Chengdu

Airport transfer(1-1.5 hours)

TFU express bus 18 CNY or metro. CTU: metro Line 10 direct. Taxi from TFU: 150-200 CNY

Jinli Ancient Street evening walk(2 hours)

Qing-dynasty pedestrian street alongside Wuhou Shrine. Red lanterns, shadow puppets, street food. Must-try: rabbit head (a Chengdu delicacy), san da pao rice balls, dragon wontons. Free entry, liveliest 5-10PM

Dinner at a Jinli chuan chuan xiang stall(1 hour)

Skewers dipped in spicy oil — grab whatever looks good off the rack, pay by stick count (0.5-2 CNY each). The spice level is real even at 'mild'. Keep yogurt handy

Chengdu Panda Base(3.5 hours)

Metro Line 3 to Panda Avenue. Arrive before 9AM — pandas are most active 8-10AM and nap all afternoon. The nursery (Aug-Dec) has baby pandas. Entry: 55 CNY. Do not pay for the 'holding a panda' photo — discontinued for animal welfare. Allow 3-4 hours

Lunch at Yulin neighborhood(1 hour)

Yulin is Chengdu's best food street. Try dan dan noodles (8 CNY) at any shop with a queue, or mapo tofu rice set (15 CNY) at a hole-in-the-wall

People's Park and Heming Teahouse(2 hours)

The heart of Chengdu's relaxed lifestyle. Sit at Heming Teahouse (tea 15-30 CNY), play mahjong or cards, get an ear cleaning (cai er, 30 CNY — a Chengdu tradition). On weekends, the Matchmaking Corner has parents posting dating profiles on umbrellas

Sichuan Opera face-changing show(1.5 hours)

Shufeng Yayun Opera House in Culture Park. Bian lian (face-changing) is Sichuan's signature — masks change in an eyeblink. 150-320 CNY, shows nightly 8PM

High-speed train to Leshan(1 hour)

From Chengdu East station. 54 CNY. Trains every 30 minutes

Leshan Giant Buddha(3-4 hours)

Entry: 80 CNY. Walk down the narrow staircase beside the 71m Buddha for the full scale — the queue takes 1-2 hours on weekends. The ears alone are 7m long. Or see from a river boat (70 CNY, 30 min) for a less exhausting view. The clifftop trail has river views

Lunch at a Leshan restaurant(1 hour)

Leshan is famous for its own style of spicy chicken (bobobo ji, or 'cold chicken with chili oil') — available at every restaurant near the Buddha. 30-50 CNY. The numbing sensation from Sichuan peppercorn is intense here

Hotpot dinner at Xiaolongkan(1.5 hours)

Authentic Sichuan hotpot chain. Order yuan yang pot (half spicy, half mild) for your first time. Budget 80-120 CNY/person. The numbing-spicy (mala) broth is Chengdu's edible identity

Wuhou Shrine (Marquis Wu Temple)(1.5 hours)

Entry: 50 CNY. A memorial to Zhuge Liang and the Shu Kingdom of the Three Kingdoms era (220-280 AD). The red wall corridor (hongqiang) between the shrine and Jinli Street is one of Chengdu's most photographed spots. Beautiful gardens

Wide and Narrow Alleys (Kuanzhai Xiangzi)(1.5 hours)

Three restored Qing-dynasty lanes — Wide Alley (traditional culture), Narrow Alley (food and art), Well Alley (nightlife). Beautifully restored but touristy. Good for photos and snacks. Free to walk. Avoid eating here — overpriced. Best for atmosphere and architecture

Lunch at Yulin Sichuan restaurant(1 hour)

Leave the tourist alleys and eat where locals eat. Yulin area restaurants serve authentic Sichuan: twice-cooked pork (huiguo rou, 28 CNY), kung pao chicken (gongbao jiding, 32 CNY), and dry-fried green beans (ganbian sijidou, 22 CNY)

Afternoon at Taikoo Li shopping district(1.5 hours)

Chengdu's sleekest shopping area around the IFS mall — the giant panda climbing the building is the icon. Good coffee at local chains. The preserved Daci Temple (free) sits incongruously among the luxury brands

High-speed train to Qingchengshan(30 minutes)

From Chengdu West station. 15 CNY. Trains every 20 minutes

Dujiangyan Irrigation System(1.5 hours)

Entry: 80 CNY. A 2,200-year-old water control system built without dams — still irrigating the Chengdu plain. The Yuzui fish-mouth levee and Feisha spillway are engineering marvels. Cross the swaying Anlan suspension bridge for views

