Cuddly and Mysterious Kingdoms
40 kilometers north of central Chengdu, by the same highway as Chengdu's Giant Panda Breeding Base, the bronze-age Sanxingdui site is regarded one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century.
Thousands of rare treasures from two large sacrificial pits dating back to Shang Dynasty times (1600–1046 BC) have recently been supplemented with finds from six new sacrificial pits, which visitors can see being prepared for display in Sanxingdui Museum.
This tour not only takes you to visit the cuddly kingdom of giant pandas, but also the mysterious Kingdom of Shu (a.k.a. the Sanxingdui Civilization). The protected pandas and Sanxingdui's relics are both considered national treasures.
Tour 'Wow' Points
Witness Rare Treasures Only Seen in China
Sanxingdui Museum had held exhibitions in more than ten overseas countries over the last twenty years, but many treasures have only been exhibited in China (like the four below).
Discover Sanxingdui's "Alien" Civilization
The archeological finds of the Sanxingdui Civilization show it to be quite "alien" to the contemporary Shang Dynasty by the Yellow River, traditionally the cradle of China, down to the way they made bronze. The protruding eyes of its bronze heads tally with local Shu Kingdom records of their "alien-looking", bulging-eyed, founder Cancong.
A Morning Date with Active Pandas
It is best to go early in the morning to see the pandas feeding at around 9:30am, which is their most active time of the day.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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Amazing DuJiangYan!
I had an amazing trip to Dujiangyan in Chengdu! The site itself is incredibly impressive, with its ancient irrigation system and stunning scenery. Our fantastic tour guide, Helen. She was knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about sharing the history and culture of the area. Her explanations made the visit much more meaningful. Highly recommend China Highlight for anyone visiting China! more
Jan 2025, Audrey
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Thanks to Helen and China Highlights for an amazing time in Chengdu.
I highly recommend Helen, who guided our group of three during a private two-day tour in Chengdu. From start to finish, Helen was proactive, enthusiastic and incredibly insightful. She shared fascinating information about the places we visited and offered deeper context about the culture and history of Chengdu and Sichuan. Her eloquent English, extensive local knowledge and friendly, accommodating nature truly elevated our experience. Her flexibility, patience and genuine passion made our stay far more enjoyable than it would have been on our own. She went above and beyond, making us feel like friends rather than just clients. Here are some highlights of what made our time with Helen so memorable: - Panda Centre: She knew exactly where and when to go to avoid crowds and see the pandas at their most active. - People's Park: She introduced us to the local lifestyle, including tea-drinking rituals, line dancing and even the fascinating 'marriage market.' - Local Market: At our request, she guided us to buy very sweet mandarins and pears from a local market. - Jinsha Museum: She provided detailed and engaging explanations, bringing the artifacts and history to life. - Jinli Old Street: She led us to the most interesting spots, helped us purchase local snacks and ensured we didn’t miss anything special. - Sichuan Opera: She arranged for us to watch an incredible performance at the city’s best opera house. - Local Restaurants: She took us to authentic local eateries far from the typical tourist traps — hidden gems we would never have found on our own, even with Baidu Maps. - Community Centre: As an unexpected bonus, Helen introduced us to a local community centre supporting the elderly and individuals with special needs, which was a heart-warming experience. more
Jan 2025, Dominic
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Helen In ChengDu. A great guide makes our trip even more pleasant and memorable
Helen in ChengDu was our guide. Beside her deep knowledge and experience, she is a very sweet, smiley and pleasant lady. She speaks very well English and Mandarin. Visited SanxinDui and the Panda was the best thing to do in Chengdu. Wish we had more time to explore. more
Dec 2024, Cindy
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Itinerary Quick Look
Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests.
Your personal private guide will contact you a day in advance and arrange the starting time according to your preference.
Visiting the city's panda base can be a challenge as it is quite large and has various animals. We've designed a smart route to beat the crowds as much as possible while timing it to the pandas' active period for you.
After the short road trip on to Sanxingdui, you will be served with a Sichuan meal at the restaurant of Sanxingdui Museum.
Sanxingdui Museum, in the northeast corner of the Sanxingdui Ruins archeological site, is where the Shu Kingdom's 3,000-year-old treasures are displayed. Discover a unique part of China's history in this large modern thematic museum.
As this is a private tour, you can decide whether to spend more or less time in the different areas according to your interests. The schedule is flexible and only for your reference.
Price includes:
- Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
- English speaking local guide
- Activities and meals listed in the itinerary
- 24/7 helpline for while you are traveling
Tour code: cd-87