7 Days Chengdu and Jiuzhaigou Tour by High-speed Train

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Chengdu Arrival

   Welcome to Chengdu, the hometown of giant pandas! When you arrive at the airport, the local professional tour guide will pick you up from the exit gate and transfer you to the city center hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free on your own.

   Here are some recommendations to get a feel for the city. Chunxi Road is the most bustling shopping area in Chengdu where you can find the internet famous "Climbing Panda" sculpture and luxury stores such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci.

   Also, try authentic Chengdu-style food here including hot pot, bobo chicken and red oil wontons.

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   4-Star Hotel in Chengdu
2. Day 2: Chengdu to Huanglongjiuzhai Railway Station

   In the morning, take a high-speed train to Huanglongjiuzhai Railway Station (ref: C5792/10:06-12:34). Upon arrival, continue driving for 2 hours to your hotel very near Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic Area.

   Warm Tips on Jiuzhaigou's altitude:

   It has a relatively high altitude so some travelers feel discomfort. Take it slow on the first evening, and always avoid intense physical activity. If the symptoms get serious, do NOT hesitate to ask your guide for help.

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   4-Star Hotel in Jiuzhaigou
3. Day 3: Full Day in Jiuzhaigou National Park
   Marvel at Turquoise Lakes, Calcified Waterfalls, Wild Otters in UNESCO-Protected Valley

   Today is the official start of your trip. After breakfast, your guide will take you directly to the Jiuzhaigou Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It amazes everyone with a fairly primitive natural landscape.

   There are “five wonders” you can not miss when touring: mountains, forests, lakes, cascading waterfalls and Tibetan folk customs. And above all, the cute small animals such as otters, ducks, cats and koi can also bring you unforgettable memories.

   The Nuorilang Waterfall is a highlight of the whole valley, 24.5 meters high and 320 meters tall. This dramatic scale has made it the widest calcified waterfall in China. The currents of the Nuorilang are turbulent, after pouring down from the treetops, the water then becomes a powerful stream that flows through the valley.

   

   Your tour guide will lead you to visit three major scenic spots - Shuzheng Valley, Zechawa Valley and Rize Valley. They are covered with different colors in different seasons, often becoming turquoise, blue and emerald. After the visit, go back to the hotel to have a good rest.

   Visiting Tips:

   • Norilang Restaurant is the only restaurant in the valley where you can have abuffet lunch. You can also bring some snacks.
   • To avoid crowds, try to have breakfast early and enter the scenic area early.

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   4-Star Hotel in Jiuzhaigou
4. Day 4: Huanglong Back to Chengdu
   Hike Through Jewel-Toned Travertine Pools, Gaze at Snow-Capped Peaks

   Today you will visit the world's largest and highest open-air calcium carbonate pool complex in Huanglong Scenic Area. The spot is like a golden "dragon" formed by calcareous deposits, winding under the main peak of Minshan Mountain. There are several must-see attractions as follows.

   The Five Colored Pool is composed of 693 terraced-shaped calcareous pools. Due to the presence of algae, minerals and the refraction of light in the water, it takes on colors such as emerald green, sapphire blue and pale yellow, so is known as the 'earth color palette'.

   

   Golden Sand Beach is the largest calcium carbonate waterfall in the world, approximately 1.3 kilometers long. The golden carbonate deposits shine brightly under the sunlight resembling the back of a golden dragon. When water flows over, it will reflect a shimmering golden sheen.

   Huanglong Ancient Temple is a Taoist temple that was built in the Ming Dynasty. It faces the Five-Colored Pool. The red walls, golden roof and snow-capped mountains along with the colorful pools provide perfect shooting subjects for photography enthusiasts.

   In addition, you can asee waterfalls and have the opportunity to encounter rare plateau animals such as Sichuan snub nosed monkeys.

   At the end of the visit, head to the railway station for a high-speed train C5798/18:19-20:39 back to Chengdu.

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   4-Star Hotel in Chengdu
5. Day 5: Chengdu Panda Visit
   Watch Pandas Munch Bamboo, Sip Tea in Gardens, Catch Face-Changing Show (Optional)

   Around 08:30 in the morning, start your Chengdu city exploration first with the Chengdu Panda Base. It plays an important role in protecting and breeding endangered giant pandas in China.

   Observe pandas playing and eating in a primitive living environment. Your guide will take you through the vast area on the most classic route and you will learn some basic facts about giant pandas.

   To save your wonderful moments, take photos framed with pandas from a distance. Looking for some souvenirs? There are themed shops in the area waiting for you to explore.

   

   After lunch, go to People's Park to enjoy a leisurely afternoon. Appreciate flowers and garden landscapes and relax in the local slow-paced Chengdu life by sipping a pot of Gaiwan tea or joining the locals playing mahjong.

   If interested, experience Cai Er, ear cleaning - an intangible cultural heritage technique that can help you relax your nerves and clean your ears (at your own expense, RMB 30-60 per person).

   After that, stroll around Jinli Pedestrian Street, lined with antique buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Visit lovely handicraft shops, taste local snacks and watch amazing Sichuan face-changing opera (at your own expense).

   In addition, Jinli Steet holds free folk activities such as paper cuttings and sugar painting from time to time to let tourists experience the charm of Chinese culture. After the visit, drive you back to your hotel.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Chengdu
6. Day 6: Drive from Chengdu to Leshan
   Gaze Up at the 71-Meter Buddha, Feast on Fiery Sichuan Food in Qing-Era Alleys

   Today, take a 2-hour car ride from Chengdu city to Leshan to admire the Leshan Giant Buddha. As the tallest stone Buddha in the world (71-meter-tall), it took three generations of craftsmen for 90 years to finish.

   The plank road leads you up the mountain and you can observe the Buddha's head - it features 1,051 hair curls in total! However, if walking is too much for you, choose a boat ride instead (at an extra fee), on which you will get a panoramic view of the statue.

   In the afternoon, return to Chengdu and visit Wide and Narrow Alley, one of Chengdu's most representative neighborhoods. See old quadrangle courtyards and tea houses, Western style buildings and creative shops as well as the brick cultural walls that artistically show Chengdu's history with old bricks and tiles.

   After all visits, you will get back to your hotel.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Chengdu
7. Day 7: Chengdu Departure

   After breakfast, at the agreed time, your comfortable transfer will escort you to the airport. This is the end of your 7-day Chengdu and Jiuzhaigou tour. Thank you so much for choosing China Xian Tour. Hope to see you again!

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