8‑Day Sichuan Escorted Tour: Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong, Mount Emei, Leshan & Chengdu
Discover Sichuan’s most iconic landscapes and cultural treasures on this 8‑day escorted journey.
Designed for international travellers, this itinerary blends UNESCO‑listed natural wonders,
ancient engineering marvels, sacred Buddhist mountains, and Chengdu’s vibrant city culture —
all with comfortable hotels, private transport, and optional English‑speaking guides.
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
- Day 4
- Day 5
- Day 6
- Day 7
- Day 8
Day 1 – Arrival in Chengdu
Arrive in Chengdu, where a representative will greet you at the airport or train station.
Transfer to your hotel and enjoy free time to relax and experience Chengdu’s famously laid‑back lifestyle.
Dinner: enjoy a specialty dinner.
Evening: Free time to relax.
Accommodation: Chengdu Hotel
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 – Dujiangyan Irrigation System & Panda Paradise
Morning:
After breakfast, travel to the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, a 2,000‑year‑old engineering marvel
still in use today.
Walking into Dujiangyan, the first thing that catches your eye is the vast, fertile Chengdu Plain stretching into the distance, framed by clear blue skies and shimmering waters. Standing at a high vantage point, the entire panorama of Dujiangyan unfolds before you, allowing you to appreciate this ancient irrigation project from both a grand and intricate perspective.
Through guided explanations, you will gain a deep understanding of the history and cultural background behind the construction of Dujiangyan. Their vivid storytelling will make you feel as if you have traveled back to ancient times, witnessing Li Bing and his son leading the people in their magnificent effort to tame the waters.
Gone is the sense of distance often felt with ancient architecture. Here, you will truly experience a miracle that has endured for thousands of years and discover the diverse charm that makes Dujiangyan so extraordinary.
Lunch: Enjoy a local specialty lunch.
Afternoon:
Continue to Dujiangyan Panda Paradise to see giant pandas in a natural,
eco‑friendly environment. Return to Chengdu in the afternoon.
The Dujiangyan Base, together with the Wolong Base and the Ya'an Bifengxia Base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, forms three demonstration platforms for both ex-situ and in-situ panda conservation. By fully leveraging the unique resources and international reputation of the giant panda, these bases effectively coordinate ecological protection with social and economic development.
The establishment of the “one center, three bases” framework significantly advances the long-term conservation of the giant panda—an endangered species—while promoting ecological protection efforts and the growth of the eco‑economy.
Dinner: enjoy a specialty dinner.
Evening: Free time to relax.
Accommodation: Chengdu Hotel
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 3 – Chengdu → Chuanzhusi → Huanglong → Jiuzhaigou
Morning:
After breakfast, take a high‑speed train to Chuanzhusi.
Then visit the stunning Huanglong Scenic Area,
famous for its colourful travertine pools, snow‑capped peaks, and pristine forests.
Continue to Jiuzhaigou and check in at the valley entrance.
The Huanglong Scenic and Historic Area sits at an elevation of 3,000 to over 3,500 meters. Due to its calcium-rich landforms, the mountain springs take on a yellowish hue, resembling a golden dragon cascading down the slope. Beside it lie pools of turquoise water in various sizes, displaying a stunning range of colors. From the mountaintop, the snow-capped peaks appear magnificent and close enough to touch.
Every autumn, the hillsides burst into vibrant color, with layers of golden yellow, light green, and deep green forests creating a breathtaking visual feast. Huanglong’s travertine landscape is characterized by colorful terraced ponds, travertine waterfalls, travertine shoals, karst caves, and mineral springs—remarkable examples of unique karst deposition and erosion.
The main scenic area of Huanglong includes Huanglong Valley and Xueshanliang. Huanglong Valley is especially renowned for its snow mountains, forests, colorful pools, flowing terraces, waterfalls, and ancient temples, forming a landscape of extraordinary natural beauty.
Lunch: Enjoy a local specialty lunch.
