Sichuan Panorama | 7-Day In-Depth Tour of Chengdu + Panda Base + Leshan Giant Buddha + Mount Emei + Huanglong Scenic Area + Jiuzhaigou Valley

Welcome to Chengdu, the hometown of giant pandas. Our driver will meet you at the exit of the airport/train station and escort you to the hotel for check-in and rest. You can arrange the remaining time freely. If you are tired, you can rest at the hotel to relieve the fatigue of the journey. If it is still early, you can also take a stroll nearby, or consult your guide for travel suggestions based on your own time and interests. 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 flights, such as Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xi'an, Guilin, Hangzhou, Kunming, Lhasa, Chongqing, Wuhan, Guiyang, Xiamen, etc., as well as international direct flights, such as Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Japan, etc. Transportation is very convenient. 2. By train: Chengdu has 4 train stations in total. 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 over 100 giant pandas, making it the world's largest captive giant panda base. Here, you can see giant pandas of different ages playing, eating, climbing hills, climbing trees, sleeping, and other cute and interesting scenes. You can also follow your guide to visit the Chengdu Giant Panda Museum to learn more stories about pandas. If you visit in autumn, you may have the chance to see adorable giant panda cubs in the Moon Nursery and Sun Nursery. Moreover, the famous Chinese panda star Hua Hua lives here, known for her cute appearance and unique personality, and is called the "top female star." In addition to giant pandas, at the Chengdu Panda Base you can also see red pandas (rarer than giant pandas), Baer's pochards, golden pheasants, collared scops owls, and other rare animals. (Note: 1. Giant pandas prefer cool weather and are more active in the morning, so it is recommended to arrive early to see more natural behaviors; 2. The Chengdu Giant Panda Museum is free but requires advance reservation and is closed on Mondays.) Afterwards, visit the famous Buddhist temple in Chengdu - Wenshu Monastery, a Buddhist temple with over 1,400 years of history and an excellent place to experience Chengdu's culture and history. You can leisurely stroll through it, admiring in turn the Hall of Heavenly Kings (dedicated to Maitreya Bodhisattva and the Four Heavenly Kings, one of the main buildings of Wenshu Monastery), Wenshu Pavilion (with a pagoda and Buddhist library, a good place to learn about Buddhist culture), Mahavira Hall (touch the iron "Fu" character inside for good fortune), Sutra Library (housing Buddha relics), Hall of the Three Great Beings (dedicated to Guanyin, Wenshu, and Samantabhadra, a holy place for prayers), and other solemn buildings, feeling the Zen atmosphere and tranquility. In addition, the blue tiles and red walls of Wenshu Monastery are a popular spot for photos, where you can find a good angle and capture beautiful moments. In the afternoon, visit People's Park, hailed as one of the "most beautiful parks in Chengdu," to closely experience the leisurely Chengdu culture and the slow life of locals. Here, you can sit in a century-old teahouse, order a cup of fragrant gaiwan tea, chat leisurely with friends on bamboo chairs, experience the intangible cultural heritage of ear cleaning, enjoy the "little comfort" that tingles to the top of your head, or watch locals playing mahjong and visit the famous matchmaking corner. If you are lucky, you may encounter locals dancing square dances, practicing tai chi, or playing traditional Chinese instruments. As the sun sets, it is a good time to visit Jinli. Jinli has the reputation of "First Street of Western Shu" and "Chengdu's version of Along the River During the Qingming Festival," and is one of Chengdu's most representative historical and cultural districts. It was once rated by CNN as one of the 21 most beautiful streets in the world. Strolling through the ancient streets and alleys, you can admire the antique Ming and Qing architecture and the beautiful scene of red lanterns hanging high, appreciate the profound Three Kingdoms culture and unique western Sichuan style, watch wonderful Sichuan opera face-changing performances, capture beautiful moments during your trip, slowly browse specialty handicraft shops (Shu embroidery, bamboo weaving, paper cutting, calligraphy and painting, etc.), taste authentic old Chengdu snacks (dan dan noodles, ice jelly, sugar oil fruits, etc.), and immersively feel the lively atmosphere unique to Chengdu's old streets. After the tour, our driver will escort you back to your hotel in Chengdu for rest. Evening activity recommendations (optional) 1. Sichuan Opera Performance: Teahouses in Jinli or dedicated performance venues offer wonderful Sichuan opera performances, including face-changing, fire-spitting, shadow puppetry, puppet shows, dance, singing, and acrobatics. Performances are usually from 20:00 to 21:30. You can enjoy tea while watching and experience the rich Chengdu cultural atmosphere. 2. Jinjiang Night Cruise: A night cruise on the Jinjiang River is a highlight of Jinli's evening activities. Cruise times are usually from 18:00 to 23:30, lasting about 30 minutes. You can enjoy the night view of downtown Chengdu and feel the beauty of the brilliant lights on both sides of the Jinjiang River complementing the antique buildings.

