5 Days Chengdu, UNESCO Leshan & Mount Emei Tour

Nihao! Welcome to Chengdu, the Hometown of Giant Pandas! Your private driver and guide will be ready for you when you arrive in Chengdu. Enjoy a trouble-free transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax and explore panda city on your own.

Arrival Ideas:
Chengdu is well-connected by air and high-speed rail. There are two airports - Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport - operating many international and domestic airlines. Travelers can fly to Chengdu from most cities in China, such as Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xi'an, Guilin, Hangzhou, Kunming, Lhasa, Lanzhou, Wuhan, Xiamen, and Guiyang. In addition, travelers can take the high-speed train to Chengdu from Xi'an (3-4 hours), Chongqing (1.5-2 hours), Guiyang (3.5-4.5 hours), Kunming (6-6.5 hours), Shanghai (12.5-14.5 hours), and other cities.

Free Time Ideas:
You are welcome to ask your tour guide for useful tips on how to spend your free time based on your interests and available time.

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.

On this day, drive about 2.5 hours from Chengdu to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site - Leshan Giant Buddha which is the largest and tallest stone-carved statue of Buddha in the world. Carved into a cliff face overlooking the confluence of three rivers: the Dadu, Min and Qingyi, the 1200-year-old Grand Buddha at a towering height of 71 meters (233 feet) and 28m (92ft) wide. His shoulders span 28m, and each of his big toes is 8.5m long. His ears are 7m. The Buddhist monk Haitong conceived the project in AD 713, hoping that Buddha would protect the boats and calm the lethal currents.

The Leshan Giant Buddha offers two ways to experience it from different perspectives. You can climb the stairs built into the cliff face, providing an up-close look at the statue and its intricate details and enjoying the changing view from various angles of the giant Buddha statue, from its head to its feet. Additionally, you have the option to take a boat (about 20~30 minutes) on the rivers to view the statue from the water, which offers a different and impressive vantage point. You'll be able to witness the entirety of the Giant Buddha and appreciate the statue's grandeur within its natural surroundings.

After the tour, you will be driven about 45 kilometers to Baoguo Temple, which is the biggest temple of Mount Emei at the mountain foot. After tour, drive to check in at your hotel and have a good rest.

You will spend a full day visiting Mount Emei, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for both its cultural and natural heritages. Mount Emei is one of the four famous sacred Buddhist mountains in China, with numerous Buddhist temples and monasteries. Beyond its rich cultural heritage, the mountain also lies on the edge of the eastern Himalayan highlands and boasts a diverse range of plants and animals, as well as breathtaking natural scenery.

To visit Mount Emei, you will take a relaxing tour by sightseeing bus, hiking, and cable car. Your itinerary will include the Tourist Center, a Sightseeing Bus to Leidongping (approximately 1.5-2 hours), a 30-minute walk to Jieyin Hall, a cable car ride to the Golden Summit (5 minutes), sightseeing at the Golden Summit, and an ascent and descent of the mountain.

This tour will help you save energy and focus on the highlights of Mount Emei. The Golden Summit is a breathtaking display of natural wonders and Buddhist spirituality, with four marvelous spectacles of Sunrise, Cloud Sea, Buddhist Light, and sacred lamps. You will have the opportunity to stroll around the Golden Summit to explore Buddhist architecture and tradition while enjoying a panoramic view of Mount Emei and its surroundings. If weather permits, you may also witness the magnificent wonder of the Cloud Sea.

After the tour, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel in Chengdu.

After breakfast, you will have free time to explore on your own until the tour guide accompanies you to the airport or train station for your flight or high-speed train to your next destination.

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!