7 Days Chengdu and Chongqing Tour with Yangtze River Cruise

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Chengdu Arrival

   Welcome to the 7-day Chengdu Chongqing Tour! Upon your arrival at Chengdu airport/train station, the local driver will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with "China Xian Tour" and transfer you to the downtown hotel for check-in. Free and easy on your own for the rest of the day.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: Overnight in Chengdu

2. Day 2: Chengdu Panda Volunteering
   Care for Pandas While Learning about Conservation Efforts

   Today would be the highlight of your Chengdu tour since you will be closely visiting the cute pandas by volunteering at Dujiangyan Panda Center.

   Leave your hotel at about 07:30, after a 1-hour drive, you will reach Dujiangyan Panda Base, which is the only scientific research institution in China to focus on prevention and control panda disease and rescue wild pandas. Here you will see fluffy black and white giant pandas sleeping, chewing bamboo, climbing trees, and wrestling with each other.

   Upon arrival, met by a professional panda keeper who will give you a brief introduction about pandas, and your volunteering day begins!

   The main volunteering activities include:

   1. Change into work clothes and be guided to clean the pandas' activity areas.
   2. Carry food (split bamboo, fruits, etc. ) for pandas at the guidance of the panda nursing staff;
   3. Watch the caretakers feeding giant pandas;
   4. Have lunch at the panda base;
   5. Watch a documentary to get further insight into pandas' origin and tempers;
   6. Make steamed bread of corn for pandas.;
   7. Get your Panda Volunteer Certificate.

   

   Friendly Tips:

   1. The panda volunteering fee is CNY700/pax, which was NOT included in our tour package. Please pay in cash when you arrive at the site.
   2. The volunteering activity needs to be reserved 1 week ahead of your visit date by using your passport. Please send a copy of your passport to your travel consultant for the reservation.

   The volunteer activity ends around 3:30 pm. Afterwards, you will return to Chengdu and visit the vibrant People's Park, which is a perfect place to relax. Here, you can have a cup of tea in a nice teahouse and watch the locals pass the time through various activities such as playing cards, tai chi, mahjong, dancing, and napping.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Chengdu

3. Day 3: Chengdu to Chongqing by High-speed Train
   Hike up to See the Towering 1,300-year-old Leshan Giant Buddha Carved into a Cliff

   Today, we will go visit the Leshan Giant Buddha! Drive about 2 hours from Chengdu city, and you will be able to see the urban development on the way.

   According to the Guinness World Records, the Leshan Giant Buddha is the tallest stone Buddha in the world, and was carved out of a cliff face over 1300 years ago. It's hard to imagine that ancient Chinese made this huge statue, which has weathered the wind and rain, and damage by mankind. You are going to hike up the stairs to the very top of a mountain to enjoy the beautiful scenery! Don't be afraid of the stairs, hiking takes time and is a better experience!

   Friendly Tip: There are 2 ways to visit the Giant Buddha, one is to climb the mountain and one is to take a cruise along the river for a far view. Climbing the mountain was included in the package as most tourists stated this way was better. The cruise is optional if you want to do that instead of climbing the mountain, or if you want to try both of these ways. Please ask your tour guide to help you if you choose either option.

   After finishing the hiking, you will be dropped off at the train station for an evening high-speed train to Chongqing. Upon arrival at Chongqing Train Station, the local driver will be waiting for you at the exit gate holding a welcome board with your name, and transfer to the local hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Chongqing

   

4. Day 4: Chongqing to Yangtze River
   Explore Ciqikou's Ancient Streets and Cultural Heritage

   Today, your Chongqing tour begins with Ciqikou Ancient Town. It is one of the must-visit sites in Chongqing where many people flow every day. Serve as an important port along the Jialing River, Ciqikou Ancient Town has been familiar with the jollification for the comings and goings of passengers since its birth in the Song Dynasty, witnessing the developing process of Chongqing local culture. Today, on the stone-paved streets here, will you be surprised at the rich cultural activities like the Sichuan Opera, oil manufacture, and dough figurines through which the hidden local culture, folk customs, religious culture, and so on are reflected.

   Later, move on to the Museum of General Joseph Stilwell. The Museum is built on the former residence of General Joseph Stilwell during his appointment in the anti-Fascist war as the chief of the general staff of the China Theater from 1942 to 1944. It collects some daily stuff, manuscripts, and the army uniform of the General, not only exhibiting the important history of this great man, but also the friendship between China and the US.

