Destinations: Chongqing
This 7‑day Sichuan‑Chongqing food‑focused itinerary is tailor‑made for spice‑loving overseas food enthusiasts. You will dive deep into numbing‑spicy Sichuan‑Chongqing food culture: explore bustling morning wet markets, join hands‑on Sichuan cooking workshops, taste classic hot‑pot, street‑side snacks and local home‑style dishes. In‑between delicious meals, you will also visit giant panda base, ancient towns and famous city landmarks to experience southwest China’s charming culture.
Tour Highlights
Optional Extensions ‑ Add Pixian broad‑bean paste food‑factory guided tour (extra half‑day) ‑ Extend 2‑day Guizhou food add‑on to try sour‑fish and local Miao ethnic food ‑ Add Sichuan opera show with face‑changing performance ‑ Shortened 5‑day compact spicy‑food‑focus version, cut partial sightseeing
Day1 Arrival Chengdu Airport pick‑up by English‑speaking food tour guide, transfer to downtown boutique hotel, check‑in. Late‑afternoon orientation briefing: local dining customs, spicy‑food tips, market visiting guidance. Evening welcome dinner featuring classic Sichuan signature dishes like mapo tofu and kung‑pao chicken. Overnight Chengdu.
‑ Day2 Chengdu Market Exploration & Sichuan Cooking Class Morning: Early‑morning guided visit to local wet market. Wander through vegetable, spice and fresh‑meat stalls, learn about Sichuan peppercorn, chili and Pixian broad‑bean paste, sample street breakfast snacks. Afternoon: Hands‑on Sichuan cooking class with local chef. Learn to cook 3‑4 classic Sichuan dishes, enjoy the food you prepared for lunch. Evening: Stroll along Kuanzhai Alley, try local night‑market snacks. Overnight Chengdu.
‑ Day3 Giant Panda Base & Chengdu Street Food Crawl Morning: Guided visit to Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Base, observe giant pandas in natural‑style habitats. Afternoon: Deep street‑food tour across old Chengdu neighborhoods, taste dan‑dan noodles, zhong dumplings, cold‑mix noodles and egg‑fried cakes. Visit Sichuan Cuisine Museum to learn Sichuan culinary history. Evening: Authentic Chengdu hot‑pot feast. Overnight Chengdu.
‑ Day4 Chengdu → Leshan by High‑Speed Train | Leshan Local Snacks & Giant Buddha Morning: Take high‑speed train to Leshan. Arrival, transfer to restaurant for famous Leshan qiaojiao beef local lunch. Afternoon: Guided sightseeing of Leshan Giant Buddha UNESCO site. Wander old Leshan town, taste local specialty snacks. Evening: Local Leshan‑style dinner. Overnight Leshan.
‑ Day5 Leshan → Chongqing by High‑Speed Train | Chongqing River‑City Food Experience Morning: High‑speed‑train transfer to Chongqing. Check‑in riverside hotel. Afternoon: Visit Ciqikou Ancient Town, try Chongqing traditional street food including spicy tofu pudding and fried glutinous rice cake. Evening: Classic Chongqing cave‑style hot‑pot dinner. After dinner, Hongyadong night view sightseeing. Overnight Chongqing.
‑ Day6 Chongqing Food Tour & City Landmarks Morning: Local breakfast tasting: authentic Chongqing spicy noodles. Guided tour of local morning food market. Afternoon: City sightseeing: Yangtze River cable‑car experience, Eling Park visit. Taste Chongqing jianghu home‑style dishes for lunch. Evening: Free time for independent food exploration. Overnight Chongqing.
‑ Day7 Departure from Chongqing Leisure breakfast at local eatery. Hotel check‑out, private transfer to Chongqing international airport for departure.
