9-Day Chengdu Chongqing Classic Tour: Pandas, Buddha and Karst Wonders

The Experience:

Your journey begins with a warm welcome at the airport or train station, where your private driver will be waiting to whisk you away to your hotel in the heart of the city.

Once you’ve checked in and refreshed, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace.

You might choose to take a gentle stroll through the Kuanzhai Alleys, or enjoy a quiet first dinner near the hotel and rest.

Highlights:

• Hassle-free private airport transfer.
• First taste of authentic Sichuanese cuisine.

The Experience:

In the early morning, we will drive you to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. You will watch the pandas during their breakfast. This is their most active and playful time.

Then, we’ll have a simple lunch and transfer to the historical Wuhou Shrine. It’s a serene temple complex dedicated to the heroes of the Three Kingdoms.

Later in the afternoon, we step right next door into the lively atmosphere of Jinli Ancient Street, where traditional architecture meets vibrant folk art.

Highlights:

• Giant Panda and Red Panda sightings.
• Three Kingdoms history.
• Jinli’s red-lantern charm.

Tips:

• Arrive at the Panda Base by 7:30 AM to beat the large tour groups and see the pandas eating.

The Experience:

The morning begins with a visit to the Shu Embroidery Museum, where you can witness masters creating “living” silk art with stitches so fine they seem like paintings.

From there, we head to the peaceful Wenshu Monastery to explore its intricate wooden carvings and tranquil gardens.

To truly embrace the Chengdu lifestyle, we end the afternoon at a traditional teahouse near Wenshu Monastery, sitting on bamboo chairs and sipping jasmine tea, just as the locals have for centuries.

Highlights:

• Master-level silk embroidery demonstrations.
• Monastery architecture in the city
• Authentic teahouse culture.

Tips:

• Try the famous vegetarian lunch at Wenshu Monastery for a light and healthy meal.

The Experience:

We leave the city behind and drive south to Leshan, home to the largest stone Buddha in the world.

In the morning, we explore the Leshan Giant Buddha. We will climb the cliffside paths to stand level with the Buddha’s massive head before descending the “Nine Turns Plank Road” to his feet.

If you prefer a more relaxed pace or want to see the full panoramic scale of the statue, we can arrange a boat view. From the water, you can see the “sleeping Buddha” silhouette of the entire mountain range.

After the sightseeing, we dive into a local food crawl. There is a famous saying in Sichuan: “Chengdu is the capital of food, but Leshan is the source of the flavor.” We will spend our lunch hour tasting the city’s legendary street snacks, from sweet “Crispy Duck” to savory “Beef Qiaojia” soup.

After lunch, we continue our private drive to the foot of Mt. Emei to check into our mountain resort.

Highlights:

• Standing at the toes of the 71-meter Buddha.
• A culinary deep-dive into Leshan’s famous street food.

Tips:

• If you choose the walking option, wear shoes with excellent grip.
• Leshan’s snack culture is the best in the province!

The Experience:

Today, we ascend the sacred Mt. Emei.

In the morning, we take a sightseeing bus and cable car to reach the Golden Summit. Standing at over 3,000 meters, you will marvel at the shimmering multi-faced bronze statue of Samantabhadra and, if the weather is clear, look out over a spectacular “Sea of Clouds.”

After lunch, we descend the mountain and make our way back to the familiar comfort of Chengdu for the evening.

Highlights:

• High-altitude views from the Golden Summit.
• Wild macaque sightings.
• 48-meter golden statue.

Tips:

• It is much colder at the summit than at the base, so remember to bring a warm jacket!

The Experience:

After a final Chengdu breakfast, we take the high-speed train to Chongqing, arriving in just 1.5 hours.

Your Chongqing journey begins with a visit to the surreal Liziba Station, where the monorail famously passes through a residential building.

As evening falls, we explore the glittering stilt-houses of Hongyadong.

Then, we take a walk along the Nanbin Road, seeing the skyline across the Yangtze River.

Highlights:

• High-speed rail experience.
• Liziba “train through building”.
• Hongyadong night lights.

Tips:

• Nanbin Road offers the absolute best vantage point for photos of the city’s neon skyline.

The Experience:

In the morning, we set out on a private drive into the rugged heart of the Wulong Karst National Park and arrive about noon. We will have lunch outside the park.

This afternoon is spent descending into the Three Natural Bridges, walking along the floor of a massive limestone canyon beneath arches that feel like nature’s own cathedrals. The dramatic scenery here is so otherworldly that it served as a filming location for Transformers.

Stay overnight in Wulong to enjoy the mountains' serenity.

Highlights:

• Three Natural Bridges.
• UNESCO World Heritage karst landscapes.

Tips:

• Wear sturdy walking shoes, as the canyon floor paths can sometimes be damp.

The Experience:

Our exploration continues at Furong Cave, a subterranean wonderland filled with colorful stalactites and “crystal palaces” reflected in underground pools.

Then, we drive back to Chongqing.

For your final evening, we suggest a celebratory Chongqing Hot Pot dinner at a restaurant with a view, marking the perfect spicy end to your Southwest China adventure.

Highlights:

• Furong Cave’s intricate formations

Tips:

• The cave maintains a constant cool temperature, making it a perfect escape from the humidity.

The Experience:

Enjoy one last relaxed morning in the “Mountain City” before your private driver arrives to take you to the airport or train station.

As you head toward your next destination, you’ll carry with you the memories of misty mountains, spicy flavors, and the friendly faces of Sichuan and Chongqing.

Tips:

• Make sure you take everything, especially the passport, with you.