10-Day Chengdu, Leshan & Siguniangshan Tour with Pandas

Upon arrival in Chengdu, your private driver and professional guide will meet you at the airport and provide a comfortable private transfer to your hotel. Enjoy a smooth door-to-door journey without worrying about public transportation or navigating an unfamiliar city. Your guide will assist with hotel check-in and introduce the basic arrangements for the following days, leaving you free to rest and adjust after your journey.

Free Time: The remainder of the day is at leisure. You can relax at your hotel or explore the nearby area at your own pace.

Start your Chengdu adventure at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, one of the best places to see China's iconic giant pandas up close. Visit the panda enclosures, nursery areas and lush bamboo habitats, where you may see pandas eating, climbing, playing or resting. Your professional guide will help you navigate the expansive base, explain panda behavior and conservation efforts, and recommend the best viewing and photography spots. An early start is recommended to enjoy the pandas during their more active morning hours.

Next, head to Kuanzhai Alley, a historic neighborhood made up of three parallel Qing-dynasty lanes lined with traditional courtyards, teahouses, local restaurants and boutique shops. Your guide will introduce the area's history while taking you through its atmospheric streets. Along the way, you can sample Sichuan snacks, enjoy a traditional tea house or capture photos of Chengdu's distinctive old-city architecture.

In the evening, visit Jinli Ancient Street, one of Chengdu's most atmospheric historic streets. Traditional-style buildings, red lanterns, handicraft shops and local food stalls create a lively atmosphere after sunset. Your guide will recommend popular local snacks and less-crowded photo spots, allowing you to experience Chengdu's food culture and relaxed nightlife at your own pace.

Begin the day at Wuhou Shrine, a famous historical complex dedicated to Zhuge Liang and other important figures from the Three Kingdoms period. Surrounded by ancient cypress trees, traditional halls and peaceful gardens, the site offers an immersive introduction to Chengdu's connection with Shu Han history. Your knowledgeable guide will explain the stories behind the historical figures and point out architectural details and atmospheric photography spots.

Continue to Du Fu Thatched Cottage, the former residence of the famous Tang-dynasty poet Du Fu. The peaceful complex combines traditional Sichuan-style architecture, bamboo gardens, ponds and winding paths, creating a relaxing contrast to the city's busy streets. Your guide will introduce Du Fu's life and literary legacy while leading you through the most scenic areas of the garden.

For lunch or dinner, enjoy a Sichuan Cuisine Experience featuring some of the region's signature flavors. Depending on your preferences, your guide can recommend local dishes such as Mapo Tofu, Kung Pao Chicken, Sichuan-style noodles and hotpot. The experience offers a chance to discover the bold combination of spicy, aromatic and numbing flavors that defines Sichuan cuisine.

Travel from Chengdu to Leshan by private vehicle, enjoying a comfortable door-to-door journey through the Sichuan countryside. Your driver will handle the road while your guide introduces the history and cultural significance of Leshan and the surrounding region.

Visit the Leshan Giant Buddha, one of China's most remarkable ancient Buddhist monuments. Carved directly into the cliff overlooking the meeting point of three rivers, the enormous Buddha statue rises approximately 71 meters high. Your guide will explain the fascinating story behind its construction, Buddhist symbolism and engineering achievements, while recommending viewpoints where you can best appreciate the scale of the statue.

Continue to Lingyun Temple, located near the top of the mountain above the Giant Buddha. Explore the traditional Buddhist buildings and enjoy panoramic views over the surrounding rivers and mountains. Your guide will share the religious and historical significance of the site and help you find scenic viewpoints for memorable photographs.

After sightseeing, return to your hotel in Leshan and enjoy a relaxed evening.

Start the morning with a relaxed exploration of Leshan Old Town, where traditional streets and local neighborhoods offer a glimpse into everyday life beyond the city's famous attractions. Your guide will introduce the local history and recommend authentic food stops along the way.

Leshan is also known for its distinctive local food culture, with specialties such as sweet-skinned duck, beef noodles and other Sichuan snacks. Your guide can recommend trusted local eateries and assist with ordering, making it easy to discover authentic regional flavors.

