8-Day Chengdu & Guizhou Tour: Pandas, Mountains & Miao Culture

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Chengdu Arrival

   Welcome to Chengdu! Upon your arrival, a local guide will pick you up at the airport or train station and transfer you to the hotel in downtown Chengdu for check-in. The rest of today is free for you to relax or explore at your leisure.

   Recommended Night Activity:

   1. Take a evening stroll through the lantern-lit alleys at Kuanzhai Alley to explore the traditional courtyards, browse small shops, and sample local snacks.
   2. Enjoy the futuristic night view of Vitality Tower, where vibrant lights illuminate the 6 towering pillars, which are also shrouded in water mist.

   

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   4-star hotel in Chengdu
2. Day 2: Chengdu Highlights
   Watch Pandas Play, Sip Tea Leisurely, Wander Historic Streets

   Start your Chengdu experience at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, home to over 260 giant pandas. Walk along the bamboo-lined paths and observe pandas of different ages playing, chewing bamboo, and napping in naturalistic enclosures up close.

   Return to the city center and visit Wenshu Temple, the best-preserved Buddhist temple in Chengdu. Explore the halls and Scripture Library to view the Buddha statues and precious cultural relics. Near the entrance, you can also get complimentary incense to offer a prayer.

   

   Tip: Please dress modestly when visiting the temple. Avoid shorts, short skirts, halter tops and slippers. It is not permitted to take photos of Buddhist statues and monks inside the halls.

   Experience Chengdu's slow-paced life at People's Park, a popular spot where locals gather to chat, play mahjong, and drink tea. Join them for a cup of Chinese tea at a traditional teahouse. You'll also try the famous ear-cleaning. The master will use small tools like a feather and an ear pick to clean your ears, leaving you with an incredibly relaxing experience.

   Afterward, take a leisurely stroll thnrough Jinli Pedestrian Street to admire Qing-dynasty style architecture, sample local snacks and pick up a few Chengdu specialty souvenirs.

   

   Optional Activity: Watch a Sichuan face-changing show in a traditional teahouse at Jinli Pedestrian Street. Observe how the performers change painted masks in the blink of an eye just feet away from you.

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   4-star hotel in Chengdu
3. Day 3: Emei Mountain Exploration
   Enjoy the Sea of Clouds and Marvel at Golden Buddha

   Drive for about 2 hours to Mount Emei and spend the day exploring one of China's most revered Buddhist mountains. As a World Heritage Site, Emeishan not only boasts magnificent mountain scenery but also preserves historic Buddhist temples and cultural sites.

   Take the sightseeing bus to Leidongping and hike along the mountain trail to Jieyin Hall. The trail passes through the forest, making for a pleasant walk. From there, jump into the cable car up to Golden Summit.

   After reaching the peak, the towering golden statue of Samantabhadra (Puxian), landmark of Emei Mountain, comes into sight, along with a complex of Buddhist temples and halls. Take your time to explore the temples and capture mountain vistas.

   If the weather permits, you may also witness famous sea of clouds. Thick layers of mist spread among the valleys below while distant peaks rise above them as if floating on a white ocean.

   Finally, descend the mountain via the same route.

   Tip: In some areas of Mount Emei, monkeys are commonly spotted. Keep any food inside your backpack and do not tease, feed or approach the monkeys, as they may try to grab your belongings.

   

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   4-star hotel in Emeishan
4. Day 4: Mt Emei to Leshan by Private Vehicle
   Admire the Largest Seated Stone Buddha in the World

   Visit Baoguo Temple at the foot of Emei Mountain before leaving. Wander through its peaceful courtyards and Buddhist halls and discover the three treasures of the temple, including a Ming Dynasty porcelain Buddha statue, a bronze tower, and a bronze bell.

   Set out for the Leshan Giant Buddha, about a 1-hour drive away. At a height of 71 meters, it is the world's tallest seated stone Buddha statue, carved directly into a riverside cliff.

   Follow the trails to the viewing platform for a closer look at the enormous head and upper body of the giant Buddha. Then, descend along the cliffside Nine-Turn Plank Road to the Buddha’s feet.

   Standing at the foot of the giant Buddha and looking up, you will truly grasp the grandeur of its scale and the awe-inspiring craftsmanship of this ancient stone carving.

   At the end of the visit, your private vehicle will transfer you to your hotel in Leshan city for check-in and a good rest.

