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A seven-day in-depth journey combining pandas, hidden natural landscapes, Tibetan culture and Mountain City night views. It starts from Chengdu with a first meeting with the beloved pandas, then heads for Jiuzhaigou for an immersive natural painting of lakes, waterfalls and coloured forests, and into Chuanzhusi and Songpan for distinctive Tibetan culture and plateau atmosphere. It then moves to Chongqing, from the Eighteen Steps and Liziba to Hongya Cave and the two-river night view, for the distinctive appeal of the vertical Mountain City, and finally goes deep into Wulong to explore the Three Natural Bridges and Xiannv Mountain.
Private transfers, intercity rail connections, comfortable accommodation and a dedicated trip concierge are arranged throughout, cutting out the worry of planning transport and keeping the rhythm of the journey relaxed. Sights are sensibly arranged with no rushing and no box-ticking, so the limited time covers the most representative scenery and culture of Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou and Chongqing.
Entering Songpan Old Town, the simple walls, lanes and traditional buildings make it feel as though you have travelled back in time. It is also a window onto western Sichuan's history and its many ethnic groups, so you can wander the old town while taking in the distinctive human atmosphere of the plateau.
Step onto Tibetan land and take in its rich flavour. Admire the distinctive Tibetan architecture, listen to local stories and learn about customs handed down through generations, and taste a steaming Tibetan hotpot for a flavour unique to the plateau. As night falls, join a lively bonfire party and sing and dance with the locals, experiencing the warm, straightforward character of Tibetan hospitality amid laughter.
A fairytale water world where emerald lakes, tiered waterfalls, coloured forests and snow peaks meet. The clear lakes shift colour with the light and waterfalls thread through virgin forest — no need to hurry, just settle in and take in this hidden landscape and the breathtaking painting nature has provided. Clear lakes lie quietly in the valley, water shifting from pale green to deep blue, transparent to the bottom. Green hills rise on both sides and blue sky and white cloud mirror on the water, beautiful as an oil painting. Visitors walk the lakeside boardwalk, admiring the lively water scenery up close, photographing this fairytale landscape and taking in nature's purity and healing. Tick off Pearl Shoal Waterfall, a filming location for Journey to the West, where the water above spreads slowly across the broad travertine shallows and strikes the uneven rock, throwing up thousands of fine, translucent droplets. When the sun falls, each bead of light glitters like pearls scattered on the ground.
Enter the Three Natural Bridges at Wulong and tick off the filming location for Transformers. A World Natural Heritage site, its cliffs tower and its gorges run deep. Walking the valley floor, you look up at the magnificent karst spectacle and feel the impact of scenery carved over tens of millions of years — nature's handiwork at its most impressive.
Known as the Switzerland of the East, Xiannv Mountain rolls away in broad alpine meadow. With a fresh breeze and cattle and sheep wandering at leisure, you can take a camel ride across the grassland or board the little train threading through the forest, taking in relaxed, restorative mountain scenery. If the timing is right, you can even catch the local horse-racing festival — wonderfully atmospheric.
A private transfer from Chengdu airport takes you to your hotel to rest. No tight sightseeing is scheduled for the day; you are free to head for Chunxi Road or Kuanzhai Alley, shopping and trying Chengdu snacks while easing into the pace of travel.
Chunxi Road
Kuanzhai AlleyIn the morning head for the Panda Base for a close encounter with China's national treasure; then travel by private car towards Jiuzhaigou, enjoying western Sichuan scenery along the way. On arrival check into your hotel and prepare for the next day's in-depth Jiuzhaigou tour.
Chengdu Panda BaseSpend a complete day exploring Jiuzhaigou, slowly covering the three valleys of the Y-shaped layout and taking in blue lakes, forest, waterfalls and valley scenery. This is not a place for hurried box-ticking — only ample time reveals its real beauty.
Jiuzhaigou ValleyAfter leaving Jiuzhaigou head for Chuanzhusi and Songpan to take in the distinctive plateau scenery and Tibetan cultural atmosphere, then return to Chengdu. A private car is arranged by default; if the group is small, the intercity train back to Chengdu may be chosen instead.
Songpan Ancient TownIn the morning take the intercity train from Chengdu to Chongqing and begin the Mountain City experience on arrival. From the Eighteen Steps of old Chongqing to the monorail passing through a building at Liziba, and on to Hongya Cave and the two-river night view, one day takes in Chongqing's distinctive urban charm.
Jiefangbei
Liziba
Hongya Cave
Two Rivers CruiseGo deep into the Wulong karst secret, first exploring the spectacular Three Natural Bridges and then heading to Xiannv Mountain for alpine grassland and forest scenery. In one day you experience Chongqing's most representative natural landscape, returning to your Chongqing hotel in the evening.
Three Natural Bridges
Fairy MountainWake naturally, or arrange free time according to your departure time, then take a private transfer to the airport to close out this seven-day in-depth journey through Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou and Chongqing, heading home with memories of pandas, Jiuzhaigou scenery and the Chongqing night view.
Quality hotels are selected throughout, staying in Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou, Wulong and Chongqing in stages. Rooms are clean and comfortable with full facilities, so you can rest soundly after a tiring day. Jiuzhaigou accommodation is close to the scenic area, saving long journeys; the Chongqing city hotel is convenient for the Mountain City night views. Quiet within reach of the action, a comfortable base for each day and a relaxed, easy trip.
