An 8-day Chengdu and Jiuzhaigou route built around classic Sichuan landscapes and city culture: Chengdu old streets, high-speed rail to the Jiuzhaigou area, a full day in Jiuzhaigou National Park, Songpan Ancient Town, panda experience, Sichuan cuisine workshop, Hanfu photo experience and Sichuan opera.
Fly to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan. On arrival, meet your local driver and transfer by private vehicle to a hotel near Tianfu International Airport. Meals are left flexible on this arrival day, which is useful for late-night international flights.
After breakfast, start at Kuanzhai Alley, one of Chengdu's most recognizable old-street districts. Later transfer to Chengdu East Railway Station and take second-class high-speed rail to Huanglong-Jiuzhai Station. In the evening, join a Tibetan family visit near Jiuzhaigou, with Tibetan-style hotpot, barley wine, local snacks and Guozhuang dance atmosphere before checking in near the valley entrance.
Spend the day inside Jiuzhaigou, a UNESCO-listed natural heritage area known for blue-green lakes, layered waterfalls, forest valleys and mountain reflections. Lunch can be arranged around the Nuorilang restaurant area inside the park. After leaving the park in the late afternoon, continue with an optional Tibetan and Qiang cultural performance before returning to the hotel.
Enjoy a slower morning before visiting Songpan Ancient Town, a historic border town on the old tea-horse and military routes of northwest Sichuan. After lunch, transfer to Songpan or Huanglong-Jiuzhai Station and take high-speed rail back to Chengdu. Check in at a city hotel and rest.
Visit the Sichuan Cuisine Museum for a combined museum, tasting and hands-on cooking experience. Under a chef's guidance, guests prepare a classic Kung Pao Chicken dish. In the afternoon, continue to Dujiangyan Panda Valley for a panda-themed visit, then return to Chengdu after dinner.
Begin with Wenshu Monastery, one of Chengdu's most atmospheric Buddhist sites, then visit Wuhou Shrine Museum and Jinli Folk Street for Three Kingdoms culture and old Chengdu street life. A Hanfu dress-up photo experience can be arranged in Jinli. In the evening, watch a Sichuan opera performance featuring face-changing, fire-spitting and rolling-lamp skills.
Explore Chengdu's contemporary city scene: the IFS climbing panda, Chunxi Road, the popular 3D screen area, Taikoo Li and Daci Temple. After dinner, transfer to Chengdu Tianfu International Airport for the international departure flight.
Board the return flight or continue to another destination in China. The schedule can be adjusted according to the actual approved flight time.