7 days Chengdu, Mount Emei, Leshan, Zigong, Dazu & Chongqing

Chengdu airport pick up and transfer to your hotel. Have a good rest at the first day. Overnight at Chengdu. 

In the morning around 8am set out for the Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center, located about half an hour away. You will arrive in time to see the pandas during their feeding time, when they are at their most active, both adults and babies. Later, watch a film at the Panda Story Cinema to learn more about the pandas' daily life, including their birth, mating, and more. Afterward, head back to downtown for lunch.

In the afternoon, pay a visit to People’s Park, a popular spot for locals to relax and pursue leisure activities such as dancing, singing, playing instruments, drinking tea, and rowing boats on the lake. You will be arranged to drink and eat at one of the open tea houses with locals.

Next, head to Song Xian Qiao Antique and Art Market, the country's second-largest antiques market, with more than 500 separate stalls selling everything from Mao-era currency to fake Buddha statues to wonderful watercolor paintings.

The rest of the day is for you to freely stroll along the Wide and Narrow Alleys, a conservation of old architectural structures that have been updated with modern decorations in the bustling city of Chengdu. This area is known for its rich architectural and social characteristic features, from the residential buildings of the Qing Dynasty to the present. Here you can try different types of local Chengdu snacks. In the evening, you may choose to enjoy a cultural show, such as Sichuan Opera, which is famous for its spitting fire, rolling lamp, and changing faces performances.

In the morning, you will be met and transferred to Leshan, where you can enjoy the beautiful countryside landscape of western Chengdu Plains during the approximately two-hour drive on the expressway. Upon arrival, you will visit the Lingyun Temple to see the biggest sitting Buddha sculpture in the world. Completed in 803 during the Tang Dynasty after 90 years of construction, the grand Buddha stands at a height of 71 meters and is carved on a cliff face. The sculpture features a well-designed, perfectly balanced structure and an effective water drainage system. You can also choose to take a boat tour to see the Leshan Grand Buddha (at your own expense). Afternoon you will then drive to Mt. Emei, check-in at your hotel, and have a good rest. In the afternoon, you will be arranged to visit Baoguo Temple, one of the oldest and most important temples at Mount Emei, located at the foot of the mountain. Overnight at Emeishan.

Mount Emei, one of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mount Emei is known for its beautiful scenery, ancient temples, and important cultural heritage.

Early in the morning, you will take the local sightseeing bus to Leidongping, then walk about 15 minutes to Jieyin Hall, where you will take the cable car to Golden Summit. On the summit, you will visit the Huazang Temple and the Golden Summit Buddha Statue, and if you are lucky enough, you may see the clouds sea and Buddhist Halo. After lunch, you will take the sightseeing bus down the mountain. If time is allowed, you can also head to visit Wannian temple at half mountain, it is known for its many halls and pavilions, including the Mahavira Hall, which houses a statue of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, and the Hall of Kshitigarbha Bodhisattva, which houses a statue of Kshitigarbha Bodhisattva. The temple is also famous for its beautiful natural surroundings, including waterfalls and forests, and is a popular destination for both tourists and Buddhist pilgrims. 
Return to hotel at foot of the mount for overnight. 

In the morning, you will depart for Zigong, which is about 3.5 hours away by car. Once you arrive in Zigong, you will visit the Dinosaur Museum, located in the renowned Dashanpu dinosaur fossil site, which is about 11 kilometers from the center of Zigong City. The museum is one of the world's three largest dinosaur museums, alongside the American National Dinosaur Park and the Canadian Dinosaur Park.

After that, you will visit the Zigong Salt History Museum, which highlights the city's long-standing civilization and rich underground resources. Zigong is known as the 'Salt Capital' of China because of its abundant salt resources and production. The museum showcases the traditional salt-making process. You will spend the night in Zigong.

Set off from Zigong in the early morning and drive to Dazu to visit the Dazu Rock Carvings. The Rock Carvings in Dazu are a series of sculptures depicting Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist doctrines and were listed as a World Heritage Site in 1999.

The Dazu Rock Carvings are spread across more than 75 sites in the county, containing over 50,000 stone sculptures carved from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). They provide rich and valuable materials for research into ancient Chinese culture, arts, philosophy, religion, and history. The two major sites are Beishan (North Hill) and Baodingshan (Baoding Hill), and you will be arranged to visit Baodingshan for its well-preserved sculptures. Afterward, drive to Chongqing (117 km) and spend the night there.

Today begin your exploration of Chongqing by visiting the People's Congress Hall, a magnificent traditional building situated on a large square where locals gather for morning and evening exercises. Next, head to the General Stilwell Museum, which honors General Stilwell and his contributions during World War Two. Afterward, take in the stunning panoramic views of Chongqing and the Yangtze River from Eling Park. Then, step back in time and explore the charming Ciqikou Old Town, with its traditional Chongqing-style buildings, tea houses, and Sichuan Opera houses. Finally, embark on your Yangtze cruise or fly to other destinations to continue your tour.