SOUTHWEST CHINA · SMALL GROUP
Southwest Wonders
Max 16 travelersNo forced shoppingNo commission stopsLicensed local operator
T2C-SW-10
10 days / 9 nights
Chengdu → Jiuzhaigou → Leshan → Emeishan → Chongqing → Zhangjiajie
Small group · max 16 · private departures available
Licensed English-speaking guides · private AC vehicle + high-speed rail Chongqing–Zhangjiajie
Comfortable 3–4★ hotels near park entrances and central Chongqing
Nature lovers, photographers and hikers
Travelers with limited mobility — some days involve long stairs and mountain paths
A good fitness level helps; Jiuzhaigou and Zhangjiajie include walking and cable-car days
Light-to-moderate daily walking; sightseeing days include stairs
Some sites have uneven terrain — please advise us of any needs at booking
Most evenings are free for you to explore at your own pace
twin share · land only · no international airfare
How many travelers?
Select a day to see that day's activities, transport, meals and hotel.
Welcome to the pandas' hometown — private airport pickup and easy settling in.
Today: Overnight in Chengdu · No meals included · Private airport transfer · English-speaking guide · Light walking
After your flight lands at Tianfu International Airport, our English-speaking guide meets you at arrivals and transfers you to your 5-star city-center hotel. The rest of the day is yours to rest, recover from jet lag, or explore nearby.
Our guide holds a sign with your name at the arrivals gate and escorts you to a private air-conditioned vehicle for the 45-minute transfer to your city-center hotel.
Private transfer · ~45 min · Meet at arrivals gate
Overnight stay at The Ritz-Carlton Chengdu.
Meet the giant pandas, then drive through the western Sichuan plateau to Jiuzhaigou.
Today: Overnight in Jiuzhaigou · Breakfast + Lunch included · ~8-hour scenic drive · English-speaking guide · Moderate walking
Start your day at the Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Base, then enjoy a full-day scenic drive along the Mianjiu Expressway through the western Sichuan plateau, arriving at Jiuzhaigou by evening.
Visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (including electric cart ride) to see China's national treasure up close. Watch pandas eat, play and rest in naturalistic enclosures.
~2 hours visit · Electric cart included · Best time to see pandas active
Sichuan-style lunch at a clean local restaurant on the way to Jiuzhaigou. Vegetarian options available.
~1 hour · Dietary needs accommodated
Drive along the Mianjiu Expressway through the western Sichuan plateau. Enjoy panoramic views of misty mountains and Tibetan villages along the way.
~6 hours drive · Rest stops every 1.5 hours
Overnight stay at Courtyard by Marriott Jiuzhaigou.
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of turquoise lakes and waterfalls.
Today: Overnight in Jiuzhaigou · Breakfast + Lunch included · Full-day park visit · English-speaking guide · Active walking
Full-day exploration of Jiuzhaigou National Nature Reserve (UNESCO World Heritage). Admire turquoise alpine lakes, cascading waterfalls, and snow-capped peaks across three main valleys.
Short transfer from hotel to Jiuzhaigou National Park entrance (~10 minutes). Pick up eco-bus tickets.
~10 min transfer · Eco-bus included
Explore Shuzheng Valley — see the Shuzheng Lakes, Rhinoceros Lake, and Sparkling Lake. Walk along the wooden boardwalks through the forest.
~2 hours · Easy walking · Boardwalks
Buffet lunch at the park's main visitor center.
~1 hour · Buffet style
Take eco-bus to Rize Valley. Visit Five Flower Lake (the most photographed lake in Jiuzhaigou) and Pearl Shoal Waterfall.
~3 hours · Eco-bus · Iconic views
Visit Long Lake — the highest and largest lake in Jiuzhaigou. See the Five-Color Pond nearby.
~1 hour · Eco-bus ride
Overnight stay at Courtyard by Marriott Jiuzhaigou.
Return to Chengdu, explore the modern Taikoo Li shopping district.
Today: Overnight in Chengdu · Breakfast included · ~6-hour drive · English-speaking guide · Easy afternoon
Morning drive back to Chengdu along the mountain roads. Afternoon visit to Taikoo Li — the open-air luxury shopping district blending traditional Sichuan architecture with modern retail.
Scenic drive back to Chengdu along the same route, enjoying the plateau scenery in daylight.
~6 hours · Rest stops · Lunch on the way
Explore Chunxi Road and Taikoo Li — Chengdu's premier shopping district. Blend of traditional Sichuan architecture, luxury brands, and street food.
~2 hours · Free time to shop · Dinner on your own
Overnight stay at AC Hotel by Marriott Chengdu.
Huanglongxi Ancient Town and the Leshan Giant Buddha by boat.
Today: Overnight in Emeishan · Breakfast + Lunch included · ~4 hours driving · English-speaking guide · Moderate walking
Drive to Leshan. Visit the 1,700-year-old Huanglongxi Water Town, then take a boat cruise on the Min River to view the 71-meter Leshan Giant Buddha — UNESCO World Heritage.
Drive from Chengdu to Huanglongxi Ancient Town (~1 hour).
~1 hour drive
Wander this 1,700-year-old water town with stone streets, old temples, and Ming-Qing dynasty architecture. Try local snacks and tea houses.
~1.5 hours · Free time · Photo stops
Local lunch at a riverside restaurant in the ancient town.
~1 hour · Sichuan cuisine
Short drive to Leshan Pier (~45 minutes).
~45 min drive
Take a 1-hour boat cruise on the Min River for the best view of the 71-meter Leshan Giant Buddha — the tallest stone Buddha in the world, carved during the Tang Dynasty.