Afternoon:
Continue your exploration of the Huanglong Scenic and Historic Area.
Dinner: enjoy a specialty dinner.
Evening: Free time to relax.
Accommodation: Jiuzhaigou Hotel
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 4 – Full‑Day Jiuzhaigou Valley Exploration
Morning:
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then depart by coach for the “Fairyland of Jiuzhaigou” (including Jiuzhaigou admission ticket and sightseeing bus, 90 RMB per person).
Spend the day exploring Jiuzhaigou Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its
turquoise lakes, multi‑layered waterfalls, colourful forests, and snow‑capped peaks.
Enjoy scenic walks and sightseeing bus routes throughout the valley.
Jiuzhaigou is home to some of the most beautiful waterscapes in China. The saying “After visiting Jiuzhaigou, all other waters pale in comparison” perfectly captures its breathtaking scenery. Springs, waterfalls, rivers, and 108 crystal-clear lakes come together to form dazzling, multicolored pools that resemble celestial jade basins.
Its emerald lakes, layered waterfalls, colorful forests, snow-capped peaks, Tibetan culture, and blue ice are known as the “Six Wonders” of Jiuzhaigou. The waters here are truly extraordinary—each lake shines with clarity and brilliance, leaving visitors with memories that last a lifetime.
For generations, the local Tibetan people have regarded this magical land as sacred mountains and holy waters. Jiuzhaigou is celebrated both in China and abroad: in the East, it is praised as a “fairyland on earth,” while in the West, it is often described as a “fairy-tale world.”
Lunch: Enjoy a local specialty lunch.
Afternoon:
Continue your exploration of the Huanglong Scenic and Historic Area.
Dinner: enjoy a specialty dinner.
Evening: Free time to relax.
After leaving the scenic area, you may choose to attend optional evening performances such as “Jiuzhai Ancient Love” or other local song-and-dance shows.
Accommodation: Jiuzhaigou Hotel
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 5 – Jiuzhaigou → Chuanzhusi → Chengdu & Kuanzhai Alley
Morning:
After breakfast, return to Chuanzhusi and take a high‑speed train back to Chengdu.
Lunch: Enjoy a local specialty lunch.
Afternoon:
Visit Kuanzhai Alley, one of Chengdu’s most historic cultural districts.
Kuanzhai Alley is one of the most iconic historical and cultural districts in Chengdu. It is composed of three parallel Qing‑dynasty lanes—Wide Alley, Narrow Alley, and Well Alley—originally formed during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty (1717). The area was once part of the ancient Mancheng (Shaocheng) settlement.
Today, it stands as the last remaining trace of Chengdu’s “Thousand‑Year Shaocheng” urban layout and serves as an important testament to northern hutong culture preserved in the south.
Dinner: enjoy a specialty dinner.
Evening: Spend your free time relaxing or exploring the area.
Experience: Enjoy the renowned Sichuan Opera face‑changing show.
Accommodation: Chengdu Hotel
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 6 – Leshan Giant Buddha → Mount Emei
Travel to Leshan to visit the monumental Leshan Giant Buddha, carved into a cliff overlooking
the confluence of three rivers. After exploring the site, continue to Mount Emei and check in at your hotel.
Morning:
After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Suji Ancient Town in Leshan.
Lunch: Enjoy a local specialty lunch.
Afternoon:
In the afternoon, visit the Leshan Giant Buddha (including the main entrance ticket; estimated tour time: approximately 3 hours).
The Leshan Giant Buddha is located in Leshan City, carved into the cliff face of Qixia Peak on Mount Lingyun, where the Min River, Qingyi River, and Dadu River meet. Also known as the Lingyun Buddha, it has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site.
The statue depicts a seated Maitreya Buddha and is considered a masterpiece of Tang‑dynasty cliff‑carving art. Construction began during the Tang Dynasty and, through the efforts of three generations of craftsmen, took 90 years to complete. Standing about 70 meters tall, it is one of the largest stone-carved seated Maitreya Buddha statues in the world.
