• 08:00 – Hotel Pick-up in Chengdu
  Your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel lobby. We will depart promptly for Dujiangyan to beat the crowds and see the pandas at their most active.
• 09:30 -11:00 at Dujiangyan Panda Base
  Unlike the main Chengdu base, the Dujiangyan Panda Base is a more peaceful, research-focused facility with lush greenery and fewer tourists. It’s a “Panda Paradise” dedicated to wilderness training and disease control.
• 11-13:00 – The Highlight: Red Panda Feeding & Photo Experience
• This is a truly special and memorable experience.
• Process: A keeper will provide you with specific food (like apples) and instructions. You will have the opportunity to feed these adorable, curious creatures directly.
• Photo Opportunity: As they come close to eat, you can take incredible, up-close photos. Important: We must follow the keeper’s rules strictly – no touching, no sudden movements, and no flash photography.
• 13:30-15:00 lunch at Kung Fu Panda Town explore kongfu panda town
  After the panda immersion, we take a short drive to the Kung Fu Panda Town located at the Dream Center in Zhongzhou. This is not a traditional theme park but a vibrant, movie-themed area.
• 16:00 Back chengdu -Sichuan hotpot at evening
  

07:30 – Hotel Pick-up in Chengdu

We will depart early to avoid the largest crowds at the Buddha and make the most of our day.

09:00 – Scenic Drive to Leshan

Enjoy a comfortable ~1.5-hour drive to Leshan. Your guide will provide an introduction to Sichuan province and the history of the Giant Buddha.

09:30 – Arrival at Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the world’s largest stone Buddha statue, carved into a cliff face during the Tang Dynasty (8th century).

Viewing the Buddha – The Two-Part Experience:

The Cliff-Side Path (Main Option – requires queuing and walking):

We will walk along the “Nine-Turn Plank Path,” a staircase built into the cliff. This involves queuing and a fair amount of stairs, but it is the classic way to experience the Buddha’s scale piece by piece, from head to toe.

Your guide will navigate the queues and explain the history, engineering, and spiritual significance as you descend.

The River Cruise (Alternative/Complementary View):

If the queues are excessively long or you prefer to avoid the stairs, we can take the boat cruise on the river. This provides the best, full-face view of the Buddha and is much less strenuous. It’s a fantastic photographic opportunity.

Your guide will discuss the best option for you on the day based on crowd conditions.

Mid-day (approx. 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM)

• 13:00 – Lunch with a Local Specialty
  • We will take you to a reputable local restaurant in Leshan. Leshan is famous for its own culinary style, including Leshan Bang-Bang Chicken and Tiao Wei Cao (a local snack). (Cost of lunch is not included).

Afternoon (approx. 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM) – Chengdu City Life

• 14:30 – Return to Chengdu & People’s Park
  • After the drive back, we’ll immerse ourselves in the heart of local Chengdu life at People’s Park (Renmin Gongyuan).
  • Highlights:
    • Heming Teahouse: Experience the iconic Chengdu tea culture. Sit down for a cup of tea in a bamboo chair amidst the chatter of locals.
    • Matchmaking Corner: Witness the unique and lively weekend (and often daily) event where parents gather with posters to find potential partners for their children.
    • Pond Boating & Local Dancers: See how Chengdu residents truly relax.
• 16:00 – Stroll through Jinli Ancient Street
  • We will then travel back in time with a walk through Jinli Street, one of the oldest and most vibrant commercial streets in Chengdu.
  • Experience: The street is packed with traditional Sichuan-style architecture, street food stalls (try a snack!), local crafts, and a bustling atmosphere. It’s a feast for the senses.

Evening (approx. 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM) – Culture & Performance

• 18:00 – Dinner (Shuang Yuan or Nearby)
  • Your guide can recommend a place for a quick, delicious dinner near the opera house. The famous Shuang Yuan wonton restaurant is a great option nearby. (Cost not included).
• 19:30 – Sichuan Opera Face-Changing Performance
  • We will attend a performance of the famous Shibaozhai Sichuan Opera (or a similar reputable theater). This is not just a standard opera but a variety show featuring:
    • Bian Lian (Face-Changing): The mesmerizing and secret art of rapidly changing masks.
    • Fire Spitting, Puppetry, and Acrobatics.
    • Traditional Music and Dance.
  • It’s a captivating and colorful end to the day.
• 20:30 – Hotel Drop-off
  • After the performance, your guide and driver will safely return you to your hotel.

This itinerary perfectly captures the duality of Chengdu: the profound historical legacy of the region and the famously laid-back, pleasure-seeking culture of the city itself. It’s a fulfilling and unforge

Morning (approx. 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM) – The Journey to Dazu

• 08:00 – Hotel Pick-up in Chengdu & Departure
  • Your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel lobby. We will check out and load your luggage into the vehicle, beginning our scenic drive south towards the Dazu county.
  • The drive from Chengdu to the Dazu Rock Carvings takes approximately 2.5 – 3 hours.
• 10:30/11:00 – Arrival at Dazu Rock Carvings
  • Upon arrival, your guide will handle the ticket purchase. The Dazu Carvings are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for their exceptional aesthetic quality, rich subject matter, and the way they seamlessly blend Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist beliefs.