   Optional Activity: For families and tourists who'd like a panoramic view, you can take an optional 40-minute boat ride at an additional cost. From the river, take in the full frontal view of the Leshan Giant Buddha and see the spectacular confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu, and Qingyi Rivers.

   Tip: The steps along the cliffside plank road to the Buddha’s feet are quite steep and narrow, so elderly travelers, kids and those who are afraid of heights should take extra care or consider skipping this section.

   

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   4-star hotel in Leshan
5. Day 5: Leshan to Kaili by High-speed Train
   Experience Miao Culture & Twinkling Night Views

   This morning, take a high-speed train from Leshan to Kaili, a journey of about 3.5 hours. Upon arrival, your local guide will meet you and take you to a local restaurant for lunch.

   Begin your Guizhou tour this afternoon at Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village, the largest Miao settlement in China. The drive offers views of rolling mountains and small villages scattered across the valleys.

   Once there, stroll through the ancient streets and alleys and admire the unique wooden stilt houses built into the mountainside. Step into local workshops to see the traditional handicrafts of the Miao people, such as silver jewelry and embroidery.

   At night, the village takes on a completely different look. The stilt houses light up, transforming the mountain into a sea of twinkling lights. Take a sightseeing bus up to the observation deck for a panoramic night view of the illuminated village.

   

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   4-star hotel in Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village
6. Day 6: Miao & Gejia Ethnic Culture Exploration
   Savor Rice Wine, Dance with Miao People, and Try Traditional Batik

   Take the private vehicle to Langde Miao Village. Upon arrival at the village gates, you’ll be welcomed with the classic "block-the-way" rice wine ceremony, a traditional Miao hospitality.

   Follow the flagstone path to the village square to watch the ethnic song and dance performances accompanied by the rhythmic tunes of lusheng (bamboo reed pipes). The villagers may invite you to join the dancing; just feel free to step into the circle and immerse yourself in the joyful atmosphere.

   After the shows, take a stroll around the village, admire the well-preserved wooden stilt houses and experience the local daily life.

   Drive on to Matang Gejia Village, an off-the-beaten-path destination. The Gejia people living here have their own language and cultural traditions and are recognized as China's 57^th ethnic groups.

   During your visit, learn about the distinctive clothing and traditional handicrafts. One of the highlights is batik (wax-resist dyeing), featuring blue-and-white patterns inspired by nature like flowers, animals and the sun. You can learn how to make your own batik piece (optional, at an extra fee).

   

   Your Miao village tour has come to an end here. The driver will transfer you to your hotel at the foot of Mount Fanjingshan. Rest well and get ready for tomorrow's mountain adventure.

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   4-star hotel near Fanjingshan
7. Day 7: Full-Day Exploration of Fanjingshan
   Ascend Sacred Peaks to Witness Nature's Stone Miracles

   Spend the whole day exploring Mount Fanjing, a World Heritage Site famous for its Buddhist heritage, unique peaks, primeval forests and misty mountain scenery.

   To reach the summit, the guide will take you on a shuttle bus to the cable car station then ride the cable car up the mountain. As you ascend, valleys, forests and layer upon layer of mountains gradually come into view.

   After the cable car, hike along the mountain trails to Mushroom Stone - one of the mountain’s classic landmarks. The rock got its name from its mushroom-like shape: a huge quadrate head resting atop a slender, column-like base. Incredibly, it has been standing there firmly for a billion years.

   

   Continue hiking towards the Old Golden Summit. The trail grows steeper as you climb but the view opens up gradually. Upon reaching the top, overlook the surrounding mountains and deep canyons.

   Descend to Pudu Square and visit Cheng’en Temple, an ancient Buddhist monastery with red walls and gray-tiled roofs. Surrounded by unique rocks and tumbling sea of clouds, it offers an ideal photography spot.

   Finally, climb the steep steps to Red Cloud Golden Summit. This peak rises dramatically from the ridge and is split into two parts at the top, connected by a stone bridge perched high in the clouds.

   Ride the cable car and shuttle bus down the same way. The driver will then transfer you for 1.5 hours to Tongren City for an overnight stay.

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   4-star hotel in Tongren
8. Day 8: Tongren Departure

   Enjoy a relaxed morning until your departure. Your driver will meet you at the hotel lobby and send you to Tongren Fenghuang Airport / train station to see you off. Your 8-day Chengdu and Guizhou tour concludes here. Safe travels!

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