1 Day Chengdu Layover Tour: Efficient Panda & City Tours Between Flights

Meet your private driver at either Chengdu Shuangliu or Tianfu Airport for a seamless transfer to Chengdu Panda Base takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on which airport you arrive at.

Chengdu Panda Base is the base with the largest population of captive giant pandas in the world, accommodating over 100 pandas of different ages. You can watch pandas playing, eating, climbing, sleeping, and in autumn, even see the pink newborn giant panda cubs in the Sunshine Nursery House and the Moonlight Nursery House. Discover the charming panda stars at this base, such as Hua Hua, the most adored and celebrated panda who has captured the hearts of the nation, and Zhi Ma, the real-life inspiration behind the panda mascot of the World University Games. Besides giant pandas, the cute red pandas (rarer than giant pandas) at the Red Panda Playgrounds are also the highlight of the Chengdu Panda Base. Nowadays, the panda base has also become an urban birding spot for local birders and kids to search for Red-billed Leiothrix, Black-throated Tit, Chinese Blackbird, Spotted Dove, White-browed Laughingthrush, and more. If you're interested, you can follow your guide to discover more about pandas' secrets through the Chengdu Giant Panda Museum, which is free to enter but requires advance reservation, and closed on Mondays.

When the sun sets, the nightlife on Jinli Street becomes even more charming. Known as the "Chengdu Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival Scroll" and ranked at the top of the world's most beautiful streets by CNN Travel in 2021, Jinli Street was first built during the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280) and was then known as "Shu Jinli". “Shu” refers to the Shu Kingdom (221-263) in Chinese, “Jin” means brocade, and ”Li” means street and alley. Indeed, Jinli was an ancient street that mainly produced and sold brocades 1,800 years ago. As time passed, Jinli gradually developed into a commercial center in the old city area of Chengdu. While modeled after the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", it also became one of the representatives of Chengdu's culture and history. Walking on Jinli Street, you can appreciate the brilliant Chinese Traditional buildings of Qing Dynasty style (1616-1911), buy all kinds of souvenirs (Shu embroidery, lacquer products, folk handicrafts, calligraphy, and paintings), try delicious local snacks (Dan Dan Noodles, Egg Pancake, Bon Bon Chicken, Sweet Potato Noodles with Pork Intestines, Iced Jelly, Sour and Spicy Tofu Pudding), and discover intangible heritages like Sugar Painting, Shadow Puppy Play, Sichuan Opera Show.

Then, it is time to end your  Chengdu layover tour. Your drive will escort you to your airport for your flight.

Your driver will pick you up at the airport to maximize panda viewing time - our 15 years of local expertise tells us pandas are most active before noon. The drive to Chengdu Panda Base takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on which airport you arrive at. Spend 2 to 3 hours watching these fluffy giants munch bamboo, play, and laze in their enclosures - we’ll guide you to the quietest viewing spots to avoid crowds. 

Then it's time to take a leisurely stroll inside Chengdu Renmin Park (Chengdu People's Park) like a local and enjoy the city's slow lifestyle. You can watch locals square dancing, practicing Taiji, singing Chinese folk songs, playing traditional Chinese musical instruments, as well as playing Chinese chess and boating on the lake. Don't miss the blind date corner (a marriage market) where parents of unmarried adults flock to the park to find a partner for their daughter or son. Then, order a cup of fragrant jasmine green tea (a favorite of Chengdu locals) while sitting in a time-honored tea house, such as Heming Tea House. Chat with your friends, try Chengdu Ear Cleaning by professional ear cleaner, and see locals having fun playing mahjong.

Then, move on to explore Kuanzhai Alley (Wide and Narrow Alley), which is located 800m away from Chengdu Renmin Park. As a must-visit tourist destination in Chengdu, Kuanzhai Alley represents the old Chengdu and embodies the leisurely lifestyle cherished by the Chengdu people. Formerly known as Hutong, it was built in 1718 by Nian Gengyao (1679-1726), a General of the Qing Dynasty (the elder brother of Consort Hua in "Legend of Concubine Zhen Huan"). Kuanzhai Alley served as the military camp and residential area for the Eight Banners (a copy of Beijing Hutong). As you walk along the three parallel old-style streets and courtyards - Kuan Alley (Wide Alley), Zhai Alley (Narrow Alley), and Jing Alley (Well Alley) - you can imagine how, 300 years ago, officials resided in Kuan Alley, soldiers lived in Zhai Alley, and commoners and townsfolk inhabited Jing Alley. Today, Kuanzhai Alley not only reflects the history of Chengdu as an ancient yet vibrant city but also symbolizes the treasured memories of Chengdu locals. There are all kinds of Chengdu snacks, folk arts and crafts nightclubs, and coffee shops which make it one of the most active places in Chengdu.

After the tour, be transferred to your airport in Chengdu.

Your driver will pick you up at the airport to maximize panda viewing time - our 15 years of local expertise tells us pandas are most active before noon. The drive to Chengdu Panda Base takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on which airport you arrive at. Spend 2 to 3 hours watching these fluffy giants munch bamboo, play, and laze in their enclosures - we’ll guide you to the quietest viewing spots to avoid crowds. 

Then it's time to take a leisurely stroll inside Chengdu Renmin Park (Chengdu People's Park) like a local and enjoy the city's slow lifestyle. You can watch locals square dancing, practicing Taiji, singing Chinese folk songs, playing traditional Chinese musical instruments, as well as playing Chinese chess and boating on the lake. Don't miss the blind date corner (a marriage market) where parents of unmarried adults flock to the park to find a partner for their daughter or son. Then, order a cup of fragrant jasmine green tea (a favorite of Chengdu locals) while sitting in a time-honored tea house, such as Heming Tea House. Chat with your friends, try Chengdu Ear Cleaning by professional ear cleaner, and see locals having fun playing mahjong.

Then, move on to explore Kuanzhai Alley (Wide and Narrow Alley), which is located 800m away from Chengdu Renmin Park. As a must-visit tourist destination in Chengdu, Kuanzhai Alley represents the old Chengdu and embodies the leisurely lifestyle cherished by the Chengdu people. Formerly known as Hutong, it was built in 1718 by Nian Gengyao (1679-1726), a General of the Qing Dynasty (the elder brother of Consort Hua in "Legend of Concubine Zhen Huan"). Kuanzhai Alley served as the military camp and residential area for the Eight Banners (a copy of Beijing Hutong). As you walk along the three parallel old-style streets and courtyards - Kuan Alley (Wide Alley), Zhai Alley (Narrow Alley), and Jing Alley (Well Alley) - you can imagine how, 300 years ago, officials resided in Kuan Alley, soldiers lived in Zhai Alley, and commoners and townsfolk inhabited Jing Alley. Today, Kuanzhai Alley not only reflects the history of Chengdu as an ancient yet vibrant city but also symbolizes the treasured memories of Chengdu locals. There are all kinds of Chengdu snacks, folk arts and crafts nightclubs, and coffee shops which make it one of the most active places in Chengdu.

Afterward, we tailor the hot pot experience (lunch or dinner, depends on your flight) to your departure airport: if flying from Shuangliu Airport, transfer to a restaurant with live face-changing shows; if departing from Tianfu Airport, head to Jianyang Haidilao Hot Pot - a quick 20-minute drive with no detours.

Your driver will then ensure you reach the airport with ample time for boarding, leaving you with unforgettable memories of pandas and authentic Sichuan cuisine.