   After that, pay a visit to the Monument to the People’s Liberation, which stands at the central zone of Jiefangbei (The Chinese name of the Monument) Commercial Circle. It was started to be built in 1946 and finished the next year to symbolize the success of the Chinese anti-Fascist war. Today, it is a landmark of Chongqing City, attracting people with its fame as well as the busy commercial circle around.

   Last, transfer to Chaotianmen Port for you to board the ship and kick off a fantastic cruise down the breathtaking Yangtze River, the third-longest river in the world. This trip will take you to fully enjoy China’s natural beauty, long history, and rich culture.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight on 5 Star Cruise  

   

5. Day 5: Yangtze River Cruise
   Enjoy Tai Chi and River Lectures Onboard before Visiting Cliffside Shibaozhai Pagoda

   After you wake up naturally in the morning, you can refresh yourself with a cup of coffee and go up on the deck to soak up the sun and breathe some fresh air. Plenty of cultural activities will keep you busy and entertained. There is a master to teach you how to practice Tai Chi, a kind of Chinese martial art suitable for all ages and good for your health; there is a lecture on the Yangtze River from which you will learn more about the history and culture of this mighty river; there is the captain’s welcome party to meet friends from all over the world, enjoy nice food and drinks, and watch wonderful performances.

   Later, switch to a smaller boat to embark on today’s adventure to Shibaozhai Pagoda. It is a real pearl on the Yangtze River and is rated as one of the “Seven Great Wonders of China” and “Eight Fantastic Architectures in the World” by the US Discovery Channel. The Pagoda was built against the hill along the river, taking advantage of the topography to embed its body onto the cliff harmoniously. The 12-floor building is a fully wooden structure, about 56 meters tall.

   

   Optional excursion: The optional shore excursion with an extra fee to enrich today’s trip is the trip to Fengdu Ghost City. With a history of about 2000 years, it is said to be the Capital of the world of ghosts, which is the lodge of spirits after death. You can see many interesting architectures in features of the underworld. The knowledge to learn here is not limited to Chinese afterlife culture but also Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism.

   Friendly Tip: Comfortable shoes are suggested as they are required for much walking at Fengdu Ghost City

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

   Accommodation: Overnight on 5 Star Cruise

   

6. Day 6: Cruise Through Three Gorges
   Cruise through the Stunning Three Gorges and Brave the Thrilling Twists of Shennv Stream

   Today will be another great day floating on the picturesque Three Gorges. Just relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery of Xiling Gorge, Wu Gorge, and Qutang Gorge.

   Board a smaller ship to have the shore excursion to Shennv Stream, also called Goddess Stream. Lying in the core of the Wu Gorge, Shennv Stream winds its slim body in the narrow gorge, giving visitors a breathtaking sight and exciting their eyes. The high cliffs on both sides suddenly narrow down and block the way of flowing water with its gigantic torso, scaring people sitting in the boat about the coming crash, but quickly catching their breath when the boat flies swiftly to another curve next seconds. You can’t help crying for the escape from danger and wowing at the misty scene of the gorge, urging the sailors to speed up and break through the fog to discover the deepest beauty.

   (Special Note: Please expect that there is an alternative Shennong Stream excursion sharing similar wonderful experiences in some cruise lines).

   Moreover, here is a Tujia ethnic music and dance show for you. It would be a big plus today.

   Optional excursion: In the afternoon, when it cruises by Qutang Gorge, you will have the opportunity for the optional excursion to White Emperor City with an additional fee. It was a crucial place in the military for the ancient strategists and was applied by many famous poets in their poems, such as Li Bai and Du Fu, hence rising to fame. It’s a trip for you to learn Chinese history and trace the ever romanticism of Chinese literary men.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

   Accommodation: Overnight on 5 Star Cruise

   

7. Day 7: Yichang Departure
   See Closely the Largest Hydroelectric Project in the World

   After breakfast, you will also take a shore excursion to the marvelous Three Gorges Dam, the largest hydroelectric project in the world. It truly is an engineering wonder! It took 17 years to build this huge dam, and for its construction, more than one million people around the reservoir area were relocated. Now the dam plays a very important role in the life of Chinese people. You will follow a guide to get a stunning panoramic view of the dam.

   At around 12:30, you will be dropped off at the tourism center, and there will be a local English-speaking tour guide and driver to pick you up by holding a welcome board with your name and transfer you to Yichang airport/train station for your departure. Our 7-day Chengdu and Chongqing tour package ends here.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: N/A