- Private Car, Train & Flights
- 4-Star Hotels
- ~3,600 m (Huanglong)
- Chongqing
- May & Sep–Oct
- Culture, Nature & Panda
- Daily hotel breakfast
- English
- Moderate to Strenuous
- 15 travellers
Overview
This 22-day tour is an in-depth journey through central and southwestern China, linking the river city of Chongqing, the panda and food capital of Chengdu, the alpine lake country of Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong, and the sandstone peaks of Zhangjiajie. High-speed trains, a private car, and a short domestic flight connect the stages, with an English-speaking guide throughout.
Five days in Chongqing cover Jiefangbei, Shibati’s stepped old streets, the illuminated Hongyadong stilt-house complex and a Two Rivers night cruise, a day trip to the Wulong karst (Three Natural Bridges and the Longshui Gorge Fissure), the UNESCO-listed Dazu Rock Carvings, and Liziba, the Three Gorges Museum and the Yangtze River Cableway.
A high-speed train brings you to Chengdu for five days, including the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Wuhou Shrine and Jinli, People’s Park and Kuanzhai Alley, Chengdu Museum and Wenshu Monastery, a day trip to Sanxingdui Museum and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, and a further day trip to the Leshan Giant Buddha. From Chengdu, a private car crosses into the high mountains for Huanglong’s travertine pools, an overnight stop at Chuanzhusi, and on to Jiuzhaigou Valley for two full days among its turquoise lakes, waterfalls, and forested valleys, before the long return drive to Chengdu via the old town of Songpan.
The trip closes with a flight to Zhangjiajie, where a full day on Tianmen Mountain, a full day in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, and a visit to Huanglong Cave lead on to Furong Town for a final evening exploring its waterfall-side stilt houses. Throughout the trip you’re accompanied by an English-speaking guide and private car, with 4-star hotel accommodation for twenty-one nights and daily hotel breakfast included.
Highlights
- Cruise Chongqing's illuminated rivers past Hongyadong and explore the Wulong karst's Three Natural Bridges
- Visit the UNESCO-listed Dazu Rock Carvings and ride the historic Yangtze River Cableway
- Meet giant pandas at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and explore Kuanzhai Alley
- Marvel at the Leshan Giant Buddha and the Bronze Age treasures of Sanxingdui
- Walk among the turquoise lakes of Jiuzhaigou Valley and the travertine pools of Huanglong
- Spend full days on Tianmen Mountain and in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, finishing in Furong Town
Itinerary
You are met on arrival and transferred to your 4-star hotel in Chongqing. The rest of the day is free to rest and settle in.
📷 Chongqing skyline — Day 1 Alt text (EN): mountain city skyline hillside towers Chongqing China evening Search prompt: Chongqing skyline hillside towers evening China
Visit Jiefangbei, Chongqing's central monument and commercial district, then walk down Shibati, a historic stepped street connecting the upper and lower parts of the old city. In the evening, explore Hongyadong, an illuminated 11-storey stilt-house complex on the riverbank, before joining a Two Rivers night cruise along the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers.
📷 Hongyadong stilt houses at night — Day 2 Alt text (EN): illuminated stilt house complex riverside Hongyadong Chongqing China night Search prompt: Hongyadong illuminated stilt houses night Chongqing China
📷 Two Rivers night cruise, Chongqing — Day 2 Alt text (EN): illuminated skyline river cruise Chongqing China night bridges Search prompt: Chongqing Two Rivers night cruise illuminated skyline China
Drive out to Wulong Karst National Geology Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to see the Three Natural Bridges, a trio of enormous stone bridges formed by collapsed sinkholes. Continue to the Longshui Gorge Fissure, a narrow, deep canyon with walkways along its base.
📷 Wulong Three Natural Bridges — Day 3 Alt text (EN): enormous stone natural bridge sinkhole Wulong Karst Chongqing China Search prompt: Wulong Three Natural Bridges karst sinkhole Chongqing China
📷 Longshui Gorge Fissure — Day 3 Alt text (EN): narrow deep canyon walkway Longshui Gorge Fissure Chongqing China Search prompt: Longshuixia Fissure Gorge narrow canyon Chongqing China
Spend the day at the Dazu Rock Carvings, a UNESCO World Heritage site of Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian stone sculptures carved into cliff faces from the 9th to 13th centuries, including the well-known Thousand-Hand Guanyin.
📷 Dazu Rock Carvings — Day 4 Alt text (EN): ancient Buddhist stone carvings cliff Dazu Chongqing China Search prompt: Dazu Rock Carvings Buddhist stone sculptures cliff China
Visit Liziba, famous for its monorail line that runs directly through a residential building. Continue to the Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum to learn about the region's history and the Three Gorges Dam project. In the afternoon, ride the Yangtze River Cableway, a cable car crossing high above the river with panoramic city views.
📷 Liziba monorail through building — Day 5 Alt text (EN): monorail train passing through residential building Liziba Chongqing China Search prompt: Liziba monorail train through building Chongqing China
📷 Yangtze River Cableway — Day 5 Alt text (EN): cable car crossing river high above city Chongqing China Search prompt: Yangtze River Cableway cable car Chongqing China
Transfer to the high-speed train station for the roughly 1.5-hour journey to Chengdu. After checking in to your hotel, explore Chengdu Taikoo Li, a contemporary shopping district built around restored Song-dynasty-style courtyards.
📷 Chengdu Taikoo Li — Day 6 Alt text (EN): restored courtyard buildings modern shops Taikoo Li Chengdu China Search prompt: Chengdu Taikoo Li restored courtyard modern shopping district China
Visit People's Park, a popular local gathering spot, and stop at Heming Tea House to experience traditional Chengdu tea culture over a cup of local tea. Continue to Kuanzhai Alley, three restored Qing-dynasty lanes of courtyard houses, teahouses and shops.
📷 Heming Tea House, People's Park — Day 7 Alt text (EN): traditional teahouse bamboo chairs People's Park Chengdu China Search prompt: Heming Tea House People's Park traditional teahouse Chengdu China
📷 Kuanzhai Alley — Day 7 Alt text (EN): restored Qing dynasty courtyard lane Kuanzhai Alley Chengdu China Search prompt: Kuanzhai Alley courtyard lane Chengdu China
Visit Chengdu Museum for an overview of Sichuan's history and culture, then continue to Wenshu Monastery, a well-preserved Buddhist temple complex with a peaceful teahouse courtyard. In the afternoon, explore Chunxi Road, one of Chengdu's main shopping and pedestrian streets.
📷 Wenshu Monastery — Day 8 Alt text (EN): Buddhist temple courtyard incense Wenshu Monastery Chengdu China Search prompt: Wenshu Monastery Buddhist temple courtyard Chengdu China
📷 Chunxi Road — Day 8 Alt text (EN): pedestrian shopping street lights Chunxi Road Chengdu China Search prompt: Chunxi Road pedestrian shopping street Chengdu China
Visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, best visited in the morning when the pandas are most active around feeding time. Continue to Wuhou Shrine, a memorial temple for the statesman Zhuge Liang and Emperor Liu Bei, and finish at Jinli Ancient Street next door.
📷 Giant panda, Chengdu Panda Base — Day 9 Alt text (EN): giant panda eating bamboo Chengdu Research Base China Search prompt: giant panda eating bamboo Chengdu Panda Base China
📷 Jinli Ancient Street — Day 9 Alt text (EN): lantern lit lane shops Qing dynasty style Jinli Chengdu China Search prompt: Jinli Ancient Street lanterns shops Chengdu China
Drive around an hour to Sanxingdui Museum in Guanghan, home to Bronze Age artefacts of the ancient Shu civilization. Continue to the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, a UNESCO World Heritage site and still-functioning 2,200-year-old water-management project, crossing Nanqiao (South Bridge) before returning to Chengdu in the evening.
📷 Sanxingdui bronze mask — Day 10 Alt text (EN): ancient bronze mask artefact Sanxingdui Museum Guanghan China Search prompt: Sanxingdui Museum bronze mask artefact Guanghan China
📷 Dujiangyan Irrigation System — Day 10 Alt text (EN): ancient water diversion channels Dujiangyan Irrigation System China Search prompt: Dujiangyan Irrigation System water channels Sichuan China
Take the high-speed train, around an hour each way, to Leshan to see the Leshan Giant Buddha, a 71-metre stone Buddha carved into a cliff overlooking the confluence of three rivers, before returning to Chengdu in the evening.
📷 Leshan Giant Buddha — Day 11 Alt text (EN): giant stone Buddha carved cliff river confluence Leshan China Search prompt: Leshan Giant Buddha cliff carving river China
Drive around 5 hours, with a rest stop along the way, up into the mountains to Huanglong Scenic Area, known for its terraced travertine pools set among snow-capped peaks at an altitude of roughly 3,000–3,600 metres. In the evening, continue to Chuanzhusi for an overnight stay to help with altitude acclimatisation ahead of Jiuzhaigou.
