5 Days Private Tour of Chengdu – Leshan Buddha – Mt. Emei

Welcome to China’s famous Panda Capital, Chengdu! After arriving at Chengdu’s airport or train station, you will receive a warm greeting from your guide and driver, who will escort you to our well-selected hotel. Check in, rest well, and then enjoy the opportunity to explore the city during your free time.

As your hotel is located in the most prosperous city center, it is easy for you to reach the high-end open-plan shopping center, Taikooli, within walking distance. The bustling low-rise shopping area is also known as the ‘Times Square’ of Chengdu, filled with luxury brands and exquisite restaurants. In addition to enjoying the city’s modern outlook, you can also find a 1,600-year-old ancient Buddhist shrine hidden in the heart of the area.

► Dinner Recommendation: (at your own expense)
If you are not fond of fancy restaurants in shopping malls and want to discover some local favorites, Kuixinglou Food Street is a must-visit. The busy, old-style street extends for only hundreds of meters and is lined with affordable eateries and crowded food stalls. However, it offers the most authentic local culinary delights, from traditional Sichuan dishes and spicy hot pot to numerous street food essentials like ice jelly, Baked Egg Pancakes, and glutinous rice balls.
Average Cost per Person: CNY 30-60 (USD 4-8.5)
Address: No. 18, Wenwu Road, Wenjiang District, Chengdu

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Chengdu Oriental Plaza (4 stars) or Grand Hyatt Chengdu (5 stars)

The entire morning is dedicated to a visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, the first stop on your Chengdu tour. More than 200 pandas are well cared for at the panda base, which also boasts the largest panda population in the world, allowing you to see pandas of various ages easily. If you visit from June to September, you’ll likely have a great chance of seeing adorable baby pandas! Generally, giant pandas are most active in the morning, so we set off early today, around 08:00. The panda base was constructed to mimic the natural habitats of these cute animals, featuring research and training centers. As a creature already adorable in appearance, pandas can easily melt your heart while chewing bamboo and rolling on the ground!

Is there anything more immersive than engaging in local activities to experience life in the area? Follow the guide to explore Xiaojiahe Community, a vibrant food street located near the Xiaojiahe River. You can have lunch here at your own expense. Established for 20 years, Yongle Restaurant is highly recommended, which is popular among locals and primarily serves home-cooked dishes at fair prices. You may have to wait in line during lunchtime. Of course, if you’d prefer not to wait, the guide would suggest you other acclaimed restaurants nearby.

In the afternoon, we’ll dive into a local vegetable market, a daily must-visit for locals. Roaming the bustling market, you’ll find fresh vegetables, various spices, local produce, fruits, seafood, and some Sichuan-style braised meat. Another 15-minute walk will take us to the bank of the Xiaojiahe River, lined with tea houses. Experiencing the unique tea culture in Chengdu, as the locals do, by chatting over tea is fascinating. With a bowl of Gaiwan Tea (tea in the lidded bowl), locals engage in conversation and play Mahjong – activities characteristic of Chengdu’s “slow-paced life”. You’ll be treated to a special cup of Gaiwan Coffee. A familiar taste, yet served in a Chinese lidded bowl at a tea house? It fascinates, doesn’t it? Afterward, the guide will escort you back to your hotel.

Meal: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Chengdu Oriental Plaza (4 stars) or Grand Hyatt Chengdu (5 stars)

In the morning, we’ll drive for about two hours to Leshan to see the world’s largest Buddha statue, which measures approximately 71 meters (233 feet) high. The enormous statue is carved into a hillside and represents the future Buddha Maitreya. It took around 90 years to complete during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and was constructed to bless ships passing by the confluence of the three rivers it overlooks. Upon arrival, you’ll board a cruise ship to admire the Leshan Giant Buddha, as this is the best way to appreciate the full view of the stunning statue. The ship will sail before the Buddha statue and stop for several minutes, allowing you to take Instagram photos or selfies. Onboard, you can also enjoy the scenic views along the banks and witness the remarkable variations in water colors at the confluence of the three rivers.

