7 Days Chengdu and Chongqing Tour with Yangtze River Cruise

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Chengdu Arrival (No meal)

   Welcome to the 7-day Chengdu and Chongqing Tour! Upon your arrival at Chengdu airport/train station, the local driver will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name and transfer to the downtown hotel for check-in. Free and easy on your own for the rest of the day.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Chengdu

2. Day 2: Chengdu Panda Volunteering Tour (B, L)
   Dujiangyan Panda Base, Renmin Park

   Today would be the highlight of your Chengdu tour since you will be closely visiting the cute pandas by volunteering at Dujiangyan Panda Center.

   Start from your hotel at around 07:30, after 1-hour driving, you’ll arrive at Dujiangyan Panda Base, which is the only scientific research institution in China that focuses on preventing and controlling panda disease and rescuing pandas from the wild. Here you will see the fluffy black and white giant pandas sleeping, chewing bamboo, climbing trees, and wrestling with each other.

   Be greeted by a professional panda keeper who also will give you a brief introduction about pandas, and your volunteering day begins!

   The main volunteering activities include:

   1. Carry food (bamboo, fruits, etc. ) for pandas at the guidance of the panda nursing staff;
   2. Clean panda’s room and sports places at the guidance of the panda nursing staff;
   3. Feeding pandas at the guidance of the panda nursing staff;
   4. Other activities with pandas (no direct touch).

   Friendly Tips:

   1. The panda volunteering fee is CNY800/pax which was NOT included in our tour package, please pay in cash when you arrive at the site.
   2. Today you will have lunch at the panda base to enjoy the real local dishes.

   The volunteering activity ends around 15:30. After that, you will head back to Chengdu City and pay a visit to the vibrant Renmin Park which 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.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Chengdu

   

3. Day 3: Chengdu to Chongqing Tour by High-speed Train (B, L)
   Leshan Giant Buddha

   Today, you'll head to the amazing Giant Buddha in Leshan. Drive around 2 hours from Chengdu city, you can enjoy the urban scenery on the way.

   Regarded as the tallest stone Buddha in the world, the Leshan Giant Buddha was carved out of a cliff face 1300 years ago. When you look up at it from its toes, it’s hard to imagine how ancient Chinese people built this massive statue which withstood the ravages of wind and rain as well as man-made damage. You will climb up the stairs to the top of the mountain to enjoy the wonderful scenery. The stairs may seem intimidating, but the hiking is well worth the time and effort.

   Friendly Tip: There are 2 ways to visit the Leshan Giant Buddha, one is climbing up the mountain, and one is taking a cruise along the river to take far view of it. Climbing up the mountain was included in the package as most tourists said this way is better. Taking cruise is optional. If you would like to take a cruise instead of climbing up the mountain, or if you want to try both these 2 ways, just ask your tour guide for assistance.

   After finishing the hiking, you will be dropped off at the train station for an evening high-speed train to Chongqing. Upon arrival at Chongqing Train Station, the local driver will be waiting for you at the exit gate holding a welcome board with your name, and transfer to local hotel.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Chongqing

   

4. Day 4: Chongqing to Yangtze River Cruise Tour (B, L)
   Ciqikou Ancient Town, Museum of General Joseph Stilwell, Monument to the People’s Liberation

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

   Later, move on to the Museum of General Joseph Stilwell. The Museum is built on the former residence of General Joseph Stilwell during his appointment in the anti-Fascist war as the chief of the general staff of China Theater from 1942 to 1944. It collects some daily stuff, manuscripts, and the army uniform of the General, not only exhibiting the important history of this great man but also the friendship between China and the US.

   After that, pay a visit to the 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 the 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.

   Last, transfer to Chaotianmen Port for you to board the ship and kick off a fantastic cruise down the breathtaking Yangtze River, the third longest river in the world. This trip will take you to fully enjoy China’s natural beauty, long history, and rich culture.

