Adventure Through China’s Heartland

Welcome to Chengdu, a city historically known as the “Land of Abundance”. Upon arrival, please make your own way from the airport to the hotel we’ve already booked for you in the downtown for check-in. After settling down, the rest of the day is free for you.

► Transportation for Your Reference:
1. From Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU): If you are traveling with large luggage, a taxi is recommended. The entire journey takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes and costs approx. USD 25. The subway takes about 1.5 hours with several transfers, but the fare is only USD 1.6. Take Line 18 to South Railway Station, transfer to Line 1 to Sichuan Stadium, then switch to Line 3 and get off at Hongpailou Station (Exit D). Your hotel is about a 5‑minute walk away.
2. From Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU): Take Subway Line 10 for six stops, get off at Hongpailou Station (Exit B), and walk 5 minutes to your hotel. The entire journey takes about 30 minutes and costs only 50 US cents. A taxi takes the same time with a fare of approx. USD 10.

► Free Time Suggestion:
For a taste of Chengdu’s nightlife, you can head to Jinli Ancient Street by yourself, just a 10‑minute taxi ride (USD 2) from your hotel. Alternatively, take Subway Line 10 from Hongpailou Station to Wuhou Temple Station (15 min, 30 US cents), then walk 2 minutes to the street. While the street offers a tempting array of traditional street foods, what truly sets Jinli apart from modern night markets or pedestrian streets is its enchanting ancient atmosphere. You can catch face‑changing opera or fire‑spitting shows at old teahouses along the way. Most stalls are open from 18:00 to 22:00.   

► Useful Information:
1. Payment: Mobile payment is dominant in China, while cash and credit cards are rarely used, especially at small vendors. We recommend downloading Alipay or WeChat before your trip. Both allow registration with an international number and linking to Visa, Mastercard, or JCB. Once set up, you can simply scan a merchant’s QR code or display your own to pay.
2. Car‑Hailing: You can flag down a metered taxi on the street. For more flexibility, use Didi (China’s Uber), which is available as a standalone app or as a WeChat mini‑program. It offers multiple ride options, upfront fare estimates, real‑time driver tracking, and online payment.

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Chengdu Wuhou (3 stars)

Thanks to easy transit and English-friendly tourism services, it’s pretty simple for foreign visitors to explore Chengdu independently. Hereunder is a recommended classic sightseeing routine:

Head to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in the morning. Take Subway Line 3 for 15 stops, get off at Chengdu Junqu General Hospital Station (Exit B), and transfer to Bus No. 409 for 1 stop to the Panda Base. It takes 1 hour and costs USD 1. A taxi ride takes 40 minutes and costs about USD 10. Home to over 200 giant pandas, the base allows you to witness these roly-poly animals playing, eating, and napping up close. As international superstars, they have fan bases and take turns holding “fan meet-and-greets” every day. However, beneath the celebrity halo lies a debate: whether pandas are better protected in captivity or should be returned to the wild. Some believe that captivity is the most effective way to protect this endangered species, while others argue that it diminishes their wild instincts and survival skills. The base has made a perfect compromise by raising some pandas in semi-wild enclosures for rewilding training. Professionals monitor their health and behaviors, helping them regain their instincts in preparation for potential future release. 

After bidding farewell to the adorable pandas, you can hop on the Scenic Shuttle Bus No.3 of the Panda Base to the Wide and Narrow Alley, taking 1 hour on the way and costing USD 1.5. Once the residential quarter for the ancient nobility, it is now revitalized into a pedestrian street. To experience an animated atmosphere, stick to the main streets where bars play popular music, and teahouses often host traditional face-changing performances at their entrances. If you prefer a quieter experience, wander into the back lanes where you’ll lose yourself in souvenir markets and culture exhibits, and relax in a cozy bar sipping a cocktail. It is also a good place to treat your stomach. Whether you grab a bite at a street stall or step into a courtyard restaurant, Chengdu’s local specialties, such as sweet noodles, spicy wontons, cold skewers in chili broth, and grilled sweet potato starch sheets, never disappoint.

After lunch, take a 15-minute walk to People’s Park to experience Chengdu’s legendary “slow life”. You can try a cup of Chengdu’s signature lidded-bowl tea at a traditional teahouse. After savoring the aromatic brew, hang around the matchmaking corner in the park, a unique social space where parents often gather to share information about their unmarried sons or daughters, offering fascinating insights into contemporary Chinese attitudes toward marriage and relationships.

