Panda Tour with Mt. Emei

The entire morning is dedicated to a visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, the first stop on your Chengdu tour. More than 200 pandas are well cared for at the panda base, which also boasts the largest panda population in the world, allowing you to see pandas of various ages easily. If you visit from June to September, you’ll likely have a great chance of seeing adorable baby pandas! Generally, giant pandas are most active in the morning, so we set off early today, around 08:00. The panda base was constructed to mimic the natural habitats of these cute animals, featuring research and training centers. As a creature already adorable in appearance, pandas can easily melt your heart while chewing bamboo and rolling on the ground!

Is there anything more immersive than engaging in local activities to experience life in the area? Follow the guide to explore Xiaojiahe Community, a vibrant food street located near the Xiaojiahe River. You can have lunch here at your own expense. Established for 20 years, Yongle Restaurant is highly recommended, which is popular among locals and primarily serves home-cooked dishes at fair prices. You may have to wait in line during lunchtime. Of course, if you’d prefer not to wait, the guide would suggest you other acclaimed restaurants nearby.

In the afternoon, we’ll dive into a local vegetable market, a daily must-visit for locals. Roaming the bustling market, you’ll find fresh vegetables, various spices, local produce, fruits, seafood, and some Sichuan-style braised meat. Another 15-minute walk will take us to the bank of the Xiaojiahe River, lined with tea houses. Experiencing the unique tea culture in Chengdu, as the locals do, by chatting over tea is fascinating. With a bowl of Gaiwan Tea (tea in the lidded bowl), locals engage in conversation and play Mahjong - activities characteristic of Chengdu’s “slow-paced life”. You’ll be treated to a special cup of Gaiwan Coffee. A familiar taste, yet served in a Chinese lidded bowl at a tea house? It fascinates, doesn’t it? Afterward, the guide will escort you back to your hotel.

Meal: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Chengdu Oriental Plaza (4 stars) or Grand Hyatt Chengdu (5 stars)

In the morning, we’ll drive for about two hours to Leshan to see the world’s largest Buddha statue, which measures approximately 71 meters (233 feet) high. The enormous statue is carved into a hillside and represents the future Buddha Maitreya. It took around 90 years to complete during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and was constructed to bless ships passing by the confluence of the three rivers it overlooks. Upon arrival, you’ll board a cruise ship to admire the Leshan Giant Buddha, as this is the best way to appreciate the full view of the stunning statue. The ship will sail before the Buddha statue and stop for several minutes, allowing you to take Instagram photos or selfies. Onboard, you can also enjoy the scenic views along the banks and witness the remarkable variations in water colors at the confluence of the three rivers.

Afterward, continue your journey to Mt. Emei and check into the local five-star hotel at its foot. Enjoy a hearty dinner, get a good night’s sleep, and prepare for tomorrow’s intrepid mountain climbing.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Building No. 5 of Hongzhushan Hotel (5 stars) - Mountain View Room

Today’s private itinerary focuses on the famous UNESCO World Heritage site, Mt. Emei, and two renowned temples on the mountain. As one of the Four Sacred Mountains of Buddhism in China, Mt. Emei is a holy land for Buddhists, housing many religious sites that date back to ancient times. Acclaimed as a beauty spot under heaven, it features majestic cliffs, deep valleys, waterfalls, a sea of clouds, and lush forests. This sacred mountain is worth a whole day of exploration with our professional guide.

To enhance your travel experience, we have arranged cable cars to conserve your energy. The guide will accompany you to take the cable car from the parking lot and walk 10 to 20 minutes to the Wannian Temple, one of the oldest temples in the mountain, boasting an exquisite layout and housing a wealth of Buddhist cultural relics. Among these relics, the most precious is an ancient Buddha’s tooth, which was later identified as a stegodon tooth fossil dating back 200,000 years. In addition to experiencing the serenity of the old temple, you might also encounter some mischievous monkeys around the temple. Please note that it’s better not to carry any food in your hands, as they are accustomed to snatching food from travelers and might scratch you.

After finishing the visit, we’ll return the way we came and continue driving to Baoguo Temple, a magnificent complex featuring four main temple halls, quaint pavilions, and beautiful gardens. It is the largest temple and the top scenic spot in Mt. Emei. In front of the main hall, many Buddhists and visitors light candles and incense to pray for good fortune or health, as praying in this temple is highly efficacious. Feeling the atmosphere and appreciating classic Chinese calligraphy works by renowned ancient writers is soothing and relaxing. Moreover, strolling under its shady evergreen pines and cypresses would be an unforgettable experience. After a full-day sightseeing, we’ll drive back to Chengdu and check into the hotel.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Chengdu Oriental Plaza (4 stars) or Grand Hyatt Chengdu (5 stars)

After breakfast, your guide will meet you in your hotel lobby and escort you to the Thatched Cottage of Du Fu, where the great Chinese realistic poet Du Fu (712-770 AD) and his family escaped the chaos of war. Passing by swaying bamboo groves, soothing streams, and red walls, you can easily imagine why this picturesque setting inspired Du Fu's creation of over 240 poems. 

After absorbing the poetic ambiance, let’s head to People’s Park. In this “city living room”, locals enjoy a slow-paced life, some diving into mahjong games, while others reclining to indulge in a traditional ear-cleaning service. Walking deep into the northeast corner, you’ll find a corridor adorned with handwritten marriage advertisements, each brimming with specific criteria such as age, property ownership, and educational background. It’s fascinating to see parents engaging in animated discussions about potential matches, while the youths hurry past with concerns about marriage.

Later, we will drive to another iconic site - the Wide and Narrow Alley. This district comprises three alleys, all flanked by traditional courtyard houses, some of which have been converted into restaurants, pubs, teahouses, and stores. Dating back hundreds of years, it offers fascinating views of past Chengdu, and also a vibrant hub to experience traditional culture and art, such as the magic of ‘Face-Changing’ of Sichuan Opera.

In the end of this Chengdu 5 days panda tour package, your guide and driver will escort you to the airport. Wish you a pleasant journey!

Meal: Western buffet breakfast