This 7-day Sichuan highlights tour is the definitive route for travelers who want to check off Sichuan’s most iconic world heritage sites in one trip. We have optimized the logistics by starting with the cultural and wildlife icons near Chengdu - the Giant Pandas, Leshan Giant Buddha , and Mount Emei.
The journey then heads north via the newly opened high-speed rail to the "Fairyland" of Jiuzhaigou and the golden pools of Huanglong. Our mix of private drives and fast trains makes travel efficient. Spend less time commuting and more time immersing yourself in the soul of Sichuan.

| Day | Place | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Chengdu | Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu People's Park, Wenshu Monastery, Jinli Old Street |
| 3 | Leshan, Sichuan | Leshan Giant Buddha |
| 4 | Emeishan, Sichuan | Mount Emei Scenic Area, Golden Summit |
| Chengdu | Get back from Mount Emei to Chengdu | |
| 5 | Huanglong, Sichuan | High speed train from Chengdu to Jiuzhai Huanglong Train Station; Huanglong Scenic Area, Huanglong Temple, Mirror Ponds |
| 6-7 | Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan | Jiuzhaigou Valley |
Nihao! Welcome to Chengdu, the hometown of giant pandas. Our team will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore on your own.
Arrival Ideas:
Chengdu is easy to reach. Two airports serve the city - Shuangliu (CTU) and Tianfu (TFU) - with flights from most major cities in China and Asia. High-speed trains connect Chengdu to Xi'an (3-4 hours), Chongqing (1.5-2 hours), Guiyang (3.5-4.5 hours), and Kunming (6-6.5 hours).
If you arrive early, ask your guide for recommendations. They might suggest a walk through People's Park to watch locals play mahjong, a visit to Wenshu Monastery for some quiet time, or an evening stroll along Jinli Old Street to try Sichuan snacks.


Morning: Chengdu Panda Base
Meet your guide early in the hotel lobby. Pandas are most active in the cool morning hours, so an early start is worth it.
The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is home to over 100 pandas of all ages. Watch them climb, eat bamboo, nap, and play. In autumn, you might spot pink newborn cubs in the nursery houses. Look for the famous pandas - Hua Hua, the nation's favorite, and Zhi Ma, the mascot of the World University Games.
Red pandas roam nearby - smaller, rarer, and just as charming. The base has also become a spot for urban birding. If you're interested, follow your guide through the Panda Museum (free, reservation needed, closed Mondays).
Wenshu Monastery
Next, visit Wenshu Monastery, a 1,400-year-old Buddhist temple dedicated to Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. It's one of China's four great Zen Buddhist temples.
Before entering, stop for a photo at the Red Wall. Inside, walk through the Qing Dynasty-style buildings in order: Heavenly Kings Hall, Three Saints Hall, Grand Buddha Hall, Dharma Hall, and Scripture Library. The bell tower and corridors create a peaceful atmosphere perfect for quiet reflection.
Afternoon: People's Park (Renmin Park)
After lunch, head to Renmin Park to see Chengdu's slow side. Watch locals square dance, practice tai chi, sing folk songs, play Chinese chess, or boat on the lake.
Don't miss the blind date corner—a marriage market where parents gather to find partners for their adult children. It's a real Chengdu tradition.
Find a seat at Heming Tea House, a century-old teahouse. Order a cup of jasmine green tea, a local favorite. Chat with friends, try an ear cleaning session (a local specialty), and watch people play mahjong nearby.
Evening: Jinli Old Street
As night falls, explore Jinli Old Street. CNN Travel ranked it one of the world's most beautiful streets in 2021. First built during the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280), it was once called "Shu Jinli."
Today, the street is lined with Qing Dynasty-style buildings. Browse shops selling Shu embroidery, lacquerware, folk crafts, and calligraphy. Try local snacks like dan dan noodles, egg pancakes, bon bon chicken, and spicy tofu pudding. Watch artisans create sugar paintings or shadow puppets.
If you're interested, your guide can help you find a teahouse with Sichuan Opera performances later in the evening.
After the tour, your guide will take you back to your hotel in downtown Chengdu.