At the end of the day, take Bus 57 from Dongchenggen South Street Station near the park to Hongpailou Station, which is a 5‑minute walk from your hotel. The whole journey takes about 35 minutes and costs 30 US cents. The subway takes roughly the same time but involves more transfers. If you’d prefer to get back faster, a taxi takes only 20 minutes and costs around USD 3.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Chengdu Wuhou (3 stars)

After checking out this morning, please proceed to Chengdu East Railway Station by yourself, for a 2‑hour high‑speed train we’ve reserved and included for you to Chongqing. Upon arrival, make your own way to the hotel we’ve booked for you in downtown Chongqing.

► Transport Reference:
1. Hotel → Chengdu East Railway Station: The subway takes about 40 minutes and costs 70 US cents. Take Line 3 from Hongpailou Station, transfer to Line 2 at Chunxi Road, and get off at Chengdu East Railway Station after 6 stops. A taxi is only slightly faster (35 minutes) but costs USD 6.
 
2. Chongqing North Railway Station → Hotel: Take Line 10 to Zengjiayan, transfer to Line 2, and get off at Jiaochangkou, taking about 40 minutes and costing 40 US cents. From there, it’s a 7‑minute walk to your hotel. A taxi cuts the journey to 30 minutes and costs USD 6.

► Chongqing Free Time Recommendations:
After check‑in, the rest of the day is left for your own arrangement. We recommend visiting the Daijiaxiang Cliffside Walkway, which is a 15-minute walk northward from your hotel. Carved into the cliff, the path zigzags upward in a series of stairs. As you climb, the views gradually unfold. From the suspended plank path, you can look down at the river below and take in the city skyline on the opposite bank. Along the way, you’ll still see remnants of an 800‑year‑old city wall embedded in the rock face.

Closely adjacent to its east is another of Chongqing’s iconic landmarks: Hongya Cave, China’s only “pedestrian street in the air.” Built on a steep cliff overlooking the Jialing River, this 11‑story stilted complex is a perfect spot to soak up old Chongqing culture. After dark, thousands of lights turn it into a golden spectacle reminiscent of the animated film “Spirited Away”. It’s also a food lover’s paradise. With flavors similar to Chengdu cuisine, local specialties like bean curd skin, cold starch noodles, spicy skewers, and sticky rice cakes are sure to please. After exploration, walk 15 minutes southward back to your hotel. 

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mercure Chongqing Downtown (4 stars)

Today, you’ll have a full day to explore Chongqing on your own. If you are not sure how to experience the charm of this mountain city, here is some advice from our travel experts:

Start from Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street, a 5-minute walk from your hotel. As Chongqing’s most vibrant commercial area, it is a crossroad of international and Chinese lifestyles. Here, you can explore from international luxury brands to charming local boutiques.

Then, another 10-minute walk to the north will lead you to Kuixing Tower, a place that perfectly illustrates why Chongqing is called the “8D Magical City.” When you reach the 22nd floor, you might expect a bird’s-eye view of the city, but surprisingly, this “top” level actually serves as a ground‑level view of neighboring buildings. 
► Lunch Reference: At the foot of Kuixing Tower, you’ll find plenty of local noodle shops. Pick a crowded one and order a bowl of Chongqing noodles. You can choose beef, minced pork, or yellow peas as toppings. These noodles are typically very spicy, so don’t hesitate to ask for a milder flavor when ordering.

After leaving Kuixing Tower, take a 15-minute walk to the northern station of the Chongqing Yangtze River Cableway for a distinctive transport experience. As the cable car climbs, the river and cityscape unfold beneath you. Gazing at the labyrinthine 3D skyline on both banks, you might be reminded of the interlocking, mirrored dimensions from Marvel’s movie “Doctor Strange”: skyscrapers rise from the mountainside, roads stack and crisscross, and you feel as if you’re drifting through a parallel world.

After getting off the cable car at the south station, walk north for about 10 minutes to reach Longmenhao Old Street, Chongqing’s best‑preserved historical and cultural district. As one of China’s earliest inland treaty ports, this area once hosted foreign firms, consulates, and villas from various countries. Today, you’ll find riverside restaurants and handicraft shops nestled in ivy‑covered stone mansions and former bank buildings. From the viewing platform, you can see the red East Water Gate Bridge spanning across the river like a silk ribbon. Just to the north lies Xiahaoli, a century‑old street built into the mountainside. Tucked inside the antique stilted houses clinging to the cliffs are cozy coffee bookshops and handicraft studios. You can linger here until dusk, when lights begin to glow on both banks, revealing the most enchanting face of this mountain city.

After sightseeing, walk 5 minutes to Shangxinjie Station, take Line 6 to Xiaoshizi Station, exit at 5A, and walk 15 minutes back to your hotel. The whole trip takes about 30 minutes. A taxi would save 15 minutes and cost around USD 3. 

