Mengdingshan
Shangli Old-Town
Panda Base
Leshan Giant Buddha
3 Days Culture Tour of Panda, Buddha, Paper and Tea in Sichuan
West of Sichuan is rich of cultural tour attractions, the Panda Breeding Research Base in Bifengxia could be the best place to visit giant pandas. And the Shangli old town close to Bifengxia was the important trading place for tea and horses, and it is leaved as a beautiful old town suitable for painting and leisure tours.
And the Mt. Mengdingshan is the origin of tea in China, Mr. Wulizhen, the ancestor of China tea was reported to start tea planting here firstly. Today it is still a beautiful mountain covered all with tea plants, a good place for learning and making tea.
China Exploration will bring you to make friends with these lovely pandas firstly, and then a leisure tour in the Old town of Shangli, and then pick-up tea and make tea yourself!
from
$360.00
Duration: 3 days
Tour Code: CE-CD-3D08
Departure Date: Every day
Tour Attractions:Bifengxia Panda Garden / Bifengxia Gorge Hiking / Shangli Old Town / Mengdinshan Tea Tour
Feature：Natural Landscape
Tour Type: /Land tour + Private English speaking guide + Private driver + Meals
Tour Code: CE-CD-3D08
Departure Date: Every day
Tour Attractions:Bifengxia Panda Garden / Bifengxia Gorge Hiking / Shangli Old Town / Mengdinshan Tea Tour
Feature：Natural Landscape
Tour Type: /Land tour + Private English speaking guide + Private driver + Meals
Day 1: Chengdu – Mengding Mountain Tea Experience – Shangli Ancient Town
Your Sichuan tea culture journey begins in Chengdu.
Day 2: Shangli Ancient Town – Bifengxia Panda Base – Leshan
Day 3: Leshan Giant Buddha – Traditional Paper Making Experience – Chengdu
This meal provides an authentic taste of Sichuan cuisine.
(Lunch, Dinner)
Your Sichuan tea culture journey begins in Chengdu.
In the morning, your guide will pick you up from your hotel and drive approximately 1.5 hours by expressway to Mengding Mountain (Mengdingshan).
Mengding Mountain: The Birthplace of Chinese Tea Culture
Located in Ya’an, Sichuan Province, Mengding Mountain is considered one of the origins of Chinese tea cultivation and has the earliest historical records of tea planting in China.
Upon arrival, you will meet local tea farmers and learn about traditional tea production.
Your tea experience includes:
* Learning how tea leaves are picked
* Discovering traditional tea planting methods
* Joining local farmers in tea harvesting
* Learning how fresh tea leaves are roasted in traditional iron pans
This hands-on experience allows you to understand the complete journey from tea leaf to finished tea.
For lunch, enjoy an authentic local meal featuring dishes prepared with tea ingredients and flavors.
Tea Mountain Hiking & Local Tea Market
In the afternoon, you may choose an optional hiking experience through the beautiful tea mountains.
The mountain is home to ancient tea trees that have survived for hundreds of years, offering a peaceful environment surrounded by green tea fields.
After the tea mountain visit, explore the local tea market, where you can see traditional tea trading and purchase fresh local green tea as a souvenir.
Shangli Ancient Town
In the late afternoon, drive about 30 minutes to Shangli Ancient Town.
Located along the historic Tea Horse Road, Shangli was once an important trading station between the Han Chinese communities and Tibetan regions.
Today, this peaceful old town preserves:
* Ancient stone bridges
* Wooden houses
* Traditional streets
* Historic tea houses
It is an ideal place to slow down, enjoy a cup of tea, and appreciate the simple beauty of traditional Sichuan countryside life.
Overnight in Shangli Ancient Town.
Day 2: Shangli Ancient Town – Bifengxia Panda Base – Leshan
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Wake up in the quiet countryside atmosphere of Shangli Ancient Town.
After breakfast, drive approximately 30 minutes to Bifengxia Panda Base.
Bifengxia Panda Base is one of China’s important giant panda research and conservation centers.
The spacious natural environment is home to approximately 50–60 giant pandas.
During your visit, you can observe pandas relaxing, climbing trees, eating bamboo, and playing with each other.
Because the pandas live in a large forest environment, you may even discover one resting high above in the trees.
The panda base provides an excellent opportunity to enjoy these adorable animals in a peaceful setting.
After visiting the panda area, you can also take a hiking route through the beautiful Bifengxia Scenic Area.
The park features:
* Waterfalls
* Forest trails
* Natural rock formations
* Bridges and mountain scenery
This combination of wildlife and nature makes Bifengxia a special experience beyond a typical panda visit.
