Chengdu is a city where food, culture, and local markets intertwine in vibrant, colorful ways. Unlike many tourist hotspots, Chengdu offers a genuine chance to step into the daily life of Sichuan locals, whether through cooking classes, spice markets, or herb shops. We particularly like experiences like the Half-Day Chengdu Cooking Class with Local Market Visit, which combines hands-on cooking with a walk through a traditional spice market—an excellent way to learn about local ingredients firsthand. These tours offer a closer look at Chengdu’s culinary soul, making your trip truly memorable.
If you’re after authentic shopping experiences, Chengdu’s markets are unmatched. From the spice-filled aisles of herbal markets to the bustling stalls selling fresh produce, there’s something for every curious traveler. Whether you want to learn how to make Sichuan hotpot or pick up rare ingredients, this list covers the best options for exploring Chengdu’s rich market scene.
Quick Overview
Our list features a wide array of shopping and market tours in Chengdu, including cooking classes, spice market visits, herbal and tea markets, and specialty food workshops. Each experience is designed to give you a practical, hands-on taste of local life—whether that’s mastering the art of making Sichuan mapo tofu or browsing the busy stalls at Wenshu Yuan Monastery. For detailed insights and practical tips, keep reading below.
1. Half-Day Chengdu Cooking Class with Local Market Visit
At number 1, this cooking class combined with a spice market tour offers a comprehensive introduction to Sichuan cuisine. You’ll explore a local spice market, learning about ingredients like Sichuan peppercorns and chili pastes from your guide. Then, under the guidance of a professional chef, you’ll prepare multiple dishes, culminating in a shared meal that you cooked yourself. This tour is perfect for foodies who want an immersive, hassle-free experience—ingredients and meals are included, and the small group size ensures personal attention.
Guests rave about the authenticity and quality, emphasizing how the market visit and cooking instruction are seamlessly combined. One reviewer noted, “Jerry was just great—full of knowledge and energy,” highlighting how engaging and informative the experience is. For around $75, this tour offers excellent value, especially for those keen to learn Sichuan recipes directly from a local chef. Bottom line: Ideal for culinary travelers who want both cultural insights and practical skills.
2. Half-Day Chinese Bun Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit
Next on our list is the Bao Zi steam buns cooking class. This tour is perfect if you want a shorter but very hands-on experience that begins with a walk through a local spice market. Your guide helps you discover Sichuan spices and ingredients before you roll up your sleeves to make traditional steamed buns. The class ends with tasting your own creations, paired with drinks.
Rated 5/5 by recent travelers, it’s praised for its engaging guide Lance and the authentic market experience. One guest shared, “Lance was great—he took lots of fabulous pictures and explained everything so well.” Priced at $80, it offers a focused, fun cooking session suitable for food lovers eager to master a specific Sichuan staple. Bottom line: A compact, rewarding experience for those interested in Chinese baking and spice exploration.
3. Half-Day Professional Mapo Tofu Cooking with a Local Market Visit
At number 3, this Mapo Tofu cooking class combines cultural insight with culinary skill. You start with a visit to a spice market to see ingredients like doubanjiang (fermented bean paste) and Sichuan pepper. Later, in a professional setting, you’ll learn how to cook the iconic dish with a chef, enjoying your meal with a beer or tea afterward.
This experience is small-group, limited to 10 people, ensuring personalized attention. Guests mention how helpful Jerry the guide was and how the class offers a genuine taste of local flavors. Priced at just over $69, it’s an excellent choice for those wanting to learn a true Sichuan classic in a relaxed environment. Bottom line: Perfect for those who want to focus on mastering one dish with cultural context.
4. Chengdu: Cooking Class with Fresh Market Half Day Experience
Number 4 features a half-day Sichuan cooking experience that immerses you in a local courtyard kitchen near a spice market. This tour emphasizes fresh ingredients and authentic techniques, giving you the chance to learn and cook multiple dishes alongside a passionate chef. The guided walk through the market helps you understand the ingredients that make Sichuan cuisine so distinctive.
Guests frequently highlight the warm, welcoming atmosphere and the high-quality, fully included meals. One review notes, “Jerry was very accommodating, and the chef taught us well.” For $79, this experience offers fantastic value, especially for foodies craving a genuine cooking lesson. Bottom line: Ideal for travelers who want a well-rounded, authentic culinary experience.
5. Half-Day Dandan Noodles Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit
Number 5 focuses on a beloved Sichuan dish: Dandan noodles. You’ll enjoy hotel pickup, then visit a spice market to source aromatic ingredients. In the professional kitchen, your chef will teach you the secrets to making the perfect spicy, savory sauce, and you’ll get to enjoy your noodles with a complimentary beer.
