6 Days Chengdu & Guilin Exploration Tour for Nature and 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 checking-in. Free and easy on your arrangement for rest of the day.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Chengdu

2. Day 2: Chengdu
   Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, Jinsha Site Museum, Renmin Park, Kuanzhai Alley ( B, L )

   AM: At around 08:30, our English speaking tour guide and driver will pick you up from Chengdu downtown hotel, and your amazing exploration 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.

   Noon: Lunch at local restaurant.

   PM: After lunch, continue your visit to Jinsha Site Museum. It is an excellent place to learn about Chengdu's history. There are thousands of cultural relics that can date back to 3000 years ago. You will follow your knowledgeable tour guide to appreciate the precious artifacts such as golden sun bird disc, golden mask, bronze standing figure and stone tiger, and get to know the stories behind them. You also can enjoy a leisurely walk around the lovely park.

   After the interesting sightseeing, come to 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.

   Later, follow your guide 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 by Car
   Leshan Giant Buddha (B,L)

   AM: 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.

   Noon: Lunch at local restaurant.

   PM: 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 by Car - Guilin by Flight
   Mt. Emei (B, L)

   AM: 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.

   Noon: Lunch at local restaurant.

   PM: After the fantastic hiking, drive to Chengdu airport for evening flight to Guilin. Upon arrival, our local driver will be waiting for you at the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name, and transfer to local hotel for check-in.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Guilin

   

5. Day 5: Guilin - Yangshuo by Cruise
   Li River Cruise, Yangshuo West Street ( B, L)

   Today is the highlight of your Guilin tour as you will embark on a ship to cruise down the picturesque Li River!

   AM: Taking the cruise on the Li River, you will admire the picturesque scenery of this land with a harmonious combination of the green hills, rivers, lakes and fields. But its beauty is not like a still painting, it’s alive when vivid – brisk bamboo rafts leaving wrinkles on the water and cormorants hovering under the working fishermen… Our guide will uncover the hidden history and culture behind the natural screen before you during your cruise. You will learn from the local expert about how the city formed and developed and how local people manage their life along the famous Li River.

   Friendly Tips: The Li River Cruise takes around 4 hours, and you will be staying on the boat to enjoy the scenery for most time, so 3-star boat as included would be  adequate according to most tourists’ experience.

   Noon: You are suggested to have a good breakfast at your hotel and take some snack as there will be only simple box lunch be provided on the boat.

   PM: After the 4 hours’ cruise, you will disembark at Yangshuo. Follow your guide to explore the famous Yangshuo West Street to admire the antique buildings and local crafts, hanging out in bars and coffee shops, and try some delicious local snacks.

   Last, transfer to Yangshuo local hotel for overnight.

   

   Optional night activity: If you are looking for a worth-to-visit activity tonight, the wonderful Impression Show of Liu Sanjie will be waiting for you! The stage is set on the Li River, most of 600 performers are fishermen from nearby villages. Through this amazing show, you will know the legendary Liu Sanjie and learn something about Zhuang people's culture.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Yangshuo

6. Day 6: Guilin Departure
   Reed Flute Cave,Elephant Trunk Hill ( B, L )

   AM: After breakfast, take all your belongs and check out the hotel as you will be departing Guilin at end of the tour.

   Driving around 1.5 hours from Yangshuo to Guilin city, start your exploration with the amazing Reed Flute Cave. The cave got its name because there were reeds at its entrance and people can make flutes by using the reeds. Walking into the cave, you will be surrounded by all kinds of stalactites, stalagmites, stone columns, flowers, and curtains created by water erosion and carbonate deposition day after day and year after year.

   After that, move on to the Elephant Trunk Hill. The hill got its name from the shape of an elephant sipping water by the riverside. You will see a round opening between the elephant’s trunk and legs, and it has a beautiful name of Water Moon Cave. You can take beautiful pictures to record the pleasant time at this extraordinary place.

   Noon: Lunch at local restaurant.

   PM: Last, saying goodbye to Guilin and transfer to Guilin airport / train station for your departure.

   Accommodation: N/A