Overview
This 5-day Chengdu Chongqing tour combines two of Southwest China’s most iconic destinations into one unforgettable journey.
Experience Chengdu’s relaxed tea culture, adorable giant pandas, ancient streets, and famous Sichuan cuisine. With about 1.5-2 hours on a high-speed train, you will arrive in Chongqing, China’s spectacular mountain city along the Yangtze River. Explore dramatic skylines, riverside night views, traditional neighborhoods, and vibrant local food scenes.
In 5 days, you will discover the striking contrast between these two fascinating cities. Perfect for first-time visitors looking for culture, food, city landscapes, and an authentic local atmosphere.
Highlights
- Visit the world-famous Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
- Experience traditional Sichuan tea culture in Chengdu’s historic parks
- Discover Chongqing’s dramatic mountain city landscape and river scenery
- Visit iconic landmarks including Hongya Cave and Liziba Monorail Station
- Enjoy authentic Sichuan and Chongqing hotpot experiences
- Experience the unique contrast between relaxed Chengdu and energetic Chongqing
- Capture spectacular night views along the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers
- Ideal introduction to Southwest China for first-time travelers
Itinerary
Day 1: Chengdu Airport / Station → Hotel → Rest / Free Exploration
The Experience:
Welcome to Chengdu, the laid-back cultural heart of Sichuan Province.
Upon arrival, your driver will transfer you to the hotel in the city center. After settling, you can enjoy some time to relax after the journey.
Depending on your arrival time, you can begin exploring the city’s famous slow-paced lifestyle later.
For example, you can visit Kuanzhai Alley, a lively historic district filled with traditional courtyards, tea houses, local snacks, and handicraft shops. Or, go to People’s Park, where locals gather for tea, mahjong, dancing, and social activities. Both are the best places to experience authentic Chengdu culture.
- Overnight: Chengdu
- Meals: No
Day 2: Chengdu Panda Base → Wuhou Shrine → Jinli Old Street
The Experience:
After breakfast, we’ll head to the famous Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, one of the best places in China to see giant pandas up close.
Morning is the perfect time to visit, as the pandas are usually most active during feeding hours. As you walk along the bamboo-lined paths, you’ll see giant pandas eating, climbing, resting, and sometimes even playing with each other. The peaceful greenery and relaxed atmosphere make this one of Chengdu’s most memorable experiences.
After the panda visit, we’ll return to downtown Chengdu by private vehicle and continue to Wuhou Shrine, one of the city’s most important cultural and historical landmarks.
Dedicated to Zhuge Liang and the famous Three Kingdoms period, the shrine is filled with traditional courtyards, ancient trees, red walls, and beautiful Sichuan-style architecture. While walking through the peaceful grounds, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of Chengdu’s rich history and cultural heritage.
In the evening, we’ll walk directly to nearby Jinli Ancient Street, one of Chengdu’s most popular traditional streets. Here, you can explore local snack stalls, handicraft shops, tea houses, and lively alleyways filled with traditional atmosphere. Red lanterns light up the street, creating one of the most charming night scenes in Chengdu. You may also choose to enjoy an authentic Sichuan hotpot dinner to end the day.
Highlights
- See giant pandas during their most active hours
- Discover Chengdu’s famous Three Kingdoms culture
- Explore traditional Sichuan-style architecture
- Walk through lively old streets and food alleys
Tips
- Morning is the best time to visit the panda base
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
- Jinli Ancient Street is especially beautiful after sunset
- Try local snacks while exploring Jinli
- Overnight: Chengdu
- Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Chengdu → Leshan → Chongqing (High-Speed Train)
The Experience:
After breakfast, we’ll leave Chengdu and travel to Leshan Giant Buddha, one of the most famous landmarks in Southwest China and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The journey usually takes around 2 hours by private vehicle, passing through the scenic Sichuan countryside along the way.
Built over 1,200 years ago during the Tang Dynasty, the Leshan Giant Buddha is the largest stone Buddha statue in the world, carved directly into the cliff where three rivers meet. You can either walk along the ancient mountain pathways for closer views of the Buddha or take a relaxing river cruise to admire the full panoramic scene from the water.
