6 Days Chengdu Leshan Mt. Emei Tour with Panda Volunteer Program
Tour Overview
Mount Emei is one of the four famous Buddhist mountains in China, with beautiful natural scenery and rich cultural heritage. The China Panda Volunteer Program is an all day activity. Participants can see the pandas, clean the activity sites for national treasures, split bamboo, and make steamed bread of corn.
Join us on a deep journey through Chengdu and its surrounding areas. By exploring the streets and tasting famous Sichuan cuisine, you can have a first impression of Chengdu. Then drive to Leshan, where there is the world’s tallest stone Buddha, 71 meters long (7 meters long just by ear). Afterward, be led to climb to the Golden Summit of Mt. Emei, witness the magnificent sea of clouds, and visit the sacred temple. The volunteer program in Dujiangyan Panda Base is the highlight of this trip. You will learn about the life habits of pandas under the help of panda breeding staff. Finally, marvel at the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, which has a history of 2300 years. It can guide water into fertile plains and prevent sediment accumulation. Return to Chengdu after the sightseeing ends. On the last day, you will learn about the story of one of the most famous ancient Chinese poets.
Travel destinations: Chengdu, Leshan, Emeishan, Dujiangyan
Suitable for: Panda Lovers, Cultural Explorers, Families with Older Children or Teens
Tour type: Private
Highlights of this tour:
- Explore the slow paced streets of Chengdu, taste the tempting Sichuan cuisine (Mapo tofu is a representative), and try some street snacks such as Dandan noodles and Bobo Chicken!
- Take a close look at the magnificent Leshan Giant Buddha ā the highest stone Buddha in the world (71 meters), or take a sightseeing boat to enjoy the panoramic view of the Giant Buddha at an extra cost.
- Take the cable car to the Golden Summit of Mount Emei and witness the awe-inspiring sea of clouds (after rain) and the distant snow-capped mountains (sunny day).
- Be a panda volunteer in Dujiangyan Panda Base to prepare food for these furry creatures, clean the activity areas, and learn about their living habits.
- Explore the ancient engineering miracle of Dujiangyan Irrigation System and understand how it works.
- Visit Du Fu Thatched Cottage, Wenshu Temple, and Jinli Street to immerse yourself in the rich culture of Chengdu.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Chengdu Arrival
Welcome to Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan province. After arrival, your driver will greet you at the airport and take you to a comfortable hotel in the city center. You can freely explore this city in the remaining time.
This place boasts a leisurely and slow-paced lifestyle. Food and giant pandas are synonymous with this city. You can visit some famous free attractions (no tickets required) in Chengdu on your own, such as Tianfu Square or People's Park. In the evening, we strongly recommend you to try Sichuan cuisine, which is characterized by its spiciness and deliciousness (if you can eat spicy food).
Meal: N/A
Accommodation: in Chengdu
Chengdu Zhong Dumplings - Day 2: Drive from Chengdu to Emei Mountain Via LeshanLeshan Giant Buddha, Baoguo Temple
After breakfast, meet your tour guide in the hotel lobby. Then we drive to Leshan. In about 2 hours, we arrive at the Leshan Giant Buddha, located on the cliff at the intersection of the three rivers. The Buddha was excavated during the Tang Dynasty and took 90 years to complete. It is about 71 meters tall, with ears that are 7 meters long, making it quite spectacular. On the right side of the Buddha, there is a nine curved plank road. You will walk up along it and finally experience the majestic and solemn nature of the Buddha up close. If your physical strength is not very good, you can choose a boat ride to admire the Buddha from afar (optional, additional fee required), take a panoramic view, and enjoy the scenery along the shore.
In the afternoon, we drive for one hour to Baoguo Temple, located at the foot of Mount Emei. Founded during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, this temple is usually the starting point for visiting the Mt. Emei Scenic Area. The first hall of the temple houses a statue of Maitreya; The second hall enshrines a seated lotus statue of Shakyamuni with golden body and colorful decorations. Continuing up the stone steps is the Seven Buddha Hall, in front of which stands a fourteen story pogoda with 4700 small Buddhas and the full text of the Avatamsaka Sutra cast on its body. The last hall is dedicated to Bodhisattva Samantabhadra. After the visit, we head to Emeishan City for stay overnight.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Emeishan City
Leshan Giant Buddha - Day 3: A Whole Day Exploration of Mt. EmeiMount Emei Day Trip
Mount Emei covers an area of 154 square kilometers, with the highest peak being Wanfo Peak at an altitude of 3099 meters. The mountain has a profound cultural heritage, with Buddhism, Taoism, martial arts, and tea culture flourishing here. Mt. Emei was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996.
