It combines spiciness, cuteness, and beauty – Sichuan is an irresistible destination for travelers

Preface: In that rainy little town, I have never forgotten you; Chengdu, the only thing I can't take away is you. Walk with me on the streets of Chengdu, oh… until all the lights go out, we won’t stop… "Chengdu" by Zhao Lei

Just now, while scrolling through Weibo, I suddenly came across a topic: #The Feeling of Friday#, along with a picture. The caption said something like: Friday gives people an inexplicable sense of relief. Even though it’s just two short days off, it still makes you feel incredibly relaxed – you don’t have to care about anything. Yes! In my memory, whether I was working or studying, every Friday afternoon I was in a great mood, feeling as if I had been "injected with chicken blood," ready to welcome the weekend. Walking home, my steps were light as the wind, and everything around me seemed beautiful!

On my way home, music came from a small shop by the street: "Only you, and me walking on the streets of Chengdu, oh… until all the lights go out, we won’t stop…" It’s one of my favorite songs, and it lifted my spirits even more. When I got home and sat down to write, I thought, hey… why not talk about Sichuan today? From what I know, in Lonely Planet’s "2018 List: Top 10 Best Destinations in Asia," Sichuan Province became the only region in China to be selected. In my impression, Sichuan has almost every kind of scenery except desert – no exaggeration!

I remember I once had the chance to go to Sichuan. I thought I could handle spicy food pretty well, so going to Sichuan wouldn’t be that extreme… but I was too naive. After the first day’s meal, I lost count of how many bowls of water I drank – it was quite embarrassing.

But that trip to Sichuan was very rewarding. I not only took in beautiful scenery but also made many like-minded friends! So, do you know which places in Sichuan you absolutely can’t miss? Let me share a few places I visited. I have to say, Sichuan’s rich human and natural environment is a paradise for travelers!

Jiuzhaigou is probably the first attraction that tempts every visitor to Sichuan! Located in the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province, Jiuzhaigou is a mountain valley covered in forests. It preserves pristine natural scenery. Its Emerald Lakes, Layered Waterfalls, Colorful Forests, Snow Peaks, Tibetan Customs, and Blue Ice are known as the "Six Wonders of Jiuzhaigou." Just hearing these names, you know how extraordinary it is – how remarkable? As the saying goes, "After visiting Jiuzhaigou, no other water scenery compares." Such a short phrase perfectly captures the beauty of Jiuzhaigou.

Mount Emei is one of China’s "Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains" and has long been known as "Emei, the most elegant under heaven." Buddhist culture forms the main historical and cultural body of Mount Emei. Its buildings, statues, rituals, and paintings all exude a strong religious atmosphere. The most famous attraction on Mount Emei is the Golden Summit Hall, known as the "Stairway to Heaven," which is the essence of the mountain. Every year, millions of pilgrims come to worship here – it is truly a sanctum for cleansing the soul.

The Leshan Giant Buddha, also called Lingyun Giant Buddha, is located in the southwestern part of the Sichuan Basin, facing Leshan City across the river. The Leshan Giant Buddha is a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site, known for its characteristics of "grandeur, elegance, purity, and grace." It is a national-level scenic area integrating sightseeing, pilgrimage, culture, leisure, and vacation. The carving of this giant Buddha began in 713 (Tang Dynasty) and was completed in 803, taking 90 years. It stands 71 meters tall and is known as "The mountain is a Buddha, and the Buddha is a mountain." It is the largest stone-carved Buddha in the world. Only by seeing it in person can you appreciate its grandeur!

Giant Panda Breeding Base

The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is China’s renowned institution for giant panda scientific research, breeding, conservation education, educational tourism, and panda culture construction. It is a research facility for the protection of giant pandas and other rare and endangered wild animals. Here you will find super adorable chubby panda cubs, with their charmingly naive appearance – they are so lovable, each one can melt your heart!