Mount Qingcheng Front Mountain(3 hours)

Entry: 80 CNY. The birthplace of Taoism. Ancient temples connected by forested paths. Climb to the summit (1,260m, 3-4 hours round trip) or take the cable car (60 CNY round trip). The misty forests and incense-filled temples feel timeless

Evening: Chengdu craft beer at Harvest(1 hour)

Chengdu's craft beer scene is booming. Harvest Brewery near Yulin has excellent local IPAs (35-50 CNY/pint) in a converted warehouse

Sichuan cooking class(3 hours)

Several schools run half-day classes: Sichuan Cuisine Museum (200 CNY including transport, 30km from center) or local schools near Kuanzhai Xiangzi. Learn mapo tofu, kung pao chicken, and hand-pulled dan dan noodles. Includes market visit and the meal

Qingshi Bridge market walk(1 hour)

A working wet market with chili mountains, Sichuan peppercorn sacks, dried meats, and tofu shops. The smell of chili oil permeates everything. This is where Chengdu's flavors originate

Free afternoon(2 hours)

Rest, explore, or get a traditional Chinese massage (80-120 CNY/hour)

Dinner at Chengdu Hot Pot Museum Restaurant(2 hours)

A hot pot restaurant inside a museum about hot pot history. Entry to museum: free. Hot pot: 80-120 CNY/person. Learn the evolution of the communal pot while eating one

Morning at Du Fu Thatched Cottage(1.5 hours)

Entry: 50 CNY. The reconstructed home of the Tang dynasty poet Du Fu, set in beautiful gardens. A peaceful last morning among bamboo groves and lotus ponds. Du Fu wrote over 240 poems here during the 8th century

Last Sichuan meal — breakfast noodles(30 minutes)

Zhajiang mian (noodles with spicy bean paste) or sweet water noodles (tianshui mian) at any local shop. 8-15 CNY. One final hit of Sichuan mala

Airport transfer(1-1.5 hours)

Metro or express bus to TFU (18 CNY) or CTU (metro direct). Allow 3 hours for international flights

Jinli Street evening(2 hours)

Qing-dynasty street. Rabbit head, san da pao, dragon wontons. Free, liveliest 5-10PM

Chuan chuan xiang dinner(1 hour)

Skewers in spicy oil. 0.5-2 CNY/stick

Panda Base(3.5 hours)

Metro Line 3. Arrive before 9AM. Entry: 55 CNY. Nursery Aug-Dec

Yulin lunch(1 hour)

Dan dan noodles (8 CNY), mapo tofu set (15 CNY)

People's Park & Heming Teahouse(2 hours)

Tea 15-30 CNY, ear cleaning 30 CNY, matchmaking umbrellas on weekends

Face-changing opera(1.5 hours)

Shufeng Yayun. 150-320 CNY, nightly 8PM

Train to Leshan(1 hour)

54 CNY from Chengdu East

Giant Buddha(3-4 hours)

80 CNY. Staircase descent (1-2hr queue weekends) or boat view (70 CNY)

Leshan bobobo ji lunch(1 hour)

Cold chicken in chili oil. 30-50 CNY

Return + hotpot dinner(2.5 hours)

Xiaolongkan. Yuan yang pot. 80-120 CNY/person

Wuhou Shrine(1.5 hours)

50 CNY. Red wall corridor is the photo spot

Wide & Narrow Alleys(1.5 hours)

Three Qing lanes. Beautiful but touristy. Good for photos not food

Authentic Yulin lunch(1 hour)

Huiguo rou (28 CNY), gongbao jiding (32 CNY)

Taikoo Li & Daci Temple(1.5 hours)

IFS panda, shopping, free temple among luxury brands

Train to Qingchengshan(30 minutes)

15 CNY

Dujiangyan(1.5 hours)

80 CNY. 2,200-year-old system still working. Anlan suspension bridge

Mount Qingcheng(3 hours)

80 CNY. Taoist temples in misty forest. Cable car: 60 CNY round trip

Return + craft beer(1.5 hours)

Harvest Brewery. IPAs 35-50 CNY

Sichuan cooking class(3 hours)

200 CNY. Mapo tofu, kung pao chicken, dan dan noodles. Market visit included

Qingshi Bridge market(1 hour)

Chili mountains, peppercorn sacks, dried meats

Hot Pot Museum dinner(2 hours)

Free museum + hot pot (80-120 CNY/person)

Du Fu Thatched Cottage(1.5 hours)

