8 Days Chengdu Jiuzhaigou Valley and Chongqing Tour by High-speed Train

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Chengdu Arrival

   Welcome to Panda’s homwtown, Chengdu! After arrival, a local driver will pick you up with a welcome board “China Xian Tour” and escort you to your well selected hotel for check-in. For the remaining of the day, exploration this city at your own pace. (No tour guide today)

   If you want some visiting ideas, here is a travel guide for reference:

   Chunxi Road is the core commercial district and fashion landmark of Chengdu. It is not only a shopping center, but also a window to experience the modern urban style and common life of Chengdu. Visit IFS International Financial Center and take photos with the climbing giant panda sculpture.

   There are many authentic Sichuan restaurants in the surrounding streets. Be sure to taste three classic famous dishes: Kung Pao Chicken (sweet and sour, slightly spicy), Mapo Tofu (spicy and tender) and Fish Flavored Shredded Meat (sour, sweet and spicy).

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Chengdu
2. Day 2: Chengdu Panda Visit
   Meet Giant Pandas Up Close, Enjoy Teahouse Culture and a Face-Changing Show

   In the morning, meet your private tour guide and be lead to visit Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding and Research Center which simulates the wild habitat environment of giant pandas. It is the best place to see these lovely creatures up close. You need to wake up early for witnessing the most active pandas before 9:30 am when they engage in activities including eating, climbing trees and playing. Learn about individuals of various ages from newborn cubs to adult pandas. Also you can see lesser pandas red in color living in the base, aka Red Panda.

   Embark on a food walking tour on Kuanzhai Alley. Try some of the most authentic Sichuan snacks such as Zhangfei Beef, Bo Bo Chicken and Egg Baked Cake.

   

   Go to People's Park and experience the leisurely life. Sit down and enjoy a cup of tea while watching the locals dance, play mahjong and clean their ears. If you are interested, you can pay extra to experience ear picking, which provides ear cleaning and relaxation services through professional tools and techniques. ‌‌

   Finally, follow your guide into the backstage of a local famous theater to watch the actors perform facial painting and makeup and enjoy a stunning face changing show - a unique performance skill where performers use techniques to instantly change their facial makeup, making it mysterious and highly entertaining.

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   4-Star Hotel in Chengdu
3. Day 3: Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou by High-speed Train
   Admire Colorful Calcite Pools and Alpine Landscapes

   After breakfast, take the high-speed train from Chengdu to Huanglongjiuzhai Railway Station. After exiting the station, your guide will directly lead you to visit the Huanglong Scenic Area, which is characterized by calcium carbonate formations. Inside the park, there is a golden calcium carbonate river 3.6 kilometers long flowing like a "golden dragon" from beneath the snow-capped mountains.

   Upon arrival, transfer the shuttle bus and cable car to reach the summit quickly, thus saving time and energy. Thousands of colorful pools, waterfalls and streams glow with various dreamy colors of blue, yellow, green, white under sunlight, among which the Five-Color Pool is the most representative.

   

   Descending along the forest paths, you will see landscapes such as Golden Sand Pavement and Bonsai Pool. The tour guide will explain to you and point out the best shooting positions at the same time. While enjoying the mountain flowers and the original forest, you may encounter rare animals such as the Sichuan golden monkey.

   After your tour, you will take a 2-hour drive to your hotel near Jiuzhaigou Valley.

   Tips:

   • Some attractionsin Huanglong Scenic Area have an altitude of over 3500 meters and you may experience altitude sickness, so be sure to slow down your walking speed.
   • You can bring some fast food or snacks asthere are limited options for restaurants in the scenic area.

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   4-Star Hotel near Jiuzhaigou Valley
4. Day 4: Jiuzhaigou National Park
   Discover Jiuzhaigou’s Turquoise Lakes, Cascading Waterfalls and Pristine Forests

   You will spend the entire day today visiting Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic Area which has an area of 720 square kilometers with most of it covered by forests. The attractions we are going to visit are located in three main Y-shaped ravines: Shuzheng, Rize, and Zechawa.

   At the Tourist Center, board the sightseeing bus which takes you directly to Rizegou Valley between Nuorilang Waterfall and the primeval forest. This Jiuzhaigou tour reaches its most enjoyable point at Rizegou Valley. The lakes display multiple colors together with their extensive waterfalls and ancient trees . You can explore Panda Lake and Five Flower Lake and Pearl Beach Waterfall.

   

   The bus then transfers you to Norilang Center Station which provides lunch facilities. Your exploration of Zechawa Valley continues in the afternoon. The two main attractions of this area are Long Lake and Five-Color Pool. The Five-Color Pool here is much smaller than that in Huanglong. Its color is mainly due to the refraction of sunlight and the color difference of the sediment at the pool bottom.

