WESTERN SICHUAN: AT THE EMPIRE'S EDGE
Between Tibetan Peaks and Panda Valleys
An exceptional journey into the heart of Tibetan western Sichuan, where spectacular landscapes meet unique cultural heritage. Discover the snow-capped peaks of the Siguniangshan Mountains, the authentic Tibetan villages of Danba, and the millennia-old caves of Anyue. Marvel at the giant pandas at the Wolong Nature Reserve, then explore two sacred mountains listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites: Mount Qingcheng, the cradle of Taoism, and Mount Emei, one of Buddhism’s most revered sites.
Your journey also leads you to the Dazu Rock Carvings and the fascinating Sanxingdui Museum, before concluding in grand style at the awe-inspiring Leshan Giant Buddha, a monumental stone sentinel overlooking the rivers for more than a thousand years.
Day 1 Chengdu
Arrival in Chengdu, one of China’s oldest yet most dynamic cities, renowned for its relaxed lifestyle, spicy cuisine, and refined culture. Stroll through the Kuanzhai Alley district, followed by a walk in Renmin Park. Enjoy a relaxing tea tasting at the century-old Heming Teahouse, just like the locals.
Watch a demonstration of the famous long-spout tea pouring, a traditional art unique to Chengdu.
Arrival in Chengdu, one of China’s oldest yet most dynamic cities, renowned for its relaxed lifestyle, spicy cuisine, and refined culture. Stroll through the Kuanzhai Alley district, followed by a walk in Renmin Park. Enjoy a relaxing tea tasting at the century-old Heming Teahouse, just like the locals.
Watch a demonstration of the famous long-spout tea pouring, a traditional art unique to Chengdu.
Day 2 Chengdu → Mount Qingcheng → Dujiangyan (112 km / approx. 2h10)
Depart for Mount Qingchengshan (UNESCO), one of the four sacred Taoist mountains of China. Visit Taoist temples set in a harmonious Feng Shui landscape balancing heaven and earth, water and wind.
Continue to Dujiangyan to visit the Dujiangyan Irrigation System (UNESCO), built in 256 BC and still in operation today. This engineering marvel transformed the Chengdu Plain into one of China’s most fertile regions. Visit the Temple of the Two Kings and enjoy a panoramic view from Qinyan Pavilion. Evening stroll in the lively Nanqiao district.
Continue to Dujiangyan to visit the Dujiangyan Irrigation System (UNESCO), built in 256 BC and still in operation today. This engineering marvel transformed the Chengdu Plain into one of China’s most fertile regions. Visit the Temple of the Two Kings and enjoy a panoramic view from Qinyan Pavilion. Evening stroll in the lively Nanqiao district.
Day 3 Dujiangyan → Wolong National Nature Reserve → Siguniangshan (160 km / approx. 3h30)
Visit the Wolong National Nature Reserve, one of the world’s most important centers for giant panda research and conservation in semi-wild conditions. Continue toward Mount Siguniangshan in the Aba Tibetan region, often called the “Little Alps of China.” Explore the Shuangqiaogou Valley by shuttle and on foot, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and alpine lakes. On clear evenings, witness the magical phenomenon of the “Golden Mountain” at sunset. Overnight at Yunshang Guesthouse (3,200 m), where star-filled skies and morning seas of clouds can often be observed.
Day 4 Mount Siguniangshan – Danba (110 km / approx. 2h30)
Travel along one of western Sichuan’s most scenic routes, crossing glacial valleys, high-altitude forests, and perched Tibetan villages. Gradual immersion into Gyarong Tibetan culture. Visit the Wori Tusi Manor, a former fortified residence of a Tibetan chieftain. Stop at Suopo, famous for its ancient stone watchtowers. Continue to Zhonglu, one of the most beautiful Tibetan villages in the region, known for its preserved architecture, terraced orchards, and breathtaking valley views. Overnight in a traditional Tibetan guesthouse at 2,100 m, sharing home-style meals for an authentic cultural experience.
Travel along one of western Sichuan’s most scenic routes, crossing glacial valleys, high-altitude forests, and perched Tibetan villages. Gradual immersion into Gyarong Tibetan culture. Visit the Wori Tusi Manor, a former fortified residence of a Tibetan chieftain. Stop at Suopo, famous for its ancient stone watchtowers. Continue to Zhonglu, one of the most beautiful Tibetan villages in the region, known for its preserved architecture, terraced orchards, and breathtaking valley views. Overnight in a traditional Tibetan guesthouse at 2,100 m, sharing home-style meals for an authentic cultural experience.
Day 5 Danba – Bamei – Tagong (117 km / approx. 2h40)
Visit Jiaju Village, listed among China’s most beautiful villages. Perched at over 2,000 meters and surrounded by orchards, forests, and terraced fields, Jiaju is admired for its traditional architecture and harmonious community life. Drive through the Yak Valley, framed by snow-covered mountains and alpine forests, to reach Tagong. Visit Huiyuan Monastery, a major Tibetan Buddhist center of the Kham region. Arrive in Tagong, a spiritual heartland of eastern Tibet. Visit Tagong Monastery (Lhagang Gompa) at 3,700 m, founded over 1,000 years ago and belonging to the Sakya school. Attend the Great Peace Dharma Ceremony, dedicated to peace, prosperity, and spiritual purification. If weather permits, admire stunning views of Mount Gongga (7,556 m) and Mount Yala (5,820 m) from the Balang viewpoint. Overnight in a charming Tibetan-style hotel at 3,730 m with views over Tagong grasslands and the sacred Muya Mountain.
Visit Jiaju Village, listed among China’s most beautiful villages. Perched at over 2,000 meters and surrounded by orchards, forests, and terraced fields, Jiaju is admired for its traditional architecture and harmonious community life. Drive through the Yak Valley, framed by snow-covered mountains and alpine forests, to reach Tagong. Visit Huiyuan Monastery, a major Tibetan Buddhist center of the Kham region. Arrive in Tagong, a spiritual heartland of eastern Tibet. Visit Tagong Monastery (Lhagang Gompa) at 3,700 m, founded over 1,000 years ago and belonging to the Sakya school. Attend the Great Peace Dharma Ceremony, dedicated to peace, prosperity, and spiritual purification. If weather permits, admire stunning views of Mount Gongga (7,556 m) and Mount Yala (5,820 m) from the Balang viewpoint. Overnight in a charming Tibetan-style hotel at 3,730 m with views over Tagong grasslands and the sacred Muya Mountain.
Day 6 Tagong – Zhegongshan – Kangding – Ya’an (260 km / approx. 4h30)
Depart Tagong along a spectacular route offering close views of Qingrao Shenshan, a sacred and protective mountain. The scenery unfolds through misty peaks, flowered meadows, alpine lakes, and Tibetan villages and monasteries. Arrive in Kangding and visit the Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Museum, an important cultural center showcasing the history, art, and traditions of the Kham Tibetans. Continue to Ya’an, birthplace of Tibetan tea and a key hub along the ancient Tea Horse Road. Visit the Tibetan Black Tea Museum with an introduction to tea-making and a tasting session.Day 7 Ya’an – Thousand Buddha Caves – Mount Emei (160 km / approx. 2h)
Visit the Thousand Buddha Caves near Jiajiang, carved between the Tang and Ming dynasties along the Qingyi River—an atmospheric Buddhist rock-art site. Arrival at Mount Emei (UNESCO), one of China’s four sacred Buddhist mountains. Visit Baoguo Temple and Fuhu Temple, surrounded by mist, bamboo groves, and waterfalls.
Visit the Thousand Buddha Caves near Jiajiang, carved between the Tang and Ming dynasties along the Qingyi River—an atmospheric Buddhist rock-art site. Arrival at Mount Emei (UNESCO), one of China’s four sacred Buddhist mountains. Visit Baoguo Temple and Fuhu Temple, surrounded by mist, bamboo groves, and waterfalls.
Day 8 Mount Emei – Leshan (50 km / approx. 1h)
Cable-car ascent to the Golden Summit (3,079 m) and view of the monumental Samantabhadra statue. Visit Wannian Temple and Qingyin Pavilion, then descend through the monkey zone. Drive to Leshan.
Cable-car ascent to the Golden Summit (3,079 m) and view of the monumental Samantabhadra statue. Visit Wannian Temple and Qingyin Pavilion, then descend through the monkey zone. Drive to Leshan.
