Chengdu

The capital of the mountainous Sichuan Province, Chengdu is renowned for the Giant Pandas and their lesser known cousins the Red Pandas.

Every year, visitors flock to the panda centres of Chengdu to view these unique creatures in their natural habitat.

The Sichuan peppercorn, grown widely in this region, along with the spicy hotspot, are also just as famous – try these distinctive flavours head to Jinli Old Street; Wide and Narrow Alley (Kuanzhai Xiangzi) with many restaurants, pubs and teahouses; or Chunxi Road the Nanjing Road of Chengdu.

Spend a few nights here and enjoy a teahouse, the Sichuan Opera, a Bianlian (Changing Faces) performance or beyond the city centre, visit the nearby areas of Leshan and Emeishan.