8 Days Chengdu Chongqing Zhangjiajie Small Group Tour: Panda, Cyberpunk & Avatar

Welcome to Chengdu, the home of the giant panda! Our local staff will meet you at the airport or station for a seamless transfer to your downtown hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure to rest or explore the local neighborhood at your own pace.

Get to Chengdu:

Chengdu is highly accessible via two international airports—Shuangliu and Tianfu—serving major domestic and global hubs like Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai. Additionally, high-speed rail offers efficient connections from Xian (3-4 hours), Chongqing (1.5-2hours), Guiyang (3.5-4.5 hours), Kunming (6-6.5hours), Shanghai (12.5-14.5 hours), etc.

Free Time Ideas: We highly recommend trying an authentic Sichuan hot pot or catching a Sichuan Opera performance to make the most of your night.

After breakfast, you will travel approximately 17 kilometers by coach to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, located in the northern suburbs of Chengdu. Here you can admire China's endearing national treasure—the giant panda, and learn about their living habits and conservation efforts.

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (commonly known as Chengdu Panda Base) is home to more than 100 giant pandas, making it the base with the largest captive giant panda population in the world. You can watch giant pandas of all ages playing, eating, climbing hills, climbing trees, sleeping and engaging in other lovely and interesting behaviors. Accompanied by a guide, you may also visit the Panda Museum to discover more stories about pandas. Additionally, visitors traveling in autumn will have the chance to see incredibly adorable giant panda cubs at the Moon Nursery and Sun Nursery.

In the afternoon, you will take a roughly 50-kilometer (1-hour) coach ride to the Sanxingdui Museum, known for the reputation of “Sleeping for three thousand years, astonishing the world at one awakening.”

First unearthed in 1929, Sanxingdui is the largest, longest-lasting ancient cultural site with the richest cultural connotations ever discovered in southwest China. At the site, you will view the majestic and imposing Bronze Standing Figure, the exquisitely crafted Bronze Sacred Tree, the gold mask as thin as a cicada's wing, the intricately patterned Golden Scepter, and many other extraordinary relics. Following your guide, you will travel through the dust of history, explore the ancient Shu civilization, and unlock the mysterious stories behind these cultural relics.

Note: The Sanxingdui Museum attracts massive crowds during holidays and public festivals, and tickets are often extremely difficult to obtain. We will make every effort to secure tickets for you. If we are unfortunately unable to do so, the itinerary for the day will be adjusted to Chengdu Panda Base + Chengdu Museum + Kuanzhai Alleys + People's Park based on actual conditions. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

After the visit, you will return to downtown Chengdu and take a leisurely stroll along Jinli Ancient Street.

Jinli is the oldest, most bustling and prosperous commercial street in Chengdu, with a long history dating back to the Qin and Han dynasties. Here you can explore and savor traditional Chengdu snacks and delicacies, watch fascinating folk performances, and appreciate the beauty of traditional Chinese ancient architecture.

Today, take a morning high-speed train from Chengdu to Chongqing, a short ride of about 1 to 2 hours. Welcome to Chongqing, famously known as China's Mountain City!

TheN, meet your guide and head to Liziba Metro Station, home to the famous "train through a building" phenomenon. This incredible engineering marvel has made Line 2 a must-see landmark. We'll stop at the dedicated viewing platform so you can watch the monorail glide through the apartments.

Next, head to Kuixing Building, the heart of Chongqing's famous "8D cyberpunk" vibe and a sacred spot for Qing Dynasty scholars. You'll step onto what feels like a normal ground-level plaza, only to realize you're actually 22 stories up!

Later, visit Jiefangbei, a 27.5-meter monument built in 1940 to symbolize Chongqing's WWII resilience. The tower's base serves as a historical time capsule, preserving artifacts from its founding. It is the iconic location to capture "Hello Chongqing" photo.

Enjoy a hot pot dinner with the group! There's no better place than the birthplace of hot pot to put your taste buds to the test against spicy broths.

Next, visit Hongya Cave, a stunning complex of traditional stilted buildings along the Jialing River. Famous for its wooden diaojiaolou architecture and vibrant atmosphere, it's the perfect spot for a riverside stroll featuring breathtaking views of Chongqing's modern skyline.

At night, the cliffside transforms into a dazzling display of lights. For the ultimate photo, walk onto the red Qiansimen Bridge. You'll capture the famous bird's-eye view of the city's glowing structures.

