Day 1
Arrive in Chengdu
Arrive in Chengdu, settle in, and begin with a gentle introduction to Sichuan before the route moves deeper into reserve country. Depending on arrival time, there is room for a short city walk and an easy first meal together.
11 days · Sichuan
11 Days Exploring the Best of Sichuan
A compact Sichuan wildlife journey featuring Chengdu’s local flavors, Giant Pandas, Tangjiahe’s forest wildlife, Qingxi Ancient Town, and a close Golden Monkey Base experience before returning to Chengdu.
Duration
11 days
Region
Chengdu, Leshan, Mount Emei, Bifengxia, Anren, Wenchuan, Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong, Sichuan
Group Type
Private or small group
Best Time
Every spring and autumn
Price
On Request
Overview
An 11-day private Sichuan journey linking pandas, ancient Shu culture, Buddhist mountain scenery, historic towns, Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong, and Chengdu.
Highlights
Begin in Chengdu with giant pandas and ancient Shu culture before heading into Sichuan’s classic landscapes.Visit Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei for Buddhist heritage, forest scenery, temple atmosphere and high mountain views.
Visit Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei for Buddhist heritage, forest scenery, temple atmosphere and high mountain views.
Experience Bifengxia Panda Base and Bifengxia Gorge in a quieter forested mountain setting.
Explore Anren, Wenchuan and Songpan for a layered sense of western Sichuan history, local life and cultural crossroads.
Spend time in Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong, with clear lakes, waterfalls, travertine pools, forests and snow-mountain scenery.
From the Journey
Journey Itinerary
Day 2
Chengdu Panda Base, Jinsha Site Museum and Leshan
Start the day at Chengdu Panda Base, when giant pandas are usually more active in the morning. Spend time observing pandas in natural-style enclosures, with possible red pandas, peacocks, and birds around the grounds. After lunch, visit Jinsha Site Museum for a window into the ancient Shu civilization before driving to Leshan.
Day 3
Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei
Visit the Leshan Giant Buddha in the morning, before the busiest crowds arrive. Walk to the viewpoints above the river confluence and take in the scale of this Tang Dynasty cliff-carved statue. Later, continue to Mount Emei, where Buddhist culture, mountain forests, temples, and changing misty views shape the atmosphere of the day.
Day 4
Mount Emei Golden Summit and Transfer to Bifengxia
Rise on the mountain and make your way toward the Golden Summit by trail and cable car. The route passes subtropical forest, temple architecture, and possible Tibetan macaque encounters before opening to wide mountain views, sea-of-cloud moments, and the golden Samantabhadra statue. After exploring Mount Emei, drive onward to Bifengxia in Ya’an.
Day 5
Bifengxia Panda Base, Bifengxia Gorge and Anren Ancient Town
Spend a peaceful morning at Bifengxia Panda Base, a quieter panda site set against forested mountain scenery. The visit allows for relaxed panda observation in a more natural setting. Afterwards, take an easy nature walk through Bifengxia Gorge, with fresh mountain air and rugged forest views, before continuing to Anren Ancient Town.
Day 6
Anren Ancient Town and Transfer to Wenchuan
Explore Anren Ancient Town, known for its old mansions, museum culture, teahouses, and well-preserved western Sichuan architecture. Walk through quiet streets where history, local life, and early modern stories still feel close. Before leaving, enjoy a local Sichuan meal and snacks, then drive north toward Wenchuan for the night.
Day 7
Scenic Drive to Jiuzhaigou via Songpan Ancient Town
Set out early for the long but rewarding drive to Jiuzhaigou Valley. The road passes mountain valleys, river landscapes, and Tibetan and Qiang cultural areas. Stop at Songpan Ancient Town for lunch and a short look at its historic streets, trade-route atmosphere, and mixed cultural influences before continuing to Jiuzhaigou.
Day 8
All-Day Exploration in Jiuzhaigou Valley and Transfer to Huanglong
Spend the day inside Jiuzhaigou Valley, one of Sichuan’s most beautiful natural landscapes. Walk along wooden paths between clear blue and green lakes, waterfalls, reed valleys, forest edges, and snow-mountain views. The changing colors and reflections of the water are the soul of Jiuzhaigou. After the visit, transfer to Huanglong.
Day 9
Huanglong Scenic Area and Return to Wenchuan
Visit Huanglong Scenic Area, famous for colorful travertine pools, forests, valleys, snow-capped mountains, and highland light. Take the cable car up and walk to viewpoints around the Five-Color Ponds, the signature highlight of Huanglong. After enjoying the layered mineral pools and mountain scenery, drive back toward Wenchuan.
Day 10
Dujiangyan Panda Valley and Return to Chengdu
After breakfast, continue the journey back toward Chengdu with a visit to Dujiangyan Panda Valley. This stop offers another comfortable panda-viewing experience, with opportunities to see pandas of different ages and stroll through a red panda area. Return to Chengdu later in the day, with free time to enjoy the city and a final Sichuan dinner.
Day 11
Depart from Chengdu
Enjoy a calm final morning before your guide and driver escort you to the airport for departure.
Practical Notes
Pacing & Terrain
The trip is comfortable overall, but the reserve days still depend on walking slowly through forest roads and trails rather than staying entirely vehicle-based.
What's Included
- Private transport within the route, including airport transfers
- English-speaking wildlife guide throughout
- Accommodation during the trip
- Meals listed in the route plan, plus water and snacks
- Entrance fees for scheduled visits and reserves
- China domestic travel accident insurance
What's Not Included
- Flights or trains to and from Chengdu
- Alcohol and other personal purchases
- Travel changes outside the planned route
- Tips for guide and driver
- Single supplement if required
Before You Reach Out
A few practical questions travelers ask before sending an inquiry.
Plan Your Journey
Plan Your Journey
On Request
Share your travel dates, pace preference and main interests, and we can shape this Sichuan route around cultural sites, mountain scenery and the time you have available.