10 Days Best of Sichuan Tour with Yangtze River Cruise

Ni Hao! Welcome to Chengdu, the Hometown of Giant Pandas and Land of Abundance! You’ll be met by our local guide at the arrival hall of Chengdu airport / train station and escorted to your hotel in downtown area by a private, comfortable and non-smoking vehicle. The rest of today is on your own to explore this leisure city.

Arrival Ideas: Chengdu is only about 2~3 hours flying from the majority of big cities in China, such as Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, etc. You can also arrive in Chengdu by high speed trains from Xian (4hrs), Chongqing (1hr), Guilin (6hrs), Kunming (6hrs), etc.

Chengdu, The Land of Abundance

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel for a 15-km drive to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (simply Chengdu Panda Base). This world's most important panda scientific research center is home for over 100 giant pandas. Walk through the verdant bamboo-lined paths, witness the fascinating progression of pandas from baby to adult, watch the adolescent pandas aged 1-5, eating, playing, tumbling and climbing. If lucky, you may be able to see the precious panda babies in the nursery rooms. Don't miss the informative Panda Museum for more scientific facts about Giant Pandas.

After the memorable panda visit, head to Wenshu Monastery, a serene Buddhist temple in the bustling downtown of Chengdu. Walk in the spiritual temple and marvel at the exquisite Buddhist architectures, Buddhist statues, scriptures, and relics. Adjacent is (Wenshufang), a small bazaar for a leisure stroll to experience local market and living style.

Next, visit Renmin Park to feel the famed laid-back lifestyle of Chengdu. Sip a cup of Chinese tea in a century-old teahouse, chat with friends, watch locals indulging in different folk activities, like napping, ear cleaning, Mahjong, dancing, water calligraphy, etc.! Then, discover the famous Jinli Old Street, a vibrant hub full of local snacks, delicate artifacts, folk shows and other activities. Time will fly as you explore along the ancient streets!

Optional activity: 1) enjoy a delicious dinner of Sichuan cuisine or hotpot at a local restaurant; 2) watch Sichuan Opera at Shufeng Yayun Teahouse, featuring stick puppets, face changing, fire spitting, rolling lights, folk music, acrobatic and dance (usually during 20:00~21:30).

Chengdu Panda Base

Explore Three Kingdom Culture in Jinli Old Street

Wenshu Monastery

Enjoy some leisure moment in Renmin Park

In the morning, be picked up from your hotel for a 2-hour drive (148km) to Leshan Giant Buddha (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage), the world's largest & tallest stone-carved Buddha. Sitting at the confluence of Minjiang River, Dadu River and Qingyi River, the Giant Buddha was carved on Lingyun Mountain'cliff from 713-803 AD to suppress floods. Rising 71m tall, the Buddha' head is 14.7m tall and 10m wide, with 7m long ears and a knee-to-instep span of 28m, and super large insteps capable of holding over 100 people at once. On the right cliff of the Buddha is the 217-step narrow Nine Bends Plank Road with nine turns in total, ranging from 1.45m to only 0.6m wide. You will admire the spectacular Giant Buddha statue and walk down to its feet for a closer view. (Please note: you may have to queue up to enter the stairway during busy hours.)

Followed by the Buddha, move on to the foot of Mount Emei (45 minutes' drive) to visit Baoguo Temple. It is the biggest temple of the mountain and boasts serene gardens with rare plants, a library of sutras, and a huge porcelain Buddha. Explore the temple to see the famous 25-ton bronze Bell reputed as the second-largest bell in China, and enjoy different views of Mount Emei.

After the visit, drive to check in at your hotel and have a good rest for tomorrow's Mount Emei trip involving some walkings.

Optional Activity: take a 30-minutes sightseeing boat at Leshan Giant Buddha for a wonderful panoramic view of the Buddha statue on the river.

Leshan Giant Buddha

Our Customer Visiting Leshan Giant Buddha

Leshan Giant Buddha

Baoguo Temple on Mount Emei

After breakfast, let's start your enchanting tour to Mount Emei Tour, a rare World Cultural and Natural heritages, and one of the Four Great Buddhist Mountains in China. This verdant sanctuary for 5,000 plants species (surpassing Europe's total) and over 2,300 wildlife species is an ideal blending resort of verdant forest and cultural treasures for your wonderful savory.

First, head to the tourist center for a 1.5-2-hour Eco-Bus ride to the mountain's top area. Walk another 30 minutes from Leidongping (2,400m) along stone steps, where you may meet wild monkeys, to the cable car station. Then, take a 5-minute cable car up to the Golden Summit (3077m), the biggest highlight and best highlight of Mount Emei. Enjoy 1.5 hours exploring the Golden Summit area. You can appreciate the 48-tall multi-faced golden Samantabhadra Bodhisattva statue, the bronze Huazang Temple tracing back to the 1st century CE, magnificent Buddhist architectures, and a panoramic view of Mount Emei surrounding. On sunny days, you can even catch the snow-capped Mount Gongga (7,556m), Wawu Mountain, more endless snowy peaks in Sichuan. If weather permits, enjoy its magnificent Cloud Sea. Finally, descend back to the tourist center via the cable car and Eco-Bus.