After breakfast, you will drive about 2 hours to visit the famous World Cultural and Natural Heritage site—the Leshan Giant Buddha. The Leshan Giant Buddha is the largest and tallest stone-carved Buddha in the world, a great miracle in world cultural history, and a well-known Buddhist holy site in China. The Buddha is carved into the cliff at the confluence of the Minjiang, Qingyi, and Dadu rivers. Its superb carving technique makes it an artistic treasure of Tang Dynasty cliff carvings in China, and its exquisite design has kept it standing for a thousand years, hence the saying "The mountain is a Buddha, and the Buddha is a mountain." Carved into the riverside cliff, the Leshan Giant Buddha is about 71 meters high, about 28 meters wide at the shoulders, about 14.7 meters high at the head, about 7 meters long in the ears, about 5.6 meters long in the nose and eyebrows, about 3.3 meters long in the mouth and eyes, and about 8.5 meters wide across the insteps; more than a hundred people could sit on the feet. Looking out, it is extremely majestic and solemn. You can tour on foot to see the Buddha up close and feel its grandeur, visit ancient Buddhist temples such as Lingyun Temple and Jiading Temple to learn more about Leshan's history and Buddhist culture, or go to the Buddha viewing platform to photograph the full view of the Leshan Giant Buddha and the charming natural scenery around it. Optional activity recommendation: The plank road at the Leshan Giant Buddha is narrow, steep, and rather winding. If you are not in good physical condition or want a relaxed visit, you can take a boat to enjoy the panoramic view of the Buddha, taking in its majestic figure fully. Then, drive about 45 km to visit Baoguo Temple, the largest Buddhist temple on Mount Emei. Located at the foot of Mount Emei, Baoguo Temple is not only an important symbol of Mount Emei's Buddhist culture but also an excellent starting point for touring Mount Emei. Here, you can not only pay respects to the solemn halls and Buddha statues but also burn incense and pray for blessings. Especially on sunny days, standing by the temple's red walls and under ancient trees, you can take very Zen-style beautiful photos. After the tour, go to the hotel to check in and rest.

After breakfast, you will head to Mount Emei, one of the four great Buddhist mountains in China. [Mount Emei] is one of the famous World Cultural and Natural Heritage sites and one of China's popular tourist destinations. It is known for its features of "majesty, elegance, wonder, steepness, and seclusion," and has long been praised as a "mountain of immortals and land of Buddhism," a "kingdom of plants," a "paradise of animals," and a "geological museum." The combination of sightseeing bus + hiking + cable car allows you to more easily enjoy the magnificent natural scenery of Mount Emei and appreciate the profound charm of Buddhist culture. Recommended route for today: Visitor Center → take the sightseeing bus to Leidongping (about 1.5~2 hours) → walk to Jieyin Hall (about 30 minutes) → take the cable car to Golden Summit (about 5 minutes) → tour Golden Summit → return along the same route (this route not only helps you save energy, but also allows you to fully enjoy the essence of Mount Emei) Tips for visiting Mount Emei 1. There may be monkeys on the section from Leidongping to Jieyin Hall. It is recommended not to carry plastic bags or food to avoid them being snatched by monkeys. 2. Golden Summit is the highest point of Mount Emei, at an altitude of about 3,077 meters. You can enjoy the four wonders of sunrise, sea of clouds, Buddha's halo, and holy lamps. If you are lucky, you can also catch the spectacular sight of surging waves of clouds, which is very magnificent. It is best after rain when the sky clears or after snow when it just clears; early morning is the best time to view the sunrise and Buddha's halo, and the scenery is mysterious and breathtaking. After the tour, our driver will escort you back to your hotel in Chengdu for rest.