Day 9 Leshan – Zigong (115 km / approx. 1h30)
Morning visit to the Giant Buddha of Leshan (UNESCO), a colossal Maitreya Buddha carved into a red sandstone cliff at the confluence of the Min, Dadu, and Qingyi rivers. Enjoy a boat ride offering a full view of this extraordinary monument. Drive to Zigong, stopping in Luocheng, a historic market town founded during the Ming dynasty and flourishing under the Qing as a commercial crossroads. Arrive in Zigong, famous for its salt industry for over 2,000 years. Visit the Salt Industry History Museum and the Shenhai Well, once the deepest hand-dug salt well in the world, reaching over 1,000 meters.Day 10 Zigong – Longchang – Chongqing (205 km / approx. 2h40)
Depart for Longchang to visit one of the most remarkable collections of paifang, monumental stone ceremonial arches dating from the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Continue to Chongqing, the largest city in Southwest China, famous for its mountainside skyline, urban cable cars, and striking “cyberpunk-style” architecture. Visit the Hongyadong district, where traditional architecture unfolds across 11 levels embedded into a sheer cliff. Enjoy a spectacular night panoramic view of the mountain city from Raffles City.
Depart for Longchang to visit one of the most remarkable collections of paifang, monumental stone ceremonial arches dating from the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Continue to Chongqing, the largest city in Southwest China, famous for its mountainside skyline, urban cable cars, and striking “cyberpunk-style” architecture. Visit the Hongyadong district, where traditional architecture unfolds across 11 levels embedded into a sheer cliff. Enjoy a spectacular night panoramic view of the mountain city from Raffles City.
Day 11 Chongqing
Visit Kuixing Pavilion, the Arhat Temple, and Huguang Huiguan, a historic guild hall complex built in 1759, renowned for its refined southern Chinese architecture, wood carvings, glazed tiles, and inner courtyards.
Stroll through Huangjueping, Chongqing’s famous graffiti street, covered with vibrant murals created by students and local artists. Discover Liziba Metro Station, one of the world’s rare metro lines that passes directly through a 19-story residential building. Free time at leisure.
Visit Kuixing Pavilion, the Arhat Temple, and Huguang Huiguan, a historic guild hall complex built in 1759, renowned for its refined southern Chinese architecture, wood carvings, glazed tiles, and inner courtyards.
Stroll through Huangjueping, Chongqing’s famous graffiti street, covered with vibrant murals created by students and local artists. Discover Liziba Metro Station, one of the world’s rare metro lines that passes directly through a 19-story residential building. Free time at leisure.
Day 12 Chongqing → Dazu → Anyue (188 km / approx. 3h)
Depart for the Dazu Rock Carvings (UNESCO), featuring outstanding Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian sculptures carved between the 9th and 13th centuries. Visit the famous Baoding Mountain carvings, comprising 31 groups of finely detailed bas-reliefs. Continue to Anyue, with a stop to visit Mingshan Temple and the Pilu Cave, home to an exquisite Bodhisattva statue.Day 13 Anyue → Guanghan → Chengdu (286 km / approx. 3 hrs 10 min)
Visit the rock carvings of Qianfozhai, the “Village of a Thousand Buddhas,” featuring grottoes, niches, and cliff sculptures from the Tang, Song, and Ming dynasties. This site is considered one of southern China’s most important centers of religious stone carving. Continue to Guanghan to explore the Sanxingdui archaeological site, one of China’s most extraordinary discoveries, revealing a mysterious civilization that flourished between 2800 and 800 BC, distinct from the Shang dynasty. Transfer to Chengdu Airport for your return flight.
Visit the rock carvings of Qianfozhai, the “Village of a Thousand Buddhas,” featuring grottoes, niches, and cliff sculptures from the Tang, Song, and Ming dynasties. This site is considered one of southern China’s most important centers of religious stone carving. Continue to Guanghan to explore the Sanxingdui archaeological site, one of China’s most extraordinary discoveries, revealing a mysterious civilization that flourished between 2800 and 800 BC, distinct from the Shang dynasty. Transfer to Chengdu Airport for your return flight.