Journey at a glance
- Day 1 Arrive in Chengdu
- Day 2 Qingcheng Mountain and Dujiangyan
- Day 3 Dujiangyan to Tangjiahe Nature Reserve
- Day 4 - 5 Tangjiahe Nature Reserve
- Day 6 Tangjiahe Nature Reserve to Jiuzhaigou
- Day 7 - 8 Jiuzhaigou
- Day 9 Depart from Jiuzhaigou
About this Journey
Embark on a botanical and wildlife exploration of Sichuan during this special adventure. Discover this humid province’s wondrous flora and fauna, ranging from the fancifully named moon bear to the signature giant panda, while exploring primeval forests and secluded waterfalls. Golden snub-nosed monkeys, boulder-strewn gorges, and bejeweled lakes await you. You’ll visit local villages and experience Tibetan culture in the natural oasis that is Jiuzhaigou, where scenes from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon were filmed.
Tour Highlights
- Venturing out into the night in search of nocturnal creatures
- Feeding pandas hand to mouth while volunteering at Dujiangyan Panda Base
- Exploring Taoist Qingcheng Mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
YOUR JOURNEY
Route Map
Select a route section to explore the map. Tap a stop for its location or use the directions link for the next leg. Flights, trains, cruises and hiking arrangements follow your itinerary.
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Chengdu
Arrive in Chengdu, the vibrant capital of Sichuan known for its teahouses, spicy cuisine, and laid-back charm • Meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel for check-in • If energy allows, stroll through Bamboo Park, home to 140 species of bamboo as well as herons and egrets.
Day 2 Qingcheng Mountain and Dujiangyan
Transfer to Dujiangyan Panda Base to see giant pandas in a bamboo-covered habitat and, optionally, join a volunteer program to help feed and care for them • Ride a cable car up Qingcheng Mountain, then hike to temples and a summit with sweeping views over lush green hills • Spend the remainder of the evening at your leisure.
Day 3 Dujiangyan to Tangjiahe Nature Reserve
Drive six hours to Tangjiahe Nature Reserve, a 40,000-hectare protected area known as the “Home of Life,” established in 1978 to protect giant pandas, their forest habitat, and other wildlife.
Day 4 - 5 Tangjiahe Nature Reserve
Spend two days hiking and tracking wildlife in Tangjiahe with a park guide, exploring elevations from 1,150 to 3,837 meters • Look for some of the reserve’s 430 vertebrate species, including giant pandas, golden monkeys, and takins, as well as rare protected plants among its rich forests.
Day 6 Tangjiahe Nature Reserve to Jiuzhaigou
Drive six hours to Jiuzhaigou, a UNESCO-listed valley of lakes, waterfalls, forests, and mountain scenery • Check in to your hotel and prepare to explore the park’s reopened areas.
Day 7 - 8 Jiuzhaigou
Explore Jiuzhaigou National Park, named for its nine Tibetan villages and famed for its vivid blue lakes, waterfalls, forests, and snow-capped peaks • Learn the legend of a goddess’s shattered mirror said to have formed the park’s 114 lakes • Spot wildlife such as giant pandas and golden monkeys in this restored UNESCO-listed landscape • Take a cable car into Huanglong National Park, a valley of colorful limestone terraces, clear pools, and snow-capped peaks said to resemble a yellow dragon from above • Hike for about three hours through forests and past vibrant pools, watching for golden snub-nosed monkeys along the way.
Day 9 Depart from Jiuzhaigou
Your local guide will escort you to the airport and help you check in for your flight home.
Hotels
The Temple House, Chengdu
Boutique HotelSet in the heart of Chengdu, The Temple House blends Qing-era courtyard architecture with modern comforts.
Six Senses Qingcheng Mountain
5 Star ResortTucked at the foot of Qing Cheng Mountain, this serene retreat blends contemporary comfort with Taoist tradition, offering Chinese-style villas, bamboo-fringed trails, and peaceful afternoons filled with tai chi or Sichuan cooking.
Photos
Photos Wild Pandas Pearl Shoal Waterfall Snub-nosed Monkey Reserve
Details
What’s Included
- Services of an English-speaking local guide
- Accommodation based on double occupancy with breakfasts included
- All overland transfers with private chauffeur and in-transport refreshments
- Private chauffeur service to and from airport at start and end of your trip
- All admission fees and activity expenses, as noted in the itinerary
- Meals as noted in the itinerary with complimentary drinking water
What’s Excluded
- International and domestic flights, domestic trains, plus relevant taxes
- Chinese tourist visa, which is required for most foreign passport holders
- Travel and medical insurance
- Meals, apart from those included in the itinerary, and alcohol
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Excursions and activities not included in the itinerary
- Discretionary gratuities for guides and drivers
TAILOR-MADE TRAVEL
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