Your guide and driver will transfer you back to Chengdu (about 2.5~3hrs) and help you check in at the hotel. Have a good sleep!

Note: The route above is classic and suitable for most tourists of various ages. If you want more hiking, please contact your travel consultant to customize the routes based on your time and physical condition. There are 4 routes available: 2 hours (Qingyin Pavilion to Wannian Temple), 4 hours (Qingyin Pavilion to Wannian Temple + Leidongping to Golden Summit), one day (Wannian Temple to Leidongping) and 2 days (Qingyin Pavilion to Golden Summit).

Golden Summit on Mount Emei

Our Customer Visiting The Golden Summit

Our Customer Visiting The Golden Summit

Monkey on Mount Emei

Mount Emei Cloud Sea Wonder

On this day, you’ll be escorted to Chengdu East Railway Station for your high-speed train to Jiuzhaigou (about 2-2.5hrs). Upon arrival, the local guide and driver will pick you up at Huanglongjiuzhai Railway Station and drive about 16.16 miles (26 km, a 0.5-hour drive) to Huanglong National Park, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage since 1992. It is famous for colorful travertine lakes and ponds, sinuous deep mountain valleys, snow-capped mountains and peaceful wild forests, which entitled Huanglong Park the “Wonder of the World” and “Heaven on the Earth”. First, take the cable car to the upper station of Huanglong Valley to admire the gorgeous Five-Color Ponds (altitude: 3,556m), which consists of 693 dazzling emerald-like ponds of different sizes, shapes and colors. Then, walk down the valley to appreciate the stunning Zhengyan Pool, Bonsai Pool, Lotus Waterfall, Flying Waterfall, Welcome Pool, etc. along the path

After the tour, drive about 2 hours to Jiuzhaigou and stay overnight there.

High altitude tips: Since some attractions in Huanglong Park are more than 3,500 meters above the sea level, please prepare well for the altitude sickness. Keep healthy before your trip and rest well, especially the first night of arrival. Walk slowly in the valley. If you feel breathless or have a headache, rest at the tourist center for oxygen supply. There is no restaurant in the valley, you can bring some snacks and water, or have lunch after exiting the park.

Huanglong National Park Five-color Ponds

Huanglong National Park

After breakfast, start your full-day visit of Jiuzhaigou Valley, the “Fairyland on Earth” listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage known for its peculiar waterscape of calcified lakes, waterfalls and travertine beach lands. Visiting there is relaxing and joyful, as there are many sightseeing buses from the entrance to the scenic spots. You can hop on and off the buses and explore along the wooden plank roads at will. Your guide will accompany and help you explore Jiuzhai Valley's essences at a comfortable pace based on your time, energy and crowd level.

The classic route is first to take the sightseeing bus from the entrance to Nuorilang Waterfall for the symbols of Jiuzhaigou, then transfer to Zechawa Valley to see the Long Lake and Five-Color Pond, then move to Rize Valley to admire the Panda Lake, Five Flowers Lake, Pearl Shoal, Mirror Lake, etc., finally, go back to Nuorilang, descend through Shuzheng Valley and visit Rhinoceros Lake, Tiger Lakes, Shuzheng Waterfall, Sparkling Lake, etc.

After the sightseeing, be escorted back to your hotel for overnight stay.

Useful tips: 1) try to have breakfast and enter the park early to beat the crowds; 2) wear comfortable walking shoes and seasonal cloths; 3) Lunch is provided in Nuorilang Restaurant (the only restaurant in the valley) but food options are limited. You can bring some snacks/drinks or let your hotel prepare packed food.

Jiuzhaigou Valley

Jiuzhaigou Valley Waterfall in Autumn

Jiuzhaigou Valley

Jiuzhaigou Valley in Autumn

Jiuzhaigou Valley in Summer

Our Customers Visiting Jiuzhaigou Valley in October

After breakfast, your local guide will escort you to Huanglongjiuzhai Railway Station to catch a high-speed train to Chengdu (about 2-2.5hrs) and transfer from there to Chongqing (about 1-1.5hrs). Upon arrival, your guide will meet you at railway stations in Chongqing and escort you to downtown area for today’s sightseeing.

Before the night falls, head to Hongya Cave to end your today’s Chongqing tour. You’ll find yourselves in a world of stilted buildings with old streets lined with featured souvenir stores, elaborate specialty shops and spectacular collection of restaurants ranging from western food to Japanese cuisine to various Chinese favorites. If time permits, enjoy the stunning night view of Hongya Cave at sunset.

