8 Days Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Leshan and Mt. Emei Tour

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Chengdu

   Welcome to Chengdu, the hometown of China's national treasure, the panda! Thank you very much for choosing us for your 8-day private Chengdu Jiuzhaigou tour. This itinerary is just a suggestion and it can be customized according to your preferences and interests.

   Upon your arrival, a local driver will pick you up by holding a welcome sign "China Xian Tour" at the exit of the Arrival Hall. You'll then be sent to your selected hotel in downtown Chengdu.

   The rest of the day will be left for you to explore the "Land of Abundance" on your own. Jinli Street is highly recommended. It is a popular commercial pedestrian street in Chengdu that features a vast area of antique buildings called late Qing Dyansty (1616-1911) architecture which you can sample many of Chengdu's typical snacks and boutique handicrafts.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: in Chengdu

   

2. Day 2: Drive from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou
   Visit Songpan Ancient City En Route to Jiuzhaigou, with Scenic Views

   After breakfast, you will take a scenic car ride to Jiuzhaigou. Along the way, you can enjoy some of the unique beauty of Sichuan. After about 5.5 hours, we first arrive at Songpan Ancient City.

   Anciently known as Songzhou, Songpan Ancient City has been an important military fortress in northwestern Sichuan since ancient times and an important post on the Ancient Tea Horse Road. The city is ancient and quiet, and you can walk or take a rickshaw (please tell your travel consultant in advance to arrange this for you) through the ancient buildings.

   Songpan Ancient City is divided into two inner and outer cities, which are connected by a city gate. The city wall is 6.2 kilometers long and 12.5 meters high, all made of green bricks. You can choose to climb up the city wall (extra charge) to get a breathtaking view of the surrounding area.

   

   Continuing to drive for about 2.5 hours, we arrive at Jiuzhaigou County. Your guide will help you in checking in to the local hotel. Get a good night's rest tonight and prepare for your nature adventure tomorrow.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

   Accommodation: in Jiuzhaigou

3. Day 3: Jiuzhaigou Valley
   Explore Jiuzhai Valley's Stunning Waterfalls, Lakes, and Forests

   Bet you're already looking forward to today's visit as you eat breakfast! After breakfast, drive 1 hour to Jiuzhai Valley, a World Heritage Site. Spread out in a “Y-shape”, this national park is a picturesque wonderland where you will be amazed by spectacular waterfalls, sparkling lakes and colorful wild forests.

   Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve has three major scenic spots, Shuzheng Valley, Zechawa Valley, and Rize Valley, with water features such as a group of plateau calcified lakes, calcified waterfalls, and calcified beach streams as the main landscapes. They are blue, turquoise, white, and emerald in different seasons.

   Jiuzhaigou is a large area and you will take a sightseeing bus to explore the entire area. Your private guide will organize your exploration of Jiuzhaigou's highlights at a comfortable pace, depending on your energy and time.

   

   Some of the classic attractions include Pearl Beach, Mirror Lake, Panda Sea, Five Colorful Pools, and Nuorilang Waterfall. One of the quite popular ones is Nuorilang Waterfall, which is the widest alpine calcified waterfall in China. The gushing water comes from the Norilang Group Sea and pours down from the top of the waterfall, like white hada (a piece of silk). In winter, the waterfall becomes a huge ice mantle, with differently shaped ice sculptures in blue color.

   After the tour, transfer you back to your hotel in Jiuzhaigou County for a relaxing evening.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

   Accommodation: in Jiuzhaigou

4. Day 4: Huanglong Scenic Area
   Visit Huanglong for Colorful Lakes, Mountains, and Hot Springs

   Today, drive to another highlight - Huanglong Scenic Area, which enjoys the reputation of "Wonderful Pool on Earth", and is famous for its " Four Wonders" - colorful pools, snow-capped mountains, narrow canyons, and the mysterious & secluded primeval forest. Huanglong is like a golden dragon winding between the forest and the snow-capped mountains.