Our team will pick you up at your hotel. Drive about 2 hours south to Leshan to see the Leshan Giant Buddha, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Leshan Giant Buddha
The Buddha is the largest stone-carved statue in the world at 71 meters tall and 28 meters wide. It was carved into a cliff face 1,200 years ago where two rivers meet. His shoulders span 28 meters, each big toe is 8.5 meters long, and his ears are 7 meters. Locals say, "The mountain is a Buddha and the Buddha is a mountain."
You'll walk down steep pathways to see the Buddha up close. The route passes ancient Buddhist temples, sculptures, caves, and religious relics along the way.
The plank pathways are steep and narrow. If walking is difficult, you can take a boat cruise instead. From the water, you'll get a panoramic view of the Buddha's full scale.
Drive to Mount Emei
After visiting the Buhhda, drive about 45 kilometers to Baoguo Temple, the largest temple at the foot of Mount Emei. Take some time to explore before checking into your nearby hotel for the night.


You'll spend a full day exploring Mount Emei, a UNESCO World Heritage site for both cultural and natural significance. It's one of China's four sacred Buddhist mountains, home to numerous temples and monasteries. The mountain sits at the edge of the eastern Himalayan highlands, with diverse plants, animals, and stunning scenery.
Morning: Ascent to Golden Summit
Start at the tourist center. Take a sightseeing bus to Leidongping (about 1.5-2 hours). From there, walk 30 minutes to Jieyin Hall, then ride the cable car up to Golden Summit (5 minutes). This route saves energy and lets you focus on the highlights.
Golden Summit
The summit offers four famous spectacles when conditions are right: sunrise, sea of clouds, Buddhist light, and sacred lamps. Stroll around to explore Buddhist temples and architecture. On clear days, the cloud sea spreads below you like an ocean.
Afternoon: Descent & Return to Chengdu
After enjoying the views, descend the same way - cable car down, then walk back to the bus stop. Your guide and driver will meet you and drive back to Chengdu (about 2.5 hours). Check into your hotel for a good rest.


Morning: Train to Huanglong Jiuzhai Station
Our team will escort you to Chengdu East Railway Station for a high-speed train to Huanglong Jiuzhai Station (about 1.5-2 hours). Upon arrival, your local guide and driver will meet you and drive about 30-40 minutes (27 km) to Huanglong National Park.
Huanglong National Park
Huanglong means "Yellow Dragon." The name comes from the view from above—travertine formations winding through the valley like a golden dragon. This UNESCO World Heritage site is famous for its colored limestone ponds in blues, greens, oranges, yellows, and white.
The park also offers snow-topped mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, virgin forests, and wild animals. It's often called a "World Wonder" and "Fairy Land on Earth."
Exploring the Park
Instead of a 6-hour hike, take the cable car to the top and walk down (about 3-4 hours). The descent takes you past main sites: Honglong Monastery, Mirror Ponds, Welcoming Guest Ponds, a waterfall, temples, and caves.
The highlight at the top (3,556 meters) is the Five-Color Ponds - nearly 700 pools of different sizes, shapes, and colors. The water overflows from pool to pool, and from a distance they look like pieces of azure jade.
Afternoon: Drive to Jiuzhaigou
After exploring, leave the park and drive about 2 hours (104 km) to Jiuzhaigou. Check into your hotel and rest.
Useful Tips:
The altitude here is 3,200 to 3,600 meters(10,500 to 11,800 feet) - higher than Jiuzhaigou. Move slowly to avoid altitude sickness. Oxygen stations are available in the park, or you can bring your own bottle.


After breakfast, you'll head to Jiuzhaigou National Park with your guide. You'll take a sightseeing bus into the park to explore this fairyland landscape.
Jiuzhaigou is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of China's most beautiful places. The name means "Nine Settlement Valley," named for the nine Tibetan villages along its length. It's famous for bluer-than-blue lakes, rushing waterfalls, colorful forests, and woodlands backed by snowy mountains.
Exploring the Y-Shaped Valley
The park has three main sections: Zechawa Valley, Rize Valley, and Shuzheng Valley. The best way to explore is by sightseeing bus. You hop off at stops, walk along wooden boardwalks to enjoy the views, then hop on another bus to the next spot. Your guide will plan a route based on your energy and the crowds.
Classic Route:
Take a bus to Nuorilang Waterfall, then continue to Zechawa Valley. From there, hike to Five-Flower Lake and Pearl Beach. Next, move to Rize Valley to visit Panda Lake, Mirror Lake, and more. Return to Nuorilang Tourist Center, the junction of the Y, for a rest.
After lunch, explore Shuzheng Valley on your way back to the entrance. You'll pass traditional Tibetan villages and more stunning scenery.


