Itinerary
Highlights
~ In-depth visits to Huanglong National Park and Jiuzhaigou National Park with walks & hikes.
~ Hike/Walk The Ancient Shu Roads; Jianmen Pass, Cuiyunlang, Chaoshoupu and Lanmaqiang.
~ Watch the original Han Culture Dining Show, Shu Yan Fu.
~ Visit Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding Centre.
~ Visit Wuhou Shrine and Jinli Old Street.
Day 1 Arrive Chengdu
Meet and greet upon arrival at Chengdu TianFu Airport. Transfer to hotel.
Meal: nil
Stay: 4* hotel, Chengdu
Day 2 Chengdu – Chuanzhusi
Our first long distance drive to the north of Sichuan Province, into Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture where the Jiuzhai Valley National Park is located.
Enroute, make a stop at Dujiangyan Irrigation System (都江堰水利工程), an impressive ancient water conservancy project that has stood the test of time. Originally built around 256 BC by the State of Qin during the Warring States Period, this ingenious system was designed for irrigation and flood control. Developed along the Min River (Minjiang), the longest tributary of the Yangtze, it has been continuously maintained and improved by successive dynasties. Remarkably, Dujiangyan remains fully operational even after more than 2,000 years, continuing to play a vital role in water management and agriculture to this day.
Today’s total driving hours is around 6 hours. You will be driven along expressway, country road highways that traverse altitudes between 1,000+ m and 3,000+ m above sea level.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: 4* hotel, Chuanzhusi
Day 3 Chuanzhusi – Huanglong National Park – Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area
Huanglong National Park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992, recognised for its breathtaking travertine formations, cascading waterfalls, limestone landscapes, and stunning terraced lakes. The valley is adorned with vast golden-hued travertine landforms that resemble a winding yellow dragon, giving rise to its name, Huanglong (Yellow Dragon). This mesmerising scenery is the result of thousands of years of geological evolution, shaped by glacial activity, tectonic movements, chemical reactions, and climate changes.
Take the cable to the upper section of Huanglong Valley. Then, walk down the valley visiting the attractions one by one until the foot of the valley. Be prepared to walk around 7 – 12 KM or more, descending along the gentle slope valley on well paved walking paths or boardwalks, with occasional short flights of stairs.
Some of the must-see sites are:
Five-Colour Pool (五彩池) – located at the altitude of 3,576 metres, the pool is the largest-scale of outdoor colourful travertine ponds in the world. It has 693 small ponds, covers more than 21,000 square metres. Looked from afar, the ponds are like many jade slices.
Huanglong Ancient Temple (黄龙古寺) – this Taoist temple has a history of more than 600 years. This temple is a great background for taking full views of the Five-Colour Pool.
Rhododendron Forest (杜鹃林) – see vast forests and many species of Rhododendron in Huanglong Valley.
Huanglong Temple (黄龙寺) – this temple was originally built in Ming Dynasty. Enjoy great scenery of wild forest here.
Rhododendron Pool (娑萝映彩池) – this pool consists of more than 400 ponds. The best highlight here is the vast and different colours of rhododendron’s flower or leaves reflecting in the water.
Zhengyan Pool (争艳池) – the second largest group of colorful ponds in Huanglong Valley. It has 658 small ponds, covering more than 20,000 square metres. It is famous for its hundreds unique and beautiful shapes of ponds which reflect different colour under sunlight.
Bonsai Pool (盆景池) – there are 330 colourful small ponds, together with the trees, flowers, rhizomes, forms a natural Chinese bonsai and create a beautiful natural wonder.
Jin Sha Pu Di (金沙铺地) – a travertine slope which is more than 1,300 metrs long and 40-122 metres wide. According to records, it is the largest, longest and most functional and colourful among its kind in the world. Watching from afar, one will find the slope is looking like the Yellow Dragon.
Lotus Waterfall (莲台飞瀑) – a 167 metres long waterfall drops on a yellow travertine slope which is shaped like a lotus throne.
Lianyan Lake (潋滟湖) – located at altitude of 3,251 metres, this lake covers more than 2,000 square metres, has water as clean as mirror. It is the only lake in Huanglong Valley.
Flying Waterfall (飞瀑流辉) – because of its tens of layers on its sloppy cliffs, water seems to fly out from the forest. During sunny days, the sunlight shines through the waters, and reflects different colours.
Welcome Pool (迎宾池) – at the entrance of the gate. The Welcome Pool comprises of 350 small ponds with different shapes stacking one after one, with streams flow from upper ponds to lower ponds like welcoming the guests.
Thereafter, transfer to Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: 4* hotel, Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area
Hiking Distance: 7 – 12 KM approx.
Day 4 Jiuzhaigou National Park
Jiuzhaigou, meaning “Nine Settlement Valley,” is named after the nine Tibetan villages scattered throughout its length. For centuries, this remote region was home to Tibetan and Qiang communities, remaining largely unknown to the outside world until 1975. Extensive logging threatened its pristine beauty until 1979, when the Chinese government banned deforestation and designated it as a national park in 1982.
