2 Days Bifengxia Panda Valley and Leshan Giant Buddha Tour from Chengdu

In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel in Chengdu and driven about 2.5 hours to Bifengxia Panda Valley (碧峰峡大熊猫基地), located in the green mountains of Ya’an.

Upon arrival, you enter Bifengxia Valley National Scenic Area (碧峰峡景区), a lush canyon environment known for waterfalls, forested cliffs, and fresh mountain air. Inside the park is the panda base, where you can observe giant pandas in a naturalistic and peaceful setting. This is one of the best places in Sichuan to see pandas up close without heavy crowds.

In the afternoon, continue to Shangli Ancient Town (上里古镇), an important stop on the historic Tea Horse Road (茶马古道). Once a trading hub where tea was processed and transported toward Tibet, the town still preserves stone bridges, wooden courtyard houses, and riverside lanes.

After the visit, drive to Ya’an, a city surrounded by tea plantations and misty mountains. Enjoy a relaxed dinner featuring local Sichuan cuisine.

• Meals: Lunch, Dinner
• Overnight: Ya’an
• Highlight: Bifengxia Panda Base & Shangli Ancient Tea Horse Road Town

After breakfast, drive about 1.5–2 hours to Leshan (乐山).

Your first visit is the world-famous Leshan Giant Buddha (乐山大佛), a UNESCO-listed 71-meter stone statue carved into a cliff during the Tang Dynasty (AD 713–803). It stands at the confluence of three rivers and was built to calm dangerous river currents.

You can choose:

• 🚤 Boat cruise (recommended) – panoramic view of the entire Buddha from the river
• 🚶 Walking route – closer cliffside path with stairways (can involve waiting time)

After the visit, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Leshan.

In the afternoon, continue to Huanglongxi Ancient Town (黄龙溪古镇), a 1,700-year-old riverside town known for its preserved architecture, stone streets, teahouses, and traditional Sichuan atmosphere. It reflects life on the Chengdu Plain during historic trade periods.

After the visit, drive back to Chengdu, where the tour ends.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Highlight: Leshan Giant Buddha boat view & Huanglongxi Ancient Town