Exciting day tour from Guiyang to explore Chengdu Panda Base

Chengdu is the capital of southwestern China's Sichuan province. Chengdu's history dates back to at least the 4th century B.C., when it served as capital for the Shu Kingdom. Artifacts from that dynasty are the focus of the Jinsha Site Museum. The city is also home to the famous Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, a conservation center where visitors can view endangered giant pandas in a natural habitat.

Chengdu Panda Base, also called Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, is the world's only museum that focuses entirely on the critically endangered giant pandas. It is a site that panda fans cannot miss. It is one of the best tourist destinations in China. Located at the north Chengdu suburb with only 10km to the city center, this base was first set up in 1987 with 6 sick and hungry giant pandas saved from the wild nature. And now, Chengdu Panda Base is the sanctuary of more than 150 giant pandas and also the world largest giant panda captive and scientific research base. With the help of Chinese government to save giant pandas and other endangered wildlife there, Chengdu Panda Base is reputed as the “Cradle of Giant Pandas” to closely say hi to those chubby and lovable black and white animals.

Located at Shangcheng Road in the city center of Chengdu City, Chengdu Renmin Park (also known as People's Park) is a comprehensive park which combines local culture with entertainmentf. Covering an area of 112,639m², Renmin Park was first built in 1911. It was first called Shaocheng Park, for back to the old day, Chengdu was divided into two parts - Dacheng and Shaocheng, and the park is located in Shaocheng district, so it’s also called Shaocheng Park. Renmin Park is the first park in Chengdu, and at present, it’s the relaxing place for locals. On a sunny day you can see lots of local people sitting under the green shade, ordering a cup of green tea and having small talks, or just reading books or playing Mahjong with friends. Many locals, especially seniors hold all kinds of activities in the park, like dancing, singing or playing chess. Renmin Park is not a tourist attraction, but an epitome for the local life.

Guiyang is situated in the central part of Guizhou on the Nanming River, a headstream of the Wu River, which eventually joins the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang) at Fuling in Chongqing municipality. Guiyang is a natural route centre, with comparatively easy access northward to both Chongqing and Sichuan province and northeast to Hunan province. The city is the cultural centre of Guizhou province and has a number of colleges and universities. Guiyang is a marvelous tourist site with beautiful scenery. Contributed by its pleasant climate, Guiyang is reputed to be "the Capital of Summer Resorts in China”. Apart from the world-famous Huangguoshu Waterfall and Qianling Mountain, renowned for being “the First Mountain in Southern Guizhou”, scenic spots such as Jiaxiu Pavilion, Tianhetan and Nanjiang Grand Canyon etc. are also as attractive as a gleaming gem. Hundreds of thousands of tourists are captivated by the climatically comfortable environment, splendid natural scenery and colourful minority cultures here.

Kuanzhai Alley, also known as “Wide and Narrow Alley” or “Kuanzhaixiangzi Alley”, consists of three historic paralleled alleys from Qing dynasty. Ancient style buildings, local Chengdu life, delicious Sichuan snacks, exquisite Sichuan handicrafts, etc. make it one of the most attractive places in Chengdu. The three streets are the left part of the buildings after the chaos of war in the Qing Dynasty (A.D. 1636-1912). Still maintaining the original looks for hundreds of years, Kuanzhai Alley has been attracting millions of tourists by the typical buildings in ancient Qing style of quadrangle courtyard, Chengdu local snacks, life of old Chengdu, etc. Moreover, fashionable bars with many young singers and various restaurants are abundant in Kuanzhai Alley, making this place a combination of traditional Chinese culture and modern life.

Wenshu Monastery (Manjushri Monastery), located at No. 66 Wenshu Yuan Street, Chengu, Sichuan Province, is the best-preserved Buddhist temple in Chengdu. It is the home of the Buddhist Association of Sichuan Province and Chengdu City. Initially built in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Wenshu Monastery was once called Xinxiang Temple. In 1681, during the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Cidu, an accomplished Buddhist monk, came to the temple. He built a simple hut between two trees and for several years lived an ascetic life there. Legend has it when Cidu was being cremated; the statue of Wensu (Bodhisattva Manjusri in Sanskrit) appeared in the flames, staying for a long time. So people regarded Cidu as the reincarnation of the Bodhisattva Manjusri. Thereafter, Xinxiang Temple became Wenshu Monastery.