Sample Itineraries
Sichuan Nature: 8 Days, Chengdu + Jiuzhaigou + Leshan
Giant pandas in Chengdu, the turquoise lakes of Jiuzhaigou and the Leshan Giant Buddha, linked by flights and some longer road legs.
- Duration
- 7 nights / 8 days
- Pace
- Moderate (2 of 4)
- Cities
- Chengdu → Jiuzhaigou → Leshan
- Best for
- Sichuan mountains and lakes, without a rushed pace
Who this route is for
This route suits travellers who want Sichuan's mountains and lakes without a park-only dash. Chengdu gives an easy start and the pandas, Jiuzhaigou gets enough time to adjust to the altitude and walk the valleys at a steady pace, and Leshan makes a quiet river finish. The pace is moderate, with early starts at the pandas and in the park, and a longer travel day back from Jiuzhaigou to Leshan.
Reference prices
Price checked: 23 October 2026
- Independent
- From $2,300per person
- Private Guided
- From $3,600per person
2026 reference prices · reference price for 2 travelers sharing · international flights not included
Season, hotel level and group size change the price; your consultant quotes the exact trip.
Compare what each level includesThe route
- 1. Chengdu2 nights
- 2. Jiuzhaigou3 nights
- 3. Leshan2 nights
Domestic flight
Domestic flight
Day by day
01
Arrive in Chengdu, tea and a slow start
Chengdu
Morning
Arrive at Chengdu airport and transfer to your hotel, with the morning kept clear in case of delayed flights.
Afternoon
Check in and rest, then walk to People's Park, a relaxed first look at local life.
Evening
Tea at a park teahouse, then an early dinner nearby and a good night's sleep.
02
Pandas early, a free afternoon
Chengdu
Morning
An early start at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, when the pandas are most active around feeding time.
Afternoon
Free time: rest at the hotel, wander the Wide and Narrow Alleys, or visit a museum, depending on your energy.
Evening
Dinner at a Sichuan restaurant, with milder dishes on offer if you prefer less chilli, and an early night before tomorrow's flight.
03
Fly to Jiuzhaigou, acclimatise
Jiuzhaigou
Morning
Flight from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou Huanglong airport, then about an hour and a half by road to your hotel near the park.
Afternoon
Check in and take it easy, since the area sits at roughly 2,000 to 3,000 metres; a short, flat stroll near the hotel is plenty.
Evening
A relaxed dinner with local Tibetan and Sichuan dishes, plenty of water, and an early night.
04
A full day among Jiuzhaigou's lakes
Jiuzhaigou
Morning
Enter the park early and ride the shuttle to the upper end of the Rize valley, then walk down at a comfortable pace past lakes and boardwalks.
Afternoon
Continue through the Shuzheng valley and its waterfalls, hopping on and off the shuttle whenever your legs ask for it.
Evening
Back at the hotel for a warm dinner and an early night; the walking adds up more than it feels.
05
A quieter valley day, or optional Huanglong
Jiuzhaigou
Morning
The default is a slower second pass through the quieter parts of the Jiuzhaigou valley. If you feel well at altitude, Huanglong is an optional full-day outing instead, roughly two to three hours each way by road, when seasonal access and weather allow.
Afternoon
On the valley option, a last lakeside walk, a village stop or a rest. On the Huanglong option, a steady walk past the terraced pools at over 3,000 metres, turning back whenever you need to.
Evening
Pack and have an early dinner before tomorrow's early start. Huanglong returns late, so it only suits those who feel strong.
06
Fly back to Chengdu, then road to Leshan
Leshan
Morning
Road transfer from your hotel to Jiuzhai Huanglong airport, about an hour and a half, then the flight to Chengdu.
Afternoon
Drive about two hours from Chengdu to Leshan, arriving mid to late afternoon depending on the flight. Check in, then take an easy walk by the river.
Evening
Dinner in town, perhaps bobo chicken or another Leshan local dish, then an early night after a long travel day.
07
The Leshan Giant Buddha
Leshan
Morning
Visit the Leshan Giant Buddha by boat for the view from the river, or on foot along the cliff path, whichever suits the crowds and your legs.
Afternoon
Explore the temples and quiet paths around the site, then return to town for a rest.
Evening
An easy evening in town, with a riverside stroll and a relaxed dinner.
08
Departure from Leshan
Leshan
Morning
A slow breakfast and a last walk by the river, with luggage ready for your transfer.
Afternoon
Transfer to Chengdu airport, about two hours by road and longer in heavy traffic, or take the train from Leshan station. This day suits a mid-afternoon or later flight, so allow generous time for the road and check-in.
Evening
Onward flight or train home, or to your next destination.
2026 reference prices
Two ways to take this route.
Your final price depends on hotels, car arrangements and what you ask for — usually a little above this, sometimes more.
Independent
From $2,300
per person · reference price for 2 travelers sharing · international flights not included
- Guide
- No full-time guide; add a guide for set times or sights
- Car
- On request
Private Guided
From $3,600
per person · reference price for 2 travelers sharing · international flights not included
- Guide
- English-speaking private guide throughout
- Car
- Private car throughout
Included on both
- Hotels selected by us, confirmed by you, usually with breakfast
- Transport inside China: high-speed rail, domestic flights and transfers, including 12306 handling
- Entrance tickets for the sights in your itinerary
- Restaurant bookings made ahead where China requires it
- 24h WhatsApp / WeChat support while you travel, plus the LocalKey app
Not included
- International flights — we can book them on request, quoted separately
- Visa fees — many passports can enter China visa-free. Check your passport
- Personal spending and shopping
- Travel insurance
Tipping is not customary in China. There are no tips in your price, and you do not need to tip anyone who looks after you during your trip.
Make it yours
Keep the shape. Change the details.
Every sample here can be shortened, stretched, or rebuilt around what you care about.
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Per person · reference price for 2 travelers sharing · international flights not included. Your final price depends on hotels, car arrangements and what you ask for — usually a little above this, sometimes more. 2026 reference prices.