Sichuan Highlights Tour
Overview
This China tour includes all the highlights in Sichuan, such as impeccable natural scenery of Jiuzhaigou valley, world cultural and heritage site of Leshan Giant Buddha & Mountain Emei, beautiful lakes of Huanglong, Panda Breeding Center in Chengdu, Wannian Buddhist Temple, Dujiangyan, Mt.Qingcheng… All of these popular scenic spots will certainly leave you an unforgetable exprience of Sichuan tour.
Duration: 8 days & 7 nights
Destinations: Chengdu - Jiuzhaigou - Chengdu - Mt. Emei - Chengdu - Dujiangyan - Chengdu
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Upon your arrival at Chengdu railway station or airport, you will be greeted by your private tour guide, and then take a short walk to your private car/bus. Enjoy the private transfer from airport to hotel, and enjoy the rest of day by yourself.
Chengdu is the capital city of Sichuan Province, also the hometown of giant panda. At the same time, many culinary traditions are believed to originate in this city, which made it a celebrated City of Gastronomy by UNESCO. As an ancient city of 3000 years old, Chengdu boasts numerous longstanding historical relics and flourishing ancient Shu Kingdom civilization. The popular local specialty is the two-flavor Chengdu hot pot, which can’t be missed here.
After breakfast, transfer to take bullet train to Jiuzhaigou (2 hrs). Be picked up and transferred to have an excursion at Huanglong Scenic and Historic Area, which is the only well-protected plateau wetland in China and especially famous for its colorful lakes. Your guide will escort you to walk around and witness Huanglong’s calcified lakes and waterfalls, Quaternary glacial remains and possibly see the wild animals. It is said that there are about 3400 lakes, hidden in the valley and forest, reflecting the snow-capped peaks and various kinds of trees and flowers. Wucai Chi (Five-Color Pond) is the highest lake at 3576 meters above sea level.
Huanglong is also home to endangered animals like the giant panda and the Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey. The park's unique landscape has earned it recognition together with Jiuzhaigou National Park as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
After the visit of Huanglong, transfer to your hotel in Jiuzhaigou.
Kind Reminder
- High altitude tips: Huanglong is at an elevation of 1700m-5800m (5577ft-19029ft). And the scenic area for tourists is around 3000m (9843ft), so travelers should be aware of the altitude sickness. The average altitude for Jiuzhaigou is 3000m. Please follow your guide’s instructions, move slowly in this area and don’t do any strenuous exercise.
Meal: B, L, D
Full day tour of Jiuzhaigou National Park, which has been nominated as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and a “Green Globe 21”. Explore the most of Jiuzhaigou to take in the beautiful scenery of water, valley and plants.
Escorted by our guide, you will take the local sightseeing bus to visit the highlights of Jiuzhaigou: Rize Valley sites including Panda Lake, Five Flowers Lake, and Pearl Shoals, and then walk to the Pearl Shoals Waterfall (about 1 km). Have you lunch at tourist Center in Nuorilang. After that, continue to visit Zechawa Valley to see Long Lake, and walk about 1.2 km to take photos of Five Colored Pool. It is a wonderful nature trip like no other and you’ll feel relaxed and refreshed with the intoxicating surrounding and fresh air. Later, walk for another 1 km to the parking lot to board the bus to leave.
Meal: B, L, D
After breakfast, transfer to take bullet train back to Chengdu. Then transfer to visit the Jinsha Site Museum in Chengdu showcases the archaeological finds of the Jinsha Site, dating back 3,200-2,600 years ago, to the ancient Shu Kingdom. It's renowned for having the densest collection of ivory and the most abundant gold and jade artifacts of any site dating back to the same period globally. The museum features the famous Sun and Immortal Birds Gold Ornament - a symbol of Chengdu.
Later, enjoy leisure time on Jinli Old Street, a famous historical and cultural street in Chengdu. There are many eateries and restaurants here for you taste the local delicacies, as well as many small shops selling souvenirs and handicrafts etc.
Meal: B, L
In the morning, head for Leshan city to see the Giant Buddha from the other side of the Mingjiang River first. Then enjoy Chinese lunch at a local restaurant famous for bean curd. Then go to visit Giant Buddha, the largest stone-carved Buddha sculpture in the world. The Giant Buddha is about 71 meters high and 24 meters wide. You will walk on the zig-zaging trail around the Buddha.