   Accommodation: Overnight on 5 Star Cruise  

   

5. Day 5: Yangtze River Cruise Tour (B, L, D)
   Yangtze River Cruise, Shibaozhai Pagoda

   After you wake up naturally in the morning, you can refresh yourself with a cup of coffee and go up on the deck to soak up the sun and breathe some fresh air. Plenty of cultural activities will keep you busy and entertained. There is a master to teach you how to practice Tai Chi, a kind of Chinese martial art suitable for all ages and good for your health; there is a lecture on the Yangtze River from which you will learn more about the history and culture of this mighty river; there is the captain’s welcome party to meet friends from all over the world, enjoy nice food and drinks, and watch wonderful performances.

   Later, switch to a smaller boat to disclose today’s adventure to Shibaozhai Pagoda. It is a real pearl on the Yangtze River and rated as one of the “Seven Great Wonders of China” and “Eight Fantastic Architectures in the World” by US Discover Channel. The Pagoda was built against the hill along the river, taking advantage of the topography to harmoniously embed its body onto the cliff. The 12-floor bundling is a fully wooden structure, about 56 meters tall.

   

   Optional excursion: The optional shore excursion with an extra fee to enrich your today’s trip is the trip to Fengdu Ghost City. With a history of about 2000 years, it is said to be the Capital of the world of ghosts which is the lodge of spirit after death. You can see many interesting architectures in features of the underworld. The knowledge to learn here is not limited to Chinese afterlife culture but also Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism.

   Friendly Tip: Comfortable shoes are suggested as it requires much walking at Fengdu Ghost City

   Accommodation: Overnight on 5 Star Cruise

   

6. Day 6: Yangtze River Cruise Tour (B, L, D)
   Three Gorges, Shennv Stream

   Today will be another great day floating on the picturesque Three Gorges. Just relax yourself and enjoy the spectacular scenery of Xiling Gorge, Wu Gorge, and Qutang Gorge.

   Board on a smaller ship to have the shore excursion to Shennv Stream, also called Goddess Stream. Lying in the core of the Wu Gorge, Shennv Stream winds its slim body in the narrow gorge, giving visitors a breathtaking sight and exciting their eyes. The high cliffs on both sides suddenly narrow down and block the way of flowing water with its gigantic torso, scaring people sitting in the boat about the coming crash but quickly catching their breath when the boat flies swiftly to another curve next seconds. You can’t help crying for the escape from danger and wowing at the misty scene of the gorge, urging the sailors to speed up and break through the fog to discover the deepest beauty.

   (Special Note: Please expect there is an alternative Shennong Stream excursion sharing similar wonderful experiences in some cruise lines).

   Moreover, here is a Tujia ethnic music and dance show for you. It would be a big plus today.

   Optional excursion: In the afternoon, when it cruises by Qutang Gorge, you will have the opportunity for the optional excursion to White Emperor City with an additional fee. It was a crucial place in the military for the ancient strategists and was applied by many famous poets in their poems, such as Li Bai and Du Fu, hence rising to fame. It’s a trip for you to learn Chinese history and trace the ever romance of Chinese literary men.

   Accommodation: Overnight on 5 Star Cruise

   

7. Day 7: Yichang Departure (B)
   Three Gorges Dam

   After breakfast, you will also take a shore excursion to the marvelous Three Gorges Dam, the largest hydroelectric project in the world. It truly is an engineering wonder! It took 17 years to build this huge dam, and for its construction, more than one million people around the reservoir area were relocated. Now the dam plays a very important role in the life of Chinese people. You will follow a guide to get a stunning panoramic view of the dam.

   At around 12:30, you will be dropped off at the tourism center, and there will be a local English-speaking tour guide and driver to pick you up by holding a welcome board with your name and transfer you to Yichang airport/train station for your departure. Our 7-day China Chengdu and Chongqing tour package ends here.

   Accommodation: N/A