Highlights of Sichuan Tour (11 Days)

Day 1

Wed

Day 2

Thu

CHENGDU
Arrive Chengdu. Meet with our local partners and transfer to hotel directly. The rest of the day is free to adjust to the new time zone! If energy permits, drive to Wang Jiang Lou Park, where you can see over 100 species of bamboo and enjoy a cup of green tea in a tea place where there is competitive bird singing. You can also experience Mahjong, a kind of Chinese tiles game which is similar to the card game but much more exciting and exotic! Overnight Tibet Hotel Chengdu and buffet dinner at the hotel.

Day 3

Fri

Day 4

Sat

LESHAN GIANT BUDDHA
After breakfast and check-out, drive 2 hours to Leshan. Leshan Buddha, also known as Dà Fó, is the tallest stone Buddha statue in the world. The giant sculpture is carved out of a cliff face and lies at the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Quingyi rivers in southern Sichuan, near the city of Leshan. Dà Fó faces Mt Emei and has two rivers flowing below his feet.

In the afternoon, drive to Mt. Emei, one of the four sacred Buddhist Mountains in China. It is said that Mt. Emei derived its name from two peaks, which face each other and look like eyebrows. The whole mountain range extends over 200 kilometres in length and breadth. Ever since the introduction of Buddhism into China in the 1st century AD, Buddhist buildings have been built on the mountain. Now there are more than one hundred temples and monasteries. It is known as the place of Buddhist Rites of Puxian.

On arrival, explore Baguo and Fuhu temple before ascending the mountain and check-in at the Hotel Golden Summit. Rest of the day is free to explore or relax. Overnight Hotel Golden Summit.

Day 5

Sun

MT.EMEI
In the morning, if weather permits, you will have chance to see the amazing sunrise from the Golden Summit.  After breakfast, explore the rest of the summit. Like many a Chinese mountain, Emei is famous for its clouds and mists.

The classic experience occurs when layers of clouds gather between Jiulao Dong and Xi Xiang Chi (Elephant Bathing Pool). You see the clouds above, climb through them, then look down to see clouds billowing and surging at your feet like the sea. Of course, conditions aren';t always right!

You may also witness what the Chinese term "Buddha's Halo". This is when the sun shines through misty clouds, and you';re standing between the clouds and the sun, you can see your shadow outlined by a halo-shaped rainbow. In the late of afternoon, return to Chengdu. Overnight Tibet Hotel Chengdu

Day 6-7

Mon-Tue

JIUZHAIGOU VALLEY
Spend two days exploring the scenic areas of Jiuzhaigou to the full. The first stop, Mirror Lake, is located at the mouth of Ri Tse Valley. As indicated by its name, the lake has a mirror-like flat surface onto which every object - flowers, grasslands, forests as well as distant mountains - are reflected. A walk by the lake will explain a local saying - that birds fly in water while fish swim in the sky.

Afterwards, visit the Pearl Shoal Waterfall, so called as this gushing waterfall creates fine beads of pearl-like water drops. For the first day, you will explore the lower part of this park in Shu Zheng Valley and spend the next day resting or walking in the Ri Tse Valley. 2 Overnights at Gesang Hotel

Day 8
Wed

JIUZHAIGOU TO MAOXIAN
Depart Jiuzhaigou in the morning and head to Maoxian, a 300 kilometres (192 miles) journey which will take 6 hours. En route visit a Tibetan village where you can sample butter tea in a Tibetan village home, and visit the old Qing Dynasty garrison town of Songpan. En route, pass the mighty Min River and enjoy spectacular views of the rushing waters from the mountains.

You will arrive at Maoxian by late afternoon in time for some rest before dinner. Overnight Mao Xian Guibinlou Hotel

Day 9

Thu

MAOXIAN TO CHENGDU
After breakfast, visit Tao Ping, Tao Ping is a wonderful Qiang ethnic group village, and the origins of the village date back 2,000 years. You can enjoy a Qiang people’s lunch with a local family. After lunch, return to Chengdu, arriving late afternoon.

After dinner, optional visit to see a magic Sichuan Face Changing Show (see below) Overnight Tibet Hotel Chengdu.

Day 10

Fri

CHENGDU
Free day to explore the city on your own. Overnight Tibet Hotel Chengdu

Day 11

Sat

FLY TO UK
Transfer to airport for your flight back to the UK