With 20 million inhabitants, laid-back Chengdu is the capital of the Sichuan province, and the gateway city to China’s western hinterlands. Chengdu’s most popular attraction is the giant panda breeding research reserve and home to over 200 pandas, the base focuses on getting these shy creatures to breed.

Guangzhou deserves its reputation for fine and varied dining. Even Chinese people themselves often speak of Guangzhou as being ‘a dining city’.

Drinking tea and having soup are features of dining amid Guangzhou’s distinct local culture.