7 Days Best Sichuan Tour (Chengdu-Leshan-Emeishan-Jiuzhaigou-Chengdu)

Today’s highlights: Giant Panda Base, Wenshu Temple, People’s Park, Jinli Old Street

Start your day with a visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, one of the world’s most important panda conservation centers and home to over 100 giant pandas. Walk through bamboo-lined paths and observe pandas of different ages eating bamboo, playing, climbing trees, and resting. The nursery area offers a chance to see adorable panda cubs, and the panda museum provides detailed insights into panda biology and conservation.

Continue to Wenshu Temple, a peaceful Buddhist temple located in the heart of Chengdu. Explore its elegant traditional architecture, incense-filled halls, and quiet courtyards. Next to the temple is Wenshufang, a lively cultural bazaar where you can experience local crafts, snacks, and daily life.

Afterwards, visit People’s Park, a perfect place to experience Chengdu’s slow-paced lifestyle. Sit in a traditional teahouse, enjoy a cup of Chinese tea, and watch locals engaging in daily leisure activities such as mahjong, dancing, ear cleaning, and casual social gatherings.

End the day at Jinli Old Street, a vibrant pedestrian street filled with traditional architecture, street food, souvenir shops, and cultural performances. It is one of the best places to experience Chengdu’s local atmosphere.

Return to your hotel after sightseeing.

Optional evening activities: Sichuan cuisine or hotpot dinner, or a Sichuan Opera performance featuring face-changing, fire-spitting, and traditional stage arts (usually 20:00–21:30).

Today’s highlights: Leshan Giant Buddha, Baoguo Temple

In the morning, depart from Chengdu by private vehicle and drive approximately 2 hours to the UNESCO World Heritage site Leshan Giant Buddha. This monumental stone Buddha is the largest and tallest carved Buddha statue in the world, originally constructed during AD 713–803. It is carved directly into a cliff face overlooking the confluence of rivers, with a total height of 71 meters. The Buddha’s head measures 14.7 meters in height and 10 meters in width, while the ears are 7 meters long. The insteps alone are large enough to hold over 100 people.

The statue was built to calm dangerous river currents that once caused frequent ship accidents in ancient times. Along the cliffside, the famous Nine-Bend Plank Road winds its way down the mountain with 217 stone steps and narrow passages, offering a close-up walking experience of the Buddha from top to base.

After exploring the scenic area, continue to a short boat cruise (about 30 minutes) for a panoramic river view of the Leshan Giant Buddha, offering a completely different perspective from the water.

In the afternoon, drive approximately 45 minutes to Baoguo Temple, the largest temple at the foot of Mount Emei. The temple features peaceful gardens, ancient scriptures, a large porcelain Buddha, and a famous 25-ton bronze bell. It also serves as an important cultural gateway to Mount Emei, offering a first introduction to the sacred mountain’s atmosphere.

After the visit, continue to your hotel for check-in and rest in preparation for the next day’s mountain exploration.

Optional experience: A scenic river boat cruise at Leshan Giant Buddha for a full panoramic view.

Today’s highlights: Mount Emei (Leidongping, Golden Summit, Huazang Temple)

After breakfast, depart for Mount Emei, one of China’s Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains and a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for both natural and cultural significance. The mountain is rich in biodiversity, home to thousands of plant species and abundant wildlife, and is deeply rooted in Buddhist tradition.

Upon arrival, take an eco-bus from the entrance to the higher mountain area, passing through lush forest landscapes. Continue to Leidongping (2,400m), then walk along a scenic stone stair path for about 30 minutes where wild monkeys are often seen along the route. From here, take a cable car up to the Golden Summit (3,077m).

At the summit, you will be greeted by the magnificent Samantabhadra Golden Statue, a towering multi-faced golden Buddha standing against the sky. Nearby is the historic Huazang Temple, originally established in the early centuries of Buddhist development in China. From the summit, enjoy sweeping panoramic views of surrounding mountains, including snow peaks, valleys, and sea-of-cloud scenery on clear days.

After sightseeing at the summit for around 1.5 hours, descend by cable car and return via eco-bus to the base area. Your driver will then transfer you back to Chengdu (approximately 2.5–3 hours).

For travelers who prefer more adventure, optional hiking routes are available, ranging from short 2-hour walks to full 2-day trekking experiences across different sections of Mount Emei.

