The modern metropolis of Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan Province in southern China. A city of striking contrasts, it seems that Chengdu is continually renewing its modern façade, pulling skyscrapers from historic districts and rushing wholeheartedly into the 21^st century. Even so, there is a remarkable amount of history and old-world culture lingering in these streets, making a holiday to Chengdu a celebration of traditions both old and new.

Activities for children in Chengdu are rather limited, though the ever-popular giant panda fascinates visitors of all ages. Pandas can be seen lolling about both at the Chengdu Zoo (home to numerous other species) and the Panda Breeding Centre. There are several less formal family-oriented activities available in the city (many of which are operated by hotels) including a bowling alley and an aquarium.

China’s traditional festivals are tied to the phases of the moon according to the Chinese lunar calendar. As such, many of the dates are fluid and fluctuate within a certain range from year to year. On the other hand, many of the newer political holidays are pinned to specific dates according to the Gregorian calendar.

Shuangliu International Airport is the gateway for transport into Western China and enjoys status as one of China’s five busiest airports. Flights connect Chengdu with Amsterdam, Bangkok, Macau, Hong Kong, Manila, Seoul and Singapore. Beyond this, local airlines operate an exhaustive list of domestic routes China’s provincial capitals and regional transportation hubs.

Banks: 08:30 to 15:30, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 08:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday; 08:00 to 16:00, Saturdays; 08:00 to 12:00, Sundays
Government Offices: 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday
Business Centres: 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday
Shops: 08:00 to 17:00, Monday to Saturday; some open on Sundays