Transfer to Leshan
In the late afternoon, drive approximately one hour to Leshan.
Overnight in a local hotel.
Day 3: Leshan Giant Buddha – Traditional Paper Making Experience – Chengdu
(Breakfast, Lunch)
After breakfast, begin your visit to the magnificent Leshan Giant Buddha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of China’s greatest ancient Buddhist sculptures.
Leshan Giant Buddha
Standing on the cliff beside the Minjiang River, the Leshan Giant Buddha represents the famous saying:
“The Buddha is a mountain, and the mountain is a Buddha.”
You will first enjoy the panoramic view of the Buddha from across the river, then walk along the mountain path to explore this incredible sculpture up close.
The walking route allows you to appreciate different perspectives of the Buddha:
* From the head and shoulders
* Along the side of the statue
* Down to the enormous feet
You will also enjoy views of the meeting point of three rivers:
* Minjiang River
* Dadu River
* Qingyi River
Leshan Tofu Banquet
For lunch, enjoy the famous Leshan tofu banquet (Doufu Banquet).
Tofu is one of the most popular traditional foods in China, and Leshan is especially famous for creative tofu dishes prepared with local flavors.
This meal provides an authentic taste of Sichuan cuisine.
Traditional Chinese Handmade Paper Experience
In the afternoon, visit a local village where traditional handmade paper production is still preserved.
Paper making is one of the greatest inventions of ancient China, and this experience offers a fascinating look into traditional craftsmanship.
You will learn about:
* Traditional paper-making techniques
* The tools used by local craftsmen
* The complete production process
You will also have the opportunity to make paper yourself and experience this ancient skill firsthand.
In the late afternoon, drive back to Chengdu.
End of the tour with unforgettable memories of Sichuan tea culture, giant pandas, Buddhist heritage, and traditional crafts.
|
Group Size |
Tour Class |
Price Per |
Single Room |
|
1 Person |
Duluxe Class | $1010 | 0 |
| Tourist Class | $990 | 0 | |
|
2-3 Person |
Duluxe Class | $600 | $28 |
| Tourist Class | $580 | $14 | |
|
4-5 Person |
Duluxe Class | $440 | $28 |
| Tourist Class | $420 | $14 | |
|
6-9 Person |
Duluxe Class | $360 | $28 |
| Tourist Class | $340 | $14 |
Our prices included:
1. Entrance ticket. The entrance ticket of Panda Garden,Mengdingshan tea picking, Giant Buddha Statue, paper making.
2. Guide. An English speaking guide will be provided, who will accompany you from the start of tour to end of tour.
3. Private Transfers during tour. Our guide and driver will pick-up you at your hotel on time and drop-off you after the tours. And an air-conditioned vehicle will be provided during the tour.
4. Meals. Meals as schedule listed will be provided at local restaurant. During the meal, a glass of soft drink will be provided.
5. Service Charge & Government Taxes.
6. One nights’ accommodation. For tourist class it will be guesthouse in Shangli, for superior class it will be 4 star hotel in Ya’an city.
7. Insurance. We provide a free insurance of accident and casualty for each traveler. The highest refund is RMB 300000.00. Detailed terms please view our contract with Ping An of China.
2. Guide. An English speaking guide will be provided, who will accompany you from the start of tour to end of tour.
3. Private Transfers during tour. Our guide and driver will pick-up you at your hotel on time and drop-off you after the tours. And an air-conditioned vehicle will be provided during the tour.
4. Meals. Meals as schedule listed will be provided at local restaurant. During the meal, a glass of soft drink will be provided.
5. Service Charge & Government Taxes.
6. One nights’ accommodation. For tourist class it will be guesthouse in Shangli, for superior class it will be 4 star hotel in Ya’an city.
7. Insurance. We provide a free insurance of accident and casualty for each traveler. The highest refund is RMB 300000.00. Detailed terms please view our contract with Ping An of China.
Our prices not included :
1. Taking photo with panda in your arms.
2. The cruise of Leshan. If you want to take cruise to enjoy the Buddha in its front side, you need to pay extra $12.00/p.p .
3. Tips to the guide and driver.
2. The cruise of Leshan. If you want to take cruise to enjoy the Buddha in its front side, you need to pay extra $12.00/p.p .
3. Tips to the guide and driver.
If you require, we can book hotels in Chengdu, and make private airport and city tour necessary.
Are you interested in this itinerary? Send us a message and let us help you plan and book your China vacation based on this sample. Response within 24 hours. Contact our Travel Consultant.
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