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mercure Chongqing Downtown (4 stars)

► Suggestions for Your Free Morning in Chongqing:
On your final morning, you can head to Eling Park. From your hotel, walk about 10 minutes to Jiaochangkou Station, take Rail Transit Line 1 for 3 stops to Eling Station (Exit 1), then walk east for another 10 minutes to reach the park. The journey takes 32 minutes and costs 30 US cents. A taxi would take roughly 20 minutes and cost about USD 3. Once inside the park, follow the winding paths up to the hilltop, where you’ll enjoy a panoramic view of Chongqing’s cityscape. From this elevated spot, you can also see the light rail passing through a building in the distance.

If you wish to get a closer look at this surreal sight, just head to Liziba Light Rail Station. From the park entrance, take Bus No. 829 for 2 stops to Fotuguan Park, then walk 12 minutes to the viewing platform of the station. This route takes about 22 minutes – similar to a taxi ride – with a bus fare of 30 US cents, while a taxi costs about USD 3. Standing at the viewing platform, you’ll witness the train being “devoured” by a residential building. For a playful photo, try a forced‑perspective shot to make the train appear to enter your mouth!

► Chongqing to Zhangjiajie High-speed Train (tickets reserved and included)
In the afternoon, please head to Chongqing East Railway Station by yourself for a 2.5-hour high-speed train we’ve reserved for you to Zhangjiajie. Upon arrival at Zhangjiajie West Railway Station, make your own way to the hotel we’ve booked for you near the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.

► Transport Reference:
1. Hotel → Chongqing East Railway Station: 
Taxi: About 30 minutes, USD 6.
Subway: About 45 minutes, USD 0.7. Walk about 15 minutes to Xiaoshizi Station, take Line 6 for 2 stops to Liujiaping, and then transfer to the Line 6 East Station section and get off at Chongqing East Railway Station.

2. Zhangjiajie West Railway Station → Hotel: 
Taxi: This is the most convenient option, especially for travelers with large luggage, taking about 30 minutes with a fare of USD 15.
Shuttle Bus: About 40-60 minutes, USD 2. After exiting the railway station, head to the Tourist Shuttle Hub on the right side. Take the direct bus to Wulingyuan Bus Station. From there, a 5-minute walk brings you to your hotel. Please note that the last shuttle departs around 4:30-5:00 PM from the Tourist Shuttle Hub.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Ibis Hotel, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Entrance (4 stars)

★ High-Value Mini Groups for Smart Travelers

Over the next two days, you’ll join our worry-free all-inclusive mini group tours to explore the essence of Zhangjiajie, which includes a professional guide, a dedicated driver, hotel transfers, park admission, and all in‑park facilities, such as the Bailong Elevator, eco‑shuttles, cable cars, and transmountain escalators, with no additional fees, except for personal expenses.

► Route: Hotel Pick-up → Zhangjiajie National Forest Park → Bailong Elevator up to the summit → Yuanjiajie Scenic Area → Hallelujah Mountain in the movie “Avatar” → Yangjiajie Scenic Area for Natural Great Wall → Tianzi Mountain for Imperial Brush Peak and Fairy Dispersing Flowers Rock → downhill cable car → hotel drop-off
See detailed itinerary.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Ibis Hotel, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Entrance (4 stars) 

► Route: Hotel Pick-up → Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon → Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge → Big Cableway up Tianmen Mountain (admire Heaven’s Gate Cave and try the cliffside Glass Skywalk, with 12-level trans-mountain escalators included) → downhill cableway → hotel drop-off
See detailed itinerary.

► Note: We’ll change your hotel tonight from the Forest Park area to downtown Zhangjiajie, which is convenient for your departure tomorrow. Please pack your luggage this morning and leave it with the hotel front desk. Rest assured; our team will arrange a seamless transfer to your new hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Century Platinum Hotel (4 stars)

Today is the final day of your trip. After checking out, please make your own way to Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport (DYG) or Zhangjiajie West Railway Station for departure. If you wish to continue your journey to other popular destinations such as Beijing, Xi’an, or Shanghai, we would be happy to arrange further travel plans for you.

►Transportation from Hotel to the Airport:
1. Taxi: 15 minutes, USD 3. 
2. Bus: 50 minutes, 30 US cents. Walk about 3 minutes from your hotel to Libin Primary School, then take Bus No. 4 for 18 stops and get off at the Airport Terminal Station.

► Transportation from Hotel to the Railway Station:
1. Taxi: 15 minutes, USD 3
2. Bus: 35 minutes, 30 US cents. Walk about 5 minutes to Maternal and Childcare Hospital Station, then take Bus No.7, get off after 10 stops, and the railway station is a 10-minute walk north of the bus stop.  

Meals: Breakfast