After lunch, return to Chengdu by private vehicle and enjoy a comfortable journey back to the city. In the afternoon, experience one of Chengdu's most iconic culinary traditions with a Sichuan Hotpot Experience. Sit around a bubbling pot of spicy broth and sample thinly sliced beef, fresh vegetables, tofu and other local ingredients. Your guide will recommend a popular local hotpot restaurant and help you order dishes according to your preferred spice level, creating a fun and authentic introduction to Chengdu's famous food culture.

Optional Activity: Sichuan Opera Evening Show – In the evening, choose to attend a traditional Sichuan Opera performance and experience one of Chengdu's most distinctive performing arts. The show typically combines colorful costumes, dramatic singing, comedy, acrobatics and the famous face-changing (Bian Lian) performance. Your guide can assist with ticket arrangements and recommend suitable seating, allowing you to enjoy an entertaining cultural evening after your hotpot experience.

Leave Chengdu and travel west toward Wolong, one of Sichuan's most important giant panda conservation areas. Your private vehicle provides a comfortable and flexible journey into the mountains, while your guide introduces the region's natural environment and panda conservation history along the way.

The highlight of the day is a Panda Volunteer Experience, offering a more immersive alternative to simply visiting a panda zoo. Under the supervision of local staff, you can learn about panda care and conservation and participate in suitable hands-on activities, which may include preparing panda food, cleaning enclosures or observing daily care routines. Your guide will assist with communication and help you understand the conservation work behind the experience.

After the volunteer experience, check in to your hotel and enjoy a quiet evening in Wolong. No additional sightseeing is scheduled, giving you time to rest after the full-day activity and prepare for the journey to Siguniangshan the following day.

Continue your journey from Wolong toward Siguniangshan, traveling along one of western Sichuan's most spectacular mountain roads. Your private vehicle allows you to stop at scenic viewpoints along the route, making the journey itself part of the experience rather than simply a transfer.

Cross the dramatic Balang Mountain Pass, where the landscape gradually changes from forested valleys to high-altitude alpine scenery. On clear days, sweeping views of snow-covered mountains and deep valleys create some of the most impressive photographic opportunities of the journey. Your guide will help select suitable viewpoints and manage stops according to road and weather conditions.

Along the way, pass through Tibetan villages and mountain communities, where traditional houses, colorful prayer flags and dramatic mountain surroundings showcase the cultural character of western Sichuan. Your guide will introduce local customs and architecture before continuing to Siguniangshan for the evening.

Spend a full day exploring Shuangqiao Valley, one of the most accessible and scenic valleys in Siguniangshan. The valley is surrounded by snow-capped peaks and features forests, streams, meadows and distinctive rock formations. Sightseeing transportation makes it possible to reach the deeper sections of the valley comfortably, leaving more time to enjoy the scenery.

Along the route, your guide will point out notable mountain formations and scenic viewpoints while allowing plenty of time for photography. The combination of alpine forests, crystal-clear streams and towering peaks makes Shuangqiao Valley particularly attractive for landscape photography.

Take a relaxed walk through the alpine landscapes and enjoy the changing scenery without rushing between attractions. Your private tour format allows the pace to be adjusted according to your interests, fitness level and weather conditions, making the experience more comfortable at high altitude.

tart the day with a visit to Changping Valley, another spectacular area of Siguniangshan known for its forests, alpine meadows, streams and dramatic mountain scenery. Compared with Shuangqiao Valley, Changping Valley offers a more immersive nature experience with longer walking sections and a quieter atmosphere.

Your guide will recommend suitable walking routes based on your fitness level and weather conditions, allowing you to enjoy the landscape without feeling rushed. Along the way, look for panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and peaceful forest scenery that showcase the natural beauty of western Sichuan.

After the mountain experience, begin your private drive back to Chengdu. Enjoy a comfortable journey through changing mountain and countryside landscapes while your driver handles the long-distance road. Arrive in Chengdu in the evening and enjoy your final night at leisure.

Enjoy a relaxed morning at your hotel before your private airport transfer. Your driver will pick you up at the agreed time and take you directly to Chengdu airport, with assistance available for your departure arrangements.

Your 10-day Sichuan journey comes to an end after experiencing Chengdu's giant pandas and local culture, Leshan's monumental Buddhist heritage, Wolong's panda conservation, and the spectacular alpine landscapes of Siguniangshan.