Afterward, continue your journey to Mt. Emei and check into the local five-star hotel at its foot. Enjoy a hearty dinner, get a good night’s sleep, and prepare for tomorrow’s intrepid mountain climbing.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Building No. 5 of Hongzhushan Hotel (5 stars) – Mountain View Room

Today’s private itinerary focuses on the famous UNESCO World Heritage site, Mt. Emei, and two renowned temples on the mountain. As one of the Four Sacred Mountains of Buddhism in China, Mt. Emei is a holy land for Buddhists, housing many religious sites that date back to ancient times. Acclaimed as a beauty spot under heaven, it features majestic cliffs, deep valleys, waterfalls, a sea of clouds, and lush forests. This sacred mountain is worth a whole day of exploration with our professional guide.

To enhance your travel experience, we have arranged cable cars to conserve your energy. The guide will accompany you to take the cable car from the parking lot and walk 10 to 20 minutes to the Wannian Temple, one of the oldest temples in the mountain, boasting an exquisite layout and housing a wealth of Buddhist cultural relics. Among these relics, the most precious is an ancient Buddha’s tooth, which was later identified as a stegodon tooth fossil dating back 200,000 years. In addition to experiencing the serenity of the old temple, you might also encounter some mischievous monkeys around the temple. Please note that it’s better not to carry any food in your hands, as they are accustomed to snatching food from travelers and might scratch you.

After finishing the visit, we’ll return the way we came and continue driving to Baoguo Temple, a magnificent complex featuring four main temple halls, quaint pavilions, and beautiful gardens. It is the largest temple and the top scenic spot in Mt. Emei. In front of the main hall, many Buddhists and visitors light candles and incense to pray for good fortune or health, as praying in this temple is highly efficacious. Feeling the atmosphere and appreciating classic Chinese calligraphy works by renowned ancient writers is soothing and relaxing. Moreover, strolling under its shady evergreen pines and cypresses would be an unforgettable experience. After a full-day sightseeing, we’ll drive back to Chengdu and check into the hotel.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Building No. 5 of Hongzhushan Hotel (5 stars) – Mountain View Room

This morning, let the archaeological finds in the Jinsha Site Museum narrate the stories of the ancient Shu Civilization, which thrived between the 12th and 7th centuries BC in the enclosed Sichuan Basin. As one of the peaks of the development of the Shu Civilization, the Jinsha Site was once the capital city of the ancient Shu Kingdom and is closely linked to the famous Sanxingdui Ruins, also located in Sichuan. Jinsha’s unearthed relics include a large number of gold and jade artifacts. Among those finds, the museum proudly displays a carved gold ornament named “Sun and Immortal Birds,” featuring the image of a sun surrounded by four birds, reflecting the Shu people’s belief in the Sun God. Unearthed in 2001, it surprised the world with its delicate craftsmanship, created by artisans who lived 3,000 years ago. Now, it symbolizes not only the Shu Civilization but also Chengdu and Chinese cultural heritage. This image now can be found almost everywhere in Chengdu, such as on street light poles, at the entrances of subways, and in parks. Another highlight in the Jinsha Site Museum is an extensive collection of giant ivory, said to be an offering from the ancient sacrificial rituals of the Shu State. Following your guide, you can glimpse China’s distinct and mysterious regional culture.

Later, we will drive to another iconic site – the Wide and Narrow Alley. This district comprises three alleys, all flanked by traditional courtyard houses, some of which have been converted into restaurants, pubs, teahouses, and stores. Dating back hundreds of years, it offers fascinating views of past Chengdu. It serves as a place to experience traditional Chinese culture and art, such as the magic of ‘Face-Changing’ of Sichuan Opera.

In the end of this Chengdu 5 days panda tour package, your guide and driver will escort you to the airport. Wish you a pleasant journey!

Meal: Western buffet breakfast