Pandas and spice: Chengdu, Leshan and Chongqing in 6 days

The route

1. Chengdu4 nights

   Pandas, teahouses and day trips to Leshan.

   High-speed train · about 1–1.5 h
2. Chongqing1 night

   A vertical city of stairs, monorails and night views.

Journey times are typical. Check 12306 or Trip.com for trains on your date.

Day by day

1. Day 1
   Chengdu

   Arrive. People’s Park teahouse, hot pot for dinner.

   People’s Park and Heming Teahouse
2. Day 2
   Chengdu

   Panda Base at opening, Wenshu Monastery lunch, face-changing show at night.

   Chengdu Panda BaseWenshu MonasterySichuan opera and face-changing show
3. Day 3
   Chengdu

   Day trip to the Leshan Giant Buddha by high-speed train.

   Leshan Giant Buddha
4. Day 4
   Chengdu

   Wuhou Shrine and Jinli, Chengdu Museum, Kuanzhai Alley.

   Wuhou Shrine and Jinli StreetChengdu MuseumKuanzhai Alley
5. Day 5
   Chongqing

   Train to Chongqing. Hongyadong and the Yangtze cable car at night.

6. Day 6
   Chongqing

   Liziba monorail station, Ciqikou old town, then fly out.

Book before you go

• Chengdu Panda Base Booking requiredOnline, real-name with your passport, up to 14 days ahead, on the official WeChat account or Trip.com. The gate windows only sell leftover tickets to people who cannot pay online, so do not count on them.
• Chengdu Museum Booking requiredFree booking up to 14 days ahead; new slots released at 19:00. Bring the original passport you booked with.
• Sichuan opera and face-changing show Booking recommendedBuy online (Trip.com) or at the theatre box office, e.g. Shufeng Yayun.
• Leshan Giant Buddha Booking recommendedReal-name tickets online (official WeChat, Trip.com) with your passport. The staircase beside the Buddha has timed queues.
• Wuhou Shrine and Jinli Street Booking recommendedReal-name tickets on the official WeChat account or Trip.com; the gate can usually help foreign visitors with a passport.