12 days Sichuan Highlights & Yangtze River Cruise Tour

Upon arrival at Chengdu Shuangliu or Tianfu International Airport, your private driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in the city center.

The rest of the day is free to recover from travel or explore at your own pace. You may stroll through nearby streets, sample Sichuan snacks, or simply relax before your journey begins.
(Hotel check-in is usually after 14:00.)

After breakfast, visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, arriving early when pandas are most active. Observe adult pandas and playful cubs during feeding time, explore the nursery areas, and learn about panda conservation efforts.

Return to downtown Chengdu for lunch before transferring to Chengdu East Railway Station.

Board a high-speed train to Huanglong Jiuzhaigou Station (approx. 2 hours). Upon arrival, your local driver will transfer you to your hotel near Jiuzhaigou National Park (about 2 hours).

Overnight in Jiuzhaigou.

Today, you'll explore the stunning Jiuzhaigou National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its vibrant lakes, waterfalls, and lush forests. After a morning pick-up from your hotel, you'll begin your visit to Shuzheng Valley, where you'll see highlights like Reed Lake, Shuzheng Waterfall, and Shuzheng Lakes. Don’t miss the iconic Nuorilang Waterfall for a photo stop before taking the shuttle to Rize Valley, home to the beautiful Five Flower Lake, Pearl Shoal Waterfall, and Mirror Lake.

In the afternoon, head to Zechawa Valley to see Long Lake, the largest lake in the park, and the colorful Five-Color Pond. After a day of exploring, you'll meet your driver for a transfer back to your hotel.

For an optional cultural experience, you can enjoy a Tibetan performance in the evening (not included). Overnight in Jiuzhaigou.

In the morning, enjoy a scenic 2.5-hour drive from Jiuzhaigou to Huanglong National Park, renowned for its vibrant colored lakes, terraced pools, and breathtaking landscapes. Upon arrival, take a cable car to the upper area near Huanglong Temple and walk a short distance to the famous Five-Colored Ponds, celebrated for their vivid hues and crystal-clear water.

After marveling at the ponds, descend on foot, passing through terraced pools, serene forests, and unique geological formations, immersing yourself in Huanglong’s natural beauty. Spend 3-4 hours exploring the park before driving to the Huanglong Jiuzhaigou Train Station (30 minutes) for your train back to Chengdu. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Stay overnight at Chengdu.

In the morning, drive to Mount Emei (approximately a 2-hour drive). Upon arrival, take the local sightseeing bus up to the Wanniansi parking lot, where you'll begin exploring the half-mountain area of Mount Emei. First, take the cable car to visit Wannian Temple, a historic Buddhist temple renowned for its serene atmosphere and the iconic statue of the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra from the Ming Dynasty. Nestled among ancient trees, the temple offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Afterward, continue your hike (approximately 2 hours) to Wuxiangang, passing through Bailong Cave, Qingying Pavilion, Niuxin Temple, and the Monkey Area. From there, take another sightseeing bus to Leidongping and walk for about 20 minutes to Jieyin Hall. You’ll then take the cable car up to the Golden Summit, where you’ll have time for free exploration. If the weather is clear, you may be able to witness the Buddha’s Rays and Saint Lamps. Overnight stay at the Golden Summit.

P.S. If you'd prefer not to do too much hiking, we can arrange for you to visit Baoguo Temple upon arrival and skip the half-mountain visit. You can also take the sightseeing bus directly to Leidongping from the foot of the mountain.

In the early morning, enjoy the sunrise at the Golden Summit. On a clear day, you’ll also be able to see Gongga Mountain, the highest peak in Sichuan, known as the "King of Shu." Afterward, take the cable car and sightseeing bus down to Baoguo Si bus park, where our driver will meet you and drive to Leshan. In Leshan, visit the largest sitting Buddha sculpture at Lingyun Temple. Completed in 803 during the Tang Dynasty after 90 years of construction, the Grand Buddha stands 71 meters tall, making it the largest sitting stone sculpture in the world. Carved into the cliff face, the sculpture features a perfect balance and an ingenious water drainage system. You also have the option to take a boat tour to view the Leshan Grand Buddha from the river (boat fee is not included). In the late afternoon, transfer back to Chengdu and check into your hotel. Overnight in Chengdu.

In the morning, meet your guide in the hotel lobby and head to the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the world’s oldest functioning irrigation project, built in 256 BC. Designed to control flooding and provide water for farming, this incredible feat of ancient engineering includes key sites like Yuzui, Feishayan, and Baopingkou, where you’ll learn about its construction and how it continues to function today.

After lunch, return to Chengdu to visit Wenshu Monastery, one of the city’s oldest Buddhist temples. Then, take a stroll through Jinli Street or Kuanzhai Alleys for some cultural exploration. End the afternoon at People’s Park, where you can relax and enjoy a traditional tea at an open-air tea house.

