The Mystical Mt. Emei and Jiuzhaigou
7-Day Chengdu, Mount Emei and Jiuzhaigou Scenic Tour
Taste a world of difference as you travel to China's southwest corridor. In 7 short days, be amazed by the charms of the mystical Mount Emei, by the scenery in Jiuzhaigou Valley and by China's mascot – the panda.
Special Note:
1. Jiuzhaigou National Park has reopened to visitors on May 02.(Unpdated on May. 06.2021)
2. Currently, this tour is only available for expats in China.
3. Customers to visit Jiuzhaigou would need to provide following documents: green code, resident permit and work permit.
Highlights
- Meet the lovely pandas at the Panda Breeding and Research Center
- Witness the largest Buddha statue in the world in Leshan
- Relax via a walk on Mount Emei, one of China's most famous Buddhist mountains
- Stroll alongside the streams, waterfalls, and limestone landscapes in the Huanglong Scenic Area
- Enjoy the breathtaking views of the Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area
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98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+
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Fantastic Chengdu family visit
We explored wonderful Chengdu and surroundings in 4 days. City tour in a relaxed way with delicious local snacks, really nice! Spectacular new dinosaur museum, Dujiangyan (combined Panda and dam in one outing, very recommendable), Leshan Buddha. All above super cool with the kids (ours are 7 and 4). Emei Shan impressive, maybe a little long driving to explore it and watch out for the hotels there, not all are nice and in the town itself there is nothing. But we were blessed with perfect weather on the top and perfect views. Eating hot pot is spectacular in Chengdu, but watch out how spicy it can be. Michael is just a perfect tour guide! He speaks super fluent German and has a very relaxed and competent style of explaining, which made the whole tour so nice. We love Chengdu and will definitely come back! more
Apr 2023,
Stefan P
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Giant Pandas - Giant Buddha - Mount Emei
We had a wonderful 3 days in Chengdu area,visiting the Panda breeding Center, Leshan Giant Buddha and hiking at Mount Emei.We have been travelling several times with Chinahighlights and everything was well organised as usual. Our guide Michael (fluent in English and German) was great showing us the beauty of Sichuan. We can highly recommend travelling with him and Chinahighlights. more
Mar 2023,
steffenwet
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Two amazing tours
Both tours were led by excellent guides who knew a lot about everywhere we went, and were very helpful and friendly. The agent was equally helpful and quick in responding to questions which was ,especially in covid restrictions time, extremely convenient. more
Jul 2022,
Elizabeth
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Panda Keeper for a Day at Dujianyan Sichuan
This is was the second time that we had signed up for the program Panda Keeper for a Day, this time at the Dujianyan Panda Base, about 1 hour drive away from Chengdu. Great experience again. We will surely do it once again. more
Mar 2022,
Thomas
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Amazing Tibet experience in Sichuan
Henry was an informative guide who went out of his way to ensure positive experiences. Mr Wu was not only a safe and attentive driver on sometimes rough roads but also a great photographer, capturing shots of us as we toured. Henry went out of his way to talk to anyone around to help bring the place alive through stories so we had the opportunity to meet so many locals, real people, and hear about their lives. Another highlight was the opportunity to climb a 1000 year old watchtower in Danba and meet the local family who managed it. Truly magical. Henry was also a consummate foodie who provided us with great local food recommendations along the way. more
Jul 2021,
Deborah J
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Amazing visit to panda bases in Chengdu and Woolong
Jason was terrific; he understood our interests in pandas and he made our outings very enjoyable. We plan to return to Chengdu to visit pandas and will be asking for Jason again. more
Dec 2019,
victoriadH3461ED
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Panda heaven