After the short visit, be transferred to board your 4-day Yangtze River cruise at Chaotianmen Dock (18:00~21:00), which will sail at 21:00!

Tips for Cruise Boarding: 1) Chaotianmen Dock consists of 12 sub-piers; please confirm the exact boarding pier with your travel consultant one day prior; 2) Tell your driver the exact pier to minimize walking; 3) Boarding time and pier changes based on the ship line or factors like water level, season, weather condition, etc. Please pay attention to the important information from your travel consultants.

Chongqing Chaotianmen Port for Yangtze Cruise

Good morning! Wake up leisurely and enjoy the gentle sunshine over the tranquil Yangtze. You can either follow the Taichi master to play Taichi or enjoy a cup of coffee to start a beautiful day!

Enjoy various entertainment onboard, like attending a Yangtze River History and Culture Lecture, enjoying seasonal themed activities, meeting new friends at the Captain's Welcome Party, having fun at the wonderful evening show, etc.

You will follow a local English-speaking tour guide to visit Fengdu Ghost City onshore, which is about 2,000 years old and called “the Homeland of Divine Comedy in China”. In this “City of Ghosts”, you will see a series of temples, shrines, palaces, pavilions, and more traditional styled architecture complex. The colorful statues and story scenes of afterlife in hell displayed show the underworld, cruel tortures, different kinds of devils, Chinese demons and the traditional Chinese belief: pure spirits would be rewarded, and sinful ones would be subject to severe punishments. (Please note: Fengdu Ghost City visit requires much walking and comfortable shoes are highly recommended!)

Optional Excursion to Feng Yan San Guo (Three Kingdoms Fire Show): A reputable and impressive real landscape show telling the brilliant history during the Three Kingdoms Period (over 1,800 years ago) and praising the loyalty spirit of General Guan Yu. (with an extra fee)

Beautiful & Tranquil Yangtze River

Play Taichi in the Morning

Fengdu Ghost City

Three Kingdoms Open Air Show

Today, you'll sail through the spectacular Three Gorges! Soak up the breathtaking gorge scenery as you drift through Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge respectively.

You'll switch to a smaller boat to take an enjoyable shore excursion to Shennv Stream (Goddess Stream), a tributary of the Yangtze River. Sail down this primitive stream to closely marvel at steep mountains and hanging coffins high on the cliffs, hear local history, and appreciate featured dance and music by Tujia ethnic people!

At evening, enjoy the well-prepared Captain’s Farewell Party with all your mates onboard and have a whale of time of the last night onboard!

Optional Excursion to White Emperor City: This cultural and historic site at the entrance of Qutang Gorge tells the touching stories of the “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” and is the best spot to appreciate the magnificent “Kui Gate” on the 10 RMB note! (with an extra fee)

Magnificent Qutang Gorge

Qutang Gorge

Breathtaking Wu Gorge Scenery

Enjoy Wu Gorge Scenery on Sundeck

White Emperor City

Shennv Stream with Primitive Gorge Scenery

After breakfast, go through a check-out procedure and disembark at Maoping Port and take the arranged tourist bus to visit the global famous Three Gorges Dam. It is the largest hydropower station in the world, with an annual energy output of 84.7 billion kilowatt-hours. The Dam is about 2,300 meters (7,546 ft) long and about 115 meters (377 ft) wide. With a water capacity of 39.3 billion cubic meters, it can hold a huge reservoir to efficiently prevent flooding in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze. Take your time to appreciate this great project from different angles and learn more at the project museum.

After that, take the tourist bus to Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal in Yichang downtown (arriving around 12:30-13:30). Your local guide and driver will pick you up there and transfer to Yichang Airport / train station for your flight or train to your home / the next destination. Trip Ends!

Optional Experience of Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift: Take a tourist boat to sail through this world’s largest ship lift with an elevation of about 113 meters (370 ft), which is totally fresh and exciting! (with an extra fee)

Departure Ideas: You can take flights from Yichang Sanxia Airport to Shanghai, Xian, Beijing, Guangzhou and Hangzhou, etc. Also, you can take high speed trains from Yichang East Railway Station to Wuhan (about 2hrs), Shanghai (about 8hrs), Beijing (about 7.5hrs), Hangzhou (about 7.5hrs), Chengdu (about 7hrs), Guangzhou (about 7hrs), etc.

Notes: 1) Only Dam visit: take the bus from Maoping Port to visit Three Gorges Dam and arrive at Yichang downtown at around 12:30. 2) Dam visit + Ship Lift: switch to a tourist boat to sail through the Ship Lift and visit Three Gorges Dam. Then, take the bus and arrive at Yichang downtown at around 13:30.

World-famous Three Gorges Dam

Three Gorges Dam - 185 Observation Deck

Three Gorges Dam in Summer

Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift, the Largest Ship Lift in the World

Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift