Wonders of Sichuan

Upon arrival in Chengdu, you meet your local guide at the airport. After lunch, you visit Wangjiang Pavilion Park on the southern bank of the Jinjiang River. This cultural site honors Xue Tao, a celebrated poet of the Tang Dynasty, and features nearly 150 distinct species of bamboo. You observe local daily life in the tea houses set among the bamboo groves, where you partake in a traditional tea ceremony and learn to play Mahjong. Your exploration continues at Dongjiao Memory, a repurposed 1950s electronics factory in the Chenghua District. You wander through preserved workshops and view the iconic "1519" locomotive in a space that now hosts art exhibitions, theater, and live music. Upon arrival, settle into your hotel in Chengdu to rest or explore at your leisure.

After breakfast, you depart from Chengdu for Qingcheng Mountain. This trip covers approximately 65 kilometers / 37 miles and takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes. As a cradle of Taoism and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the mountain offers a path lined with ancient temples and sanctuaries. You hike along the tranquil routes, enjoying the natural calm away from the city. Following lunch, you visit the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, a marvel of ancient engineering that still irrigates the region today. If time permits, you wander through Guanxin Ancient Town to observe authentic local life. Your day concludes with a walk across Nanqiao, the South Bridge, to see it illuminated against the night sky before you retire to your hotel in Dujiangyan.

Today, you head to the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda Dujiangyan Base for a hands-on volunteer experience. Located in Qingchengshan Town near the designated World Heritage habitat, this facility focuses on rescue and disease prevention for the roughly 20 pandas in residence. You spend the day assisting with their care in this specialized environment. Following your volunteer work, you return to Chengdu. This drive covers approximately 65 kilometers and takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes. In the evening, you attend a traditional Sichuan face-changing show before returning to your hotel in Chengdu.

Today, you drive to Guanghan to visit the Sanxingdui Museum. This trip covers approximately 60 kilometers and takes about 2 hours. You explore archaeological discoveries that challenge traditional theories of Chinese civilization, representing a distinct ancient culture separate from the Central Plain. In the afternoon, you transfer to the airport for your flight to your next destination or back home.

Note: If the Sanxingdui Museum is unavailable, you will visit the Jinsha Site Museum, a key archaeological treasure of the ancient Shu civilization dating back over 3,000 years.