We have just completed the Chengdu leg of our trip to China organised by Robert Hui at China Highlights. Our Guide for the 2 Day trip was Daisy Du who made us feel very welcome and helped us check in and ensured our rooms were satisfactory then gave us directions of where to go for the best food. The next day Daisy took us straight to the Giant Panda Breeding and Research centre. It was fantastic to see the Pandas so close. It’s a little sad that they are in captivity but it is essential to increase the breeding rate and so save these wonderful animals from extinction. We saw Pandas of all ages and sizes including a tiny little baby that was only 36 day old. After an extremely tasty lunch picked for us by Daisy she then took us into the people’s park and showed us the tea houses and dating area where parents can advertise their single ‘30 something’ children to potential partners. The day ended with a wander around Jinli Old Street where you can buy anything from food to souvenirs to furniture. We have had the best time in Chengdu helped no end by the friendly, helpfulness of our guide Daisy who knew all the best places to go and sights to see. Thank you Daisy, a great time was had by all. ---jayne_Stu Halifax, United Kingdom more
Nov 2019,
jayne_Stu
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Wonderful Chengdu tour with Jason
With other two friends I have visited Chengdu in September 2018 and our tour guide was Jason, who has been really amazing with us.He had the smart idea to bring us to the Pandas reserve very early in order to avoid the crowds, even if we were visiting Chengdu right during the Chinese national holidays.After the Pandas reserve, we visited the tea park and the city centre, where Jason could give us a lot of information about Chengdu. Jason gave us also very nice suggestions about places to visit in the evenings during our free time. Totally recommended!!! ---Vittorio C Berlin, Germany more
Nov 2019,
Vittorio C
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Cecelia is your guide in Chengdu
We had a great time in Chengdu seeing the pandas and other excursions. Cecelia, our guide, picked us up with a bag of fruit and a wealth of knowledge. She took great care of us, got us through lines quickly and brought us to great restaurants. We even took a cooking class. Highly recommend her. --Robert D,Seattle, Washington, US more
Oct 2019,
Robert D
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Chengdu and Wolong Panda base with Aaron
Aaron picked us up from the airport and drove us straight to the Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center. We had a very enjoyable time touring the Research Center with Aaron. Even though he has probably been to the research center many times he seemed just as excited to see them as we were. Especially the babies! The next morning we headed to the Wolong Panda Base with a stop at the 2008 Earthquake memorial site. We had a great lunch in the small town of Gengda and then went on a hike in the Dengsheng Gorge with a local guide. The next day we did the panda keeper program which entailed cleaning cages (inside and out), feeding pandas, making panda cakes, watching a film about the program and walking around the base looking at the many pandas. After the program we drove back to Chengdu. While we were working Aaron took some great pictures of us cleaning and feeding the pandas. The next morning tour guide Snow took us to the train station. Aaron was such fun to be around, he spoke English wonderfully and gave us great info about the pandas. ---Cougfan Auburn, Washington, US more
Oct 2019,
Cougfan
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Panda keeper program
Had a wonderful time on the panda keeper program which we booked through China Highlights. We generally avoid doing organised tours whenever possible as we prefer to do our own thing. Cecilia was our guide for the day and quickly made us feel at ease in her company she was interesting, knowledgeable and enthusiastic everything you want in a guide. The whole day was great and Cecilia certainly enhanced the experience, she took lots of photos for us throughout the day which was brilliant as it’s difficult getting photos together, she also provided us with buckwheat tea and biscuits which was a lovely touch. A big thank you to Cecilia. --Maria & Peter Foulger more
Sep 2019,
Mariafoulger
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During this whole trip, at anytime , if we need to modify our schedule or activities, Aaron and the driver can accommodate. They are friendly, knowledgeable, good communicator, flexible, and dedicated to making sure our needs are met. Aaron, thanks for making this an unforgettable trip for us! --Venture114992 more
Sep 2019,
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Suggested Itinerary
Hotel in Chengdu: Sofitel Chengdu Taihe (5-star)/Tibet Hotel Chengdu (4-star)
Your tour guide will be waiting in the arrivals hall of the airport with a name plate and a welcoming smile. You will be transferred to your hotel by private car and driver, and your tour guide will help you check-in and ensure everything is okay at the hotel.