Mid-day (approx. 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM) – Exploring the Carvings

• 12:00 – Focus on Baoding Shan (Baoding Mountain)
  • While there are several sites, Baoding Mountain is the most magnificent and visited section. It features a U-shaped valley filled with a continuous stream of intricate carvings from the 12th and 13th centuries.
  • Highlights with your guide:
    • The Reclining Buddha (Nirvana): A massive and serene figure.
    • The Wheel of Life: A complex and symbolic masterpiece.
    • The Parable of the Herd: A series of oxen representing stages of spiritual development.
    • Parental Love Scenes: Vivid depictions of the hardships parents endure, promoting Confucian filial piety.
• 13:00 – Lunch near Dazu
  • We will have lunch at a clean, local restaurant where you can sample Chongqing-style cuisine, which starts to introduce the bolder, spicier flavors of the region. (Cost of lunch is not included).

Afternoon (approx. 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM) – Final Viewing & Drive to Chongqing

• 14:30 – Conclude Dazu Tour & Depart for Chongqing
  • After thoroughly exploring the Baoding site, we will begin the final leg of our journey from Dazu to central Chongqing. This drive takes about 1.5 – 2 hours.

Late Afternoon (approx. 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM) – Arrival in Chongqing

The official guided tour and private vehicle service will conclude at your hotel.

16:00 – Hotel Drop-off in Chongqing

We will take you directly to your pre-booked hotel in Chongqing (e.g., in Jiefangbei, Nan’an, or Yuzhong district). Your guide will assist with check-in.

Guide Service Ends

Morning (8:30 AM – 12:00 PM): Ancient Town & Wartime History

• 8:30 AM – Hotel Pick-up
  • Your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel lobby to begin the day.
• 9:00 AM – Ciqikou Ancient Town
  • Our first stop is this 1,700-year-old town perched on the hillside of the Jialing River. It was a prosperous porcelain-production center during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
  • Experience: Wander through the narrow, steep stone streets lined with traditional wooden houses. Soak in the atmosphere of tea houses, sample local snacks (like “Maoxuewang” – duck blood in chili), and browse for handicrafts. It offers a glimpse of “old Chongqing” before the skyscrapers.
• 10:30 AM – Three Gorges Museum & Great Hall of the People
  • We then drive to the heart of the city’s political and cultural district.
  • Three Gorges Museum: This is a world-class museum crucial for understanding the region. Your guide will lead you to the key exhibits on the history of the Three Gorges area, the monumental Three Gorges Dam project, and Chongqing’s role as the capital during WWII.
  • Photo Stop: Opposite the museum, see the magnificent Great Hall of the People, an iconic building reminiscent of the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. It’s the perfect photo opportunity.

Mid-day (12:00 PM – 1:30 PM): Local Lunch

• 12:00 PM – Authentic Chongqing Lunch
  • Your guide will take you to a reputable local restaurant to experience Chongqing’s famous cuisine. While hot pot is for dinner, lunch is a great time to try other local dishes like Chongqing Xiao Mian (spicy noodles), Jianghu Cai (“Rivers and Lakes” dishes), or a dry-wok dish.

Afternoon (1:30 PM – 5:00 PM): Mountain City Topography & Views

• 1:30 PM – E’ling Park & The Split of Two Rivers
  • This is where you truly understand why Chongqing is called the “Mountain City.” This park sits on a cliff at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers.
  • Highlight: Walk to the viewpoint to see the dramatic “Split of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers,” where the brownish Yangtze and the green Jialing meet. You’ll also take the unique elevators that cut directly through the rock of the park.
• 3:00 PM – Liziba Station Light Rail Transit Viewing Platform
  • Witness one of Chongqing’s most famous and viral sights: a monorail train running directly through the middle of a residential building!
  • Your guide will take you to the best public viewing platform to watch the Line 2 train emerge from the 6th-8th floors of the Liziba Building. It’s a stunning example of the city’s innovative urban planning.

Evening (5:00 PM – 8:30 PM): Iconic Nightscapes & Farewell Dinner

After a full and unforgettable day, your guide and driver will safely return you to your hote

5:00 PM – Hongyadong Cave Village

We will arrive at Hongyadong as the sun begins to set. This 11-story stilted building complex is built into the cliff face over the Jialing River. Explore the labyrinth of shops, cafes, and bars inside. As dusk falls, the thousands of red lanterns and lights begin to illuminate, creating a magical, pagoda-like effect.

6:30 PM – The Ultimate Chongqing Experience: Hot Pot Dinner

No visit to Chongqing is complete without its signature dish. Your guide will take you to a renowned (and visitor-friendly) hot pot restaurant. They will help you navigate the menu, choose a broth spice level (from mild to “malà” – numbingly spicy), and select the best dishes to cook in the bubbling, flavorful pot. (Cost of dinner is not included).

8:00 PM – Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street Skyline

After dinner, take a short walk to the Jiefangbei commercial district. See the People’s Liberation Monument, and then look up to admire the breathtaking, neon-lit forest of skyscrapers that define modern Chongqing’s skyline.

8:30 PM – Hotel Drop-off