8-Day Pure-Play Super-Value Small Group Tour of Chengdu, Chongqing and Zhangjiajie: Adorable Pandas · Magical 8D Mountain City · Avatar Wonderland

Welcome to Chengdu, the hometown of giant pandas. Our driver will meet you at the airport/railway station exit and escort you to the hotel to check in and rest. You can arrange the remaining time freely. If you are rather tired, you can rest at the hotel to relieve the fatigue of the journey. If it is still early, you can also stroll around the neighborhood, or consult your guide for travel suggestions according to your own time and interests. Suggestions for free activities: We especially recommend that you try authentic Sichuan hot pot, or watch a wonderful Sichuan opera face-changing performance, and experience the authentic Bashu customs. Suggested ways to arrive 1. By plane: Chengdu has two airports - Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) and Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU), with many domestic direct routes, such as Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xi'an, Guilin, Hangzhou, Kunming, Lhasa, Chongqing, Wuhan, Guiyang, Xiamen, etc., as well as international direct routes, such as Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Japan, etc. Transportation is very convenient. 2. By train: Chengdu has a total of 4 railway stations. You can take high-speed rail to Chengdu from cities such as Beijing (7-11 hours), Xi'an (3-4 hours), Chongqing (1.5-2 hours), Shanghai (12.5-14.5 hours), Kunming (6-6.5 hours), Guiyang (3.5-4.5 hours), etc.

After breakfast, you will drive about 17 kilometers to visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in the northern suburbs of Chengdu, to see China's adorable national treasure, the giant panda, and learn about their habits and conservation. [Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding], abbreviated as Chengdu Panda Base, houses more than 100 giant pandas and is the base with the largest number of captive giant pandas in the world. Here, you can see giant pandas of different ages playing, eating, climbing hills, climbing trees, sleeping, and other cute and interesting daily scenes. You can also follow your guide to visit the Panda Museum to learn more stories about pandas. In addition, if you visit in autumn, you may have the chance to see adorable giant panda cubs in the Moon Nursery and Sun Nursery. Warm reminder: Giant pandas prefer cool weather and are more active in the morning, so it is recommended to arrive early to see more natural panda behavior. In the afternoon, you will drive about 1 hour to visit the Sanxingdui Museum, known as "sleeping for three thousand years, awakening to astonish the world." [Sanxingdui] was unearthed in 1929 and is the largest, longest-lasting, and culturally richest ancient state site discovered so far in southwestern China. Here, you will see the majestic bronze standing figure, the exquisitely beautiful bronze sacred tree, the gold mask as thin as a cicada's wing, the gold staff with intricate patterns... and follow your guide's steps through the dust of history to explore the ancient Shu civilization and unlock the mysterious stories behind these artifacts. After the visit, return to downtown Chengdu and stroll through Jinli Ancient Street. [Jinli] is Chengdu's oldest and liveliest commercial district, with a history dating back as early as the Qin and Han dynasties. Here, you can explore and taste traditional Chengdu snacks, watch interesting folk performances, and admire the beauty of traditional Chinese ancient architecture. Plan B: Chengdu Panda Base + Chengdu Museum + Kuanzhai Alley + People's Park Warm reminder: During peak season, the Sanxingdui Museum has a very large flow of visitors during holidays, and tickets are hard to get. If tickets are sold out, your itinerary will be adjusted to Plan B for sightseeing in downtown Chengdu. The itinerary changes are as follows: In the afternoon, you will visit the largest comprehensive city museum in southwestern China, [Chengdu Museum]. This is an excellent place to learn about Chengdu's history, culture, and art. The museum has a rich collection of more than 200,000 items, covering precious artifacts from the Neolithic period to the Republic of China era, such as bronzes, gold and silver wares, pictorial bricks, stone carvings, ceramics, calligraphy and paintings, and furniture. Among them, the humorous Eastern Han drumming and singing pottery figurine, the mysterious Sanxingdui bronze human-face mask, the exquisite lacquered meridian figure, and the finely crafted openwork gilded sachet are the museum's treasures and are worth careful appreciation. In addition, the shadow puppetry, puppet shows, Sichuan opera, Sichuan cuisine, and teahouse culture and other Chinese intangible cultural heritage in Chengdu Museum are very stunning, allowing you to experience up close the charm of Chengdu's splendid history and culture and unique folk customs. Afterward, you will visit [Kuanzhai Alley], praised as one of the "Top Ten Most Beautiful Streets in Sichuan." This is the only remaining ancient Qing Dynasty street in Chengdu, preserving the authentic old Chengdu style. It is a great place to experience authentic Chengdu's leisurely slow life. Strolling casually, you can admire exquisite ancient architecture, taste authentic old Chengdu foods (dan dan noodles, spicy rabbit head, skewers, etc.), and take excellent travel photos. Next, continue to [People's Park], praised as one of the "Most Beautiful Parks in Chengdu," to experience Chengdu's leisurely culture up close and the slow pace of local life. Here, in a century-old teahouse, you can order a cup of fragrant covered-bowl tea, sit on bamboo chairs with a few friends and chat leisurely, experience intangible cultural heritage ear cleaning (at your own expense) and enjoy the tingling "little comfort" that shoots straight to your head, or watch exciting local mahjong games and stroll through the famous matchmaking corner. If you are lucky, you may also encounter locals dancing in the square, practicing tai chi, or playing traditional Chinese instruments.

