As Malaysians can now enjoy a visa-free travel to China, it a great time to make plans to visit Chengdu in Sichuan Province for Chinese New Year.
In line with the upcoming festive season, Chengdu Culture and Tourism (Malaysia) Promotional Event was held in Kuala Lumpur to showcase the allure of Chengdu to Malaysians.
Themed ‘Let’s Celebrate Chinese New Year in Chengdu’, the event drew a large number of visitors who were intrigued to schedule a trip to the city for lunar celebration, with some winning special gifts offered.
Speaking at the event, Chengu Municipal Bureau of Culture, Broadcast TV and Tourism deputy director Guo Ji said Chendu is a ‘vibrant and hospitable park city with snowy mountain skyline’ where rich history and modern lifestyles complement each other.
“With pleasant seasons and friendly people in the ‘Land of Abundance’, we welcome Malaysians to visit Chengdu’s unique natural wonders, renowned landmarks, vibrant cultural heritage and of course, giant pandas.”
Tourism Selangor’s Industrial Development manager Chua Yee Ling said as the nation celebrates the 50th anniversary of China-Malaysia diplomatic relations in 2024, it look forward to fostering closer Chengdu-Selangor ties with more mutual visits.
“From the flavours of Klang to the habitats of Kuala Selangor, a myriad of Selangor gems awaits tourists from across China including Chengdu to discover,” she said.
To provide a richer Chengdu experience, the Bureau has curated attractions, sceneries and offerings which was displayed at the event, based on five themes namely Snow Fun, Panda Visit, Historic Site Tours, Culinary Delights and Chinese New Year Celebrations.
The recommendations for the themes include Snow Fun (Xiling Snow Mountain, Wawu Mountain, Shenpu Valley); Panda Visit (Panda Base, Panda Valley); Historic Site Tours (Dujiangyan on Mount Qingcheng, Jinsha Site Museum, Wuhou Shrine, Du Fu Thatched Cottage, Sanxingdui Museum, Sansu Temple, Anyue Stone Carvings); Culinary Delights; and Chinese New Year Celebrations (Chengdu Temple Fair, Mianzhu New Year Painting Village).
There will also be seven snow-related festivals such as the Southern Ice and Snow Festival, Zhongding Temple Ice and Snow Season, and Wawushan Ice and Snow Carnival, in addition to three flower-based events including the Du Fu Thatched Cottage Plum Blossom Art Exhibition and the Deyang Zhongjiang Cherry Blossom Festival.
Also taking place are eight Chinese New Year folk cultural festivals like Wuhou Temple Fair, Chinese New Year Gala in Sanxingdui and Anyue Chinese New Year Carnival.
Aside from that, 19 cultural and artistic events will also be held such as Chinese Peking Opera Art Festival, the 160th anniversary exhibition to commemorate Qi Baishi’s birth, a New Year concert, and a tour of Sansu Temple and Ziyang Dazu Twin Cities.
Organizations who joined the event include Tourism Selangor, Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association (MCTA), Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association (MITA), and Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA), as well as local travel agencies such as Apple Vacation and Parlo Tours with some signing cooperation agreements with Chengdu travel agencies.