Today’s highlight: Huanglong Valley

In the morning, take a high-speed train from Chengdu to Huanglongjiuzhai Station (approximately 1.5–2 hours). Upon arrival, you will be met by your local guide and driver, followed by a direct transfer to Huanglong Valley (about 28 km, under 1 hour).

Located in the Minshan Mountains of northwestern Sichuan, Huanglong Valley is famous for its world-class travertine landscape. Stretching 3.6 kilometers, the valley lies beneath snow-capped peaks and features terraced limestone pools formed over thousands of years by geological and climatic changes. The site is often compared to a “yellow dragon” winding through the mountains, which is the origin of its name.

At the upper section of the valley (around 3,556 meters), you will find the spectacular Five-Color Ponds, a cluster of hundreds of natural pools that display vivid shades of blue, green, and gold, resembling gemstones scattered across the mountain. The area is also surrounded by alpine forests, waterfalls, glaciers, and snow peaks, making it one of China’s most stunning high-altitude landscapes and a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

To optimize the visit, you will take a cable car up to the upper section and walk downhill through the scenic valley. After approximately 3 hours of sightseeing, exit the park and continue by road to Jiuzhaigou (about 2 hours) for hotel check-in.

Useful tips:

• Some areas are above 3,500 meters; walk slowly to avoid altitude discomfort
• Oxygen bars are available if needed
• Cable car operation may be affected in winter
• No restaurants inside the valley; bring snacks or have a meal after the visit

Today’s highlights: Rize Valley, Zechawa Valley, Shuzheng Valley

After breakfast, enter Jiuzhaigou National Park, one of China’s most famous natural landscapes and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known for its crystal-clear lakes, multi-layered waterfalls, and colorful forests, Jiuzhaigou is often described as a “fairyland on earth.”

The park consists of three main valleys: Rize Valley, Zechawa Valley, and Shuzheng Valley, each offering unique scenery. Inside the park, a sightseeing bus system connects all major attractions, allowing easy access to walking trails and viewpoints.

Begin your exploration from Nuorilang Waterfall, one of the most iconic waterfalls in the park. Continue to Zechawa Valley to see Long Lake and the stunning Five-Color Pond. Then proceed to Rize Valley, home to famous scenic spots such as Panda Lake, Five Flower Lake, Pearl Shoal Waterfall, and Mirror Lake. Finally, descend through Shuzheng Valley, where you will pass Rhinoceros Lake, Tiger Lake, Shuzheng Waterfall, and other picturesque wetlands and forests.

Throughout the journey, enjoy wooden plank walkways, turquoise waters, and ever-changing alpine scenery shaped by glaciers, springs, and natural mineral deposits.

After the visit, return to your hotel for rest.

Useful tips:

• Enter the park early to avoid peak crowds
• Wear comfortable walking shoes and layered clothing
• Only one buffet restaurant is available inside the park; food options are limited
• Snacks are recommended for convenience during the day

After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed morning in Jiuzhaigou depending on your flight or train schedule. This final day is designed to give you a smooth departure experience while still allowing flexibility for short sightseeing, shopping, or extension planning.

You will be transferred by your guide and driver to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport or the train station for your onward journey to Chengdu or other destinations in China. The drive passes through scenic valleys, Tibetan villages, and alpine river landscapes, offering a final glimpse of the region’s natural beauty.

Before departure, optional short activities can be arranged depending on your schedule:

• Visit a nearby Tibetan village for cultural interaction and photography
• Stop at local markets to explore Tibetan handicrafts, prayer flags, and traditional souvenirs
• Enjoy a light walk around hotel surroundings for fresh mountain air and final landscape views

Extension travel ideas from Jiuzhaigou:

• Chengdu Extension: Return to Chengdu for leisure shopping, hotpot dining, and panda revisit experiences
• Tibetan Plateau Extension: Travel north toward Ruoergai Grassland, Hongyuan, or Langmusi, featuring vast grasslands, nomadic culture, and highland lakes
• Western Sichuan Loop: Continue to hidden scenic areas such as alpine valleys, monasteries, and snow mountain routes
• Gansu & Qinghai Route: Extend toward high-altitude desert, lakes, and Silk Road heritage landscapes

Travel Tips for Departure:

• Check flight schedules carefully as mountain weather may cause delays
• Keep warm clothing handy even in summer due to high-altitude climate
• Prepare snacks and water for transfer journeys
• Allow extra travel time for winding mountain roads

Your Jiuzhaigou journey concludes here, leaving behind memories of turquoise lakes, waterfalls, snow peaks, and one of the most beautiful alpine ecosystems in the world.