This morning, you will take a high-speed train from Chengdu to Chongqing, about a 1-2 hour ride. After arriving, meet your guide and begin today's Chongqing tour. First stop, head to Liziba Station to witness the world-famous "monorail through a building" spectacle. This is China's first rail transit station co-built and coexisting with a commercial and residential building, located on Chongqing Rail Transit Line 2. We will stop at a dedicated viewing area and take you to immersively watch the stunning scene of the "monorail through a building." Remember to capture this futuristic scene with your phone or camera. Next, head to one of Chongqing's "8D magical" landmark buildings, Kuixinglou, for a visit. It looks like an ordinary city square, but when you stand at the edge and look down, you will find a 22-story drop beneath your feet, as if suspended in midair, which is very striking. This architectural wonder is also an excellent place to feel Chongqing's three-dimensional character. Afterward, head to Jiefangbei for a visit. This 27.5-meter-high stone monument is Chongqing's spiritual landmark, bearing witness to the city's resilience and unyielding spirit during World War II. A piece of the city's memory from that era is still preserved within its base. Here, why not take a commemorative photo saying "Hello, Chongqing" and leave your first impression of the mountain city. At dinner time, enjoy an authentic Chongqing hot pot together. As one of the birthplaces of hot pot, the spicy flavors here are the most authentic. Sit around the pot, dip a piece of tripe, take a sip of a cold drink, and amid the rising steam, feel the most genuine everyday life of Chongqing people. Then, head to Hongya Cave by the Jialing River. This is one of Chongqing's most iconic cultural tourism landmarks, famous for its traditional Bayu stilted building complex, dazzling night light show, and 8D mountain city wonders. You can stroll and explore, and casually take "floating architecture" 8D magical photos. Especially when night falls and the dazzling lights come on, you can check in at a real-life "Spirited Away" scene. To capture the most beautiful night view, you do not necessarily have to go onto the bridge. You can walk under the Qiansimen Jialing River Bridge or stand in front of the Jiangbeizui Grand Theatre on the opposite bank to take in this fantastical night view. After the tour, you will return to your hotel in downtown Chongqing to rest.

This morning, you will drive to the 【Wulong Karst Tourism Area】, about a 2.5-hour drive. This is a World Natural Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO and is home to the world-famous Three Natural Bridges: Tianlong Bridge, Qinglong Bridge, and Heilong Bridge. These three huge natural limestone arch bridges span the gorge with magnificent momentum, and the area was also one of the filming locations for the movie Transformers: Age of Extinction. After arriving at the scenic area, first overlook the panoramic view of the gorge from the viewing platform at the entrance and feel the shock of looking down from above. Then take the sightseeing elevator directly to the bottom of the valley and officially begin this "journey to the center of the earth." On the hiking route, you will encounter these masterpieces of nature: Tianlong Bridge: The most majestic of the three bridges, with a towering arch like an open natural gate welcoming every visitor. Standing beneath the bridge and looking up, you truly understand what "superb workmanship" means, and it is very awe-inspiring. Tianfu Official Post: An ancient Tang Dynasty-style post station hidden deep in the valley, with gray tiles and gray walls, full of ancient charm. The crew of Transformers 4 once filmed here, and now it stands quietly there, becoming one of the most story-rich corners in the frame. Qinglong Bridge: Locals like to call it "Guandao Bridge" because the shape of the arch resembles an upside-down Green Dragon Crescent Blade. The bridge body and the surrounding green cliffs and forests form a picture, and any casual shot is photogenic. Heilong Bridge: The most secluded of the three bridges, with a deep and dark arch. Walking inside, you can hear the murmuring sound of water. Fine springs often fall from the cave walls like mist and silk, bringing waves of cool, moist air that make you slow down involuntarily. Travel Tips Footwear: The scenic area has many steps and uneven roads, so be sure to wear comfortable, non-slip sports shoes or hiking shoes. Hydration/Energy: It is recommended to carry a small amount of drinking water and light snacks to replenish your energy in time along the way. Photography: The gorge is spacious, and a wide-angle lens best captures its grandeur; when near waterfalls, pay attention to protecting your equipment from water. Clothing: The temperature in the gorge is relatively low and the humidity is high. It is recommended to wear layered clothing that is easy to put on and take off, and bring a lightweight raincoat during the rainy season.

