2 Days Chengdu Tour with Dujiangyan & Mount Qingcheng World Heritage Site

In the morning, you will meet your guide early at the appointed time in your hotel lobby. Since pandas prefer cool weather and are more active in the morning, we advise you to arrive early at Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (Chengdu Panda Base), located only about 17 kilometers away from the city center. This is the closest panda base around Chengdu for you fulfill your panda dream.

Chengdu Panda Base is the base with the largest population of captive giant pandas in the world, accommodating over 100 pandas of different ages. You can watch pandas playing, eating, climbing, sleeping, and in autumn, even see the pink newborn giant panda cubs in the Sunshine Nursery House and the Moonlight Nursery House. Discover the charming panda stars at this base, such as Hua Hua, the most adored and celebrated panda who has captured the hearts of the nation, and Zhi Ma, the real-life inspiration behind the panda mascot of the World University Games. Besides giant pandas, the cute red pandas (rarer than giant pandas) at the Red Panda Playgrounds are also the highlight of the Chengdu Panda Base. Nowadays, the panda base has also become an urban birding spot for local birders and kids to search for Red-billed Leiothrix, Black-throated Tit, Chinese Blackbird, Spotted Dove, White-browed Laughingthrush, and more. If you're interested, you can follow your guide to discover more about pandas' secrets through the Chengdu Giant Panda Museum, which is free to enter but requires advance reservation, and closed on Mondays.

Later, pay a visit to Wenshu Monastery, a 1400-year-old temple dedicated to honoring Manjushri Bodhisattva, the Symbol of Wisdom. It is one of the four great temples of the Chan (Zen) school of Buddhism in China. Before entering the temple, take a moment to capture the beauty of the Red Wall. Once inside, stroll leisurely through the temple's beautiful Qing Dynasty-style buildings and marvel at the Heavenly Kings Hall, Three Saints Hall, Grand Buddha Hall, Dharma Hall, and Scripture Library in that order. The temple's buildings, such as the bell tower and corridor, are seamlessly integrated with the main complex, creating a peaceful and immersive atmosphere where you can explore and reflect on the teachings of Buddhism.

In this afternoon, it's time to take a leisurely stroll inside Chengdu Renmin Park (Chengdu People's Park) like a local and enjoy the city's slow lifestyle. You can watch locals square dancing, practicing Taiji, singing Chinese folk songs, playing traditional Chinese musical instruments, as well as playing Chinese chess and boating on the lake. Don’t miss the blind date corner (a marriage market) where parents of unmarried adults flock to the park to find a partner for their daughter or son. Then, order a cup of fragrant jasmine green tea (a favorite of Chengdu locals) while sitting in a time-honored tea house, such as Heming Tea House. Chat with your friends, try Chengdu Ear Cleaning by professional ear cleaner, and see locals having fun playing mahjong.

When the sun sets, the nightlife on Jinli Street becomes even more charming. Known as the "Chengdu Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival Scroll" and ranked at the top of the world's most beautiful streets by CNN Travel in 2021, Jinli Street was first built during the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280) and was then known as "Shu Jinli". Walking on Jinli Street, you can appreciate the brilliant Chinese Traditional buildings of Qing Dynasty style (1616-1911), buy all kinds of souvenirs (Shu embroidery, lacquer products, folk handicrafts, calligraphy, and paintings), try delicious local snacks (Dan Dan Noodles, Egg Pancake, Bon Bon Chicken, Sweet Potato Noodles with Pork Intestines, Iced Jelly, Sour and Spicy Tofu Pudding), and discover intangible heritages like Sugar Painting, Shadow Puppy Play, Sichuan Opera Show...

After the tour, be transferred to your hotel in Chengdu downtown for a good rest.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the captivating city of Dujiangyan (about 1.5 hours’ drive), where you will have the opportunity to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, "Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System”.

Upon your arrival in Dujiangyan, your first stop will be the 2000-year-old Dujiangyan Irrigation System. This living world heritage site was created to solve the problem of diverting water without using dams, and it still functions today, irrigating the Chengdu Plain. It is the real reason why Chengdu is known as "the Land of Abundance." You will have the opportunity to visit the three main parts of the weir works that control the water from the upper valley of the Minjiang River, including the Yuzui Bypass Dike, Feishayan Floodgate, and Baopingkou Diversion Passage. You will be amazed by the wisdom of ancient Chinese engineering as you learn about the system's theory.

After delving into the history and theory of the irrigation system, you will extend your journey to the nearby Erwang Temple, where you can meet Li Bing and his son. They were the masterminds behind this ecological engineering feat, which dates back to around 256 BC. This is a unique opportunity to connect with ancient Chinese culture and gain a deeper understanding of their incredible feats of engineering.

In this afternoon, drive another 15km for half hour to Mount Qingcheng, the birthplace of Taoism. In 142 CE, the philosopher Zhang Ling founded the doctrine of Chinese Taoism here. Your first stop will be Jianfu Palace, built in 730 during the Tang Dynasty. Walk into the holy palace to learn about many Taoist celebrities and appreciate the famous couplet known as "The First of Mount Qingcheng." Afterward, enjoy a short boat ride across the tranquil Yuecheng Lake, situated in the middle of the mountain. Take a 5-minute ride on the Buyun Cableway to reach the mountain top. Next, embark on a relaxing walk to visit the Shangqing Palace, where you can gain a deep understanding of Laozi, the famous ancient Chinese philosopher and author of the Tao Te Ching. Continue walking to Laojun Pavilion, located at the highest peak of Mount Qingcheng (1,260 meters). This pavilion rises 33 meters in nine layers, from a square base symbolizing the Earth to a circular top symbolizing the round sky. Inside the pavilion, you will find a huge statue of Laozi riding a water buffalo and be treated to a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire mountain.

After enjoying the sights from the top, you will return via the same route you came. This is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in ancient Chinese culture and discover the birthplace of Taoism while marveling at the stunning natural beauty of Mount Qingcheng. After the tour, you will be escorted back to your hotel in Chengdu, or we can take you to the airport or train station.

Trip Extension Ideas: If you're not ready to return home yet and want to explore more of China or other destinations in Asia, we are here to help you plan an extension trip. Our team at Asia Odyssey Travel is always ready to assist you and turn your travel ideas into reality. Thank you for choosing us for your China tour, and we hope to see you again for your next adventure in China or Asia. Have a safe journey!