Discover the cultural and natural heritage of Sichuan Province – ancient Buddhist monuments, forested sacred mountains, and the region’s emblematic giant pandas. Among dense woodlands stand centuries-old temples and towering stone statues, shaped by spiritual traditions and local legend. This tour visits key sites in Chengdu, Leshan, and Emeishan, where religion and landscape are closely intertwined.
The tour begins with the Leshan Giant Buddha, a 71-metre statue carved into the rock face. On the second day, you will ascend Mount Emei, known for its historic temples and the Monkey Area, where Tibetan macaques are commonly seen. The third day is dedicated to China’s best-known animal – the giant panda – with a morning visit to Chengdu’s Panda Base, followed by an afternoon exploring the city’s main landmarks.
The 4-Day Panda and Buddha Tour offers a considered introduction to the spiritual and ecological landmarks of Sichuan. See the full itinerary to find out how this journey can become part of your wider travels in China.
Tour itinerary:
Arrival in Chengdu at noon. Upon arrival, our guide and car will pick us up and drive to Leshan (150 km, 3 hours) to visit the Giant Buddha. Standing 71 metres high, the Leshan Giant Buddha is the largest stone Buddha statue carved into a cliff and attracts millions of tourists and Buddhist pilgrims from around the world. We will take a cruise to view the statue and also climb up to see it from different angles. Then we drive to Emeishan (45 km, 1 hour) for an overnight stay.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 2–3 hours
Today we visit Mount Emei. Rising 3,099 metres (10,167 ft) above sea level and located about 170 kilometres (105 miles) from Chengdu, Mount Emei is the highest of China’s four sacred Buddhist mountains. The name “Emei” literally means “delicate eyebrow” and is derived from two of the mountain’s peaks, Wanfo (Ten Thousand Buddha) Summit and Golden Summit, which face each other and resemble the delicate eyebrows of a Chinese beauty. We take a cable car up to Wannian Temple and then walk to visit the Monkey Area. After descending from the mountain, we drive back to Chengdu (150 km, 3 hours) for an overnight stay.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3.5–4 hours
In the early morning, we visit the Panda Base during feeding time. Giant pandas are not only a national treasure of China but are also beloved by people around the world. At the base, you will see adult pandas as well as panda cubs. Then we drive back to the city to visit the Old City, including Jinli Street and the Wenshu Temple area, where you can observe everyday local life.
Optional: Mask-Changing Show.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-6 hours
Price includes:
- Entrance fees as per the itinerary;
- 3 nights of accommodation with daily breakfast at the hotels listed;
- English-speaking guide at each location;
- Private transfers by comfortable air-conditioned vehicles: 4-seat car for 1–2 pax, 7–9-seat car for 3–4 pax, 12–14-seat car for 5–6 pax, 17–19-seat bus for 7–9 pax.
Price doesn't include:
- Personal expenses;
- Tips for local guides and drivers;
- International flight tickets before and after the tour;
- Lunches and dinners (the guide will suggest restaurants; guests may choose dishes with the guide’s assistance and pay directly);
- Optional tours and any services not mentioned above.
Prices, per person
Accommodation
Comfort: EmeiHotspring Hotel
Premium: Hongzhushan Hotel
