Quite different from Peking Opera - which is perhaps one of the most internationally-known types of Chinese operas - and even more so different from Verdi or Puccini, Sichuan opera is distinguished by the "face changing" technique originally achieved by blowing off the chalk of one painted mask to reveal another below. Elaborate acrobatic stunts, sharp wit and lively characters are hallmarks of Sichuan Opera. The performance is held in a traditional courtyard, where guests can relax in bamboo chairs and sip tea while watching this fascinating art.  Shouts of encouragement, pleasure, and even disapproval are welcome.

After the performance, we will be ushered backstage for a walk-around with the opera’s performers and a tour of the usually off-limits backstage area and dressing rooms and will have the chance to view the opera from backstage.

Nicknamed “Bandit Monastery” by botanist and explorer Joseph Rock, Tshonggo Temple is a small Tibetan temple that was nicknamed the “Bandit Monastery” by botanist and explorer Joseph Rock. Rock explored northwest China and Tibet extensively in the 1920s for his work with Harvard University’s Museum of Comparative Zoology and National Geographic.

We take a leisurely one- to three-hour hike through beautiful Bifengxia Gorge.  The gorge is complete with flowing waterfalls and bamboo groves, and provides a gorgeous backdrop to our hike.  Our hike will also take us pass the area where the first westerner first spotted a panda in the 19th century.

Sichuan cuisine is renowned throughout China for its spiciness and tongue-numbing sensations, but the fiery flavors for which Sichuan is generally known are only the beginning of its tantalizing culinary wealth.  The cuisine of this province blends flavors, smells, and colors in an array of unmatched dishes. Originally introduced to China by South America at the end of the 17th century, hot pepper became a favorite ingredient for cooks in Sichuan because it provided relief from the region's humid and rainy climate.  Under the guidance of a professional chef, we learn how to cook and serve a Sichuan-style meal at the Museum of Sichuan Cuisine, which also showcases the history and culture of Sichuan food.

Kuan Zhai Alley is one of the top three historic preserve districts in Chengdu City. It is formed by three alleys called Kuan Alley (Wide Alley), Zhai Alley (Narrow Alley), and Jing Alley. The major buildings in this site are courtyards and ancient style streets. This district had been renovated from 2005 to 2008. And now, it is a cultural site consisting of 45 Qing Ming Dynasty style courtyards, modern villas and gardens, as well as theme hostels.

In the fifty-seventh year of Kangxi in Qing Dynasty (1718), the government has sent about 3,000 soldiers to Tibet. After the war was stopped, over one thousand Baqi Garrison and their families have stayed in Chengdu forever. Kuan, Zhai and Jing Alleys were included in the 42 alleys for soldiers. However, the process of urbanization gradually swallows up the historical relics of old Chengdu, and nowadays only three out of 42 alleys, that is, Kuan, Zhai and Jing Alleys have been remained with reserve of the past signs.

Wenshu Monastery (Manjushri Monastery), located at No. 15 Wenshu Yuan Street, Chengu, Sichuan Province, is the best-preserved Buddhist temple in Chengdu. It is the home of the Buddhist Association of Sichuan Province and Chengdu City.

Initially built in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Wenshu Monastery was once called Xinxiang Temple. In 1681, during the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Cidu, an accomplished Buddhist monk, came to the temple. He built a simple hut between two trees and for several years lived an ascetic life there. Legend has it when Cidu was being cremated; the statue of Wensu (Bodhisattva Manjusri in Sanskrit) appeared in the flames, staying for a long time. So people regarded Cidu as the reincarnation of the Bodhisattva Manjusri. Thereafter, Xinxiang Temple became Wenshu Monastery.

Langzhong Ancient City is situated on the bank of the Jialin River. to the east of the city lies Mt.Bashan and to the west is the ancient Jianmenguan Pass. Langzhong covers an area of nearly 2,000 quare kilometers, and has a population of about 900 thousand. 

Most of the buildings in Langzhong Ancient City are contrusted in the style of the Ming and Qing dynasties. some of them retain the style of the construction in the last years of the Tang Dynasty. The city, with the grand Huaguang Tower as its center, stretches out like a fan. streets are no wider than 8 meters while alleys are only 2 or 3 meters wide. All the folk houses, simple and elegant, are bungalows with green tiles. The fame of ancient city is compatible to that of the Lijiang Ancient City in Yunnan Province. 

Langzhong is" the ancient city of geomantic omen "

constructed in strict accordance with the astronomical theory and geomantic omens of the Tang Dynasty. Langzhong Ancient City is proclaimed as one of the four well-known ancient cities in China. The other three are Lijiang Ancient City in Yunnan Province, Pingyao Ancient City in Shanxi Province and Shexian County in Anhui Province.

the Architectural Features of Langzhong Ancient City 

the preserved area of the ancient city is 1.7 square kilometers where lie 91 crisscrossing ancient streets.The city site of the Han Dynasty and the ancient city wall of the Song Dynasty are still visible. You can find the bricks of the Qin Dynasty and tiles of the Han Dynasty, steles of past dynasties and paper-cuts and carving decorations of  windows everywhere. The folk houses and courtyards are scattered along the ancient alleys and streets.

the Legend of Langzhong City

in 221 A.D. Zhangfei was in a hurry to take revenge for his brother GuanYu who was killed by the army of Wu Kingdom. He forced his soldiers to make weapons and and night and infuriated his two officers, Fanqiang and Zhangda. The two cut off Zhangfei's head and took it to offer it to Sun Quan( the king of Wu Kingdom) for an exchange of their promotion. they went eastward along the Yangtze River in a boat. on their way, they heard that the king of Wu kingdom, had made a ceasefire agreement with the king Liu Bei of Shu Kingdom. The two were very horrified and threw Zhang's head into the Yangtze River. The head floated to Yunyang and was picked up by a fisherman, who burried it at the foot of Mt.Fenghuang( Phoenix Mountain) in Yunyang. But his body was burried in Langzhong. That is the tragic story about " the head buried in Yunyang while the body buried in Langzhong" 

snacks in Langzhong 

Langzhong is polular for its long-standing food culture which consists of that of Hui,Han and Man peoples. There are many types of snacks cooked by the super cooking techniques . In the early Qing Dynasty, Islam was introduced in Langzhong and thus brought about the Hui food culture. The different food cultures creat numerous types of snacks with various flavors . famous ones like Cold Beef Noodles, Spindle Pancake, Hot-pot Beef Braised in Soy Sauce. Pot-stewed Smoked Pork, Northern Sichuan Bean Jelly and Warm Bean Jelly, etc. 

Folk Arts

Langzhong was the capital city of Bazi Country. The Ba People lived with the Han People for centuries .Bayu Dance is a group dance of martial art created by the ancient Ba People while they fought with beasts and other tribes. The time-honoured Northern Sichuan Lamp Drama, also called " Gu Yue Sheng" is very popular among the common people in north Sichuan. Its contents are mostly taken from the legends and the life of the working people. 

There is slang in Chinese: Never want any water after coming back from Jiuzhai.  Jiuzhai boasts many clear lakes,some of which are hidden in the valleys and some inlay in the virgin forests.With variety of shapes and sizes, these lakes look like mirrors projecting colorful light rings in the sunshine.