D1

Chengdu Arrival

D2

Chengdu → Chengdu Panda Base → Leshan Giant Buddha → Mt Emei

D3

Mt Emei → Chengdu

D4

Chengdu City

D5

Chengdu Departure

    D1

Chengdu Arrival

- / - / D

Highlights: ✔Recover from jetlag ✔Wide & Narrow Alleys

DIST. 20km/50mins

Welcome to Chengdu, the capital of southwestern China's Sichuan province. Chengdu's history dates back to at least the 4th century B.C., when it served as capital for the Shu Kingdom. Private guide and driver will collect you at Chengdu Airport/Railway holding your name sign at the exit. Escort you to your accommodation in Chengdu city. Check in to hotel and freshen up. Later, in the later afternoon, guide & driver will come and pick you up for dinner at Wide & Narrow Alleys, dating back to Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

    D2

Chengdu → Chengdu Panda Base → Leshan Giant Buddha → Mt Emei

B / L / D

Highlights: ✔Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (inc. shuttle bus) ✔Leshan Giant Buddha

DIST. 270km/4hrs

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (incl. shuttle bus): This morning we head to the outskirts of the city to meet Chengdu's most famous residents, the giant pandas at Chengdu Panda Base. The pandas are said to be China's spoilt children and they spend their days relaxing in large enclosures while the staff bring them bamboo by the bucket load. The base works hard to breed the pandas with the ultimate aim of releasing them back in to the wild.

Leshan Giant Buddha: A relaxing 2-hour drive takes you from Chengdu to the riverside Leshan town. Leshan Giant Buddha, carved from a cliff face overlooking the confluence of three busy rivers: Dadu River, Min River and Qingyi River. With fingernails larger than the average human, the world’s largest ancient Buddha, the 1200-year-old Leshan Giant Buddha, is a Unesco World Heritage site. The Buddhist monk Haitong conceived the project in AD 713, hoping that Buddha would protect the boats and calm the lethal currents. Follow your guide down a twisting trail towards the left side of the mammoth monument when you reach the bottom. Gasp at the 233 feet height of the largest carved Buddha in the entire world and capture fantastic photographs of the sacred site. Later in the late afternoon, we roam along the riverside and enjoy the 360-degree of unobstructed views of the Sleeping Buddha laying on the rivers.

    D3

Mt Emei → Chengdu

B / L / D

Highlights: ✔ Mt Emei - Crouching Tiger Monastery, Golden Summit, Wannian Temple, Qingyin Pavilion, Monkey Zone (incl. shuttle & cable)

DIST. 170km/2hrs

Mt Emei (incl. Shuttle & cable): Mount Emei is one of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China, sitting at the western rim of the Sichuan Basin.

First, we will visit Crouching Tiger Temple at foot of Mt Emei, which is one the eight main temples in Mt Emei. It is hidden deep within the forest, and houses a 7m-high copper pagoda inscribed with Buddha images and texts. Crouching Tiger Temple is a temple for nuns. Only female ordained nuns and volunteers can live here.

Take the cable car to Golden Summit, the highest peak of Mt Emei. Golden Summit Temple is a striking modern renovation, covered with glazed tiles and surrounded by white marble balustrades. In front, the prominent 48m-tall golden statue of multidimensional Samantabhadra honours the mountain protectors, and was added in 2006. The views at sunset and sunrise, as golden light illuminates the clouds below, are a highlight of any visit to Mt Emei.

Drive to Wannianshi Station and embark the cable car to Wannian Temple, which is the oldest surviving Emei temple. It is dedicated to the man on the white elephant, the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, the Buddhist Lord of Truth and patron of the mountain. The 8.5m-high statue cast in copper and bronze dates back from AD 980 and weighs an estimated 62, 000kg. If you can manage to rub the elephant’s hind leg, good luck will bestowed upon you.

Walk amidst the green and vivid mountain trail and arrive at Qingyin Pavilion, named ‘Pure Sound Pavilion’ after the soothing sounds of the waters coursing around rock formations. This temple is built on an outcrop in the middle of a fast-flowing stream. Rest in one of the small pavilions here, where you can appreciate the natural ‘music’ of the water.

Between Qingyin Pavilion and Venerable Trees Terrace, you will at some point encounter the mountain’s infamous monkeys at the Monkey Zone. Unfortunately, those before you have teased this merry band into grabby monsters. Rangers are usually on hand to help if things get out of hand, but avoid extended eye contact (a sign of aggression), put away any food and drinks when approaching and keep backpacks closed. Do not, under any circumstances, proceed through here carrying plastic bags by hand.

Afterwards we descend to Wuxiangang Station and take shuttle bus to the foot of Mt Emei. Your private transfer will be there to deliver you back to Chengdu

    D4

Chengdu City

B / L / D

Highlights: ✔People's Park ✔Tianfu Square with Chairman Mao’s Statue ✔Wuhou Temple ✔Jinli Ancient Street ✔Sichuan Face-changing Opera

DIST. 30km/2hrs

In morning we head to People’s Park. There is no place like here where you can understand the city’s spirit. In the morning, local people gather here to dance, to practice Taichi and to socialize. The park features an artificial lake, several gardens, the Railway Protection Movement Monument, and the century-old Heming Teahouse, which is a local landmark.

Tianfu Square with Chairman Mao’s Statue: First built in 1951, Tianfu Square covers a wide rectangle area of 88,000 square meters. It has long been the center of economy, culture and business due to the best location in Chengdu. Almost every day, you can see groups of people come here to take photos, chat with friends, exercise, have a rest, shopping, or transfer to other buses or subways. And the 30-meter high statue of chairman Mao Zedong is standing at the center of Tianfu Square, facing south with his right hand waving to Chengdu citizens.

Wuhou Temple: Surrounded by mossy cypresses, Wuhou Temple (rebuilt in 1672) honours several figures from the Three Kingdom period, namely legendary military strategist Zhu Geliang and Emperor Liu Bei. Both are immortalized in the Chinese literature classic, Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

Jinli Ancient Street: Take a stroll along the old cobbled streets of Jinli Ancient Street, located just east of Wuhou Temple, one of Chengdu’s restored ancient alleyways, crammed with souvenir stalls and eateries.

Sichuan Face-changing Opera (20:00-21:30): In the evening, we will take you to watch Sichuan Face-changing Opera at Shufengyayun Sichuan Opera House, located in Chengdu Culture Park on Qintai Road. It is the ideal place to experience the local arts by drinking Chinese tea while watching thrilling Sichuan opera.

    D5

Chengdu Departure

B / - / -

Highlights: ✔Homeward Bound

DIST. 20km/50mins

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, your guide & driver will pick you up and deliver you to Chengdu Airport/Railway. Your heart will be filled with the memories of a vacation replete with culture, nature, tradition and excitement. The best kind of gift to give to your beloved family.