Besides its impressive scale, the area also reflects the deep Buddhist culture and history of Sichuan.
After the visit, we’ll return to Chengdu. Your driver will transfer you to Chengdu East Railway Station directly. Then, you board a modern high-speed train to Chongqing. The ride is smooth, comfortable, and takes around 1.5–2 hours.
As the train approaches Chongqing, the landscape gradually changes from Chengdu’s flat plains to Chongqing’s dramatic mountains, bridges, and layered skyline.
Upon arrival, we’ll transfer to the hotel in the city center.
In the evening, you can relax, explore nearby food streets, or enjoy Chongqing’s famous river night views at your own pace.
Highlights
- Visit the world-famous Leshan Giant Buddha
- Experience Sichuan Buddhist culture and history
Tips
- Wear comfortable shoes for walking around the Buddha area
- River cruises offer excellent panoramic photo opportunities
- Keep your passport handy for high-speed train boarding
- Chongqing’s evenings are perfect for riverside walks and night photography
- Chongqing is hillier than Chengdu, so expect more stairs and slopes
- Overnight: Chongqing
- Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Liziba → Yangtze River Cableway → Hongya Cave → Nanbin Road
The Experience:
Today, we’ll explore the unique charm of Chongqing, a city famous for its dramatic mountain landscapes, layered roads, steep stairways, and dazzling night views.
Unlike most cities in China, Chongqing is built directly into the mountains, creating a fascinating urban landscape filled with bridges, elevated railways, and hillside neighborhoods.
After breakfast, we’ll first visit Liziba Station, Chongqing’s most iconic monorail station, where the train famously passes directly through a residential building. Watching the monorail glide through the apartment block is one of the city’s most unforgettable urban scenes and a favorite photo stop for travelers.
Next, we’ll head to the historic Yangtze River Cableway and ride across the Yangtze River for panoramic views of Chongqing’s skyline, bridges, and riverside districts. Originally built as a practical transportation system for locals, the cableway has become one of the best ways to experience the city’s spectacular geography from above.
Throughout the day, we’ll also experience Chongqing’s famous stair streets and hillside walkways. Walking through the layered alleys, hidden corners, and steep stone staircases is one of the best ways to truly understand the daily life and atmosphere of this mountain city.
In the afternoon and evening, we’ll explore the famous Hongya Cave area, where traditional-style buildings rise dramatically along the cliffs above the river.
As night falls and the lights turn on, the entire complex transforms into one of Chongqing’s most breathtaking night scenes.
To end the day, we’ll head to Nanbin Road, one of the best places to enjoy Chongqing’s riverside skyline and nightlife atmosphere. Here, you can take a relaxing evening walk along the Yangtze River, enjoy local restaurants, bars, cafés, and watch the city lights reflect across the water.
Highlights
- Watch the famous monorail pass through Liziba Station
- Ride the historic Yangtze River Cableway
- Experience Chongqing’s unique mountain city stairways
- Explore the spectacular Hongya Cave night scenery
- Enjoy riverside nightlife and skyline views at Nanbin Road
Tips
- Comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended today
- Chongqing involves many stairs and uphill walking
- Hongya Cave is most beautiful after sunset
- Nanbin Road is a great place for night photography
- Local hotpot is a perfect dinner choice after sightseeing
- Overnight: Chongqing
- Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Chengdu → Jiuzhai Huanglong Station (HSR) → Huanglong National Park
The Experience:
After breakfast, we’ll visit Ciqikou Ancient Town, one of Chongqing’s best-preserved traditional riverside neighborhoods.
With a history dating back more than 1,000 years, Ciqikou was once an important trading port along the Jialing River and still keeps much of its old Chongqing atmosphere today.
As we walk through the narrow stone streets, you’ll discover traditional tea houses, local snack stalls, handicraft shops, and historic buildings filled with local character.
Compared with Chongqing’s modern skyline and busy downtown districts, Ciqikou offers a slower and more traditional side of the city. It’s a wonderful place to experience local daily life, pick up souvenirs, and enjoy one last taste of Chongqing culture before departure.
