This is the most ambitious of the three reference routes. It connects mountain parks and cultural landmarks by private road transport, including a standard visit to Wolong Shenshuping Panda Base. Several days combine long drives and sightseeing. For a slower pace, we recommend discussing extra nights or fewer stops rather than compressing the same route.
7 days · 6 nights · Private journey · Starts and ends in Chengdu
- Best for: A broad Sichuan journey for travellers comfortable with long road days.
- Pace: Active · several long drives
- Getting around: Private road journey + park transport
Route map · Day by day · Places & experiences · Where you stay · Your quote
The route at a glance
Your journey, day by day
Day 1 — Arrive & settle into Chengdu
Airport transfer and hotel rest, with People's Park, Heming Teahouse and Kuanzhai Alley as your arrival allows. Overnight in Chengdu.
Overnight: Chengdu
Travel style: Arrival transfer · city walking
Day 2 — Wolong pandas & the road north
Travel by private vehicle to Wolong Shenshuping Panda Base for an ordinary visitor entry, allowing around two hours. Continue via Wenchuan and Maoxian towards the Songpan area. This is a long road day. Overnight in the Songpan area; the exact hotel and location will be confirmed.
Overnight: Songpan / Chuanzhusi area
Travel style: Private road travel · Wolong visit
Day 3 — Huanglong's travertine pools
Continue to Huanglong for a focused visit, with cable-car arrangements specified in your proposal and time for walking. Continue by road to your hotel near Jiuzhaigou or in Zhangzha.
Overnight: Jiuzhaigou / Zhangzha area
Travel style: Road transfers · Huanglong walking
Day 4 — Jiuzhaigou, from lake to waterfall
A full day using the official park shuttle and boardwalks. Return to the same hotel for a second night near Jiuzhaigou.
Overnight: Jiuzhaigou / Zhangzha area
Travel style: Official park shuttle · boardwalks
Day 5 — South to Dujiangyan
A long drive to Dujiangyan, followed by a visit to its historic irrigation works if road conditions and arrival time permit. Allow around two and a half to three hours for the planned visit; confirm or adjust the schedule in advance. Overnight in Dujiangyan.
Overnight: Dujiangyan
Travel style: Long road transfer · visit if arrival permits
Day 6 — Leshan Giant Buddha & the foot of Emei
Drive from Dujiangyan to Leshan. Choose either the hillside visitor route or a river-view boat trip, subject to opening and operating conditions; the reference plan includes one approach, not both. Continue to the foot of Mount Emei for the night.
Overnight: Foot of Mount Emei
Travel style: Road transfers · hillside visit or boat
Day 7 — Emei Golden Summit & departure
An early start for the scenic-area bus to Leidongping, the walk to the cable-car station and the ascent to the Golden Summit. Descend and transfer to Chengdu airport. This is a full and demanding day: the return journey and a suitable late flight must be checked together. If they cannot be connected reliably, add an overnight stay or change the itinerary.
End of journey: Late departure from Chengdu
Travel style: Park bus · walking · cable car · airport transfer
Places you’ll get to know
Huanglong
A mountain walking visit between the Songpan-area stay and the journey onwards to Jiuzhaigou.
Jiuzhaigou
A full day of lakes and waterfalls, with two nights nearby so the park visit is not squeezed into a transfer day.
Leshan Giant Buddha
Choose the hillside visitor route or a river-view boat trip. They offer different perspectives; the reference plan includes one approach.
Emei Golden Summit
The final mountain visit uses a park bus, walking connection and cable car. Cloud conditions vary; the airport connection needs careful planning.
Dujiangyan, 2,300 years on
The old weir still splits the Min River without a single dam gate — the fish-mouth levee and flying-sand weir are best understood walking the ridge above.
The road north
Long, beautiful drives connect this route: high valleys, prayer-flag villages and weather that changes by the hour — part of the journey, not just the distance.
Images illustrate the places and experiences. Views, seasonal colours and animal behaviour vary. Photography credits.
Where you stay
The overnight plan is shown below. Hotel names are planning references; availability, the exact property and room arrangements are confirmed in your written proposal.
Chengdu · 1 night
An arrival-night city stay before the road journey begins.
Songpan area · 1 night
Days Inn by Wyndham Songpan Chuanzhu Temple is a planning reference. Chuanzhusi and Songpan town are different locations; the final overnight stop must fit the driving plan.
Jiuzhaigou area · 2 nights
Two nights at the same base, with Howard Johnson LIFE in Zhangzha on the planning shortlist.
Dujiangyan · 1 night
Hampton by Hilton Chengdu Dujiangyan is a planning reference.
Foot of Mount Emei · 1 night
Hampton by Hilton Emeishan Scenic Area is a planning reference. This is a stay at the foot of the mountain, not a summit hotel.
Before you choose this route
- Six nights: Chengdu × 1; Songpan area × 1; Jiuzhaigou area × 2; Dujiangyan × 1; foot of Mount Emei × 1.
- Wolong is a normal sightseeing visit, with no volunteering, feeding, holding or close-contact activity promised.
- Huanglong and Emei's summit involve altitude, walking and weather-dependent operations. A sea of clouds or sunrise is a possibility, not a guaranteed experience.
- Shu Feng Ya Yun Sichuan opera is optional on the Chengdu evening, priced separately. Mount Siguniang requires a separately planned route or extra days.
What your quote will cover
This is a suggested private itinerary, priced for your dates, party size and agreed arrangements. Ask for an itemised proposal before making a booking.
- Accommodation: named properties, room types, number of nights and breakfast arrangements.
- Transport and guiding: agreed private transfers and guide arrangements, plus shared trains or official park transport where the route requires them.
- Visits and meals: attraction tickets, cable cars and each meal or dining experience listed individually.
- Optional and separate costs: international flights, personal spending and optional additions unless expressly included.
Payment, cancellation and change terms will be provided with the proposal before you confirm. This website does not take payments or confirm availability.
Questions about this journey
Can we keep all these places and travel slowly?
Extra nights are the most practical way to do that. Otherwise, we can remove stops. The seven-day reference route includes several long drives.
Which panda base is on this route?
Wolong Shenshuping, visited as ordinary guests. It is different from the Chengdu Panda Base used on the three- and five-day routes.
Will we see sunrise at Emei?
Sunrise is not part of the standard promise. The reference stay is at the foot of the mountain, and views depend on weather and operating conditions.
Make this journey your own
Tell us your dates, who is travelling and the experiences you would most like to include. We can discuss fewer stops, extra nights or a different balance of city and countryside.