Nestled within the Min Mountains on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau, Jiuzhaigou spans an impressive 72,000 hectares, with elevations ranging from 2,000 to 4,800 meters. The park is renowned for its diverse forest ecosystems, cascading multi-tiered waterfalls, crystal-clear blue and green lakes, and majestic snow-capped peaks. Recognized for its breathtaking natural beauty, Jiuzhaigou was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.
Jiuzhaigou is a Y-shaped valley with three main sections: the Zechawa (left line), Rize (right line), and Shuzheng (middle line) valleys. Take the electric bus to the upper section of Rize Valley. Then, walk down the valley visiting the attractions one by one until Nuorilang Rest Stop. If time permits, we walk Zechawa Valley, then Shuzheng Valley.
Be prepared to walk around 12 – 18 KM or more, descending along the gentle slope valley on well paved walking paths or boardwalks, with occasional short flights of stairs.
Some of the must-see sites are:
Along the Rize Valley,
Walk from the Primeval Forest (原始森林) to Swan Lake (天鹅海)(approx. 3 KM), and see breathtaking views of the glacial lakes and wetlands.
Panda Lake (熊猫海) & Panda Waterfall (熊猫海瀑布) – the crystal clear water accompanied by the snowcapped mountain peaks and blues skies set the scene for where Jiuzhaigou Valley’s giant pandas are believed to come to drink, play and look for food long time ago.
Five Flower Lake (五花海) – considered the essence of Jiuzhaigou. It is regarded as one of the wonders due to its breathtaking colours which are a result of its lake-bottom travertine and colourful algae. The colours are formed by unevenly distributed submerged plants and its autumn reflections are a spectacular display of nature with intense colour combinations of the trees reflected on the water surface.
Pearl Shoal Waterfall (珍珠滩瀑布) – the most beautiful waterfall system in Jiuzhaigou, with a limestone cliff which water streams over come together and form the Pearl Waterfalls which are over 300 metres wide.
Mirror Lake (镜海) – the best place to view the reflections.
If time permits, along the Zechawa Valley,
Long Lake (长海) – the largest lake in the region. Enjoy splendid views of a crystal-clear lake stretching toward the distant snowy mountains. The scenery is especially beautiful on sunny days when the reflections of the snowcapped peaks glitter on the lake’s surface.
Five-Colour Lake (五彩池) – the smallest of the lakes but one of the most colorful and beautiful lakes in Jiuzhaigou Valley.
Along the Shuzheng Valley,
Nuorilang Waterfall (诺日朗瀑布)– the largest waterfall in Jiuzhaigou. To get a full panoramic view of the falls, is to be in front of the waterfall with some steep stairs climb.
Shuzheng Terrace Waterfalls (树正瀑布) & Shuzheng Lakes (树正群海) – the best place to view the colourful forest. To view the entire Shuzheng Lakes area, you may ascend the stairs for about 500 metres to the right of the white pagodas in Shuzheng Village.
Hike from Shuanglong Lake(双龙海) to Penjing Shoal (盆景滩) which offers a beautiful and less crowded walking route of around 3 KM.
Reed Lake (芦苇海) – a hidden gem with clear turquoise brook surrounded by large areas of reeds that enhance its beauty.
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner
Stay: 4* hotel, Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area
Hiking Distance: 10 – 18 KM approx.
Day 5 Jiuzhaigou – Jianmen Pass
Our second and final long-distance drive today. Sit back, rest and relax, enjoy the mountainous scenery as we travel through the provinces of Sichuan and Gansu, returning to Sichuan again.
Today’s total driving hours is around 7 hours. You will be driven along expressway and country road highways.
Unwind in the comfort of your smart room for the next 2 nights, where your balcony features a hot spring dip pool—perfect for soaking in serenity.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: 4* hotel, Jianmen Pass
Day 6 Jianmen Pass
The Ancient Shu Roads (蜀道) form a vast network spanning over 1,000 kilometres, connecting present-day Xi’an and Chengdu across the rugged Qinling and Daba Mountains. Built more than 2,000 years ago, these roads stand as a remarkable testament to ancient Chinese engineering and the early postal system.
With a history dating back 3,000 years, many of these towns and fortresses gained legendary status, particularly during the Three Kingdoms period (around 1,800 years ago). Among them, Jianmenguan Fortress (Jianmen Fortress) is the most renowned, often hailed as the greatest stronghold along the Ancient Shu Roads.
Jianmen Pass 剑门关 – known as the No.1 Impregnable Pass in the World, has been a vital military stronghold for over 1,700 years. An old saying goes, “Conquering Jianmen Pass means conquering Sichuan,” highlighting its strategic importance as a natural defense for the region.
During the Three Kingdoms period, Zhuge Liang, the prime minister of Shu Han, recognized the steep and narrow terrain of Dajian Mountain as an ideal defensive position. He ordered his men to carve through the rock, build a stone gate, and establish the pass to protect Shu Han. As one of China’s four great ancient passes, Jianmen Pass became a fiercely contested battleground, with its pass tower repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt throughout history.
Hike up (+ 150 M) to the viewing platform, standing at 1,163 M on the main peak of Dajian Mountain for a panoramic view of the surrounding mountainous terrain, descend via the narrow Bird’s Path (鸟道). Then further descend towards Guanlou (关楼) and finally, a gentle walk brings us back to our accommodation.