   Shuzheng Valley located at the entrance of the scenic area is the last stop. The Nuorilang Waterfall is the most stunning here. The waterfall reach 270 meters in width and 24.5 meters in height. It stands as one of China's major calcified waterfalls and holds the record for being the widest waterfall in the country. The observation deck opposite the waterfall provides you with a complete view of the waterfall's entire expanse. Autumn is the best time to visit. The sites besides you can not miss include Shuzheng Lakes, Spark Lake, and Bonsai Shoal. After the exploration, you will be sent back to the hotel to rest well.

   Tips:

   • Try to enter the park as early as possible to avoid the crowds.
   • The Nuorilang Restaurant is the only restaurant in the valley that offers a buffet lunch. You can bring some snacks.

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   4-Star Hotel near Jiuzhaigou Valley
5. Day 5: Jiuzhaigou Back to Chengdu, High-speed Train to Chongqing

   After breakfast, drive for 2 hours to Huanglongjiuzhai Station for a 2-hour high-speed train to Chengdu. The times will change according to the train schedules. And then take a bullet train to Chongqing. Upon arrival, the local driver will escort you to your hotel. In the evening, you can familiarize yourself with this '8D Magic City' on your own.

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   4-Star Hotel in Chongqing
6. Day 6: Chongqing City Discovery
   Ride The Yangtze River Cableway and Enjoy Dazzling Hongya Cave Night Views

   After breakfast, meet your tour guide in Chongqing. He/she will take you to explore the most distinctive ancient streets in Chongqing - Xiahaoli and Longmenhao. These were once important docks and locations for foreign merchants. Walk along the stone-paved roads, admire the well-preserved blue-and-white tiles, old embassies and bank buildings, and also discover interesting cultural and creative stores, cafes. Surely, you can enjoy the views of Yuzhong Peninsula and the Yangtze River.

   Next, the "air bus" cableway will take you across the Yangtze River. You will be able to enjoy the magnificent scenery from a 360-degree perspective. After that, head to the Liberation Square, the symbol of Chongqing's spirit, also the most bustling commercial area of this city. Take a close look at the 27.5-meter-tall monument that bears the history of the war and liberation. The pedestrian street surrounding the monument is home to luxury stores, hotels and cinemas, making it the ideal place to experience the modern urban vitality and fashion trends of Chongqing.

   

   As night is about to fall, arrive at Hongya Cave and witness the breathtaking moment of the illuminated building. Then you will explore this huge 11-storey complex, with the fourth and ninth floors serving as commercial streets where you can taste various local delicacies. Take some time to explore the area while enjoying the night views of the Jialing River and Qiansimen Bridge.

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   4-Star Hotel in Chongqing
7. Day 7: Chongqing Ancient & Modern Exploration
   Hike Mountain Trails and Witness Chongqing’s Famous Light Rail Through Buildings

   Today you will explore the ancient charms of Chongqing first at Ciqikou Ancient Town. The town built along the mountains boasts a profound history dating back to Song Dynasty (960-1127). Follow your guide to get to know some old buildings, among which the most prominent is Yinglong Gate, carrying the legend of Emperor Jianwen and the culture of Ba-Yu. Continue to explore the Baolun Temple with exquisite double-eaved wooden structure.

   Next, take a stroll along the Mountain City Trail, built along the cliff. Look down at the Yangtze River and afar at the bridge and also enjoy historical marks such as French historical sites. The Eighteen Stairs is the old street staircase that connects the upper and lower parts of the city. It used to be the core passage for the residents of the mountain city. Now, it not only retains the old staircase, ancient wells and air-raid shelters, but also adds commercial vitality with creative coffee shops.

   

   Witness the Ins-popular light rail through building scene at Liziba Station. It is a classic example of Chongqing's "magical transportation". Experience up close why Chongqing is called the "8D" City on the Kuixing Tower.

   The final stop of this journey is the Guanghuan Shopping Park where the ecological landscape is deeply integrated with commercial activities indoors. Located in the atrium of the shopping center, you can see a 42-meter-high suspended forest, a huge waterfall cascading down and maybe a multimedia light and shadow show (after 7:00 pm). This place combines international retail, specialty dining, children's entertainment and cinemas, and can meet your one-stop consumption and leisure needs. After the exploration, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

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   4-Star Hotel in Chongqing
8. Day 8: Chongqing Departure

   Enjoy your leisure time after breakfast until your driver picks you up at the hotel lobby at the agreed time and escorts you to the airport or train station. This is the end of your 8-day Chengdu Jiuzhaigou Chongqing tour. Safe travels. Thank you for choosing China Xian Tour!

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