After breakfast, our team will pick you up from your hotel. They will accompany you to the airport and help you check in for your next destination.
Trip Extension Ideas: If you want to explore China and other Asia destinations rather than return home right away, we would be glad to assist you with an extension trip. Feel free to tell us your ideas!
Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your China tour, and we are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next trip to China/Asia. Safe journey!
Step 1: Choose and Enquire
Choose the tour you like and click "Make an Enquiry for Free." Tell us your travel dates, group size, and any special interests. No payment is required at this stage.
Step 2: Expert Consultation
Get expert advice within 0.5–24 hours. One of our Chengdu travel specialists will contact you with a personalized plan and suggestions.
Step 3: Confirm & Deposit
Once you are happy with the itinerary, we finalize the booking and secure your services with a deposit.
Step 4: Stay in Touch
You can contact your advisor at any time before the trip for changes, questions, or special requests.
Chengdu is one of China's major high-speed rail hubs, making it easy to extend your journey to nearby highlights or even the Tibetan Plateau. In just a few hours, you can reach sacred mountains, fairyland valleys, and world-famous cultural sites.
Popular extensions from Chengdu include Leshan Giant Buddha & Mount Emei, the breathtaking Jiuzhaigou Valley, and the legendary journey to Lhasa on the Qinghai–Tibet Railway.
>> 3 Days Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou High Speed Train Tour
Local Transfers: All local sightseeing transfers are arranged by private, air-conditioned vehicles. The cars are clean, spacious, and driven by experienced local drivers who know the routes well.
Inter-city Travel: We arrange domestic flights (economy class) or high-speed trains (second class, usually under 6 hours) depending on distance and schedule.
Arrival & Departure: Your local guide and driver will meet you at the airport or train station and escort you directly to your hotel, ensuring a smooth and worry-free journey.
“B” (Breakfast): Enjoyed at your hotel in the morning.
“L” (Lunch): Arranged at designated tourist restaurants approved by the local administration. They maintain high sanitary conditions, and your guide will assist with ordering.
“D” (Dinner): Usually excluded to give you the chance to taste authentic local snacks or explore Chengdu's famous "Gastronomy City" status on your own.
Special Diets: If you are vegetarian, halal, kosher, or have allergies (gluten-free, etc.), please let us know. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.


Have a good sleep everyday is very important during your Chengdu tour. In a private tour, you can decide on your own which hotel class you want - luxury 5-star, comfortable 4-star, or economic 3-star.
All the hotels in each destination we selected are in prime locations, close to vibrant commercial streets (such as Chunxi Road or Taikoo Li) or major tourist attractions. We have maintained long-term business relationships with these hotels for many years to ensure they meet our high standards.
Room Amenities & Service:
To ensure a luxury and comfortable sleep experience, all hotels we use feature windows, air-conditioning, 24-hour hot water, showers, and stable Wi-Fi. The professional staff are English-speaking and dedicated to providing high-quality service. If you have any specific requirements, they are always ready to assist you and ensure your stay is worry-free.














Discover what our customers are saying about the latest Chengdu Tours. Browse through their recent reviews and feedback on tour arrangements, guides, transportation, attractions, dining, hotels, and detailed itineraries to plan your own unforgettable China tour. View All Customers Reviews >>
Chengdu - Leshan - Emei - Guilin - Longji Rice Terrace - Yangshuo - Guilin
View DetailsChengdu - Leshan - Emeishan - Chengdu - Lijiang - Shangri-La - Kunming
View DetailsChengdu - Huanglong Valley - Jiuzhaigou Valley - Chengdu - Zhangjiajie
View DetailsChengdu - Guilin - Yangshuo - Zhangjiajie
View DetailsChengdu - Leshan - Emei - Chengdu - Chongqing - Yangtze Cruise - Yichang
View Details