8 Days Chengdu & Beijing In-depth Tour with Panda Volunteering & Hutong Rides

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Chengdu Arrival (no meal )

   Upon your arrival at Chengdu airport / train station, our local driver will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name and transfer to downtown hotel for checking-in. Free and easy on your arrangement for rest of the day.

   Suggested Evening Idea: You can explore two of the most famous streets in Chengdu on your own - Kuanzhai Alley and Jinli Pedestrian Street. Both of them are in Chengdu city area, you can take a taxi or walk there from your hotel.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Chengdu

2. Day 2: Panda Volunteering & Mt.Qingcheng Tour
   Dujiangyan Panda Base, Qingcheng Mountain ( B, L )

   Today would be the highlight of your Chengdu tour since you will be closely visit the cute pandas by volunteering in Dujiangyan Panda Center and hike to Mount Qingcheng.

   Start from your hotel at around 07:30, after 1 hour driving, you’ll arrive at Dujiangyan Panda Base, which is the only scientific research institution in China that focuses on preventing and controlling panda disease and rescuing pandas from the wild. Here you will see the fluffy black and white giant pandas sleeping, chewing bamboo, climbing trees and wrestling with each other.

   Be greeted by a professional panda keeper who also will give you brief introduction about pandas, your volunteering day begins!

   The main volunteering activities including:

   1. Carry food ( bamboo, fruits etc. ) for pandas at the guidance of the panda nursing staff;
   2. Clean panda’s room and sports places at the guidance of the panda nursing staff;
   3. Feeding pandas at the guidance of the panda nursing staff;
   4. Other activities with pandas ( no directly touch).

   Friendly Tips:

   * The panda volunteering fee is CNY800/pax which was NOT included in our tour package, please pay in cash when you arrive at the site.

   * Today you will have lunch at the panda base to enjoy the real local dishes.

   * The volunteering activity needs reserve 1 week ahead of your visit date by using your passport. Please send the copy of your passport to your travel consultant for reservation.

   After lunch, you will continue the tour to the holy Qingcheng Mountain. It is one of the four famous Taoist mountains in China. Here you will witness a wonderful combination of natural beauty and Taoist culture. You can try to climb to the top of the mountain and enjoy spectacular scenery. Along the way, you will visit some Taoist temples to soak in the religious atmosphere and find your inner peace. If the climb is too much for you to handle, cable car is available.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Chengdu

   

3. Day 3: Leshan Giant Buddha Tour
   Leshan Giant Buddha ( B, L )

   Today, you’ll head to the amazing Giant Buddha in Leshan. Drive around 2 hours from Chengdu city, you can enjoy the urban scenery on the way.

   Regarded as the tallest stone Buddha in the world, Leshan Giant Buddha was carved out of a cliff face 1300 years ago. When you look up to it from its toes, it’s hard to imagine how ancient Chinese people built this massive statue which withstood the ravages of wind and rain as well as man-made damages. You will climb up the stairs to the top of the mountain to enjoy wonderful scenery. The stairs may seem intimidating, but the hiking is well worth the time and effort.

   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.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Chengdu

   

4. Day 4: Chengdu Classic City & Food Tour
   Jinsha Site Museum, Sichuan Cuisine Museum, Wenshu Temple ( B, L )

   AM: Today, just follow your guide to explore the best of Chengdu city! First, come to  Jinsha Site Museum. It is an excellent place to learn about Chengdu's history. There are thousands of cultural relics that can date back to 3000 years ago. You will follow your knowledgeable tour guide to appreciate the precious artifacts such as golden sun bird disc, golden mask, bronze standing figure and stone tiger, and get to know the stories behind them. You also can enjoy a walk around the lovely park and take some pictures.

   Later, you will go to check out a unique museum themed with cuisine culture, Sichuan Cuisine Museum, and have a fantastic experience there. You will have chance to see plenty of cooking utensils from the past dynasties and sample some local delicacies. The highlight of this interesting museum tour will be learning to cook a couple of Sichuan dishes such as Mapo Tofu and Kung Pao Chicken under the instructions of local chefs. After finishing cooking, you will sit down and enjoy your own cooking.

   Noon: Lunch in Sichuan Cuisine Museum.

   

   PM: 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.

   Last, follow your guide to the vibrant Renmin Park which is a perfect place to do people watching. Here you can enjoy a cup of tea in a nice tea house and watch local people while away the time with various activities such as playing cards, doing tai chi, playing mahjong, dancing, and napping.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Chengdu

   

5. Day 5: Chengdu - Beijing Tour by Flight
   Mutianyu Great Wall ( B, L )

   AM: In the morning, our driver will pick you up from the hotel lobby and transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Beijing.