This morning, after breakfast at the hotel, our driver will, according to your ticket time, take you to the railway station in advance to take the high-speed train to Zhangjiajie (about 2-3 hours). Welcome to Zhangjiajie! Our driver will meet you at the railway station exit and take you to the hotel to complete check-in procedures. You can arrange the remaining time freely.

Today you will have a full day to explore Wulingyuan Scenic Area. First, you will head to visit China's first national forest park, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Take the scenic area shuttle bus to the Bailong Elevator, known as the "world's No. 1 elevator." This elevator once broke the Guinness World Record for the tallest outdoor elevator and is also the fastest and heaviest outdoor sightseeing elevator. It takes only 66 seconds to smoothly carry you from the foot of the mountain to the top, letting you experience the shock and excitement of rising from a deep valley straight into the clouds in an instant. After reaching the mountaintop platform, you can take in the magnificent mountain scenery around you. Then hike into the real-life Pandora world of Yuanjiajie, the filming location of the movie Avatar and the site of the real-life Hallelujah Mountain (originally named South Heaven Pillar). Here, you can stroll along the trails and visit major attractions in turn, such as the Back Garden, Mihun Terrace, and the No. 1 Bridge under Heaven. You can also immersively admire Zhangjiajie's fantastical peaks as you walk and gain a deeper understanding of Zhangjiajie's geological and landform features during the tour. Afterward, take the shuttle bus to visit Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, known as the "king of peak forests." Here, you will first head to Dianjiang Terrace to overlook the spectacular scenery of the West Sea peak forest, then go to Yubi Peak, the representative of the king of peak forests, to admire rows of upright peaks resembling writing brushes. Finally, hike to Helong Park to visit the bronze statues of Marshal Helong and his warhorse, and on the way also visit the nearby Tianzi Pavilion, where you can take in a panoramic view of the entire national forest park. Warm reminder: To avoid the crowds during peak tourist season, your guide may flexibly adjust the order of today's attractions to avoid peak crowds and ensure you can enter the scenic area before large tour groups, enjoying a more comfortable touring experience.

After breakfast, you will drive about 56 kilometers, about 1.5 hours, to visit [Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon], praised as "one of the most beautiful canyons in the world", and experience the world's longest and highest fully transparent glass bridge - Yuntian Du Glass Bridge. This is the world's first cable-stayed large-variable spatial cable glass suspension bridge, with a total length of about 375 meters, paved with 99 fully transparent glass panels. From a distance, the glass bridge is as thin as a cicada's wing, "invisible" in the landscape and sky. The bridge deck is about 300 meters above the bottom of the valley. Walking on the bridge, you can take in the magnificent scenery of the entire grand canyon and also look down at the deep grand canyon beneath your feet, very thrilling and exciting. In addition, there is also the world's highest bungee jumping platform in the middle of the bridge. If you are brave enough, you can experience it, very exciting and unforgettable (optional, bungee jumping fee is at your own expense). Afterwards, head to visit [Baofeng Lake], whose surface is like a mirror. Baofeng Lake is nestled among surrounded mountains. The lake water is emerald green and clear, reflecting the blue sky, white clouds, and surrounding mountains, like an exquisite ink painting. You can take a quaint pleasure boat through the mountains and waters, immersively enjoy the beauty of the surrounding lake and mountain scenery, and enjoy a leisurely and peaceful time. After the tour, return to the hotel to rest.

This morning, you will visit 【Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park】. Tianmen Mountain is about 8 kilometers from downtown Zhangjiajie. It is the first sacred mountain of western Hunan and a mountain suitable for visitors of all ages. You will take the cable car directly to the summit (about 30 minutes), and from the cable car you can take in the 99-bend winding mountain road and the magnificent surrounding mountain scenery. After reaching the summit, visit Tianmen Temple, one of only five Buddhist temples in the world preserving Buddha relics, and also enjoy the pleasant scenery of layered green peaks around. Afterwards, you can start two exciting cliff walkway hikes. First, visit the fully transparent glass skywalk, 1.6 meters wide and 60 meters long. Walking on it feels like strolling above the clouds, with majestic mountain scenery beside you and a deep, bottomless valley below, very thrilling. Then walk the 1,600-meter Ghost Valley Plank Road. The entire walkway clings to the cliff like a giant dragon, and as you walk you can overlook the mountains, a process both thrilling and spectacular. Then, take the escalator to Tianmen Cave, the most unmissable attraction in Tianmen Mountain Scenic Area and the world's highest natural karst cave through a mountain. After sightseeing, you can challenge the 999 steps or take the elevator to the cable car station, and then take the cable car down the mountain. After the tour, your wonderful 8-day Chengdu-Chongqing-Zhangjiajie value small group tour will come to an end. Our driver will take you to the airport or railway station for your next destination.