📷 Huanglong travertine pools — Day 12 Alt text (EN): colourful terraced travertine pools mountains Huanglong China Search prompt: Huanglong travertine pools terraced mountains China
Transfer to Jiuzhaigou, a journey of around 2 hours, and check in to your hotel ahead of two full days exploring the valley.
📷 Jiuzhaigou Valley scenery — Day 13 Alt text (EN): turquoise lake forest mountains Jiuzhaigou Valley China Search prompt: Jiuzhaigou Valley turquoise lake forest China
Spend the full day exploring Shuzheng Valley and Rize Valley, home to many of Jiuzhaigou's best-known turquoise lakes and waterfalls. Entering the park early is recommended, since morning light is best for photography here.
📷 Rize Valley lakes — Day 14 Alt text (EN): turquoise lake reflection forest Rize Valley Jiuzhaigou China Search prompt: Rize Valley turquoise lake Jiuzhaigou China
📷 Shuzheng Valley waterfalls — Day 14 Alt text (EN): cascading waterfall forest Shuzheng Valley Jiuzhaigou China Search prompt: Shuzheng Valley waterfall Jiuzhaigou China
Explore Zechawa Valley, then continue to Long Lake, Jiuzhaigou's largest and highest lake, and the Five-Colored Pond, known for its shallow, multicoloured waters.
📷 Long Lake, Jiuzhaigou — Day 15 Alt text (EN): large alpine lake mountains Long Lake Jiuzhaigou China Search prompt: Long Lake Jiuzhaigou Valley mountains China
📷 Five-Colored Pond, Jiuzhaigou — Day 15 Alt text (EN): shallow multicoloured pond Five Colored Pond Jiuzhaigou China Search prompt: Five Colored Pond Jiuzhaigou Zechawa Valley China
Begin the long return drive to Chengdu, around 8 hours split into two stages, stopping en route at Songpan Ancient City, a historic walled town on the old Sichuan–Tibet trade route.
📷 Songpan Ancient City — Day 16 Alt text (EN): historic walled town gate Songpan Ancient City China Search prompt: Songpan Ancient City walled town Sichuan China
Fly to Zhangjiajie and transfer to your hotel to check in and rest after a day of travel.
📷 Zhangjiajie sandstone pillars on arrival — Day 17 Alt text (EN): sandstone pillar forest mist Zhangjiajie China skyline evening Search prompt: Zhangjiajie sandstone pillar landscape mist evening China
Spend the full day on Tianmen Mountain, reached by cable car, walking sections of the glass skywalk and visiting Tianmen Cave. In the evening, attend the Tianmen Fox Fairy Show, an open-air musical staged in the canyon at the foot of the mountain.
📷 Tianmen Mountain cable car — Day 18 Alt text (EN): Tianmen Mountain cable car aerial view forested valley Zhangjiajie China Search prompt: Tianmen Mountain cable car gondola aerial valley forest Zhangjiajie China
📷 Tianmen Fox Fairy Show — Day 18 Alt text (EN): outdoor canyon stage performance Tianmen Mountain night lights Zhangjiajie Search prompt: outdoor musical performance canyon stage lights Tianmen Mountain Zhangjiajie China night
Spend the day exploring the upper section of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, taking in Yuanjiajie, Yangjiajie and Tianzi Mountain, with their towering sandstone pillars and panoramic viewpoints.
📷 Yuanjiajie sandstone pillars — Day 19 Alt text (EN): towering sandstone pillars mist Yuanjiajie Zhangjiajie China forest Search prompt: Yuanjiajie sandstone pillar forest mist Zhangjiajie China
📷 Tianzi Mountain panorama — Day 19 Alt text (EN): panoramic sandstone peaks view Tianzi Mountain Zhangjiajie China clouds Search prompt: Tianzi Mountain panorama sandstone peaks clouds Zhangjiajie China
This morning covers the lower section of the national forest park, following the Ten-Mile Gallery and Golden Whip Stream trails. Continue to Huanglong Cave, a large stalactite and stalagmite cave system near the park entrance.
