Trip Highlights
Start your day with a visit to giant pandas, observing them as they eat bamboo and exercise in the morning.
Savor local Sichuan dishes and experience Chengdu’s unique coffee culture.
Cruise past the world’s largest stone Buddha, the magnificent Leshan Giant Buddha.
Explore Mount Emei, one of China’s holiest Buddhist sites, including visits to its renowned temples.
Step back in time at Jinsha Site Museum, uncovering the fascinating history of ancient Chengdu.
Below is a sample itinerary. Our travel experts can customize your tour to perfectly match your interests, schedule, and preferences.
- Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Chengdu
Upon arrival at Chengdu Airport or Railway Station, your private guide and driver will warmly welcome you and transfer you to your downtown hotel. Check in, relax, and use your free time to explore the city at your own pace. Feel free to ask your guide for personalized recommendations or sightseeing tips.
Day 2 – Chengdu
Begin your day with a visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, the perfect morning activity as pandas are most active during this time. Observe these adorable creatures eating bamboo, rolling around, and enjoying their naturalistic habitats, while learning about their behavior and conservation efforts.
For lunch, we recommend Yongle Restaurant in the Xiaojiahe Community, a local food street known for its homestyle Sichuan dishes. The restaurant has been popular with locals for over 20 years. (Lunch is at your own expense.)
In the afternoon, explore a local vegetable market, where you can see a variety of fresh produce, spices, seafood, and traditional ingredients integral to Chinese culinary culture. A short walk will take you to the Xiaojiahe River tea houses, where locals gather to chat, play Mahjong, or practice Tai Chi. Here, you will enjoy a special cup of Gaiwan Coffee—a fascinating twist on a familiar taste, served in a traditional Chinese lidded tea bowl. Afterwards, your guide will escort you back to the hotel.
Day 3 – Chengdu to Leshan and Mount Emei
In the morning, drive to Leshan and take a cruise to admire the Leshan Giant Buddha, the world’s largest stone Buddha at 71 meters (233 feet). Carved into a hillside during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD), the statue represents Maitreya, the future Buddha, and was built to bless passing boats at the confluence of three rivers.
Afterwards, travel to Mount Emei and check in at a 5-star hotel at the mountain’s base. Rest and enjoy dinner.
Day 4 – Mount Emei to Chengdu
Today, explore Mount Emei, one of the Four Sacred Mountains of Chinese Buddhism. Take the cable car from the parking lot and walk 10–20 minutes to Wannian Temple, one of the oldest temples housing rich Buddhist cultural relics. Afterwards, return the same way and drive to Baoguo Temple, the largest temple on the mountain, featuring four temple halls, quaint pavilions, and beautiful gardens.
Enjoy the natural beauty of Mount Emei, with its majestic cliffs, deep valleys, waterfalls, cloud seas, and lush forests—revered by generations as “a beauty spot under heaven.” Stroll under evergreen pines and cypresses, soaking in the spiritual atmosphere.
After a full day of sightseeing, return to Chengdu and check in at your hotel.
Day 5 – Departure from Chengdu
Start your morning at Jinsha Site Museum, exploring the rich heritage of the ancient Shu Civilization (12th–7th century BC). Marvel at treasures like the “Sun and Immortal Birds” gold foil, a masterpiece of ancient craftsmanship depicting the sun surrounded by four birds—symbolizing the Shu people’s reverence for the Sun God.
In the afternoon, visit the Wide and Narrow Alley, a historic district of three alleys lined with traditional courtyard houses. Many have been converted into restaurants, teahouses, pubs, and shops, offering a glimpse into Chengdu’s vibrant past.
Finally, your private guide and driver will transfer you to the airport or railway station for your onward journey. We hope your Chengdu adventure leaves you with unforgettable memories, and we look forward to welcoming you again!
Inclusions:
Hotel accommodations with daily breakfasts
Lunches as specified in the itinerary
Private English-speaking guide throughout the tour
Private driver and air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers and sightseeing
Entrance fees to all attractions listed in the itinerary
Exclusions:
International or domestic airfare to/from Chengdu
Visa fees or travel permits
Personal expenses (shopping, snacks, souvenirs, etc.)
Tips or gratuities for guide and driver
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