9-Day Chengdu and Jiuzhaigou Private Tour

Chengdu Tianfu Airport → Hotel → Free Time Arrive in Chengdu. Pick-up is provided. Check in. Then free time. Options include hot pot, dan dan noodles, or spicy rabbit head, a local specialty. Overnight: Chengdu

Chengdu → Huanglong Jiuzhai Station → Huanglong Scenic Area → Hotel Early train to the mountains. First stop: Huanglong, a UNESCO site famous for its bright blue terraced pools that appear artificially colored but are natural. Note: At 3,500 meters, the air is thin. You might feel as if you have just run a marathon while sitting still. Walk slowly, drink water, and avoid overexertion. Oxygen tanks are available. Overnight: Near Jiuzhaigou

Jiuzhaigou → Five Flower Lake → Pearl Shoal Waterfall → Hotel Jiuzhaigou resembles a scene from a Studio Ghibli film. The water is blue-green-turquoise and appears artificial. The forests are lush. Highlights: Overnight: Near Jiuzhaigou

High-Speed Train to Chengdu → Kuanzhai Alley → Hotel Train back to Chengdu. Afternoon stroll through Kuanzhai Alley, a restored Qing Dynasty street where you can watch ear cleaning with a tiny metal spoon, buy sesame candy from a long-time vendor, and experience a period atmosphere. It is touristy but pleasant. Overnight: Chengdu

Emei Mountain → Golden Summit → Hotel Visit a sacred Buddhist mountain. A cable car is available. Emei Mountain's Golden Summit sits at 3,079 meters. On clear days, you can see a sea of clouds below and a 48-meter-tall golden Buddha statue. If lucky, you may witness the Buddha's Halo, a natural light phenomenon where a rainbow circle appears around your shadow. If not, it may be foggy. Mountain weather is unpredictable: 50% stunning views, 50% expensive mist. Overnight: Near Emei Mountain

Leshan Giant Buddha → Boat Tour → Chunxi Road → Taikoo Li → Hotel Leshan Giant Buddha is a 71-meter (233-foot) stone Buddha carved into a cliff during the Tang Dynasty. His big toe is larger than a person. You can walk down the narrow staircase next to him (built in the 8th century) for a close experience, or take a boat tour to see him from the river. Afternoon back in Chengdu. Visit Chunxi Road (shopping street) and Taikoo Li (outdoor mall). Overnight: Chengdu

Giant Panda Base → Sanxingdui Museum → Hotel Morning: Pandas. The Giant Panda Breeding Research Base is where you can see these black-and-white animals eating bamboo, sleeping, and occasionally doing a somersault. Best viewing time is 8:30-10:00 AM when they are fed. After that, they mostly nap. Afternoon: Sanxingdui Museum. This place is unusual. Bronze masks with bug eyes, a giant bronze tree, and artifacts from a 3,000-year-old civilization unknown until 1986. Archaeologists are still puzzled. You will be too. Overnight: Chengdu

No schedule. You are in charge. Sleep in. Find street food. Visit a teahouse. Get a Sichuan-style massage (warning: it is aggressive). Walk along Jinli Street. Try mapo tofu at its birthplace. You have climbed mountains, stared at giant Buddhas, and survived high-altitude hikes. Now it is time to do nothing or everything. Your call. Overnight: Chengdu

Hotel → Chengdu Tianfu Airport You will be dropped at the airport based on your flight time. Bring extra luggage space for spicy sauce packets.