Cuiyunlang 翠云廊 – is a historic section of the ancient Shu Road, a vast network of roads winding through rugged mountains and crossing swift streams to connect present-day Sichuan with the northern Guanzhong Plain, the heartland of ancient China. It stands as a remarkable testament to China’s road development and evolution.
Walk along a section of Cuiyunlang that lined with approximately thousands of ancient cypress trees—some over 1,000 years old, with the oldest dating back around 2,300 years. Cuiyunlang holds the record for the longest-standing and most extensive collection of ancient trees along a man-made pathway. The road was first constructed under Qin Shi Huang after he unified China, with rows of pine and cypress trees planted to symbolize imperial grandeur. A second large-scale planting took place during the governance of Zhang Fei in Baxi (now Langzhong City), further solidifying Cuiyunlang’s historical and cultural significance.
Today’s walking paths mainly comprise of well paved cobbled stones trails with occasional short flights of steps over generally flat terrain. Except along Bird’s Path on hard gravel path.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: 4* hotel, Jianmen Pass
Hiking Distance: 6 – 8 KM approx.
Day 7 Jianmen Pass – The Ancient Shu Roads – Langzhong
It will be an early start today.
A short transfer to Hanyang which is the entry point to one of the best-preserved, authentic walking trails of the Ancient Shu Roads. Hike along a section on good and well-preserved Ancient Shu Roads to Chaoshoupu (抄手铺) (approx. 8 KM).
A short transfer to Liangshanpu (凉山铺), continue our hike from here to Lanmaqiang (拦马墙)(approx. 5 KM).
Then transfer to Langzhong.
Today’s walking paths mainly comprise of well paved stoned trails, carefully maintained nature trails over generally flat terrain.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: 4* hotel, Lanzhong City
Hiking Distance: 13 KM approx.
Day 8 Langzhong – Chengdu
Visit Langzhong Ancient City (阆中古城), one of the 4 Great Old Towns in China and a very historical old town that worth to visit.
Langzhong, formerly known as Baoning, has been a key military stronghold for over 2,300 years. Deeply intertwined with the legacy of the Three Kingdoms period, it holds great historical significance as the garrison of Zhang Fei, the revered general and sworn brother of Shu King Liu Bei. Zhang Fei defended Langzhong for seven years, and after his death, he was buried here.
Beyond its military importance, Langzhong served as the cultural, political, economic, and administrative center of Northern Sichuan for many dynasties. During the Ming and Qing periods, it even functioned as the provincial capital of Sichuan for several decades. The city is also celebrated as the birthplace of Chinese New Year, as it was here that China’s first complete calendar was created, formally defining the start and end of the year.
Nestled along the Jialing River on three sides, Langzhong was meticulously designed according to feng shui principles, preserving its harmonious ancient cityscape. Among its historical treasures is the only fully intact Provincial Examination House from the Qing Dynasty, a rare and well-preserved site that offers insight into the imperial examination system used to select government officials. Exploring the city’s traditional siheyuan (quadrangle dwellings) provides a fascinating glimpse into this ancient academic and cultural tradition.
Thereafter, continue the journey to Chengdu.
Enjoy an original Han culture dining show, Shu Yan Fu Highlight Dinner (蜀宴赋), that integrates music and dance performance, artistic lights, and dining experience. Shu Yan Fu uses Han culture as the creative background, traces the origin of traditional Chinese banquet etiquette, leverages the historical context and integrated development of Sichuan cuisine culture, and uses professional-level stage art and dance show visual technology to create a panoramic immersive concept dining show experience scene.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Highlight Dinner
Stay: 4* hotel, Chengdu
Day 9 Chengdu
Our morning visit must be the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (成都大熊猫繁育研究基地)! It serves as the world’s prominent institution for giant panda conservation, scientific research and breeding, popular science education, and cultural tourism. The Panda Base is also a sanctuary for giant pandas, red pandas, and other endangered wild animals exclusive to China. The environment within the sprawling area is breathtaking with forested paths. Visit the various sanctuaries as we hop-on, hop-off the electric tram car.
Return to the city and visit Wuhou Shrine (武侯祠) – the only shrine (temple) in China that worships both the emperor and his ministers. It consists of the Wuhou Temple (Zhuge Liang’s special temple), the Han Zhaolie Temple (worshipped Liu Bei, Emperor Zhaolie of Han), and the Huiling Mausoleum (Liu Bei’s mausoleum). Commonly, they are collectively referred as the Wuhou Shrine (Temple).
Then to Jinli Old Street (锦里古街) – the biggest traditional, ancient street in Chengdu. Jinli is a place for local food, see traditional houses and shops. It is a good place to wander around and there is free time to explore at leisure.
Tonight, enjoy an authentic Sichuan hotpot dinner in the city of Chengdu.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Celebration Dinner
Stay: 4* hotel, Chengdu
Day 10 Depart Chengdu
Group transfer to Chengdu TianFu Airport and the tour concludes.
Meal: Breakfast.