Chengdu 4-Day Ancient Shu & Arts Tour
Deep Dive into Ancient Shu Civilization: Jinsha Ruins to Three Kingdoms Sites + Modern Art & Sichuan Opera
Day-by-Day Itinerary
1
Jinsha Site Museum → Kuanzhai Alley
Jinsha Site Museum
The Jinsha Site is located in Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, and is one of the most important archaeological discoveries in China in the 21st century. The site is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List and is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. In 2007, the Jinsha Museum was built to display the cultural relics and remains discovered here, including the Golden Sun Bird, golden masks, and kneeling stone figures. Among them, the Golden Sun Bird was identified as a national symbol by the National Cultural Heritage Administration of China. After the decline of the Sanxingdui civilization, the Jinsha Site became the capital of the ancient Shu Kingdom during the Shang or Western Zhou Dynasty, and disappeared around 500 BC to 200 BC due to political changes, earthquakes, or floods.
Kuanzhai Alley Scenic Area
Kuanzhai Alley is one of the three major historical and cultural conservation areas in Chengdu, consisting of three parallel old-fashioned streets and courtyard settlements: Kuan Alley, Zhai Alley, and Jing Alley. It is a microcosm of old Chengdu life, integrating Bashu culture, leisure food, characteristic residences, and modern creativity. It is an excellent place to experience Chengdu's slow life and historical features.
2
Chengdu Wuhou Shrine Museum → Jinli Ancient Street → Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum
Chengdu Wuhou Shrine Museum
Chengdu Wuhou Shrine Museum is located in Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan Province. It is the only temple in China dedicated to both a monarch and his ministers, and the most famous Three Kingdoms historical site museum. It is known for its profound historical and cultural heritage and exquisite garden art, and is an important place to understand the Three Kingdoms culture and admire the heroes of the Shu Han.
Jinli Ancient Street
Jinli Ancient Street is located in Chengdu, Sichuan, with a history of over 1800 years, dating back to before the Qin Dynasty. In 2019, Jinli Ancient Street was selected by CNN Travel as one of the "World's Most Beautiful Streets". This street is about 550 meters long and is part of the Wuhou Temple. The architectural style is characterized by the Qing Dynasty, with the theme of the Three Kingdoms culture and traditional folk customs. There are many bars, inns, snack shops and souvenir shops in the district. Jinli Ancient Street was renovated in 2004. In 2005, it was named one of the "Top Ten Urban Commercial Pedestrian Streets in China", and in 2006, it was named "National Cultural Industry Demonstration Base" by the Ministry of Culture. In 2018, the annual number of tourists reached 18 million, especially during the Spring Festival, when more people come to visit the "Grand Temple Fair".
Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum, Chengdu
Du Fu Thatched Cottage is the former residence of Du Fu, a poet of the Tang Dynasty in China, when he lived in Chengdu. It is known as the "Sacred Land" in the history of Chinese literature. In 759 AD, Du Fu came to Chengdu and built a thatched cottage by the Huanhua Stream, where he lived for four years and created more than 240 poems, including famous works such as "My Thatched Roof Was Torn Apart by the Autumn Wind" and "The Shu Prime Minister". The main buildings of the Thatched Cottage that exist today were built and rebuilt in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The pavilions, corridors, bridges, streams, bamboo forests, plum gardens, etc. in the garden are well-arranged and the environment is beautiful. The main attractions include Du Gongbu Temple, Thatched Cottage Residence, Daya Hall, and Shaoling Thatched Cottage Stele Pavilion. Du Fu Thatched Cottage is a sacred place for Du Fu enthusiasts from all over the world to admire the poet, and it is also an important place to understand Chinese poetry culture.
3
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding → Chengdu Museum → Tianfu Square
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (referred to as Chengdu Panda Base) is a non-profit research institution funded by the government for the breeding of giant pandas, red pandas, and other rare animals, located in Chengdu, Sichuan, China. The base was established in 1987, starting with 6 giant pandas rescued from the wild. By 2008, it had successfully bred 124 giant pandas, and the captive giant panda population had grown to 83. Its goal is to "become a world-class research institution, conservation education center, and international educational tourism destination." In February 2024, the institution made international headlines for banning a 53-year-old male tourist from throwing unidentified objects into the giant panda enclosure, and the tourist was banned from entering the park for life.
Chengdu Museum
Chengdu Museum (also known as the Chengdu Museum New Hall) is located on the west side of Tianfu Square in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, adjacent to JinCheng Art Palace, Sichuan Art Museum, Sichuan Provincial Library, and Sichuan Science and Technology Museum. It is the largest comprehensive museum in Chengdu, China, with a collection of nearly 200,000 artifacts spanning from the Neolithic Age to the Republic of China period. The museum building was completed in 2016 and has a construction area of 65,000 square meters. It has six floors of exhibition halls displaying historical relics, puppets, shadow puppets, and wood carvings.
Tianfu Square
Tianfu Square is located in the center of Chengdu and is a landmark square and important public space in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. It is often hailed as the "Heart of the City" of Chengdu and is surrounded by many important government agencies, cultural facilities, and commercial buildings. The square is dominated by the famous statue of Mao Zedong and features a large musical fountain, making it a popular spot for citizens to relax and entertain, hold festive events, and for tourists to visit and take photos. Tianfu Square is also an interchange hub for Chengdu Metro Lines 1 and 2, making it easily accessible.
4
East Suburb Memory → Qintai Road → Shufeng Yayun (Sichuan Opera Performance)
Eastern Suburb Memory
Eastern Suburb Memory is a diverse cultural park that integrates various cultural forms such as music, fine arts, drama, and photography. Formerly the state-owned Hongguang Electronic Tube Factory, it retains the appearance of a 1950s industrial factory area and is a new cultural landmark in Chengdu. The park has many art exhibitions, creative shops, cafes and restaurants, and is a gathering place for young people and art lovers.
Qintai Road
Qintai Road is a famous antique commercial street in Chengdu. It is based on the love story of Sima Xiangru and Zhuo Wenjun, and mainly deals in gold and silver jewelry, as well as teahouses and restaurants. The whole street is simple and elegant, full of Han and Tang charm.
Shufeng Yayun
Shufeng Yayun Theater is a famous Sichuan Opera performance art center in Chengdu, located in the City Cultural Park on Qintai Road. It is an excellent place to experience authentic Sichuan traditional culture, especially classic performances such as Sichuan Opera face-changing, fire-spitting, and shadow puppetry. The theater retains the tradition of watching operas in old Chengdu teahouses, and audiences can enjoy the charm of Sichuan Opera art up close while enjoying covered teacups and snacks.
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