In the afternoon, drive around 50 minutes to Emei Mountain. It is one of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China, renowned for its rich Buddhist culture and stunning natural landscapes. Traditionally, Mount Emei is regarded as the sacred bodhimaṇḍa (place of practice) of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site (together with Leshan Giant Buddha), it attracts visitors with its ancient temples, diverse wildlife, and breathtaking views, particularly from its Golden Summit.
If time permits, you can explore Baoguo Temple, the mountain's largest, where tranquil gardens showcase rare flora and a massive porcelain Buddha resides. The temple also houses a renowned 25-ton bronze bell, one of China's largest, and offers progressively stunning views of Mount Emei as you delve deeper within its grounds. Overnight at the hotel at mountain foot.
Meal: B, L, D
After breakfast, transfer to the tourist center by your private car, followed by a scenic 1.5-2 hour Eco-Bus journey to Leidongping (2400m). From there, a 30-minute walk along stone steps, with potential monkey sightings, leads to the cable car for a quick ascent to the Golden Summit (3077m), where a towering golden statue (48m) of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, bronze temples, and stunning views, including a possible natural wonder - Cloud Sea, awaits.
After 1-1.5 hours on the mountain top, return to Leidongping via cable car and board an eco-bus to Wannian Temple Parking. From there, embark on a 30-minute hike to Wannian Temple, one of Mount Emei's six oldest Buddhist temples. Dating back to the Eastern Jin Dynasty (265-420), this sacred site is renowned for housing a 7.35-meter (24.1 ft) tall statue of Samantabhadra Buddha and three precious Buddhist relics: a tooth relic of the Buddha, the Golden Seal from Wanli Emperor of Ming Dynasty, and ancient palm-leaf manuscripts. After paying your respects, take the cable car back down the mountain and transfer to an eco-bus heading to the tourist center. Then drive 2-hours back to Chengdu.
Meal: B, L
After breakfast, drive 1.5-hours to explore Dujiangyan, one of the world's earliest irrigation systems. This irrigation system has made the vast Chengdu Plain under irrigation and protected it against droughts and floods for over 2,300 years, earning the region its title as “the Land of Abundance.” You will explore the three key components of the water project: Yuzui Bypass Dike, Feishayan Floodgate, and Baopingkou Diversion Passage - which control the flow of water from the upper Minjiang River. Marvel at the remarkable ingenuity of ancient Chinese engineering. After learning about the system’s principles, head to the nearby Erwang Temple to pay homage to Li Bing and his son, who masterminded this ecological marvel around 256 BC. In 2000, Dujiangyan Irrigation System and Mt. Qingcheng were included in the World Cultural Heritage List.
Later, drive approximately 16 kilometers to Mount Qingcheng (Front Mountain). It is one holy Taoist mountain in China. In 142 CE, the philosopher Zhang Ling established the foundations of Taoism here. The mountain’s temples, built during the Jin and Tang dynasties, embody the core elements of Taoist culture. First explore Jianfu Palace, constructed in 730 during the Tang Dynasty. Step inside this sacred site to learn about prominent Taoist figures. Then, enjoy a serene boat ride across Yuecheng Lake, nestled in the heart of the mountain. Take the 5-minute Baiyun Cableway up the mountain, followed by a leisurely walk to the summit. Stop at Shangqing Palace to delve deeper into the teachings of Laozi, the ancient Chinese philosopher and reputed author of the Tao Te Ching. Continue your ascent to Laojun Pavilion, perched at Mount Qingcheng’s highest peak (1,260 meters). This nine-tiered pavilion, standing 33 meters tall, transitions from a square base symbolizing Earth to a circular top representing the sky. Inside, you’ll find a towering statue of Laozi riding a water buffalo and be treated to stunning panoramic views of the mountain. Then go down the mountain.Drive 2 hours back to your hotel in Chengdu.
Meal: B, L
Drive to visit Chengdu Research Center of Giant Panda Breeding to see the lovely creatures. Renowned for its work in panda conservation, the park offers a rare opportunity to see a large number of giant pandas and red pandas up close in a naturalistic environment, In addition to the pandas, the base also features a museum that provides an educational experience, offering insights into panda biology, conservation efforts, and the research conducted at the facility. This makes it a great destination for both animal lovers and those looking to learn more about these iconic animals.
Later, transfer to airport / railway station, for flight or train to your next destination.
Meal: B
End of Service.
