Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Xian Arrival
   Xian Ancient City Wall, Bell & Drum Tower Square, Muslim Quarter.

   Take morning flight reach to Xi’an. Upon arrival, our local tour guide and the driver will pick you up on time, go to have lunch, then start the half day tour in Xi’an.

   You will start your tour from Xian Ancient City Wall which is the most completely preserved and the largest city wall in China. It was built for the military defense in the Ming Dynasty, 1370 A.D. Since it is cycling the Xian city, visitors can ride a bike around the city wall which is optional (cost on your own, CNY45p.p).

   Then you will come to visit the Bell & Drum Tower Square which locates in the very center of the city and is considered as the symbol of this old capital.

   At last take a walk at Muslim Quarter to meet lots of local food and snacks. Then transfer to hotel and check in.

   

2. Day 2: Xi’an – Chengdu by High Speed Train
   Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses.

   Our driver will pick you up from your hotel in the morning. First you will visit the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses which is known as “the Eighth Wonders of the World” with a surprisingly high level in sculpture. It is located 30 km east of the Xi’an City and the original site was found by four local farmers while drilling a well in 1974. The museum includes Pit 1(the largest pit), Pit 2, Pit 3, and the exhibition hall of the chariots and horses. You will stay in the museum for 2-3 hours. Listening to the explanation from the expert tour guide, you will learn the hidden story of those live-sized sculptures and history of their owner: First Emperor of Qin who is also the first emperor of China.

   After lunch, transfer to Xi’an North Train Station and take the afternoon high speed train  to Chengdu, meet our local driver and then transfer to your hotel in Chengdu.

   

3. Day 3: Chengdu – Mt. Emei
   Leshan Giant Buddha, Emei Mountain.

   Today you are going to admire the tallest stone Buddha in the world, Leshan Giant Buddha. It took 90 years for three generations of craftsmen to accomplish this 71-meter-high statue. There is more to it than what you see with your eyes. For example, there are 1051 buns of curly hair on the head of the Buddha, and it has an invisible irrigation system just behind its ears and head. Your knowledgeable tour guide will share the history and some fascinating stories of the colossal Buddha. Please note that it involves lots of stairs. Highly recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and watch your steps.

   Friendly Tips: There are 2 ways to visit the Leshan Giant Buddha, one is climbing up the mountain, one is taking a cruise along the river to take far view of it. Climbing up the mountain was included in the package as most tourists said this way is better. Taking cruise is optional. If you would like to take cruise instead of climbing up the mountain, or if you want to try both these 2 ways, just ask your tour guide for assistance.

   After visiting at Leshan Giant Buddha, drive to Emei Mountain. Stay overnight at the foot of Emei Mountain and get well prepared for tomorrow’s hiking over there.

   

4. Day 4: Mt Emei – Chengdu
   Baoguo Temple, Jieyin Hall, Golden Summit.

   After breakfast, your driver will meet you at your hotel lobby and take you to the stunning Emei Mountain. Famous as both world natural heritage and world cultural heritage, it attracts numerous visitors every year for hiking, photography and profound Buddhist culture. It is also home to more than 3200 plant species and over 2300 animal species.

   You will explore the beautiful Baoguo Temple first which is just located at the foot of the mountain. There were more than 100 temples in the past, but only 30 of them are left now and well maintained. You will follow your tour guide to appreciate the architectural beauty, learn the ancient history behind it, and admire the unique porcelain Buddha statue which was made in the well-known porcelain capital Jingdezhen in the Ming Dynasty.

   After lunch, you will take a sightseeing bus to Leidongping, walk for about 30 minutes to Jieyin Hall, and then hop on a cable car up to Golden Summit. If you are lucky, you will see fantastic sea of clouds. There is a majestic golden statue of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva which is regarded as the symbol of the mountain. You might be curious how the Buddha statue was built on such a high peak.

   After enjoying the breathtaking scenery, you will take cable car down to Leidongping and then go down the mountain by a sightseeing bus. Please note to hide your food in your bag because there are many monkeys on the mountain which can be quite aggressive sometimes.

   After the fantastic hiking, drive back to Chengdu hotel.

   

5. Day 5: Chengdu Departure
   Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, Wenshu Temple, Kuanzhai Alley.

   At around 08:30, our driver will pick you up from Chengdu downtown hotel, and your amazing exploration begins!

   The first scenic site will be the exciting Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, which is well known for the protection and breeding of the endangered giant pandas which are unique to China. The base is definitely a highlight for most visitors to Chengdu. There are adorable pandas everywhere. You can watch them eating bamboo, playing with each other, and of course sleeping. Your tour guide will navigate you through the huge area, share some information about the pandas, and help you take amazing photos.

   After lunch, continue your visit to Wenshu Temple which was built in the Sui Dynasty with a long history. The temple is still operating and frequented by local people who come to pray and relax themselves. It is a good place to come to know Buddhism. You can have a nice stroll around the pleasant garden and take photos of the wonderful ancient architecture.

   Afterwards, go to explore the local food and culture in Kuanzhai Alley, which has a long history and can date back to the Qing Dynasty. Now the old alleys have been converted into one of the top attractions in Chengdu. Strolling along the streets, you still can see many well-preserved Qing Dynasty buildings. In addition to appreciating the traditional architecture, you also can savor some local delicacies. As a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, Chengdu will surprise you with its delicious food.

   After the tour finished, transfer to the airport and catch night flight back to your sweet home.