   Have a guided cable car ride to the top of the mountain and then a walk down the valley will maximize your energy. We tour the valley for approximately 3-4 hours, during which immerse in the spectacular calcified landscape.

   

   The Five-Colored Pond, the essence of the Huanglong Scenic Area, is renowned for its dazzling colors. When sunlight dances on its surface, the water transforms into exquisite mosaic, radiating kaleidoscopic hues. You'll have 40-60 minutes to fully immerse in this splendor, ensuring ample opportunities to shoot breathtaking photos.

   At the end of your Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong tour, your driver will escort you back to your hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

   Accommodation: in Jiuzhaigou

5. Day 5: Jiuzhaigou to Mt. Emei
   See the World's Tallest Stone Buddha, then Proceed to Mount Emei

   After breakfast, leave Jiuzhaigou County to Mount Emei, one of the four famous Buddhist mountains in China. On the way, we will visit Leshan.

   You are going to admire the tallest stone Buddha in the world, the 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 guide will share the history and some fascinating stories of the colossal Buddha.

   

   Please note that it involves lots of stairs. So you’re highly recommended to wear comfortable walking shoes and watch your steps.

   Friendly Tips: There is another way to visit the Leshan Giant Buddha - taking a cruise along the river to take a far view of it. (Optional, at an additional cost)

   After the visit, continue your journey to Mt. Emei and arrive at the mountain foot. The guide will help you with the check-in.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: at Mt. Emei

6. Day 6: Mt. Emei Exploration, Back to Chengdu
   Explore Mount Emei's Golden Summit, Encountering Buddhist Culture

   After breakfast, your tour guide will meet you at your hotel lobby and take you to the stunning Emei Mountain. Famous as both world natural heritage and world cultural heritage, it attracts numerous visitors every year for hiking, photography and profound Buddhist culture. It is also home to more than 3,200 plant species and over 2,300 animal species.

   Be guided to explore the beautiful Baoguo Temple first, which is just located at the foot of the mountain. There were more than 100 temples in the past, but only 30 of them are left now and well maintained. Follow your guide to appreciate the architectural beauty, learn the ancient history behind it, and admire the unique porcelain Buddha statue which was made in the well-known porcelain capital Jingdezhen in the Ming Dynasty.

   After lunch, take a sightseeing bus to Leidongping, walk for about 30 minutes to Jieyin Hall, and then hop on a cable car up to Golden Summit. If you are lucky, you will see fantastic sea of clouds. There is a majestic golden statue of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva which is regarded as the symbol of the mountain. You might be curious how the Buddha statue was built on such a high peak.

   

   After enjoying the breathtaking scenery, have the cable car down to Leidongping and then go down the mountain by a sightseeing bus. After the fantastic hiking, you will be escorted back to your Chengdu hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

   Accommodation: in Chengdu

7. Day 7: Chengdu Panda Visit
   Get Up Close to the Cute Pandas & Enjoy a Sichuan Cooking Class

   At around 08:30 am, your amazing Chengdu panda tour begins!

   You will be taken to visit the 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. 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.

   

   Afterward, you will be transferred to the Sichuan Cuisine Museum, which features displays on the culture of Sichuan cuisine. Here, you will experience hands-on preparation of several representative Sichuan dishes under the guidance of a chef.

   During the class, you can learn about Sichuan cooking methods, precise cutting techniques, and temperature control. The chef will make an evaluation of your work. Finally, enjoy the delicious dishes you have prepared.

   After the cooking experience, go back to the hotel for rest. In the evening take a stroll on your own along the bustling Chunxi Road, lined with stores, restaurants and lively entertainment.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

   Accommodation: in Chengdu

   

8. Day 8: Departure from Chengdu

   Your 8-day Jiuzhaigou Huanglong tour will end here. Enjoy your leisurely morning until your driver sends you to the airport for your flight to your next destination or home. Hope you had a good time with China Xian Tour and wish you all the best in the future.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: N/A