After the tour, you can head to Taikoo Li or Chunxi Road for shopping, or visit Jiuyanqiao for an evening view of the river and a lively bar street.

Take the morning high-speed train from Chengdu to Dazu (about 1 hour) to visit the Dazu Rock Carvings, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999. The carvings are spread across more than 75 sites in the area, with over 50,000 sculptures dating from the Tang (618-907) to the Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. The main sites are Beishan (North Hill) and Baodingshan (Baoding Hill). We’ll arrange a visit to Baodingshan, where you can explore the stunning sculptures for a few hours. In the afternoon, drive to Chongqing for overnight. Freely explore Chongqing on your own

Today, you’ll enjoy a guided city tour of Chongqing. Start by visiting Ciqikou Old Town, often praised as the "epitome of Chongqing," where you can wander through narrow streets filled with traditional architecture and local crafts. Next, head to a live performance of Chongqing 1949, a captivating show that showcases the city's rich history and vibrant culture through music, dance, and storytelling.

Afterward, hop on the Chongqing Rail Transit Line 2 to Liziba Metro Station, where you’ll get a unique view of the light rail trains zipping through residential buildings, a striking feature of the city. From there, make your way to E’ling Park, where you can take in a stunning panoramic view of Chongqing’s sprawling cityscape.

Then, visit Hongya Cave, one of the city’s must-see highlights, where you can admire the traditional Ba and Shu-style wooden houses that lean against the mountainside and rise up to 11 stories.

Finally, you’ll be transferred to board the Yangtze Gold Cruises for your Yangtze River cruise, which sets sail at 9:00 PM from Chongqing Pier.

In the morning, enjoy free tea and coffee on the cruise. If the weather is nice, you can also join a professional trainer for a Tai Chi session on the sun deck. After breakfast, the ship will stop at Fengdu, where you'll go on a shore excursion to visit the famous Fengdu Ghost City. The visit lasts about 2 hours and includes the temple dedicated to the King of the Underworld, a site with a history that dates back to the Han Dynasty. Enjoy Captain's welcome party in the evening. 

Optional Shore excursion/ activities (Fee on your own):
Mount Shuanggui (CNY 90 per person): It has over 20 cultural old pagodas, towers, pavilions and temples on the verdant mountain with stunning views and pleasant chirps to feel the rich literal culture in China. Night performance of Feng Yan San Guo Show in Zhongxian County (CNY 298 per person): It is the marvelous large-scale real landscape show about the brilliant historical culture of the Three Kingdoms Period about over 1,800 year ago and the spirit of loyalty of great military officer Guan Yu.

In the early morning, you have the option to join an optional shore excursion to the historical White Emperor City (CNY 298 per person). This scenic location offers breathtaking views of the Kuimen Gate and is often called the "City of Poems." Alternatively, you can relax on board, enjoying a leisurely morning.

After breakfast, sail through Qutang Gorge, the shortest, narrowest, and most dramatic of the Three Gorges. The iconic Kuimen Gate, featured on the 10 RMB Chinese note, will be visible as you pass through. Then, transfer to a smaller vessel for a relaxing excursion through the Little Three Gorges, where you can take a boat ride to enjoy the stunning mountain views, lush forests, and serene river landscapes.

Return to cruise and continue your journey by sailing through Wu Gorge, known for its tranquil beauty and towering cliffs. Finally, sail through Xiling Gorge, the longest and deepest of the Three Gorges.

In the evening, enjoy a farewell banquet dinner with a live performance to celebrate your memorable journey.

Optional Shore Excursions/Activities (Fees on your own) while you tour through Little Three Gorges:
Mini Three Gorges (CNY 180 per person): Take a boat trip through the Mini Three Gorges, offering a peaceful escape with its breathtaking scenery.
Dachang Ancient Town (CNY 150 per person): Explore this charming town, rich in history and culture, with ancient architecture and picturesque streets.

Disembark this morning and embark on a tour of the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric project, located at Sandouping in Xiling Gorge. The dam is a monumental feat of engineering, designed to provide a significant source of hydropower for China and control the Yangtze River’s floods. After the morning sightseeing, you’ll be transferred by motor coach to Yichang by the cruise company, you should be arriving at the Yichang tourists center around 13:30. 

Upon arrival in Yichang, our local guide or driver will greet you and assist with your transfer to the Yichang airport or train station for your departure. We wish you a pleasant journey home and hope you’ll remember your time with us. WindhorseTour is always ready to help tailor this tour to better suit your personal travel needs.
 

Optional Shore Excursions/Activities (Fees on your own):
Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift (CNY 298 per person): Experience the world’s largest and most sophisticated ship lift, with a lifting height of approximately 113 meters. This remarkable engineering feat is a must-see, showcasing the impressive scale and technology behind the Three Gorges Dam.