze

Located at the lowest altitude spot around in Asia, Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park is an integrative scenic area consisting of modern oceanic glacier, complete virgin forest, as well as boiling, hot, and cold springs.

 

Situated in Moxi Town at southwest Luding County, Garze, Sichuan Province, at the east hillside of Mt. Gongga-the highest among the mountains in Sichuan, this Hailuogou valley is 30.7km long, covering an area of 220 square km. it is 290km away from Chengdu, 76km away from Kangding, and 52km away from Luding County. Hailuogou is an important part of the national level Mt. Gongga scenic spot. And it is also a national level natural reserves, national glacier forest park, national AAAA class tour resort, and national geologic park.