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Normally it takes one or two full days to explore the popular attractions in Chengdu. Top of the list comes the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where you can get really close to the adorable pandas. Besides, the Jinsha Site Museum, Sanxindui Museum, Dujiangyan Irrigation System, Wide and Narrow Alleys, as well as Jinli Street are the places most tourists choose to visit.

For those who are interested in Buddhist culture or natural scenery, you can take a Leshan and Mt. Emei tour, or a Jiuzhaigou trip. In this case, two or three more days are necessary. Any of the above sites are worth to be included in your Chengdu tours.

Home to Giant Pandas, Chengdu is for sure the best city to see the pandas. Here you can not only see them, but also take care of them as a panda keeper. There are four panda bases in Chengdu, each with its own characteristics and advantages. You may check the below table for a simple comparison and choose the one that suits you best.

A volunteer's work starts with cleaning the pandas' enclosure. This entails sorting out their waste leftovers, excrement and taking notes for records at the same time. Afterwards, it's time to prepare the panda's meal by slicing bamboos into smaller pieces for easier ingestion. Since pandas usually eat a lot each day, you need to prepare quite a large amount. Later, you prepare snacks including apples, carrots or steamed buns for them. You will do all these tasks with the help of the keeper.

If you want to hold a panda and take photos with it, you will have to join the base's donation program, and the amount is about CNY 1,800 to 2,000 per person in cash. Besides, an advance reservation is needed for this program since only 20 visitors are allowed do so each day.

Yes, Chengdu is the major gateway to Jiuzhaigou. However, the severe weather from November to early March usually makes it difficult to visit the Jiuzhaigou Valley, especially the Huanglong area. During these periods, flights to Jiuzhaigou are frequently subject to cancellations, so it is advisable to visit Jiuzhaigou in the April to October periods for a smooth and enjoyable trip.

The average altitude of Jiuzhaigou Valley is 2,500 meters (8,202 feet), so most travelers won't get altitude sickness here. Some people may feel a little dizziness when visiting the Huanglong Scenic Reserve for it has an average altitude of 3,300 meters (10,826 feet). To ensure a pleasant trip, we suggest you avoid brisk walking and smoking. Also, it is advisable to drink adequate water and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables during your visit.

It is important to note that people with high blood pressure or heart diseases are not advised to visit the area. If you are concerned about the altitude sickness, you should have a physical examination and ask your doctor for advice when planning your Jiuzhaigou trip.

Chengdu is located in Sichuan province. Sichuan cuisine, as one of the 4 Chinese traditional cuisines and the most distinctive one, is popular all over China and is beginning to make a name for itself abroad. It is famous for its wide selection of ingredients, its good use of varied seasonings, its unique cooking methods and its fresh & strong taste. The most representative ones are the hot pot, chuanchuan, Kung Pao Chicken, Mapo Tofu and etc. Their common feature is spicy and hot, so if you can't eat spicy food, you can ask the chef to put less pepper when you order the dishes. Tasting authentic Sichuan food is also a big part of Chengdu travel experience to most visitors.

Good to know:  
Why is Sichuan cuisine spicy and hot?
As Sichuan is located in the center of Sichuan basin, the climate is sultry and humid, so people like to use peppercorn which has the effect of dehumidifying as auxiliary materials in dishes.

Sichuan opera is one of China's traditional operas, mainly popular in Sichuan, Chongqing, Guizhou and part of Yunnan. It performs the interesting legends and stories in China's history with its unique singing style under the help of more than 20 musical instruments. The costume and makeup in Sichuan opera are also very particular: different colors and patterns apply to different characters and have different meanings. If you don't know anything about the story, it may be a bit difficult for you to understand. However, you could also appreciate the costumes, makeup and enjoy their singing and performances such as face-changing and fire-breathing.

Face-changing performance: In Sichuan opera, as the plot turns and the characters' inner world changes, the actors will change their face accordingly to reveal the change of their emotions. It changes very quickly and you will not find how they do it even if they stand in front of you. The face-changing is still a national state secret. 

Fire-breathing: mainly performed by the actor who plays "monsters" to make their images more realistic and to highlight the stage effect.

We do not include Sichuan opera in our Chengdu tours, however, if you are really interested in this, you may just let your guide help you book the tickets.