Rated highly, guests love how they learn the signature flavors of Sichuan cuisine. One reviewer praised the guide’s knowledge and the tasty result. At $100, this tour offers a culinary deep dive into one of Sichuan’s most iconic dishes, making it perfect for noodle lovers or those wanting a spicy challenge. Bottom line: Great for those eager to master a specific dish and learn about Sichuan spices.
6. Half-day Walking Tour with Local Market Trip and Vegetarian Lunch in Nunnery
Number 6 offers a more cultural approach with a walking tour through Chengdu’s spice market and a vegetarian Buddhist lunch. You’ll explore local markets, sample snacks, and then visit a nunnery for a Buddhist ceremony and a vegetarian feast. This tour provides insights into local spiritual and culinary traditions.
Guests appreciate the off-the-beaten-path feel and personal attention. One reviewer shared how the tour was unique and informative, with a focus on local customs. Costing just $50, it’s an affordable way to combine food, culture, and spirituality. Bottom line: Perfect for travelers interested in Sichuan’s cultural diversity and vegetarian cuisine.
7. 3-Hour Herbal Wholesale TCM Market and a Local Wet Market Tour
For those interested in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), number 7 is a treasure. This herbal and TCM wholesale market tour explores the vast array of Chinese herbs, spices, and medicinal ingredients. You’ll learn how different herbs are used and see over a thousand types of plants and medicinal roots.
Guests describe it as a “flavorful, fascinating adventure”—a real eye-opener into Chinese health practices. At just over $46, it’s a good value for anyone curious about the medicinal side of Sichuan’s culinary culture. Bottom line: Ideal for health-conscious travelers or those interested in TCM.
8. Half-Day Private Sichuan Hot-Pot Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit
Number 8 offers a hot-pot cooking class that dives into Sichuan’s most famous dish. You’ll visit a spice market, learn how to prepare both spicy and non-spicy broths, and cook your own hotpot with guidance from a professional chef. You’ll also learn how to cut and plate ingredients for presentation.
Rated highly with 3 reviews, guests enjoyed the personalized attention and the chance to cook both types of hotpot. At $80, it’s a bit more expensive but offers a deep, hands-on culinary experience. Bottom line: Perfect for hotpot enthusiasts and those wanting to learn Sichuan cooking techniques.
9. Private 3-Hours Chengdu Local Tea Market Visit (Whole-sales Market)
Tea is central to Chinese culture, and number 9 provides a private tea market tour. You’ll explore one of the biggest tea markets in China, learn how to differentiate oolong, green, black, and Pu-er tea, and even participate in tea drying and packaging demonstrations.
Guests find it a calming but fascinating experience, especially for tea enthusiasts. The tour costs around $46, offering substantial value for a deep dive into tea culture. Bottom line: Best suited for tea lovers and those interested in Chinese beverage traditions.
10. Half-day Chengdu Pickles Making Class with Local Market Visit
Number 10 is a fun, educational pickles-making workshop that combines exploring a spice market with traditional Sichuan pickle preparation. You’ll receive guidance from a professional chef in a courtyard setting, sampling Sichuan teas before starting your own pickles.
Rated highly, travelers love the hands-on aspect and the cultural insight. Priced at just over $51, it’s a unique experience for foodies who want to learn a traditional craft. Bottom line: Excellent for those interested in preserving local flavors through fermentation.
$51.29 per person
How to Choose the Right Market & Shopping Tour in Chengdu
When selecting a tour, consider your interest level and physical endurance. For instance, if you’re passionate about Sichuan cuisine, the Cooking Classes or hotpot experience are great bets. If your curiosity leans toward herbs and medicine, the herbal TCM market tour will satisfy your questions.
For a more cultural and spiritual perspective, the vegetarian nunnery lunch or the tea market provide insights into local traditions. Budget travelers should look at the pickles or market walk with breakfast, which are affordable but rich in flavor.
Booking early is advisable, especially for popular experiences like the full-day tour with panda, to secure your spot and avoid disappointment.
Final Thoughts
Chengdu offers a fantastic variety of shopping and market tours that cater to food lovers, culture seekers, and curious explorers alike. From the hands-on experience of cooking Sichuan dishes to wandering through herbal and spice markets, there’s something for every taste and interest. For a truly authentic experience, consider the Half-Day Chengdu Cooking Class with Local Market Visit or the Herbal TCM Market Tour. Both offer deep insights into local ingredients and culinary traditions.
If you want a more relaxed, cultural day, the Tea Market or the Vegetarian Nunnery Tour will give you a taste of Chengdu’s spiritual side. Whichever you choose, booking in advance will ensure a smooth, memorable experience. Happy shopping and exploring!