Chengdu, Chongqing & Wulong Karst Tour

Upon arrival in Chengdu, you will be picked up at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day freely exploring Chengdu at your own pace. Hotel check-in time is normally after 14:00.

After breakfast, transfer to the Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center to witness the pandas during their feeding time. Explore the center and enjoy a film at the Panda Story Cinema. Later, drive about 2 hours to the Leshan Grand Buddha, a 71-meter-tall statue carved into a cliff, recognized as the world’s largest stone Buddha. Built between 713 and 803 AD during the Tang Dynasty, the Buddha overlooks the confluence of three rivers, originally constructed to calm their turbulent waters and prevent flooding. You can get up close to admire the statue or opt for a boat tour (at your own expense) to view the entire structure. Return to Chengdu in the late afternoon and explore the city freely. In the evening, consider attending a Sichuan Opera Show featuring face-changing (additional fee required). Stay overnight in Chengdu.

In the morning, meet your guide in the hotel lobby and transfer to the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, a UNESCO World Heritage site, world’s oldest functioning irrigation project built in 256 BC, designed to control flooding and provide water for farming. Pay visits to its ingenious construction, including Yuzui, Feishayan, and Baopingkou to learn how ancient people constructed this remarkable project and how it functions. After lunch, return to Chengdu to visit Wenshu Monastery, one of the oldest buddhist temples in Chengdu. Continue to Jinli Street or Kuanzhai Alleys for a cultural exploration and end at People’s Park, where you can relax and enjoy tea at an open-air tea house. After the tour, consider heading to Taikoo Li or Chunxi Road for shopping, or visit Jiuyanqiao for an evening river view and vibrant bar street.

Take a morning high-speed train from Chengdu to Chongqing (about 1 hour train ride). Upon arrival, begin your Chongqing city tour with a visit to Mountain City Lane, the city’s historic trail featuring fascinating handicraft shops. Try your hand at making Chongqing-style wool felt handicrafts and sample a unique pepper-flavored ice cream. Walk to an old town to learn about Chongqing’s history and local lifestyle. Next, visit Liziba Metro Station to witness the famous train traveling through an 11-story apartment block. Explore Ciqikou Old Town, praised as the “epitome of Chongqing,” and end the day at Hongya Cave, a must-see landmark with layered Ba and Shu regional-style wooden houses beautifully illuminated at night. Stay overnight in Chongqing.

In the morning, drive about 3 hours to Wulong Karst to visit the Three Natural Bridges, exceptionally tall natural arches connected by long stretches of deep, unroofed caves. Descend into the valley using the sightseeing elevator and enjoy a hike through Tianlong Bridge, Qinglong Bridge, and Heilong Bridge. Later, visit Longshuixia Gap, a stunning gorge with dramatic cliffs, dense forests, and cascading waterfalls. Enjoy a 2-kilometer walk through this natural oxygen bar. Stay overnight in Wulong.

In the morning, drive about 1 hour to Fairy Mountain, known as the “Switzerland of the Orient,” featuring alpine meadows, forest seas, marvelous peaks, and snowy fields. Then, drive 1 hour to Furong Cave, a magnificent underground karst wonder with nearly 70 types of cave formations, recognized as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. Follow a raised pathway to explore approximately 2 kilometers of the cave, illuminated with multicolored lights. Afterward, return to Chongqing for airport drop-off for your departure flight or board an evening Yangtze River Cruise to continue your adventure. End of the trip.