Depending on your flight or train schedule, you may have some free time for a final riverside walk or local café stop before we transfer you to the airport or railway station.
Your Southwest China journey comes to an end with unforgettable memories of giant pandas, spicy cuisine, ancient streets, and Chongqing’s spectacular mountain city scenery.
Highlights
- Explore Chongqing’s historic riverside ancient town
- Experience traditional local culture and street life
- Enjoy a relaxed final morning before departure
Tips
- Morning is usually the best time to explore Ciqikou with fewer crowds
- Give enough time to the airport or railway station
- Bring your passport
- Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation
- Chengdu: 2 Nights
- Chongqing: 2 Nights
Hotels on this itinerary are carefully selected in the most convenient central areas of both Chengdu and Chongqing for easy sightseeing, dining, and access to transportation.
In Chengdu, accommodations are typically arranged around Chunxi Road, Taikoo Li, or Tianfu Square, offering a vibrant local atmosphere and convenient metro connections.
In Chongqing, hotels are usually located near Jiefangbei or Nanbin Road, close to Hongya Cave and famous river night views.
All accommodations can be fully customized according to travel style, budget, and preferences, including luxury, boutique, family-friendly, and riverside hotel options.
Cost
Included
- Private airport and railway station transfers.
- High-speed train tickets (Chengdu – Chongqing).
- Private air-conditioned vehicle for all local transfers.
- Expert English-speaking local guide.
- Entrance tickets to listed attractions
- 4 nights of hand-picked accommodation with breakfast.
Excluded
- International or domestic flights to Chengdu.
- China visa fees.
- Lunches and dinners (freedom to explore local tastes).
- Personal expenses.
- Optional activities and performances.
- Travel insurance.
- Gratuities for guide and driver.
- Single room supplement.
Transportation
- Airport transfers by private vehicle
- Chengdu city sightseeing by private car
- Chengdu to Leshan by private vehicle
- Chengdu to Chongqing by high-speed train
- Chongqing city exploration by private vehicle
- Walking tours in ancient streets and cultural districts
Essential Tips
- Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable weather for this route
- Pandas are most active during the morning hours; go early
- Chongqing involves many stairs and uphill walking due to the mountain terrain; wear comfortable shoes
- Sichuan and Chongqing cuisine can be very spicy, but mild options are widely available; let your guide know beforehand if you can't eat spicy food
- Night photography in Chongqing is especially rewarding
- The itinerary can be customized with luxury hotels, family pacing, or extra destinations
Gallery
FAQ
Is 5 days enough for Chengdu and Chongqing?
Yes. Five days is an excellent amount of time for first-time travelers to experience the highlights of both Chengdu and Chongqing, including pandas, food culture, historical sites, and mountain city landscapes.
How far is Chongqing from Chengdu?
Chongqing is approximately 300 kilometers from Chengdu. Modern high-speed trains usually take around 1.5 to 2 hours between the two cities.
Which city is better, Chengdu or Chongqing?
Both cities offer very different experiences. Chengdu is known for its relaxed lifestyle, tea culture, and giant pandas, while Chongqing is famous for dramatic cityscapes, hotpot, rivers, and vibrant nightlife.
What is the best time for a Chengdu Chongqing tour?
The best seasons are spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November), when temperatures are comfortable and sightseeing conditions are ideal.
Is the Chengdu to Chongqing high-speed train comfortable?
Yes. China’s high-speed rail system is modern, efficient, clean, and one of the easiest ways to travel between Chengdu and Chongqing.
Can this itinerary be customized?
Absolutely. The route can be fully customized based on travel pace, hotel style, family needs, food interests, photography experiences, or additional destinations in Southwest China.
Is Chongqing difficult to walk around?
Chongqing is a mountainous city with many stairs, slopes, and elevated walkways. However, this unique geography is also part of the city’s charm and spectacular scenery.
Are vegetarian or non-spicy meals available?
Yes. Although Sichuan and Chongqing cuisine are famous for spicy flavors, restaurants commonly provide non-spicy dishes and vegetarian options.
