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Itinerary
Upon your arrival in Chengdu, your local guide will greet you at the airport or train station and transfer you to your hotel in a comfortable private vehicle. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and enjoy Chengdu at your own pace—welcome to the laid-back charm of the Panda City!
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Stay in Chengdu
This morning, begin your Chengdu adventure with a heartwarming visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, the most important panda conservation and research center in China. Stroll along the tranquil bamboo-shaded paths and observe pandas of all ages as they munch on bamboo, play, tumble, and climb trees. Don’t miss the adorable panda cubs in the Panda Kindergarten, and if you’re lucky, you might even glimpse newborns in the nursery rooms.
After the panda base, continue to Wenshu Temple, a peaceful Buddhist sanctuary tucked away in downtown Chengdu. Admire the exquisite architecture, soak in the serene atmosphere, and take a quiet walk through its tranquil courtyards. Just next to the temple lies Wenshufang, a charming bazaar where you can browse traditional crafts and observe daily life in the old quarters of the city.
To truly experience Chengdu’s famously relaxed lifestyle, head to Renmin Park. Order a pot of fragrant Chinese tea, sit back in a teahouse, and watch locals enjoying their favorite pastimes—playing mahjong, dancing, getting ear-cleaning treatments, or simply napping. It’s a perfect place to immerse yourself in local culture.
Your last stop today is the vibrant Jinli Old Street. Stroll along this lively, historic pedestrian street lined with traditional-style buildings. Sample tasty local snacks, shop for handicrafts, and enjoy street performances and folk entertainment that bring Sichuan’s rich cultural heritage to life.
Recommended Optional Evening Activities:
Savor a flavorful Sichuan cuisine dinner or hotpot at a local restaurant.
Enjoy an entertaining Sichuan Opera performance (typically from 20:00–21:30), featuring dazzling face-changing, fire-spitting, rolling lights, and more traditional stage arts.
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Stay in Chengdu
      
After breakfast, your Chengdu guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel and escort you to the train station. Board a high-speed train for a scenic journey of about 1.5 to 2 hours to Huanglong Jiuzhai Station.
Upon arrival, your local guide and driver will greet you and take you on a comfortable drive to Jiuzhaigou (approximately 1.5 to 2 hours). After checking in to your hotel, the rest of the day is yours to relax, explore the surrounding area, and gradually adjust to the altitude and cooler mountain climate (Jiuzhaigou sits between 2,000 and 3,000 meters above sea level).
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Stay in Jiuzhaigou
      
After breakfast at your hotel, embark on a full-day adventure in the breathtaking Jiuzhaigou National Park.
Exploring Jiuzhaigou is both relaxing and rewarding. Sightseeing buses shuttle visitors through the park’s three main valleys—Rize Valley, Zechawa Valley, and Shuzheng Valley—with multiple stops near scenic sites. You can hop off to walk along the well-maintained wooden boardwalks and take in the views, then hop back on to reach the next highlight.
Your guide will tailor the visit based on your pace, interests, and the day’s crowd levels, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience. A typical route begins at Nuorilang Waterfall, followed by a ride into Zechawa Valley to see the serene Long Lake and the vibrant Five-Color Pond. Then, head into Rize Valley to marvel at Panda Lake, the vivid Five Flower Lake, the dramatic Pearl Shoal, and reflective Mirror Lake. Finally, return to Nuorilang and descend through Shuzheng Valley, stopping at Rhinoceros Lake, Tiger Lake, Shuzheng Waterfall, and Sparkling Lake, before exiting the park.
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Stay in Jiuzhaigou
      
After breakfast, depart Jiuzhaigou and drive around 2 hours to visit the stunning Huanglong National Park, home to one of the world’s three most magnificent travertine terraces. Stretching 3.6 kilometers in length and lying beneath the snow-capped Xuebao Peak (5,588 meters), the colorful terraced pools resemble a golden dragon winding through the valley—hence the name Huanglong, meaning Yellow Dragon.
Beyond the travertine pools, the park also features pristine forests, waterfalls, glaciers, and dramatic alpine landscapes. It is also a habitat for rare wildlife, including giant pandas and golden snub-nosed monkeys. In 1992, Huanglong was recognized as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site for its outstanding natural beauty and ecological value.
To make the visit more relaxing and time-efficient, you’ll take a cable car up to the top of the valley, then enjoy a scenic downhill walk to fully experience Huanglong’s spectacular sights. The tour typically takes about 3 hours.
After your visit, your guide and driver will transfer you to the airport or train station in time for your departure.
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The best months are April to October, when Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong offer their most stunning natural colors. Autumn (late September to October) is especially beautiful with colorful foliage.
Yes, but note that Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong are at high altitudes (up to 3,500m), so it’s important to move at a comfortable pace and stay hydrated. Cable cars help reduce physical strain in Huanglong.
Pack comfortable walking shoes, warm layers, sunscreen, hat, and a light rain jacket. Temperatures can vary greatly between Chengdu and the mountains.
Yes! You can easily extend your trip from Chengdu to places like Lhasa, Zhangjiajie, or the Silk Road. From Jiuzhaigou, you can also explore remote Tibetan areas in Sichuan or travel north to Gansu and Qinghai.
4 Days Chengdu & Xi’an Highlights Tour: Dive into China’s iconic contrasts—meet giant pandas at Chengdu’s Research Base, savor fiery Sichuan hotpot, then speed to Xi’an to marvel at the Terracotta Army and bike atop its Ming-era City Wall. Explore the Muslim Quarter’s flavors and history, blending ancient wonders with modern energy in one compact, culture-packed journey.
Embark on a 8-day Xinjiang Tour, discovering cultural gems and natural beauty. From Kashgar's bustling markets to Turpan's fiery landscapes and Urumqi's serene Heavenly Lake. Visit the Id Kah Mosque and explore the Stone City.
Experience the spectacular Chongqing Wulong Karst Tour featuring UNESCO-listed Three Natural Bridges, Tang Dynasty relics, and cinematic landscapes.
This 13-day China silk road tour takes you through iconic destinations. Start in Beijing, visiting the Forbidden City, Great Wall, and Tiananmen Square. Then, explore Xi'an and the Terracotta Warriors. In Tibet, experience Lhasa’s spiritual heritage. Next, head to Chengdu to see giant pandas. Finally, discover Shanghai’s blend of tradition and modernity at The Bund and Yu Garden. This tour captures China’s rich culture, history, and stunning landscapes.
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Pandas and peaceful temples!
Maria –
I’ve always wanted to see pandas, and Chengdu did not disappoint. Watching them play and eat in the panda base melted my heart. The peaceful vibe at wenshu temple gave me a nice break from the busy city life.
stunning places!!
Jerome –
Jiuzhaigou valley is something you must see at least once in your life!
A smooth travel
Nurul H. –
I’ve always adored pandas, but seeing them up close at the Chengdu research base was beyond my expectations! The baby pandas were the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. The rest of the trip was equally stunning—Jiuzhaigou’s scenery looked like a desktop wallpaper come to life. As a Southeast Asian traveler, the altitude in Jiuzhaigou was a bit challenging on the first day, but our guide was very attentive and kept us well-paced. I would recommend this tour to anyone who loves nature and cultural experiences.