When you plan your trip to China, you probably don’t have Chengdu, Sichuan in your top destinations list. Why go? It’s a wonderful place to pamper pandas, eat spicy food and walk through scenic UNESCO World Heritage Sites, all while staying comfortably in our Top 3 Hotels.
Chengdu: an international hub
Far from being inhabited by just pandas and peppers, Sichuan’s capital Chengdu is China’s fourth largest city, named by Forbes as one of the next decade’s fastest-growing cities. Designated by UNESCO as Asia’s first City of Gastronomy, the city hosted the 2013 Fortune Global Forum which saw world leaders and CEOs meet.
Where to stay? Our top 3 hotels
The Six Senses Qing Cheng lies at the gateway to the Taoist Qingcheng Mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site north of Chengdu. With its 111 suites, Six Senses has a luxury village theme with design and landscaping that reflect the surrounding natural area. This resort is very close to a new panda base and research center where you play with the resident pandas.
The Anantara Emei Resort & Spa is located at the base of the Buddhist Mount Emei, a UNESCO World Heritage Site south of Chengdu. This resort has 90 rooms and 60 suites, an outdoor pool, manmade lake, and international cuisine. Anantara Emei is a tranquil oasis, the perfect place to put your feet up and play mahjong after a hiking excursion. As a day tour, the world’s largest stone-carved Buddha at Leshan is also accessible from the resort.
The Ritz-Carlton Chengdu is located bang in the middle of downtown Chengdu, offering panoramic views of its historic center, Tianfu Square, which used to be the site of the Imperial Palace. Now, the square sprays water from its fountains in time to music twice a day and is watched over by a towering statue of Chairman Mao. This is a super luxurious hotel with 353 rooms, including over 50 suites, all with high-end facilities – including intelligent toilets!
How to get there?
United Airlines just started a nonstop service from San Francisco, putting Chengdu up there with Beijing and Shanghai. Chengdu is also served by a number of airlines including British Airways, Etihad, Air France/KLM, Cathay Pacific, and Lufthansa.
When to visit?
All year round.
If this sounds appealing to you, contact us at info@wildchina.com for more information about our Sichuan tours.