6 Days Chengdu Chongqing Classic Tour with Mt. Emei Hiking

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Chengdu Arrival (No meal )

   Upon your arrival at Chengdu airport / train station, our local driver will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name and transfer to downtown hotel for check-in. Free and easy on your own for rest of the day.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Chengdu

2. Day 2: Chengdu Tour ( B, L )
   Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, Wenshu Temple, Renmin Park, Kuanzhai Alley

   At around 08:30, the English speaking tour guide and driver will meet you at the hotel lobby and your amazing day begins!

   The first scenic site will be the exciting Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, which is well known for the protection and breeding of the endangered giant pandas which are unique to China. The base is definitely a highlight for most visitors to Chengdu. There are adorable pandas everywhere. You can watch them eating bamboo, playing with each other, and of course sleeping. Your tour guide will navigate you through the huge area, share some information about the pandas, and help you take amazing photos.

   

   After lunch, continue your visit to Wenshu Temple which was built in the Sui Dynasty with a long history. The temple is still operating and frequented by local people who come to pray and relax themselves. It is a good place to come to know Buddhism. You can have a nice stroll around the pleasant garden and take photos of the wonderful ancient architecture.

   Later, enjoy some relaxing tea time in Renmin Park. Renmin Park is a perfect place to do people watching. Here you can enjoy a cup of tea in a nice tea house and watch local people while away the time with various activities such as playing cards, doing tai chi, playing mahjong, dancing, and napping.

   Afterwords, come to explore the local food and culture in Kuanzhai Alley, which has a long history and can date back to the Qing Dynasty. Now the old alleys have been converted into one of the top attractions in Chengdu. Strolling along the streets, you still can see many well-preserved Qing Dynasty buildings. In addition to appreciating the traditional architecture, you also can savor some local delicacies. As a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, Chengdu will surprise you with its delicious food.

   Optional Night Activity: Sichuan Opera of Face Changing Show

   It will be a great way to end the day. You just sit back, sip your tea, and watch magic happening on the stage. The best part definitely will be the incredible face changing that everyone comes for. Face changing actually is one of the techniques of Sichuan Opera and is used to express the feelings of the characters. Seeing the performers changing their faces in seconds will completely enthrall you.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Chengdu

   

3. Day 3: Chengdu – Leshan – Mt. Emei Tour (B, L)
   Leshan Giant Buddha

   Today you are going to admire the tallest stone Buddha in the world, Leshan Giant Buddha. It took 90 years for three generations of craftsmen to accomplish this 71-meter-high statue. There is more to it than what you see with your eyes. For example, there are 1051 buns of curly hair on the head of the Buddha, and it has an invisible irrigation system just behind its ears and head. Your knowledgeable tour guide will share the history and some fascinating stories of the colossal Buddha. Please note that it involves lots of stairs. Highly recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and watch your steps.

   After the visit in Leshan Giant Buddha, drive to Mt. Emei and transfer to local hotel for check-in. Have a good rest for tomorrow’s hiking.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Mt. Emei

   

4. Day 4: Mt. Emei – Chengdu Tour (B, L)
   Mt. Emei

   Today you will spend full day to explore Mt. Emei. First, take an Eco-car in the Scenic Area to Leidongping and hiking to Jieyin Hall, from where you will take a cable car up to the Golden Summit (altitude: 3077 m). At the highest peak of the mountain, you will be amazed by the awe-inspiring view of Huazhang Temple and witness the breathtaking sea of clouds if it’s sunny. Next, go down to Wannian Temple parking lot by car. Take a cable car up to Wannian Temple at the middle of the mountain. Appreciate the most beautiful landscape of Mt. Emei in Qingyin Pavilion as you hike from Wannian Temple to Wuxiangang parking lot.

   After the fantastic hiking, drive back to Chengdu hotel.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Chengdu

   

5. Day 5: Chengdu - Chongqing Tour by High-speed Train ( B, L )
   Ciqikou Ancient Town, Monument to the People’s Liberation

   In the morning, you will take high-speed train to Chongqing. Upon arrival at Chongqing Train Station, there will be the local English speaking tour guide and driver waiting for you at the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name.

   Your exploration begins with Ciqikou Ancient Town. It is one of must-visit sites in Chongqing where many people flow every day. Serve as an important port along Jialing River, Ciqikou Ancient Town has been being familiar with the jollification for the comings and goings of passengers since its birth in Song Dynasty, witnessing the developing process of Chongqing local culture. Until today, on the stone-paved streets here will you surprise at the rich cultural activities like Sichuan Opera, oil manufacture and dough figurine through which the hidden local culture, folk custom, religious culture and so on are reflected.

   After that, pay a visit to Monument to the People’s Liberation, which stands at the central zone of Jiefangbei (The Chinese name of the Monument) Commercial circle. It was started to built in 1946 and finished in the next year to symbolize the success of Chinese anti-Fascist war. Today, it is a landmark of Chongqing City, attracting people with its fame as well as the busy commercial circle around.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Chongqing

   

6. Day 6: Chongqing Tour & Chongqing Departure ( B, L)
   Museum of General Joseph Stilwell, E’ling Park , Hongya Cave, Far view of Liziba Station of Chongqing Light Rail

   Today you will visit the must-see sights in Chongqing city. The first site will be Museum of General Joseph Stilwell. The Museum is built on the former residence of General Joseph Stilwell during his appointment in anti-Fascist war as the chief of the general staff of China Theater from 1942 to 1944. It collects some daily stuff, manuscripts and army uniform of the General, not only exhibiting the important history of this great man but also the friendship between China and US.

   Later, come to E’ling Park to behold the whole Chongqing city as well as Jialing and Yangtze River. It locates on a hill between Jialing River and Yangtze River, occupying the highest point of Chongqing city. Besides its elegant scenery inside, the park enchants visitors more with the perfect location to enjoy the night view and bird-view of this beautiful city especially when it soaked in sunrise or sunset.

   Next, move on to Hongya Cave. It is a real existing for the romantic scene you’ve seen in Miyazaki Hayao’s anime. The stilted buildings leaning against the cliffs, embeds their bodies harmoniously into the hills with drops about 75 meters and get embraced into the hug of the soft river. It’s a perfect fusion of architectural culture of residences from hilly area, Chongqing local folk culture and port culture. Especially when it lit up in night, Hongya Cave seems to come into life beyond the cold identity as building groups when rosy lights flowing from the windows. The massive visitor flows to Hongya Cave, only after Forbidden City, entitles it loud fame on the list of “Things to do in China”.

   Last, take a far review of Liziba Station of Chongqing Light Rail. The light rail of Chongqing is a distinctive scene in this city and Liziba section is the highlight. It’s like a magic in movie or a romantic scene in Japanese anime that the train is shuttling through the body of a residential building. You might fix your eyes on the roaring locomotive, see off its disappearance and exclaim the incredible existing. The tour guide will point the best location for you to take picture. For such an amazing scene, video is better to record than photos.

   At the end of the tour, you will be dropped off at Chongqing airport / train station / cruise port for departure.

   Accommodation: N/A