7 Days Chengdu Chongqing Zhangjiajie Tour

The Experience

Welcome to Chengdu. After you arrive, our local team will meet you at the airport or train station and take you to your hotel by private vehicle.

Depending on your arrival time, you can take a gentle walk around the neighborhood, enjoy your first Sichuan meal, or simply rest at the hotel.

We keep the first day intentionally easy, giving you time to settle in after your journey rather than filling the day with scheduled sightseeing.

Highlights

• Private airport or train station transfer
• Easy first introduction to Chengdu
• Time to rest and adjust to the time zone

Tips

• Keep your first evening flexible after a long international journey.

The Experience

In the early morning, we will drive to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding when the pandas are generally more active.

We spend the morning walking through the different panda enclosures and learning about conservation and the work behind Chengdu’s long-running panda breeding programs.

After lunch, we return toward the city and visit Kuanzhai Alley, a historic neighborhood made up of three parallel lanes lined with restored Qing-dynasty courtyard buildings.

Rather than treating it simply as a photo stop, we encourage you to wander at an easy pace, look into the traditional courtyards and try a few local snacks.

It is also a good place to see how old Chengdu architecture has been adapted to modern cafés, teahouses and shops.

Highlights

• Giant pandas at the Chengdu Panda Base
• Historic Qing-era architecture at Kuanzhai Alley
• Chengdu food and everyday city atmosphere

Tips

• Arrive at the Panda Base early for the best chance of seeing active pandas.

The Experience

After breakfast, we transfer to Chengdu East Railway Station and take the high-speed train to Chongqing. The journey takes roughly 1.5–2 hours. After arriving, our driver meets you at the station and takes you into the city.

We begin with Ciqikou, an old riverside town whose narrow lanes and traditional buildings preserve part of Chongqing’s past as a trading settlement along the Jialing River.

It is a good place to slow down, browse small food shops and try local specialties such as chenmapo-style spicy dishes and Chongqing snacks.

Later, we head into central Chongqing and visit Hongyadong. Built against the hillside beside the Jialing River, its layered wooden architecture reflects the traditional diaojiaolou style, while the surrounding streets show how dramatically modern Chongqing has grown.

After dark, the illuminated buildings create one of the city’s most recognizable views.

Highlights

• Historic lanes and food at Ciqikou
• Chongqing’s famous hillside cityscape at Hongyadong

Tips

• Chongqing is very hilly, so comfortable shoes are essential.

The Experience

We begin the day at Liziba, one of Chongqing’s most unusual urban sights, where the metro train passes directly through a residential building.

After the visit, we transfer to the railway station and take a high-speed train toward Zhangjiajie. It takes about 2-3 hours.

Once you arrive, our private driver will meet you and take you directly to your hotel near Wulingyuan, the main gateway to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Staying here puts you close to tomorrow’s scenic area.

The rest of the day is free to relax, explore the local area or have an early dinner before the next day’s hiking and sightseeing.

Highlights

• Liziba metro-through-building viewpoint
• Convenient overnight stay near Wulingyuan

The Experience

We enter Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in the morning and spend the day exploring its most impressive mountain landscapes.

One of the first highlights is the Bailong Elevator, a spectacular glass lift built into the mountainside that takes you quickly up to the top.

From there, we continue to Yuanjiajie, where towering sandstone pillars rise from the forest and create the park’s most recognizable views filmed in Avatar.

After exploring Yuanjiajie, we continue to Tianzi Mountain for a different perspective across the peaks and valleys.

After descending from the mountain area, our driver takes you to Zhangjiajie City and helps you check in to your hotel there.

In the evening, we visit 72 Qilou, a lively architectural complex inspired by local Tujia traditions. Its illuminated buildings, food stalls and evening atmosphere provide a very different experience from the quiet mountain scenery earlier in the day.

Highlights

• Bailong Elevator and Yuanjiajie
• Avatar Mountains
• Panoramic scenery from Tianzi Mountain
• Evening visit to 72 Qilou

Tips

• Wear comfortable shoes with good grip for the walking trails.
• Bring a light rain jacket as mountain weather can change quickly.
• The park involves shuttle buses, walking and sightseeing queues, so allow plenty of time.

The Experience

We take the cable car in Zhangjiajie City and go directly to the top of Tianmen Mountain.

At the top, we follow the mountain paths to enjoy the dramatic cliffside scenery, with the glass skywalk providing an optional experience for those who are comfortable with heights.

After descending from Tianmen Mountain, we leave Zhangjiajie by private vehicle and drive to Furong Town.

Built along a steep riverside setting, this historic Tujia town is known for its traditional houses, stone lanes and impressive waterfall running through the settlement.

We arrive with enough time to explore before dark, then stay into the evening to see Furong illuminated. The night view is one of the town’s most atmospheric moments, with the waterfall and buildings glowing against the surrounding cliffs.

Highlights

• Tianmen Mountain cable car
• Cliffside scenery and glass skywalk
• Furong Town and its illuminated waterfall

Tips

• Tianmen Mountain involves considerable walking and some steep sections.
• The glass skywalk is optional, so you can skip it if you are uncomfortable with heights.

The Experience

We keep the final morning simple and relaxed in Furong Town.

After breakfast, you can take one last walk through the old streets, revisit the waterfall or enjoy some quiet time by the river before leaving.

When you are ready, our private driver will take you from Furong to Zhangjiajie. Depending on your onward travel plans, we can arrange the transfer to Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport or Zhangjiajie West Railway Station.

We recommend allowing comfortable buffer time for your flight or train, particularly during busy travel periods.

Our journey comes to an end. We sincerely hope you have a nice time in Chengdu, Chongqing and Zhangjiajie in China.

Highlights

• Relaxed final morning in Furong Town
• Private transfer to Zhangjiajie Airport or railway station

Tips

• Allow extra transfer time during holidays and peak travel periods.