Sizzling Sichuan - 8 days
Sizzling Sichuan - 8 days
Sizzling Sichuan - 8 days
8 Days Starting and ending in Chengdu
Visiting: Chengdu, Huanglong Reservoir, Jiuzhaigou County, Dujiangyan City, Leshan Giant Buddha
Tour operator:
Tour code:
661/SIS
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 16
Physical rating:
Low
Age range:
Any age, but ensure train cabins and rooming booked accordingly to what is most suitable for the family
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Active, Adventure Tours, Small Group, Walking Hiking and Trekking
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
PRIVATE TOUR: Explore China’s beautiful Sichuan province! Discover Huanglong calcium pools and wildlife at Jiuzhaigou Scenic Reserve, Chengdu’s leading panda breeding and research centre, UNESCO Listed Dafo - the ‘Great Buddha’ and the lofty summit of Mount Emei.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Chengdu
Location: Chengdu
Meals Included: No Meals
Chengdu, home of the Giant Panda and capital of Sichuan province is famed for its outstanding natural beauty, fiery cuisine and China’s first, largest and best known Panda research and breeding centre. Arrive Chengdu airport and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free for you to spend at leisure.
Day 2 : Huanglong Monastery And Scenery
Location: Huanglong Reservoir
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Chengdu - Huanglong - Jiuzhaigou. This morning fly to Jiuzhaigou - a region that for centuries has been inhabited by various Tibetan and Qiang people. Tour the Huanglong Monastery - built during the reign of Ming Emperor Hongwu, it is now a place of worship for the local Tibetan, Han, Qiang and Hui people, all of which have different religious beliefs. Afterwards enjoy a relaxing stroll by the region’s famed calcium travertines. Resembling a terraced field, the travertines flow gently into a series of multi-coloured, mineral rich ponds beneath. Onward travel to Jiuzhaigou.
Day 3 : Jiuzhaigou
Location: Jiuzhaigou County
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is spent exploring the Jiuzhaigou Scenic Reserve. Located in the high Min Shan mountain range, the Jiuzhaigou reserve is renowned for its outstanding natural beauty. It’s home to densely growing conifers, broadleaf trees and rare and endangered animal species such as takins, golden monkeys, Giant Pandas and white-lip deer. Ancient Chinese legend has it that the goddess Semo accidentally smashed her mirror here and the pieces that fell down the mountain formed beautiful lakes, streams and waterfalls. Afterwards, visits will be made to Pearl Beach Falls, Nuorilong Falls and Long Lake. The ever flowing cascade of Nuorilong spans an impressive 320 metres - making it the widest waterfall in all of China.
Day 4 : Ancient Dujiangyan
Location: Dujiangyan City
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Jiuzhaigou - Chengdu. Morning flight returning to Chengdu. An hour’s drive to the north west leads you to the ancient city of Dujiangyan. It was here, in 256 BC that provincial governer Li Bing set up the Dujiangyan Irrigation Scheme. The three part engineering project using a central dam and artificial islands to split the Min River into an inner flow for irrigation and an outer channel for flood control. A spillway directed and regulated the water while an opening carved through the hillside controlled to flow rate. The project was maintained until 2006 when a new dam was created 9km upstream. Tour the dam site, view the Anlan Suspension Bridge and the Dragon Taming Temple.
Day 5 : Research Base For Giant Pandas
Location: Chengdu
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today we tour Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding a short drive out of town. China’s Giant Pandas are considered the most endangered mammal on the planet. Due to a loss of habitat in the Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu Provinces it is estimated that there are less than 1500 giant pandas remaining in the wild - 80% of which are located in Sichuan Provence.
The centre opened for the purpose of breeding, research and education. A team of 46 collaborating with researchers from 8 different countries and 15 guest experts work within the facility. Covering an area of over 92 acres, there is plenty of space for the Giant Pandas and several species of rare and endangered animals to freely roam. Visiting the Panda nursery is a must, here you can get relatively close to the centre’s infant population. The Breeding Centre has achieved breakthroughs in captive breeding, has set up the largest semen and cell bank for the Giant Pandas in the world and created the first Giant Panda stud book!
This afternoon visit the Wuhou Memorial Temple, Wenshu Temple and Kuanzhai Xiangzi, an ancient lane in the old city.
Day 6 : Great Buddha
Location: Leshan Giant Buddha
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Chengdu - Leshan - Mt. Emei - Baoguo. Driving to Leshan this morning, we visit the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Dafo (Great Buddha), which is carved into the red sandstone face of Lingyun Hill overlooking the treacherous confluence of the Min, Qingyi and Dadu rivers below it.
The walk takes approximately 2 hours, taking us alongside the head, then down steep steps to the feet of the Buddha. It is when standing at Dafo’s huge 8m feet that you can really appreciate the scale of one of the world’s largest Buddhas. Talking numbers, his ears droop 7m, his shoulders span 28m and his nose measures a whopping 5.6m. Impressive!
Driving onward take in the views from Emei Shan (Mt Emei) designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its incredible natural beauty and historical Buddhist sites. Rising some 300 metres its thick forested slopes set a backdrop for spectacular waterfalls, pristine brooks and numerous Buddhist temples. Mt. Emei is also a sacred Buddhist haven and one of the four most divine Buddhism Mountains in China. There are 30 Buddhist temples on the mountain and every morning streams of pilgrims armed with joss sticks conquer the steep stairs of the mountain and swarm into the temples.
Arriving at Baoguo, located at the foot of the Mountain, we visit the Temple of Baoguo. Large and serene this impressive temple structure boasts Puxian and Guanyin statues, high roofed Ming style halls and probably most impressive are the figures of the eight immortals carved from stone betraying Baoguo’s Taoist origins. Spend the remainder of the day exploring this delightful village, easily navigated by foot.
Day 7 : Chengdu
Location: Chengdu
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Baoguo - Chengdu. This morning we travel up Mt Emei by cable car and then walk for 20 -30 minutes to the top, where we tour the magnificent Wannian temple. The oldest structure on the mountain, its contents are stunning: three thousand tiny iron Buddhas surround a life sized enamelled bronze sculpture of Bodhisattva Puxian (the protector of the mountain) riding a gilt lotus flower astride his great six tusked white elephant. Weighing over 62 tonnes and standing over 7 metres in height the masterpiece had to be bought to the mountain top in pieces. Returning to Chengdu the remainder of the day is free.
Day 8 : Chengdu
Location: Chengdu
Meals Included: Breakfast
If your flight is not until later in the day, consider a visit to the Tibetan quarter, south of the city, frequented by very few tourists. The district teems with shops stocked to their roofs with heavy clothes, turquoise jewellery, prayer wheels, conches and other temple accessories, much being purchased by Tibetan monks, cowboys and Khampa women (a minority group, similar though distinct with their own culture and dialect to Tibetans) all looking decidedly tall and robust next to the city’s local residence. Hotel check out and departure transfer to the airport.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Superior (deluxe available on request) -
7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners
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7 nights superior hotels (deluxe upgrade available on request)
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Mt Emei return cable car ride
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Return economy class flights: Chengdu - Jiuzhai
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Airport arrival and departure transfer on day 1 and day 8
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Guided sightseeing excursions as per itinerary
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Touring of Chengdu, Huanglong, Jiuhaigou, Leshan and Mt Emei
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English speaking specialist guides at local sights
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All transfers and transportation in private A/C vehicle
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Entrance fees to all included sites
What's Not Included
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International flights and visa
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Laundry, drinks, items of a personal nature
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Tipping - an entirely personal gesture
Check out our Q&As
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Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included.
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Airport arrival and departure transfer on day 1 and day 8
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
visa are not included.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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