This morning, we will take you to Chengdu East Railway Station to take a high-speed train to Huanglongjiuzhai Station (about 1.5 to 3 hours). Our local driver will meet you at the exit of Huanglongjiuzhai Station and take you to visit Huanglong Scenic Area. (PS: Huanglongjiuzhai Station is about 26 kilometers from Huanglong Scenic Area, about 30 minutes by car; and about 90 kilometers from Jiuzhaigou, about 1.5 hours by car.) 【Huanglong Scenic Area】is renowned for its unique travertine landscapes, majestic snow-capped mountains and canyons, pristine forests and meadows, and rich flora and fauna. It has the reputation of "Fairy Pool on Earth," "Fairyland Huanglong," and "World Wonder," and was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1992. The karst landforms in Huanglong are very rare, forming breathtakingly beautiful colored pool groups in blue, green, orange, yellow, and white, arranged in layers like terraced fields carefully carved by nature. From a distance, it looks like a golden dragon spanning the valley, perched atop the snow-capped mountains, inspiring infinite imagination. Recommended route for today: Take the cable car to the mountaintop viewpoint (overlooking the entire Huanglong Scenic Area) → walk down the mountain (about 3-4 hours on foot, along the way you can see Huanglong Ancient Temple, Five-Color Pool, Mirror Reflection Pool, Welcome Pool, waterfalls, and other travertine pools and cave landscapes, appreciating the natural and cultural beauty of Huanglong) Huanglong Scenic Area highlights 1. Five-Color Pool: At an elevation of about 3,576 meters, this is the essence of Huanglong Scenic Area, composed of 693 travertine colored pools of different sizes, shapes, and colors. The water is clear and displays rich colors under sunlight, like nature's palette, surrounded by green mountains, with magnificent scenery. In the early morning or evening, you can capture the most beautiful light and shadow effects of the Five-Color Pool. 2. Huanglong Ancient Temple: First built in the Ming Dynasty, it is said to have been built to commemorate Huanglong Zhenren, who helped Yu the Great control floods. It is a Taoist temple with a long history, with abundant incense, where you can burn incense and pray, and learn about the legend of Huanglong Zhenren and Taoist culture. 3. Mirror Reflection Pool: Its unique mirror-like reflections and colored pool landscapes make it one of the must-see sights in Huanglong Scenic Area. You can photograph the reflections in the colored pools and capture the beautiful moments of sky, clouds, snow peaks, and dense forests. After sightseeing, you will leave Huanglong Scenic Area and drive about 2 hours to Jiuzhaigou to check into your hotel for rest. Huanglong Scenic Area tips 1. The elevation of Huanglong Scenic Area is higher than Jiuzhaigou, with the core area at 3,200 to 3,600 meters. Some visitors may experience altitude sickness. It is recommended to avoid strenuous exercise, keep walking slowly, and prepare oxygen bottles or use the oxygen stations in the scenic area. 2. The Huanglong cable car may be closed in winter (usually November to March) due to weather conditions. The specific time is subject to the scenic area's announcement.

After breakfast, head to Jiuzhaigou, known as a "fairyland on earth." This is one of the most beautiful natural scenic areas in China and the world, and a famous World Natural Heritage site. It is renowned for its "Six Wonders of Jiuzhaigou": unique alpine lake groups, waterfalls, colorful forests, snow peaks, blue ice, and Tibetan customs, and enjoys the reputation of "fairy-tale world" and "king of waterscapes." The Jiuzhaigou scenic area consists of three main valleys—Zechawa Valley, Rize Valley, and Shuzheng Valley—arranged overall in a "Y" shape. The easiest and most energy-saving way to tour is by sightseeing bus. At the scenic area entrance there are sightseeing buses to various attractions. After arriving at an attraction, you can walk along the wooden boardwalk to enjoy the scenery, then transfer to another sightseeing bus at a designated spot to go to the next attraction. Our guide can customize a more reasonable touring route based on your time, energy, and group size, allowing you to explore Jiuzhaigou's highlights at the most comfortable pace and enjoy the stunning natural scenery along the way. Recommended classic touring route: Take the sightseeing bus at the scenic area entrance → Nuorilang Waterfall (the widest travertine waterfall in China) → take the bus to Zechawa Valley → hike to Five-Color Pond (the smallest lake in Jiuzhaigou) and Long Lake (the largest lake in Jiuzhaigou) → take the bus to Rize Valley → hike to Panda Lake (named because pandas appear there), Five-Flower Lake (one of Jiuzhaigou's famous lakes and one of its wonders), Pearl Shoal (a unique travertine shoal landscape), and Mirror Lake (the third-largest lake in Jiuzhaigou, with stunning scenery) → return to Nuorilang Visitor Center to rest → take the bus to Shuzheng Valley (along the way you can enjoy Shuzheng Lakes, Shuzheng Waterfall, Sparkling Lake, traditional Tibetan villages, and other attractions) → return to the entrance Practical tips for Jiuzhaigou 1. Arrive early at the scenic area: Jiuzhaigou limits daily visitors to 41,000. It is recommended to arrive early to avoid the peak of tour groups and enjoy a quieter visiting experience. 2. Wear comfortable shoes: Jiuzhaigou involves a lot of walking. It is recommended to choose comfortable sports shoes or hiking shoes with good grip to avoid affecting your visit due to uncomfortable shoes. 3. Dining options in the park: Nuorilang Restaurant is the only restaurant in the scenic area, offering a buffet lunch, but prices are relatively high and it is crowded. It is recommended to bring your own food and choose a scenic spot for a picnic, which saves money and avoids the crowds.

After breakfast, our driver will take you to the airport/train station. At this point, this wonderful and unforgettable 7-day Chengdu, Leshan, Mount Emei, Huanglong, and Jiuzhaigou tour comes to an end. If you would like to extend this trip and explore more destinations in China, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Huangshan, Harbin, Yunnan, Xi'an, Zhangjiajie, Tibet, Guilin, Xinjiang, etc., you can also contact our customer service to arrange it for you.