8 Days Stunning Sichuan & Guilin In-depth Tour

Fulfill your panda dreams this morning with a short 17-kilometer drive north to the world-renowned Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Arriving early when the animals are most active, you will watch giant pandas of all ages munching on fresh bamboo, tumbling across green lawns, and climbing trees. Visit the Sunshine and Moonlight Nursery Houses to spot adorable panda cubs, and stroll through the Red Panda Playgrounds where inquisitive rust-colored pandas roam through bamboo thickets. Gain deeper insights into global conservation efforts at the on-site Panda Museum before heading into central Chengdu.

In the afternoon, step into the peaceful, incense-scented courtyards of Wenshu Monastery, Chengdu's best-preserved Qing-dynasty Buddhist sanctuary. Continue to Renmin Park to experience the famous slow-paced lifestyle of local residents. Sit at a traditional bamboo chair inside a time-honored open-air teahouse, sipping fragrant jasmine green tea while watching locals play mahjong, practice calligraphy, and socialize. Conclude your daytime tour along the lantern-lit cobblestone pathways of Jinli Old Street, a 1,800-year-old Shu Kingdom trade alley packed with traditional handicraft stalls, folk artists, and mouthwatering local street eats.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Expert Journey Insights:
Giant pandas prefer cooler morning temperatures and are most active during their breakfast feeding time around 08:30 to 10:00, making an early morning departure essential for the best viewing experience. Renmin Park teahouses offer an authentic glimpse into Chengdu's famous bamen (leisure) culture, where your guide can help you order traditional covered-bowl tea (gaiwan cha). Jinli Old Street is flat and very scannable on foot, offering endless opportunities to taste mild or spicy local snacks such as Dan Dan noodles and sweet water noodles.

Depart Chengdu on a comfortable two-hour drive south through lush Sichuan countryside to reach the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu, and Qingyi rivers at Leshan. Here stands the world-renowned Leshan Giant Buddha, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest stone-carved Buddha statue on Earth. Hand-carved directly into the sandstone cliff face over 1,200 years ago during the Tang Dynasty, this colossal 71-meter-tall Maitreya Buddha gazes serenely across the water. Follow the Nine-Bends Cliff Path as it winds down from the Buddha's head past carved niches and ancient shrines, allowing you to appreciate the monumental scale of his 7-meter ears and 8.5-meter big toes up close.

Following your exploration of the Giant Buddha, take a scenic 45-minute drive southwest toward the sacred slopes of Mount Emei, one of China's Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains. Arrive at Baoguo Temple, the largest and most historic monastery situated at the mountain's base. Stroll through tranquil, pine-shaded courtyards housing ancient bronze bells, intricate porcelain Buddhist statues, and tranquil incense-filled halls before checking into your hotel near the foot of Mount Emei for a peaceful evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Expert Journey Insights:
The Nine-Bends Cliff Path leading down the side of the Leshan Giant Buddha features narrow, steep stone steps that can become congested during peak hours. For travelers who prefer a gentler pace or wish to capture full-length panoramic photos of the entire 71-meter statue against the mountain backdrop, a 30-minute river cruise can be seamlessly arranged as an alternative viewing option. Baoguo Temple at the foot of Mount Emei is completely flat and easy to walk, offering a serene introduction to mountain temple architecture before resting for the night.

Embark on an unforgettable high-altitude adventure up Mount Emei, a UNESCO World Natural and Cultural Heritage site standing proudly at the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau. Board a scenic park shuttle bus winding through dense subtropical forests and mist-shrouded fir groves to Leidongping. From here, enjoy a invigorating 30-minute mountain walk through alpine flora to Jieyin Hall, where a swift cable car ride glides high above the clouds to deposit you directly onto the magnificent Golden Summit (3,077 meters).

At the summit, marvel at the awe-inspiring 48-meter-tall golden statue of the Multi-Embodied Samantabhadra Bodhisattva gleaming against the sky. Take in dramatic panoramic vistas over surrounding mountain ranges and, weather permitting, witness the mesmerizing "Sea of Clouds" rolling beneath the sheer cliff edges of the Sheshen Rock. Explore the ornate Huazang Temple and absorb the deep spiritual atmosphere of this sacred sanctuary before retracing your path down the mountain. Rejoin your private chauffeur at the base for a comfortable drive back to Chengdu for your evening stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Expert Journey Insights:
Reaching the Golden Summit at 3,077 meters altitude brings cooler temperatures year-round, so bringing a warm windproof jacket or fleece layer is strongly advised even during summer months. The walking segment between Leidongping and the cable car station involves paved stone staircases through forested terrain where wild Tibetan macaques frequently gather, so keeping food items sealed inside your daypack ensures a peaceful walk. Your guide and private driver will manage all mountain transit logistics smoothly, returning you to Chengdu in time for a relaxing dinner.

Enjoy a relaxing morning in Chengdu before your private driver escorts you to the airport for a scenic 2.5-hour flight southeast to Guilin, world-famous for its dramatic karst mountains and crystalline rivers. Upon landing, your local Guilin guide and personal driver will welcome you at the arrival hall and set off on a picturesque 2.5-hour mountain drive to the Longji Rice Terraces (Dragon's Backbone) in Longsheng. As you ascend into the lush, emerald hills populated by the Zhuang and Yao ethnic minorities, you will arrive at the entrance to historic Ping'an Village.

Step onto ancient stone pathways winding upward into a serene mountain village surrounded by centuries-old carved hillside terraces. Walk through the village alongside traditional wooden stilt houses, breathing in the crisp mountain air and taking in stunning sunset views across the cascading rice fields. After checking into your boutique village lodge, enjoy a peaceful evening at your own pace, sampling authentic regional specialties like bamboo-tube rice and local mountain tea.