Optional Activity:
Shufengyayun Tea House has a history of more than 100 years. It's an ideal place for experiencing local arts. The variety performance there (8-9pm) consists of various traditional Sichuan exhibitions: face changing, spitting fire, hand shadows, puppet show, dancing, singing and acrobatics. Have a cup of tea and enjoy a musical, colorful and magical night. It's recommended to book with your guide a day before, or on the day for extra flexibility.
Sichuan OperaMeals: breakfast & lunch
In the morning you will visit the Giant Panda Breeding and Research Center located about 10 kilometers (six miles) north of Chengdu. There you will see giant pandas at rest or play among the bamboo groves. The giant panda museum will allow you to learn more about this cute black-and-white animal.
Lunch is served at a Chinese restaurant with Sichuan-style dishes. You can order less-spicy dishes or ask for no spices at all, according to your preference.
In the afternoon, you will discover attractions in the Chengdu urban area. People's Park is a spiritual haven for the city's citizens amidst the bustle of downtown. Have a cup of tea in tea house is a traditional custom for Chengdu people. Jinli Ancient Street is one of the most ancient streets in Southwest China. You can stroll along and discover stalls selling local arts and crafts, traditional Chinese goods, and local delicacies, all in front of rows of ancient buildings built in the style of the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911 AD).
Tip for getting to meet baby pandas:
For Chinese tourists, the Stone Forest Park is a must-see attraction; therefore, the March to May is the mating season for pandas. If you visit the Panda Breeding and Research Center between late August and December, you will have a greater chance of seeing tiny newborns in the Sunshine Nursery House.
The Giant Panda at Giant Panda Breeding and Research CenterMeals: breakfast & lunch
Hotel in Emeishan City: Hongzhushan Hotel
You will be driven in about two hours to Leshan City in the morning. After a short break and lunch, you will begin your journey to the Giant Buddha.
Listed in 1992 as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Giant Buddha in Leshan is 71 meters tall and has the largest inscription on a precipice in the world. It was cut during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD) and took 90 years to complete. Besides climbing up to gain a Lilliputian view of the Giant Buddha, you will also go on a cruise to take a look at the huge inscription.
After the tour, you will be escorted to a hotel near Mount Emei, which is about 31 kilometers (19 miles) from Leshan City.
Tips for Accommodation Near Mount Emei:
Due to limited options and humid weather on Mount Emei, the conditions and services at hotels there are quite basic; but China Highlights has carefully selected the best hotel available, based on criteria like hotel environment, location, service, and previous customer feedback. Your guide will accompany you to see your room. If you are dissatisfied and there are other rooms available, your guide will be happy to assist you with changing rooms.
The Giant BuddhaMeals: breakfast & lunch
Hotel in Chengdu: Sofitel Chengdu Taihe (5-star)/Tibet Hotel Chengdu (4-star)
You will spend a full day visiting Mount Emei, which is another UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the four famous Buddhist mountains in China. By taking a public sightseeing bus at the entrance, you will arrive in 30 minutes at the parking lot of the Monastery of Ten Thousand Years. Jump on a cable car to go up to the monastery in relaxed style in just 10 minutes, without wasting any time.
The Monastery of Ten Thousand Years is the largest and oldest monastery on Mount Emei. After seeing the monastery, you may choose to have a relaxing 2-hour walk to the Monkey Eco-Area. If you are not a fan of walking, we can arrange a cable car down to conserve your energy. Your guide and driver will escort you back to the hotel in Chengdu after the tour. You can rest during the 3-hour drive.
Mount EmeiMeals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Hotel in Jiuzhaigou: Sheraton Jiuzhaigou Resort (5-star)/Jiuzhaigou Mingren Hotel (4-star)
Your private guide and driver in Chengdu will accompany you to the airport this morning. It takes about an hour to fly from Chengdu to Jiuhuang Airport. You will be picked up and transferred to a restaurant for lunch. After lunch, start your visit to Huanglong.
The Huanglong Scenic Area, the best-preserved plateau wetland in China, is neighbor to Jiuzhaigou. Its four highlights are colorful pools, snowcapped mountains, verdant forests, and peaceful valleys. The chairlift going up is included to save you time and energy. You can walk back down through the scenic area to enjoy the views at a relaxing pace.