As you admire the towering and majestic Leshan Giant Buddha, it is impossible not to marvel at the ingenuity of ancient craftsmen who, without modern machinery, created such an extraordinary and enduring monument.
Dinner: enjoy a specialty dinner.
Evening: Spend your free time relaxing or exploring the area.
Accommodation: Emei Hotel
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Kind Reminder:
During public holidays or peak travel seasons, the number of visitors may increase significantly. To avoid long queues upon arrival at the scenic area, departure times may be adjusted earlier. Please cooperate with the tour guide; the exact schedule will be based on the guide’s notification.
Day 7 – Mount Emei Golden Summit → Chengdu
Morning:
After breakfast at the hotel, depart for a visit to Mount Emei (including the main entrance ticket; sightseeing bus: 90 RMB per person; round‑trip cable car: 120 RMB per person).
Ascend Mount Emei by sightseeing bus and cable car to reach the Golden Summit,
home to the magnificent Ten‑Directions Samantabhadra statue and panoramic mountain views.
The Golden Summit is the peak of Mount Emei, and the Four‑Sided Ten‑Direction Samantabhadra Buddha statue located here is a must‑see for visitors. Standing at an elevation of 3,079 meters, the summit features a 48‑meter‑tall gilded bronze statue of Samantabhadra, as well as Huayan Temple, where devotees come to offer prayers and seek blessings.
The Four‑Sided Ten‑Direction Samantabhadra statue is one of the tallest golden Buddha statues in the world and represents the first artistic depiction of Samantabhadra in this unique form. Behind the statue stands Huayan Temple, which consists of three main halls. The third hall, dedicated to Samantabhadra—also known as the Golden Hall or “Golden Summit”—is the highest temple on Mount Emei. Its plaques bear inscriptions such as “Golden Summit,” “Endless Vows,” and “Magnificent Huazang.” Inside, a bronze statue of “Samantabhadra Riding an Elephant” is enshrined.
Lunch: Enjoy a local specialty lunch.
Afternoon:
Proceed with the remainder of your Mount Emei tour before returning to Chengdu in the afternoon.
Dinner: enjoy a specialty dinner.
Evening: Spend your free time relaxing or exploring the area.
Accommodation: Chengdu Hotel
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Kind Reminders:
1. The wild macaques on Mount Emei often move in groups and can be very mischievous. Please do not tease or provoke them to avoid injury. Due to the size of the scenic area and the special location of the Monkey Zone and Yixiantian, the tour guide usually does not accompany visitors to these sections. Whether this part of the visit is included depends on the schedule; it may be skipped if time is limited.
2. Please pay attention to safety when taking the cable car. Women are advised to wear flat shoes and avoid long skirts.
3. Along the scenic routes, you may find many local specialty stalls and religious souvenir vendors (operated by local residents or set up within the scenic area). Product quality varies, and these shops are not part of our arranged shopping stops. Please make purchases wisely, request receipts, and note that Mount Emei is a sacred Buddhist site. Temples may offer incense, lamps, and blessing services, and there are government‑approved Dharma item counters—none of which are considered designated tourist shopping venues.
4. To protect yourself from potential monkey-related injuries, visitors are advised to purchase the optional Monkey Injury Insurance at the entrance of Mount Emei (5 RMB per person, self‑paid).
5. During peak periods, queues may occur within the scenic area. Please remain patient, follow queue etiquette, and avoid pushing to prevent accidental injuries.
Day 8 – Departure from Chengdu
Enjoy free time until your transfer to the airport or train station.
Depart Chengdu with unforgettable memories of Sichuan’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Kind Reminder:
★ The standard check‑out time for hotels in Chengdu is before 12:00 noon. If you wish to extend your stay, please inquire directly with the hotel front desk and follow their procedures for late check‑out. After checking out, you may wait in the hotel lobby for the transfer staff. Large luggage can be stored at the hotel front desk, but please keep all valuables with you.
Meals: Breakfast