Meals: Breakfast

Expert Journey Insights:
Vehicles are required to park at the Ping'an Village Tourist Center parking lot at the foot of the village, requiring a 20- to 30-minute stone-stair walk (approximately 900 steps) up to your mountain lodge. We strongly recommend packing a small overnight bag with your essentials for your time in the terraces, leaving heavy suitcases safely stored inside your private driver's vehicle or at the main mountain entrance. Local Zhuang porters are also readily available at the parking area to carry heavy luggage up the stone steps for a small fee if desired. Wearing sturdy walking shoes with good traction makes this village arrival effortless and enjoyable.

Greet the tranquil mountain morning as mist lifts over the quiet wooden rooftops of Ping'an Village. Early risers can head to prime village vantage points to witness a magnificent sunrise casting warm golden light across the endless tiers of the Longji Rice Terraces. Following a hearty breakfast, join your local guide for an unhurried morning hike along cobbled stone paths and mountain trails, discovering why these 600-year-old hand-carved agricultural wonders remain one of southern China's most breathtaking cultural landscapes.

Walk at a comfortable pace to famous elevated viewpoints, including Seven Stars with Moon and Nine Dragons and Five Tigers, where the sweeping curves of the terraces mirror the contours of the surrounding peaks. Capture unforgettable photos of the fields, which transform seasonally from shimmering mirror-like water pools in spring to lush green emerald waves in summer and brilliant golden hues in autumn. Learn about traditional Zhuang and Yao farming heritage and minority culture along the way before descending the village steps to meet your private driver for a scenic afternoon transfer back to your hotel in Guilin.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Expert Journey Insights:
Hiking through Ping'an Village involves well-maintained stone pathways and staircases, allowing you to tailor the walking distance to your physical comfort. The seasonal visual transitions of the terraces make this destination extraordinary year-round: water-flooded fields from mid-April to June reflect the sky like mirrors, verdant green crops blanket the hillsides from July to September, and golden harvest tones fill the landscape through autumn. Your private chauffeur will manage all baggage transfers from your mountain lodge back down to the vehicle, ensuring a smooth drive to Guilin.

Embark on one of the world's most celebrated waterway journeys this morning with a short drive to the pier for a scenic 4.5-hour Li River Cruise to Yangshuo. As your boat glides along this 84-kilometer ribbon of crystalline water, feast your eyes on landscape scenes straight out of a traditional Chinese scroll painting: soaring limestone karst spires, grazing water buffaloes, bamboo groves, and quiet fishing hamlets along the riverbanks. Pass iconic geographic landmarks including Yellow Cloth Shoal—the famous scenery depicted on the 20 RMB banknote—while enjoying a casual lunch onboard as the picturesque karst world unfolds around you.

Disembarking in Yangshuo, your private driver will escort you to your hotel for a short rest before setting off into the serene Yangshuo Countryside. Choose to explore the postcard-like karst valleys and rice paddies by bicycle, electric scooter, or private vehicle, passing rustic stone villages and tranquil riverbanks away from the crowds. Conclude your day with a leisurely stroll along historic West Street, Yangshuo's 1,400-year-old pedestrian heartland. Here, vibrant international cafes, traditional handicraft stalls, and bustling local eateries create an eclectic cultural fusion where you can sample regional specialties like famous Yangshuo Beer Fish.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Expert Journey Insights:
The 4.5-hour Li River cruise is completely flat and comfortable, providing spacious indoor seating and open-air top deck access for panoramic photography. Upon arrival at the Yangshuo pier, electric golf carts or short flat walks connect you directly to your private vehicle waiting outside the pedestrian zone. Exploring the countryside can be customized to your preference, whether you enjoy a gentle bicycle ride along paved rural trails or a relaxing drive through the karst valleys in your private vehicle. If you wish to enrich your evening, your guide can secure tickets for the magnificent "Impression Sanjie Liu" outdoor musical show staged directly on the Li River by director Zhang Yimou.

Bid farewell to the serene countryside of Yangshuo after breakfast as your private chauffeur escorts you on a comfortable one-hour drive back north to Guilin. Your city exploration begins at Elephant Trunk Hill, the iconic natural symbol of Guilin positioned majestically at the confluence of the Li River and Peach Blossom River. Admire this remarkable stone giant, which perfectly resembles a massive elephant lowering its trunk into the water to drink, while taking a peaceful walk through the surrounding riverside park and viewing historic cliffside carvings.

Next, venture beneath the earth to explore the spectacular Reed Flute Cave, a magnificent subterranean karst cavern formed over millions of years. Walk along well-paved interior pathways as vibrant, artistic illumination brings thousands of delicate stalactites, stalagmites, and stone pillars to life, creating the illusion of a glowing underground crystal palace. Following this final scenic excursion, your private guide and driver will escort you to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport or the high-speed railway station, ensuring a smooth transfer for your flight or bullet train connection as your unforgettable 8-day southwest China adventure comes to an end.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Expert Journey Insights:
Exploring Reed Flute Cave involves walking along flat, paved interior pathways with mild stone steps that are well-lit and accessible for travelers of all ages. Inside the cavern, temperatures remain pleasantly cool year-round, so having a light sweater or jacket on hand is ideal. Your private guide and chauffeur will manage your departure timing precisely around your flight or train schedule, keeping your luggage stored safely inside the vehicle throughout the morning so you can enjoy your final sightseeing hands-free.