After the tour, your guide and driver will escort you to a hotel near Jiuzhaigou (about two hours' drive), where you'll enjoy a local dinner.
Note on Dining:
The restaurant options in Jiuzhaigou are quite limited, so dinner is recommended and included in your hotel.
The Huanglong Scenic AreaMeals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
After breakfast in the hotel, you will spend most of the day exploring the Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area, a wonderland named for its nine Tibetan villages (‘jiu zhai' is Chinese for ‘nine villages'). The valley (‘gou') winds its way across some 80 kilometers and covers an area of 720 square kilometers. Depending on your schedule, you will visit its three main ravines: Shuzheng Valley, Rize Valley, and Zechawa Valley. Private vehicles are not allowed inside, so your guide will accompany you on a public bus which tours around the area.
You will appreciate the picturesque natural scenery with clear alpine lakes, overlapping waterfalls, colorful forests, snowcapped mountains, Tibetan customs, and blue ice. Have your camera at the ready. A buffet lunch is provided in the Nuorilang Restaurant, the only restaurant in the Jiuzhaigou area. Alternatively if you prefer, we can arrange a picnic lunch for you.
At the end of the tour, your guide and driver will transfer you back to the hotel for dinner.
Tips for Visiting Jiuzhaigou:
Go early: The area opens at 7am. Get to the park as early as possible not only to have more time there, but also to avoid the tour-group crowds.
Go up first: The most spectacular scenery is at the higher parts of the scenic area. You will see the highlights first if you take the public shuttle bus to the top and walk or ride down. Head first either to Swan Lake or to Long Lake, then go down to the Nuorilang junction, then go up the other fork. Later in the day, you can see the lakes between Nuorilang and the entrance.
The Fall Colors of Jiuzhaigou AlleyMeals: breakfast
Your private guide and driver will wait for you in your hotel lobby after breakfast. They will accompany you to the airport and help you check-in for your next destination.
Suggestion for Departure Flight:
Apart from Chengdu, you can fly from Jiuzhaigou to Chongqing and Xian. Sometimes the discount of flights to Chongqing and Xian is even better. If you would like us to book the departure flight, please inform your preference of the arrival city and we will check the best price for you.
Trip Notes
1. Tailoring Your Private Tour
This tour is very flexible. Your can alter the itinerary, and extend or shorten it to suit your price, interest, and schedule. Feel free to tell us your requirements, and we will be happy to help you arrange a tour using our professional knowledge and experience. We promise a "No Shopping Policy".
2. Possible altitude sickness
At Jiuzhaigou, the altitude varies a lot. For example, the valley entrance is at about 2,000 meters, while the airport is at about 3,500 meters. Vulnerability to altitude sickness varies from person to person, so it is suggested you consult your doctor before the trip. Visitors with heart disease or high blood pressure should be careful and take appropriate precautions when traveling to Jiuzhaigou.
When in Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou, please do not drink wine, in case of a negative reaction to the altitude. Stay warm and eat plenty of vegetables and fruit. Take some common medicines with you. If you like, your guide can prepare a small oxygen bottle for you, just in case.
3. Hotels in and around Jiuzhaigou
The most popular place for hotels is Zhangzha Town, which is closest to the entrance of Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve. Zhangzha has a wide range of accommodation, from 5* hotels to budget hostels.
If you prefer to be close to Huanglong National Park or Jiuzhuang Airport, you may choose a hotel in Chuanzhusi County.
If Muni Valley (Munigou) is on your list of places-to-go, you may consider staying in Songpan Town.
The standards of most hotels in the area are not as good as those of equivalent star-levels in the West. China Highlights has carefully selected the best hotel available, based on criteria like hotel environment, location, service, and previous customer feedback. Your guide will accompany you to see your room. If you are dissatisfied and there are other rooms available, your guide will be happy to assist you with changing rooms.
Some hotels may close from late November to February of the next year. Please inquire and we will check availability for you.
Tour Price
Price includes:
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