50 CNY. Tang poet's gardens. Bamboo and lotus ponds

Afternoon mahjong at a teahouse(2 hours)

Join a mahjong table at any teahouse (tea: 15-30 CNY). Locals will teach you. This is Chengdu at its most authentic

Dinner at Chengdu Yinshi Jie (Food Street)(1.5 hours)

Jianshe Road food street. Dozens of stalls and small restaurants. Budget 30-50 CNY for a feast of small plates

Transfer to Sanxingdui(1 hour)

40km north of Chengdu. Bus from Xinnanmen station (22 CNY) or taxi (150 CNY)

Sanxingdui Museum(3 hours)

Entry: 72 CNY. The bronze masks (some with protruding eyes, some 1.3m wide), gold scepter, and bronze sacred tree (4m tall) are unlike anything else in Chinese archaeology. The civilization had no writing — everything is mystery. New discoveries still being excavated. Allow 2-3 hours minimum

Evening at Nine Eyes Bridge bar street(1.5 hours)

Chengdu's riverside nightlife strip. Live music bars, craft cocktails, and Sichuan-style tapas. The river reflections at night are photogenic. Beer from 25 CNY, cocktails 50-80 CNY

Option A: Fly to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport(1 hour)

Flights from CTU (500-800 CNY one way, 50 min). The airport is 3,900m — take altitude seriously. A taxi from the airport to Huanglong Valley is 200 CNY (1 hour)

Huanglong Valley(4 hours)

Entry: 200 CNY + cable car 80 CNY. Thousands of travertine pools in graduated blue, green, and gold. The Five-Color Pools at the summit are among China's most photographed natural wonders. Altitude: 3,500-3,900m — walk slowly

Option B: Stay in Chengdu — Chengdu Museum(3 hours)

If not flying: the free Chengdu Museum on Tianfu Square has excellent exhibits on Chengdu's 4,600-year history including shadow puppets and the Golden Sun Bird (city symbol)

High-speed train to Emeishan(1.5 hours)

From Chengdu East (65 CNY). The mountain is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Bus to Wannian Temple area(1 hour)

Local bus from Emeishan station to Wannian parking (20 CNY)

Hike from Wannian Temple to Qingyin Pavilion(3 hours)

Entry: 160 CNY. Cable car to Wannian Temple (65 CNY up) to see the 62-ton bronze Puxian Buddha. Then hike down through forest to Qingyin Pavilion — the trail passes through monkey territory (Tibetan macaques, aggressive — keep food hidden)

Stay overnight at Leidongping(Evening)

Basic mountain hotels at 2,400m (100-200 CNY). The pre-dawn climb to the summit starts from here. Bring warm layers — it drops to near-freezing at night even in summer

Pre-dawn hike to Golden Summit(2-3 hours)

Start at 3-4AM with a headlamp. The trail from Leidongping to Jinding is 6km of steep steps. Or take the cable car from Leidongping (65 CNY, starts at 6AM). The sunrise above a sea of clouds with the 48m gold and bronze Puxian statue is one of China's most sacred panoramas

Explore Golden Summit temples(1.5 hours)

The Huazang Temple (Golden Summit Temple) at 3,077m combines gold, silver, and bronze architecture. On clear days, you can see the legendary 'Buddha's Halo' — a circular rainbow in the clouds below

Descent and train back to Chengdu(3 hours)

Cable car down, bus to station, train to Chengdu. Arrival by late afternoon

Recovery dinner — Chengdu comfort food(1 hour)

After the mountain, treat yourself. Sweet water noodles (tianshui mian, 8 CNY) and a Chengdu-style clay pot (shaguo, 30-50 CNY) at any neighborhood restaurant

Eastern Suburb Memory (Dongwu Jiyi)(2 hours)

A converted factory complex (like Beijing's 798) with galleries, music venues, and street art. Free to wander. Near Chengdu East station. Home to several independent record labels and Chengdu's electronic music community

Lunch at a fly restaurant(1 hour)

'Fly restaurants' (cang ying guan) are tiny, no-frills shops with plastic stools and extraordinary food. Any packed 10-table place in Yulin or Wangping Street fits. Point at what others are eating. Never more than 20-30 CNY for a complete meal

Afternoon at Sichuan University area(1.5 hours)

The area around Sichuan University (Wangjiang Campus) has bookshops, cafes, and the Wangjiang Pavilion Park (20 CNY) with the world's largest collection of bamboo species

Live music at Little Bar (Xiao Jiuba)(2 hours)