   Upon arrival, our Beijing local English speaking tour guide and driver will be waiting for you at the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name, then drive to the world’s heritage Mutianyu Great Wall. It would be around 2 hours’ driving, you can take this chance to see the urban and suburban scenery of Chinese capital on the way.

   Mutianyu Great Wall is the most scenic part of Chinese Great Wall. It was built in the early Ming Dynasty at 1368 and stretches for 5400 meters. 90 percent of the Mutianyu is covered by vegetation. So in each season this part of the Great Wall will treat visitors with its unique scenery. If pure-hiking is too much for you, there are also options of cable car and toboggan to see the spectacular scenery from different angles ( optional).

   Noon: Lunch at local restaurant.

   PM: Finish the amazing hiking, drive back to Beijing city. On the way, you can have an exterior visit of the marvelous Bird's Nest and Water Cube which were built for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Walking around the outside of the building to appreciate the unique design and take some pictures would be perfect.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Beijing

   

6. Day 6: Beijing Classic City Tour
   Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Jingshan Park ( B, L )

   AM: At 08:00, our English speaking tour guide and driver will pick you up from the downtown hotel. You will start today’s tour with the largest city square in the world - Tian'anmen Square. The square has a very important role in China’s history and visiting it is a dream for many generations of Chinese people. So don’t be surprised when you see the square is teeming with Chinese people. You can just wander around the square and take in the rich history.

   Then you will follow your tour guide into the incredible Forbidden City, which was once the royal palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties with more than 70 big and small palaces and over 9,000 rooms. It is one of the largest and most well-preserved ancient wooden structures in the world. Walking into the grand and majestic complex, you will steep in China’s long history and marvel at this architectural masterpiece.

   Noon: Lunch at local restaurant.

   PM: After lunch, move on to Temple of Heaven, famous for its meticulous layout, unique architecture and magnificent decoration, this grand complex was built for the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties to offer sacrifices to the heaven and pray for good harvests. It was listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1998. You will definitely marvel at the craftsmanship and learn more historical facts about ancient China.

   Last, follow your guide to explore the lovely Jingshan Park where you will learn something about its rich history, appreciate the amazing ancient buildings, and climb to the top of the hill to enjoy a stunning bird’s eye view of the Forbidden City.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Beijing

   

7. Day 7: Beijing In-depth Tour
   Beihai Park, Shichahai scenic Area, local family, courtyard house, Lama Temple, Summer Palace ( B, L )

   AM: Today’s first stop will be the charming Beihai Park, which is absolutely a nice place to relax and enjoy yourself! It is one of the oldest, most complete, most comprehensive and representative royal gardens in China. You will have lots of opportunities to take great photos of the lovely lake and historic buildings. There are also boats available if you like ( optional).

   Beijing Hutongs are full of history which attracts many worldwide tourists! Today your tour guide will take you to feel the charm of the hutongs in Shichahai scenic Area. Taking a rickshaw to ride along the ancient alleys, you will know more about the background information of the Hutongs, experience authentic old Beijing life, and witness the blending of tradition and modernity.

   After the exciting Hutong exploration, come to a local family who living in the Hutong and enjoy a homemade lunch with the friendly family. It will be a great chance for you to visit a real courtyard house - Siheyuan and and have a glimpse of the local people’s lifestyle.

   Noon: Lunch at local resident's home.

   PM: Later, continue to Lama Temple, also called Yonghe Palace, was built in 1694 by Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty for his fourth son who later ascended to the throne and became Emperor Yongzheng, and the palace was converted to a temple during the reign of Emperor Qianlong. Here you will feast your eyes on the splendid architecture, witness the 18-meter-high statue of Maitreya carved out of a single white sandalwood tree, and see lots of people praying to the deities.

   Last, enjoy some leisurely time in Summer Palace. With an area of 2.9 square kilometers, this palace was the best place where the emperors of the Qing Dynasty spent their summers. Here you will enjoy the amazing lake view, explore the exquisite long corridor, appreciate precious cultural relics, step on the elegant stone bridge, see high old trees, etc. You will love every minute here with so much to see. You also can take the option of boat ride to enjoy the stunning Kunming Lake ( optional).

   Accommodation: Overnight in Beijing

   

8. Day 8: Beijing Departure ( B )

   Free and easy on your own until the pickup time for departure. Our driver will meet you at the hotel lobby and transfer to Beijing airport / train station to see you off.

   Accommodation: N/A