~1 hour boat cruise · Best view from water · UNESCO World Heritage
Overnight stay at Ramada Emeishan.
Baoguo Temple in the morning, Hongyadong night view in Chongqing.
Today: Overnight in Chongqing · Breakfast included · ~3 hours drive · English-speaking guide · Moderate walking
Morning visit to Baoguo Temple and Fuhu Temple at the foot of Emei Mountain. Afternoon drive to Chongqing. Evening visit to Hongyadong — the iconic stilted building complex with dazzling night views.
Visit Baoguo Temple — the main temple of Emei Mountain, dating back to the Ming Dynasty. See the ancient architecture and incense offerings.
~1 hour · Active temple · UNESCO site
Visit Fuhu Temple — the largest temple on Emei Mountain, hidden in the forest. Known for its peaceful atmosphere and unique architectural layout.
~1 hour · Forest setting
Scenic drive from Emeishan to Chongqing (~3 hours).
~3 hours · Rest stop
Evening visit to Hongyadong — 11-story stilted building complex built into the hillside. The golden lights reflecting on the Jialing River make this Chongqing's most iconic night view.
~1.5 hours · Best at night · Photo stops
Overnight stay at Gleetour Holiday Hotel Chongqing.
Liziba light rail crossing through a building, then high-speed train to Zhangjiajie.
Today: Overnight in Zhangjiajie · Breakfast included · High-speed rail · English-speaking guide · Moderate walking
Morning visit to Chongqing People's Auditorium and the famous Liziba light rail station — where the metro train passes directly through a residential apartment building. Evening high-speed train to Zhangjiajie.
Visit the distinctive circular People's Auditorium — a landmark of Chongqing's socialist-era architecture.
~45 min · Exterior visit
See the famous Liziba Station — where Chongqing's Line 2 metro train passes directly through a 19-story residential building. One of the city's most unique urban sights.
~30 min · Photo stop · Iconic view
Try authentic Chongqing hot pot — the city's most famous culinary specialty.
~1 hour · Optional mild spicy broth
Take the high-speed train from Chongqing to Zhangjiajie (~4.5 hours).
~4.5 hours · High-speed rail · Comfortable seats
Overnight stay at Best Western Plus Zhangjiajie.
Hike Jinbian Stream, take the mini-train through Ten-Mile Gallery.
Today: Overnight in Zhangjiajie · Breakfast + Lunch included · Full-day park · English-speaking guide · Active hiking
Full-day exploration of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park — UNESCO World Heritage and the inspiration for the floating mountains in Avatar. Hike Jinbian Stream, ride the mini-train through Ten-Mile Gallery.
Transfer to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Wulingyuan Entrance.
~30 min transfer
Hike along Jinbian Stream (Golden Whip Stream) — a 7.5km easy walk through a lush valley flanked by towering quartz sandstone pillars. This is where the Avatar floating mountains were inspired.
~3 hours · Easy hike · 7.5km · Boardwalk trail
Lunch at a local restaurant inside the park.
~1 hour
Take the sightseeing mini-train through Ten-Mile Gallery — a scenic valley with the most concentrated collection of sandstone peaks. See the 'Three Sisters Peaks' and other iconic rock formations.
~1.5 hours · Round-trip mini-train · Easy ride
Overnight stay at Best Western Plus Zhangjiajie.
Junshi Painting Gallery and free afternoon.
Today: Overnight in Zhangjiajie · Breakfast included · Half-day · English-speaking guide · Easy walking
Morning visit to Junshi Painting Gallery — a 3A-rated art gallery showcasing traditional Chinese sandstone painting art. Afternoon free time to explore the city or relax.
Visit Junshi Painting Gallery — see the unique Zhangjiajie sandstone painting art, where artists create landscapes using local sandstone minerals. Watch artists at work.
~1.5 hours · 3A scenic spot · Art gallery
Free afternoon to explore Zhangjiajie city, do last-minute shopping, or relax at the hotel.
Free time · Optional: Tianmen Mountain cable car (extra cost)
Overnight stay at Best Western Plus Zhangjiajie.
Free morning, transfer to Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport.
Today: Breakfast included · Private airport transfer · Free morning
Free morning to pack or do last-minute shopping. Transfer to Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport for your departure flight.
Free morning to pack, shop, or relax. Check-out by 12:00.
Check-out by 12:00 · Luggage storage available
Private transfer to Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport (DYG) for your departure flight.
~30 min transfer · Allow 2 hours before flight
Own room available with a single supplement (priced on request); roommate pairing available at no extra charge when possible.
Children welcome with adult supervision — please ask about age rules and family pricing.
Vegetarian, vegan, halal and allergy needs are accommodated when advised at booking.
Please advise us of mobility or accessibility needs — we will do our best to adjust hotels and pacing.
One suitcase plus one carry-on per person is recommended; larger items may affect transfers.
Gratuities are at your discretion and never required.
We run each tour with a small confirmed group (typically 4–16 travelers). If a departure cannot meet its minimum, you may reschedule or receive a full refund.
Free full refund when you cancel 30+ days before departure. Within 30 days, the deposit is non-refundable as it holds your places, hotels and tickets.
Date or itinerary changes are possible before final confirmation — contact your consultant. Your deposit can be transferred to a new departure.
If we cancel a departure or make a major change to the tour, you get a full refund of everything paid. Force-majeure cases follow the same full-refund principle.
Refunds are processed by the licensed operating agency shown in your contract, to the original payment method, within the timeline stated in your booking contract.