Chengdu is China's live music capital. Little Bar near Yulin has nightly performances — everything from Sichuan folk to post-punk. Cover: 30-50 CNY including a drink. The audience dances

Option A: Panda volunteering(Half day)

The Dujiangyan Panda Base (separate from the Chengdu base, 50km away) offers volunteer programs: clean enclosures, prepare food, and observe up close. 700-800 CNY for a half day. Book well in advance through the base directly

Option B: Sichuan pepper farm visit(Half day)

Several farms in the hills around Chengdu offer tours showing how Sichuan peppercorn is grown, harvested, and processed. Ask your hotel to arrange — typically 200-300 CNY including transport and lunch

Option C: Revisit favorites(Full day)

Return to the teahouse, the noodle shop, the panda base, or anywhere that captured your heart

Farewell dinner — full Sichuan banquet(2 hours)

Yu's Family Kitchen (Yu Jia Chu Fang) for refined Sichuan — private dining in a courtyard, set menu 300-500 CNY. Or keep it real at your favorite fly restaurant. Both are perfect endings to two weeks in Chengdu

Last breakfast noodles(30 minutes)

Dan dan noodles or sweet water noodles. 8-15 CNY. The taste of Chengdu

Souvenir shopping(1 hour)

Sichuan peppercorn, chili bean paste (doubanjiang), and Chengdu-brand rabbit jerky make excellent gifts. Chunxi Road has vacuum-packed versions

Airport transfer(1-1.5 hours)

Metro or express bus to TFU (18 CNY) or CTU. Allow 3 hours for international flights

Jinli Street evening(2 hours)

Rabbit head, san da pao, lanterns. Free, liveliest 5-10PM

Chuan chuan xiang(1 hour)

Skewers in chili oil. 0.5-2 CNY/stick

Panda Base(3.5 hours)

55 CNY. Before 9AM. Nursery Aug-Dec

Yulin lunch(1 hour)

Dan dan noodles 8 CNY

People's Park teahouse(2 hours)

Tea 15-30 CNY, ear cleaning 30 CNY

Opera at Shufeng Yayun(1.5 hours)

150-320 CNY

Train to Leshan(1 hour)

54 CNY

Giant Buddha(3-4 hours)

80 CNY. Staircase or boat (70 CNY)

Return + hotpot(2.5 hours)

80-120 CNY/person

Wuhou Shrine(1.5 hours)

50 CNY

Train(30 minutes)

15 CNY

Dujiangyan(1.5 hours)

80 CNY

Mount Qingcheng(3 hours)

80 CNY. Cable car 60 CNY

Cooking class(3 hours)

200 CNY. Market visit, mapo tofu, kung pao chicken

Du Fu Thatched Cottage(1.5 hours)

50 CNY

Transfer(1 hour)

40km north. Bus 22 CNY

Museum(3 hours)

72 CNY. Bronze masks, gold scepter, sacred tree. No writing — pure mystery

Nine Eyes Bridge nightlife(1.5 hours)

Riverside bars, live music. Beer from 25 CNY

Train to Emeishan(1.5 hours)

65 CNY

Hike Wannian to Qingyin Pavilion(3 hours)

160 CNY park entry. Cable car: 65 CNY. Tibetan macaques on trail

Overnight at Leidongping(Evening)

Mountain hotel at 2,400m. 100-200 CNY. Bring warm layers

Pre-dawn hike(2-3 hours)

Start 3-4AM. Or cable car 65 CNY from 6AM

Golden Summit temples(1.5 hours)

48m gold Puxian statue. 'Buddha's Halo' on clear days

Recovery dinner(1 hour)

Sweet water noodles and clay pot comfort food

Eastern Suburb Memory(2 hours)

Converted factory. Galleries, music venues, street art. Free

Fly restaurant lunch(1 hour)

Tiny, packed, extraordinary food. 20-30 CNY complete meal

Sichuan University area(1.5 hours)

Bookshops, cafes, Wangjiang Bamboo Park (20 CNY)

Live music at Little Bar(2 hours)

30-50 CNY cover. Sichuan folk to post-punk

Transfer to Dujiangyan Panda Base(1.5 hours)

Separate from Chengdu base, 50km away

Panda volunteering(4 hours)

700-800 CNY. Clean enclosures, prepare food, observe. Book well in advance

Bus to Ya'an(2.5 hours)

From Xinnanmen station (50 CNY)

Bifengxia Panda Base(3 hours)

Entry: 150 CNY. Smaller, less crowded than Chengdu base. The gorge setting (waterfalls, forest) is more natural. Red pandas are easier to spot here

