This is a 7-day trip to Chengdu and Chongqing, allowing you to experience the unique charm of these two regions

Day 1: Arrive in Chengdu – First Taste of the “Land of Abundance”

– Morning: Arrive in Chengdu, check into a hotel near Chunxi Road, and settle in.
– Afternoon: Wander Kuanzhai Alleys, exploring late Qing-dynasty Sichuan-style courtyard houses. Experience local culture with a cup of gaiwan tea (traditional lidded cup tea) or watch a street performance of Sichuan opera face-changing (optional).
– Evening: Stroll Jinli Ancient Street, sampling snacks like fuqi feipian (spiced beef slices) and zhongshuijiao (boiled dumplings), and enjoy the street lit up by lanterns.

Day 2: Chengdu – Pandas & Cultural Immersion

– Morning: Visit Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Watch pandas (especially cubs) munching bamboo—arrive early to avoid crowds.
– Afternoon: Explore Sichuan Museum (with English audio guides) to learn about Bashu civilization. Later, relax at Heming Tea House in People’s Park, sipping tea and trying ear cleaning (a local tradition).
– Evening: Head to Kuixinglou Street or Wangping Street for Sichuan hotpot at a popular spot like Shujiuxiang.

Day 3: Around Chengdu – Qingcheng Mountain & Dujiangyan (World Heritage Sites)

– All Day: Join a day tour or drive to Dujiangyan, a 2,000-year-old irrigation project—marvel at the “Fish Mouth” water-diversion structure, a feat of ancient engineering. In the afternoon, hike Mount Qingcheng (“the most serene mountain under heaven”): take a cable car for panoramic views of lush forests, then walk along mountain trails.
– Evening: Return to Chengdu. Optional: Explore Jiuyanqiao Bar Street for nightlife.

Day 4: Chengdu → Chongqing (1.5 hrs by high-speed rail) – First Taste of the “Mountain City”

– Morning: Arrive in Chongqing, check into a hotel near Liberation Monument. Explore Liberation Monument Pedestrian Street (home to the iconic monument) and Bayi Food Street, trying snacks like suanlafen (spicy and sour vermicelli) and shancheng xiaotangyuan (mountain city sweet dumplings).
– Afternoon: Ride the Yangtze River Cable Car (“air bus”) across the river, enjoying views of the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers. Walk to Hongya Cave, admiring the stilted-building complex—its night view, lit up, resembles scenes from Spirited Away.
– Evening: Dine on local “river and lake” cuisine along Nanbin Road, with a view of Yuzhong Peninsula’s skyline.

Day 5: Chongqing – Urban Magic & History

– Morning: Visit Liziba Light Rail Station to watch trains pass through a residential building—a famous “3D city” spectacle. Walk to Eling Second Factory Cultural and Creative Park (a repurposed old factory, perfect for photos, with panoramic views of the mountain city).
– Afternoon: Explore Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum to learn about the Three Gorges Project and Bayu culture. Later, stroll Shancheng Trail, climbing old stone steps to experience the “vertical city” vibe of hills and alleys.
– Evening: Try barbecue and bingfen (ice jelly) at Jiaochangkou Night Market, soaking up the lively atmosphere.

Day 6: Chongqing → Wulong (1.5 hrs by high-speed rail) – Natural Wonders

– All Day: Explore Wulong Karst Tourist Area (a World Heritage Site):
– Morning: Hike through Tianxing Three Bridges (filming location for Transformers), admiring natural stone arches like Tianlong Bridge and Qinglong Gorge.
– Afternoon: Visit Fairy Mountain National Forest Park—enjoy summer coolness or winter skiing (season-dependent), ride horses, or take a small train to explore grasslands.
– Evening: Stay in Wulong or return to Chongqing.

Day 7: Wulong → Chongqing → Departure (7-Day Trip End)

– Morning: If time allows, explore Longshuixia Difeng (a deep canyon with pools and waterfalls, accessible via hiking trails), then head back to Chongqing.
– Afternoon: Depending on your flight time, pick up souvenirs like Chen Mahua (twisted fried dough) or hotpot seasoning at Ciqikou Ancient Town, then conclude your trip.

(Optional Days 8-10: Extend to Leshan & Mount Emei)

– Day 8: Chengdu → Leshan (1 hr by high-speed rail). Visit Leshan Giant Buddha, the world’s largest stone-carved Maitreya Buddha—view it from a boat or hike the riverside trail for an up-close look. Try Leshan’s famous qiaojiao niurou (crossing-bridge beef soup).
– Day 9: Leshan → Mount Emei (1.5 hrs by car). Take a scenic bus to Leidongping, then ride a cable car to the Golden Summit. Admire sea of clouds and “Buddha’s light” (if weather permits), and interact with wild macaques (stay cautious).
– Day 10: Mount Emei → Chengdu. Return to Chengdu and depart, wrapping up the trip.