Day 1: Chengdu Panda Base – Dongjiao Memory Park – Wangjiang Bamboo Garden – Qingyang Taoist Temple – Kuanzhai Alley
(Lunch)

Your Chengdu exploration begins this morning. Your guide from China Exploration will pick you up from your hotel and drive to the world-famous Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, located about 10 kilometers north of downtown Chengdu.
The Chengdu Panda Base is one of the best places in China to observe giant pandas in a natural and comfortable environment. Here, you can watch these adorable animals eating bamboo, climbing trees, and playing with each other. The spacious bamboo gardens and green surroundings provide a relaxing habitat for pandas and a wonderful photography opportunity for visitors.
With a donation supporting panda conservation, you may even have the rare chance to take a close photo with a giant panda — an unforgettable experience for panda lovers from around the world.
After visiting the panda center, continue to Dongjiao Memory (East Suburb Memory), a unique cultural park transformed from an old industrial area.
Chengdu’s eastern suburbs were once home to many large factories. As the city developed, these factories moved away and the former industrial area was creatively redesigned into a cultural and artistic district. Today, visitors can discover a fascinating combination of preserved factory buildings, modern art, music, photography, and creative spaces.
Here, you will enjoy authentic Chengdu local snacks, a perfect way to experience the city’s food culture. Chengdu snacks are not only delicious but also carry memories of traditional Sichuan life and local history.
After lunch, take a relaxing walk through Kuanzhai Alley (Wide and Narrow Alley), one of Chengdu’s most famous historic neighborhoods.
Built during the Qing Dynasty more than 300 years ago, Kuanzhai Alley preserves traditional courtyard houses, gray brick walls, wooden doors, and the elegant lifestyle of old Chengdu. Although modern cafés, bars, and restaurants have brought new energy to the area, you can still discover the charm of traditional Sichuan architecture. It is also a wonderful place for photography.
In the afternoon, visit Wangjiang Park (Wangjiang Tower Park), a beautiful bamboo garden built to commemorate the famous Tang Dynasty poetess Xue Tao.
The highlight of this peaceful park is its impressive bamboo collection, featuring more than 100 varieties of bamboo. Walking among the tall bamboo forests, you can enjoy the sound of leaves moving gently in the wind and experience a quiet moment away from the busy city.
After exploring the bamboo garden, continue to Qingyang Palace (Green Ram Taoist Temple), the most famous Taoist temple in Chengdu.
With a history connected to ancient Taoist legends about Laozi, Qingyang Palace is an important place to learn about traditional Chinese Taoism. You can explore the historic temple buildings, learn about Taoist philosophy, and see the famous bronze ram sculptures believed to bring blessings to visitors.
After the tour, your guide will transfer you back to your hotel.
Day 2: Leshan Giant Buddha – Huanglongxi Ancient Town
(Lunch)
Today, travel to Leshan City by expressway, approximately 2 hours from Chengdu. Along the way, enjoy beautiful views of the fertile Sichuan Plain and traditional countryside scenery.
Upon arrival in Leshan, your guide will take you to a local restaurant where you can enjoy traditional Sichuan cuisine for lunch.
After lunch, visit the world-famous Leshan Giant Buddha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of China’s greatest Buddhist monuments.
Standing at the meeting point of the Minjiang River, Dadu River, and Qingyi River, the Leshan Giant Buddha is famous for the saying:
“The mountain is a Buddha, and the Buddha is a mountain.”
Your visit begins at Lingyun Temple, followed by a walk down the winding pathway beside the Buddha. The statue was carved directly into the cliff more than 1,300 years ago and reaches over 70 meters in height.
The hiking route allows you to appreciate the Buddha from different perspectives. Walking from the head to the feet takes about 30 minutes, and after reaching the bottom, you will hike back up on the opposite side.
From the viewing points, you can enjoy spectacular views of Leshan city and the meeting point of three rivers. Continue walking to Wuyou Temple, where you can admire the impressive collection of 500 Arhat statues.
In the afternoon, drive back toward Chengdu. After approximately 2 hours on the road, stop at Huanglongxi Ancient Town, located near Shuangliu District.
Known as one of the closest ancient towns to Chengdu, Huanglongxi gets its name from the nearby Yellow Dragon River. The town preserves traditional Sichuan-style streets, wooden buildings, old temples, and a peaceful riverside atmosphere dating back hundreds of years.
Take a leisurely walk through the ancient streets, experience local life, and enjoy the charming atmosphere before returning to Chengdu.
In the late afternoon, your guide will transfer you back to your hotel. Your Chengdu cultural journey ends with unforgettable memories of pandas, history, food, and traditional Sichuan culture.