6-Day Chengdu to Chongqing Tour with Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Chengdu Arrival

   Upon your arrival in Chengdu, your local tour guide will meet you holding a welcome board with China Xian Tour and transfer you to the downtown hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is yours to relax and recover from your journey.

   Recommended Evening Activity: Take a leisurely stroll along stone-paved roads of the Jinli Pedestrian Street at night. Appreciate the unique wooden stilt houses lining both sides, with thousands of red lanterns glowing overhead. Also, you can taste some local snacks here, such as Zhang Fei Beef, Bobo Chicken, and Fried Brown-Sugar Glutinous Rice Balls.

   

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   4-star hotel in Chengdu
2. Day 2: Chengdu Highlights
   Meet Giant Pandas and Experience Slow-paced Local Life

   Begin your day with a visit to the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base this morning. Wander along the shaded trails and see the lovely pandas eating, climbing trees and playing with one another in this expansive bamboo forest park. You can also spot the more active red pandas.

   Continue to Wenshu Temple in the downtown area. Take a leisurely stroll through the peaceful temple to admire its traditional Buddhist architecture. The iron Qianfo Tower (Pagoda of a Thousand Buddhas) is the landmark. Your guide will introduce you to Buddhist traditions, such as walking around the pagoda clockwise three times as a way of praying for blessings.

   For travelers who want to experience the authentic local life, People’s Park is definitely the first choice. Enjoy a cup of tea in a traditional teahouse and watch locals playing chess, practicing tai chi or chatting. It is a great place to soak up the laid-back lifestyle.

   

   Head to the historic Kuanzhai Alley (Wide and Narrow Alley). Wander around to see the white-walled courtyards with gray-tiled roofs, and discover the unique boutiques and cafés tucked inside the ancient buildings.

   Optional Evening Activity: Attend a spectacular Sichuan Opera Face Changing performance. Watch the performers switching between colorful masks in seconds. Even only a few meters away, it is hard to figure out how the actor make it.

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   Breakfast, Lunch

   4-star hotel in Chengdu
3. Day 3: Leshan Giant Buddha
   Admire the Leshan Giant Buddha from Different Perspectives

   Take a day trip to Leshan Giant Buddha, the world’s largest seated stone Buddha. Carved into the cliff of Lingyun Mountain where the Minjiang, Qingyi, and Dadu Rivers converge, the huge statue stands 71 meters tall.

   After entering the scenic area, walk to the Buddha's Head Observation Deck for a closer look at the eyes, ears, and curled hair of the giant Buddha. From here, you can also look down at the confluence of the three rivers, where their contrasting currents create distinct lines on the surface.

   Descend the cliffside Nine-Turn Plank Road toward Buddha’s feet and observe the statue from different perspectives as you make your way down.

   Tip: For your safety, do not take photos when walking, as the steps are steep and narrow. Elderly travelers and children may consider skipping the section.

   Standing on the Buddha's Feet Observation Deck and looking up at the statue, you'll gain a striking sense of just how vast the Buddha really is.

   To allow more time for your Mount Emei adventure the next day, we'll drive to a hotel near Mount Emei for check-in.

   Optional Activity: For tourists who are uncomfortable with heights, a boat ride is a great alternative. From the water, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the giant Buddha, a completely different angle.

   

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   Breakfast, Lunch

   4-star hotel in Mount Emei
4. Day 4: Mt. Emei Adventure
   Explore Buddhist Temples and Hike Through Mountain Forests

   After breakfast, head to Mt. Emei for a full day of mountain exploration. First, take the sightseeing bus to Leidongping then hike through the forest to Jieying Hall. From there, board the cable car up to Golden Summit, overlooking the valleys and mountains along the way.

   At the summit, the magnificent Huazang Temple catches your eye first. Inside the temple, you can see the 48-meter-high gilded bronze statue of Ten-Direction Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, the landmark of Mount Emei. Take time to explore the temple halls and enjoy the panoramic mountain views.

   

   On clear days, you may also witness the awe-inspiring sea of clouds, as surrounding peaks emerge from layers of drifting mist.

   Next, take the sightseeing bus down to the Wannian Temple parking area and then ride the cable car up to Wannian Temple. Located halfway up the mountain and surrounded by lush forest, the temple is a peaceful place for a leisurely walk. Admire its distinctive brick-and-tile architecture and meet wild monkeys on the way.

   Then, hike along the mountain trail to Qingyin Pavilion. Walk through dense forests, watch the streams winding through the valleys, and take in the unique rocks and ancient pavilion. Continue to Wuxiangang Parking Lot, where your driver will be waiting for you.

   Return to the hotel in Chengdu for a rest.

   Tip: There are many wild monkeys on Mount Emei, do not eat or open your bags in front of them.

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   Breakfast, Lunch

   4-star hotel in Chengdu
5. Day 5: Chengdu to Chongqing By High-Speed Train
   Wander Around an Ancient Town, Capture City Landmark and Night View of Hongya Cave

   Take a high-speed train from Chengdu to Chongqing in the morning, about a 1.5- to 2-hour journey. The local tour guide and driver will meet you at the station exit.

   Start today’s exploration at Ciqikou Ancient Town, the best-preserved historic town in downtown Chongqing with a history of over 1,000 years. Stroll along the bluestone lanes to admire the wooden stilt houses and browse small shops. Taste some local snack, such as the fried dough twists and icy jelly.

   Head to the Jiefangbei (Liberation Monument) Commercial District in the city center. Take a photo of the Monument to the People’s Liberation, Chongqing's most iconic landmark. Then, explore the surrounding shopping malls and food streets.

   

   In the late afternoon, visit the Hongya Cave, known for its dazzling night view. This 11-storey stilt house complex is built into the cliff and faces the Jialing River. Begin from the top-floor viewing platform for an unobstructed view of the Qiansimen Bridge and the modern skyscrapers across the river.

   Then, explore floor by floor downwards to discover local shops, walk through lantern-lit corridors, and sample regional snacks. After reaching the ground floor, take a panorama of the architectural complex.

   Cross the road and walk to Qiansimen Bridge where you can capture a sweeping view of both the illuminated Hongya Cave, the Jialing River and city’s dramatic skyline.

   Optional Night Activity: If your visit falls on a Saturday, be sure to catch the drone show (typically 15–20 minutes). Nanbin Road and Chaotianmen Square offer the best views.

   High Speed Train, Vehicle

   Breakfast, Lunch

   4-star hotel in Chongqing
6. Day 6: Chongqing Tour and Departure
   Visit a Museum, Overlook the City and Witness the Light Rail Running through a Building

   This morning, visit the Museum of General Joseph Stilwell, dedicated to the U.S. general who was a four-star general in the U.S. Army and served as Chief of Staff of the China Theater during World War II.

   Step into the museum to explore the museum’s collection of his personal belongings, manuscripts, photographs, and military uniform. The exhibits offer a glimpse into his time in China and the friendship between China and the United States.

   Later, come to E’ling Park. Take a leisurely walk through the park’s gardens and follow the path to Lansheng Pavilion for a bird’s-view of the city as well as the Jialing River and the Yangtze River.

   Head to Liziba Station to see one of Chongqing’s most unusual sights — the city’s light rail line passing directly through a residential building. The tour guide will show you the best photography spots.

   

   At the end of the tour, you will be escorted to the airport or train station for departure.

   Optional Extension: Add a relaxing Yangtze River cruise to your trip and take in the ever-changing scenery along China's longest river. Sail through dramatic gorges, past riverside villages, and into charming towns.

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   Breakfast