Today you will spend a day exploring. After entering the scenic area, transfer to the shttle bus. We will arrive at Leidongping in about 1.5 hours. Next, follow the tour guide and walk for 30 minutes to reach the cable car station. A 5-minute cable car ride directly takes you to the main peak of Emei Mountain - Golden Summit (3077 meters). Almost all the essence of Mount Emei are gathered here. You can see a golden Buddha statue 48 meters high, which is the symbol of Mt. Emei. When the sunset shines on the top of the Buddha statue, auspicious lights are reflected from the Buddha, which is amazing. Beside the golden statue is Huazang Temple, one of the earliest temples on Emei Mountain, with a history dating back to 1900 years ago. Afterward, you can explore the Golden Summit area on your own, admire the snowy Gongga Mountain from afar (on clear days), and witness the spectacular sea of clouds (after rain).
After the visit, we will take the cable car down to Leidongping and then transfer to the suttle bus back to the parking lot. Your private car will escort you back to Chengdu (approximately 3 hours).
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Chengdu
The Golden Summit of the Mt. Emei - Day 4: Panda Volunteer Experience in DujiangyanPanda Volunteer Program
After breakfast, we will drive to the Dujiangyan Panda Base, one of the four bases of China Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center. Here, you can see cute black and white pandas eating bamboo, climbing trees, sleeping, and playfully wrestling with each other. Upon arrival the base, a professional panda keeper will welcome you and give a short introduction about pandas. Then, your panda volunteer program will begin!
The main volunteering activities include:
- Change into your work clothes and clean the enclosures and outdoor play areas.
- Split bamboo, wash bamboo shoots, and carry bamboo for the pandas, with help from the panda keepers.
- Watch the staff feed the pandas and learn how they care for them.
- Have the lunch at the panda base.
- Watch a documentary to get further insight into pandasā origin and how they behave.
- Learn to make steamed bread of corn for pandas.
- Get your Panda Volunteer Certificate.
After the project, you will be escort to Dujiangyan city to check in at a downtown hotel.
Friendly Tips:
1. 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.
2. Please prepare one piece of your ID photo, which should be on a blue background with a size of 3.5cm*4.9cm.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Dujiangyan
Make steamed bread of corn for pandas - Day 5: Back to ChengduDujiangyan Irrigation System
After breakfast, the guide will show you the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, which was built by Li Bing in 256 BC. With a history of 2300 years, it is the oldest existing irrigation system in China and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Carved into the mountains of the Minjiang River, its fish mouth diversion structure guides water into the fertile plains. And flying sand weir prevents the accumulation of sediment. This engineering feat still provides water sources for the Chengdu Basin to this day. You can stroll along the ancient bamboo suspension bridge, watching the water split intoeast and west channels, or visit the nearby Erwang Temple, where Li Bing and his son are worshipped.
After the visit, we travel back to Chengdu and arrive at the hotel in the city center in about 2 hours. Check in and rest well. Tonight is the last chance to explore the nightlife of Chengdu.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: in Chengdu
Dujiangyan Irrigation Project - Day 6: Chengdu DepartureDufu Thatched Cottage, Wenshu Temple, Jinli Old Street
Today is the last day of your 6-day Chengdu Leshan Mt. Emei Tour. Your visit begins at Du Fu Thatched Cottage, which was once the former residence of the famous Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu. You can see traditional gardens, courtyards, pavilions, and even a small museum displaying his works and calligraphy. It allows tourists to gain a deeper understanding of the life of one of China's greatest poets, who lived here during times of war and hardship.
Next, head to Wenshu Temple, one of the most important Buddhist temples in Chengdu. Its history can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty. You can observe monks perform their daily rituals, light incense for blessings, or see Buddhist scriptures, statues, and artworks.
Last, take a walk around Jinli. This is a lively pedestrian street, featuring Qing Dynasty style architecture. During the Shu Kingdom period, this area was once part of the royal road. Today, it is a great place to experience the relaxed lifestyle of Chengdu. You can taste some authentic Chengdu snacks, such as Zhong Dumplings, Dandan noodles, Spicy Rabbit Head, and buy some souvenirs, such as paper cuttings, silk fans or panda themed gifts.
After the visit, you will be escorted to the airport or train station to leave. Wish you a happy voyage!
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A
Dufu Cottage
Tour Price ($=USD)
From $949 P.P, which is based on a private tour for 2 people. The price varies depending on the activity, number of people, travel date, and selected hotel.