📷 Golden Whip Stream — Day 20 Alt text (EN): forest stream trail sandstone pillars Golden Whip Stream Zhangjiajie China Search prompt: Golden Whip Stream forest trail sandstone pillars Zhangjiajie China
📷 Huanglong Cave — Day 20 Alt text (EN): stalactite stalagmite cave chamber illuminated Huanglong Cave Zhangjiajie Search prompt: Huanglong Cave stalactite stalagmite chamber illuminated Zhangjiajie China
Transfer to Furong Town and spend the evening exploring the ancient town after dark, with its stilt houses built above the Furong waterfall.
📷 Furong Town waterfall at night — Day 21 Alt text (EN): stilt houses built above waterfall illuminated night Furong Town China Search prompt: Furong Town waterfall stilt houses illuminated night Hunan China
Spend the morning exploring Furong Town by daylight before your private car transfers you to the airport or train station to end the trip.
📷 Furong Town waterfall by day — Day 22 Alt text (EN): waterfall stilt houses daytime Furong Town Hunan China river Search prompt: Furong Town waterfall stilt houses daytime Hunan China
Includes
- Private transfer on arrival in Chongqing and on final departure from Furong Town
- Private car for all in-destination transport throughout the itinerary
- High-speed train tickets: Chongqing–Chengdu and Chengdu–Leshan (round trip)
- Domestic flight: Chengdu–Zhangjiajie
- Cable car access on Tianmen Mountain
- Accommodation in 4-star hotels (21 nights)
- Daily complimentary breakfast provided by the hotel
- English-speaking guide service throughout
- Advance timed-entry tickets for Jiuzhaigou Valley (daily quota applies)
- Entrance fees for all named attractions, including Wulong Karst, the Dazu Rock Carvings, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Sanxingdui Museum, the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, the Leshan Giant Buddha, Huanglong Scenic Area, Jiuzhaigou Valley, Tianmen Mountain, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Huanglong Cave and Furong Town
- Tickets for the Two Rivers night cruise (Chongqing) and the Tianmen Fox Fairy Show
- First-aid kit and basic altitude-support supplies (oxygen canister) for the Huanglong/Jiuzhaigou section
Excludes
- International flights
- China visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- All meals except daily hotel breakfast
- Any optional activities or upgrades not listed in the programme
Frequently Asked Questions
A: This tour is rated Moderate to Strenuous. The main factors are the full days on Tianmen Mountain and in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (uneven stone steps and walkways), and the high-altitude walking at Huanglong (up to approximately 3,600 m), where the thinner air can make even gentle walking feel more tiring than usual. Comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes are recommended throughout. Travellers over 65 or with cardiovascular or respiratory conditions should consult a doctor before booking.
A: Most foreign nationals need a visa to enter China; requirements vary by nationality, so check current policy with your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate before travelling. China visa fees are not included in this tour and are the traveller's responsibility.
A: May, and September through October, are the windows that suit this route best, largely because Jiuzhaigou Valley has the narrowest best-season window of the four regions (May–October, with peak autumn colour in September–October) and is partly or fully closed outside this period. Chongqing and Chengdu can be very hot and humid in summer, while Zhangjiajie's paths can ice over in January and February.
A: Huanglong sits at roughly 3,000 to 3,600 metres, noticeably higher than Jiuzhaigou's valley floor (around 2,000 metres), so mild symptoms such as headache, dizziness or shortness of breath are possible, especially if you ascend quickly. The overnight stop at Chuanzhusi on Day 12 is built in to help with acclimatisation, and oxygen canisters are available on site if needed. Travellers with heart or lung conditions should consult a doctor before this leg of the trip.
A: Giant pandas are most active in the morning, particularly around feeding time between roughly 8:00 and 10:00 am, so an early start on Day 9 gives the best chance of seeing them moving around and eating rather than resting.
A: Yes. Jiuzhaigou Valley operates a daily visitor quota with advance timed-entry tickets, and same-day access cannot be guaranteed, especially in peak season (September–October). Your booking includes these tickets, arranged ahead of your visit.
A: The return route runs via Songpan Ancient City rather than a more direct road, adding some distance but including a stop at this historic walled town along the way. The full journey takes around 8 hours, split into two stages with rest breaks, rather than a single non-stop drive.
A: It's a fuller day than most single-site Chengdu excursions, but the two sites are close enough by road (around an hour each way from Chengdu) to combine comfortably with a private car, without needing an overnight stay outside Chengdu. Your guide manages the timing to allow a meaningful visit at both sites.