Bifengxia Gorge walk(1.5 hours)

The adjacent gorge has waterfalls and forest trails. Included in panda ticket. A beautiful counterpoint to the panda enclosures

Free morning(4 hours)

Sleep in. This trip is a marathon, not a sprint

Chengdu Museum(2 hours)

Free. Tianfu Square. 4,600 years of history. Golden Sun Bird symbol

Afternoon at Heming Teahouse(2 hours)

Return to the teahouse that defines Chengdu's pace. Sit, sip, watch

Fly to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport(1 hour)

500-800 CNY from CTU. Airport at 3,900m — altitude is real

Huanglong Valley(4 hours)

200 CNY + cable car 80 CNY. Thousands of blue-green-gold travertine pools. Five-Color Pools at summit. Walk slowly at 3,500-3,900m

Sichuan pepper farm tour(Half day)

200-300 CNY including transport, tour, lunch. See peppercorn trees, harvest demo, and cooking demonstration. The fresh green peppercorn buzz is completely different from dried

Countryside bike ride(2 hours)

Rent bikes at the farm or nearby village. Flat rice paddy roads through farming villages

Evening at Lan Kwai Fong bar district(1.5 hours)

Chengdu's version of the HK nightlife strip. More upscale than Nine Eyes Bridge. Cocktails 60-100 CNY

Metro + bus to Luodai(1 hour)

Metro Line 4 then bus (5 CNY). Or taxi 60 CNY

Luodai Ancient Town(3 hours)

Free entry. Hakka courtyard houses (tulou-style), the 1,000m Shu Han Old Street, and the Hakka Museum. Annual Fire Dragon festival (Feb) is spectacular. On weekdays you will have the town nearly to yourself

Hakka lunch(1 hour)

Hakka-style stuffed tofu, salt-baked chicken, and tea leaf eggs. 25-40 CNY at a courtyard restaurant

Train to Qingchengshan(30 minutes)

15 CNY

Back Mountain hike(5 hours)

Entry: 20 CNY. Far wilder than Front Mountain — waterfalls, suspension bridges over gorges, ancient forests. The full circuit to Cuiying Lake and Baiyun Temple takes 5-6 hours. Pack lunch and water. Fewer than 10% of visitors go here

Morning: Breakfast at Wenshu Temple area(1.5 hours)

Wenshu Temple (5 CNY) is Chengdu's most active Buddhist temple. The surrounding streets have the city's best breakfast stalls: longchaoshou (pork wontons in chili oil, 10 CNY), shou zhua bing (hand-grabbed pancakes, 8 CNY), and douhua (savory tofu pudding, 5 CNY)

Mid-morning: Specialty snack crawl(2 hours)

Walk from Wenshu to Kuanzhai area hitting: Zhong dumplings (8 CNY), egg-wrapped cakes (dan lie zi, 5 CNY), three cannon rice balls (san da pao, 8 CNY), and rabbit head (tu tou, 15 CNY — crack it open and eat the cheeks and brain)

Lunch: Full Sichuan banquet at Chen Mapo Tofu(1.5 hours)

The original mapo tofu restaurant (est. 1862). The mapo tofu (22 CNY) here is the authentic benchmark — fiery red oil, ground pork, silky tofu, and mouth-numbing peppercorn. Order boiled fish (shuizhu yu) and twice-cooked pork too

Dinner: Revisit your favorite hot pot(2 hours)

Hai Di Lao, Xiaolongkan, or Shu Jiuxiang — return to whichever captured your taste buds. This time you know what to order

Option A: Sichuan University botanical garden(2 hours)

The campus natural history museum and botanical garden are peaceful and rarely visited by tourists

Option B: Day trip to Zigong Dinosaur Museum(Full day)

2 hours south by train (60 CNY). One of the world's most important dinosaur fossil sites with skeletons displayed in situ. Entry: 42 CNY. Genuinely world-class paleontology

Option C: Slow Chengdu(Full day)

Tea, mahjong, stroll, noodles, repeat. The city's rhythm is the experience

Farewell dinner at Yu's Family Kitchen(2 hours)

300-500 CNY. Refined Sichuan in a private courtyard. The perfect goodbye

Last breakfast noodles(30 minutes)

Dan dan mian one more time. 8 CNY

Souvenir shopping(1 hour)

Doubanjiang, peppercorn, rabbit jerky. Vacuum-packed on Chunxi Road

Airport transfer(1-1.5 hours)

Express bus to TFU (18 CNY) or metro to CTU