After that, return to your hotel in Chongqing downtown area.

Today, take a 2.5-hour drive to Wulong Karst National Geological Park, a UNESCO site famous for its massive Three Natural Bridges. This cinematic landscape, featured in Transformers, offers incredible scenery.

Start your visit at the glass observation deck for a dizzying 280-meter-high view, then take the sightseeing elevator deep into the gorge.

As you hike the trail, you'll encounter:

1. Tianlong Bridge (Heavenly Dragon): You'll first meet the "Heavenly Dragon," a giant limestone gateway that is easily the most majestic sight in the park.

2. Tianfu Official Post: Tucked away in the gorge is this beautiful historic courtyard. It's a step back in time to when ancient officials used it as a scenic rest stop.

3. Qinglong Bridge (Azure Dragon): Get your camera ready for the "Azure Dragon." Its slender, elegant shape surrounded by lush forest makes it a favorite for travel photos.

4. Heilong Bridge (Black Dragon): Finally, enjoy the misty, mysterious vibes of the "Black Dragon," where a calm creek winds its way under the towering rock ceiling.

Note:

· Footwear: Wear supportive shoes suitable for steep stairs and natural terrain.

· Hydration: Bring plenty of water and snacks to stay fueled during the trek.

· Photography: Use a wide-angle lens for landscape shots and waterproof protection for your camera.

· Clothing: Dress in breathable layers and bring a raincoat to handle the cool, damp canyon climate.

Stay overnight in downtown Chongqing.

This morning, take a 2-3 hour high-speed train to Zhangjiajie, the world-famous "Avatar Mountain" destination. Our local staff will meet you upon arrival for a comfort transfer to your hotel. After check-in, enjoy free time to relax or start exploring this incredible city on your own.

Start your day at Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. You'll have plenty of time to experience the magic of Wulingyuan, a spectacular landscape filled with over 3,000 towering sandstone pillars that feel like another world.

First, ride the famous Bailong Elevator, the world's tallest outdoor lift, straight up to Yuanjiajie. You'll step into the surreal world of Avatar, where you can photograph the massive Hallelujah Mountains. Walk the scenic precipice trail to discover natural marvels like the First Bridge Under Heaven.

Next, visit Tianzi Mountain, the "King of Peaks," named after a historic Tujia ethnic leader. This 1,262-meter UNESCO site is famous for its sea of clouds and as a filming location for Journey to the West. Don't miss the Dianjiangtai Platform for views of the misty West Sea Peaks or the Imperial Writing Brush Peaks, six slender stone pillars that legendary lore claims were the emperor's own pens.

Later, walk to He Long Parkto see the famous bronze statue of the Marshal. Don't miss the Tianzige Pavilion; at 30 meters tall, it provides a breathtaking 360-degree view of the endless mountain peaks below.

Note: To avoid peak-season crowds, your guide may reverse the tour order, ensuring you stay ahead of the largest tourist groups.

After breakfast, we'll drive you from Wulingyuan to the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. It's a 56-kilometer trip that takes about 90 minutes.

The Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon is a stunning area famous for its fresh mountain air, waterfalls, and the famous Glass Bridge. Walking across this clear glass path feels like floating 300 meters above the trees. If you're feeling extra brave, you can try the world's highest bungee jump (optional). It's the ultimate spot for breathtaking photos and an exciting rush!

After the scary Glass Bridge, go to Baofeng Lake to rest. Take a shuttle bus to the boat pier. You will ride a wooden boat on the clear water. The lake is very quiet with many green trees and tall cliffs. You can see the mountains in the water and listen to local people sing beautiful songs.

Return to your hotel for a good rest.

Today, discover Tianmen Mountain, a sacred landmark known as the "Soul of Zhangjiajie." It's very close to the city and great for everyone since there's no tough climbing needed. You'll ride the world's longest cable car straight to the top! While most areas are easy to reach, you can even take an elevator to avoid the stairs at Tianmen Cave.

First, enjoy a 30-minute cable car journey (7,455 meters) from Zhangjiajie City to the summit of Tianmen Mountain. During your ascent, you will experience a panoramic view of the renowned 99-bend mountain road (the Road to Heaven) and the exquisite beauty of the natural bonsai gardens.

Get ready for an unforgettable thrill. Take a deep breath and step onto the Glass Walkway, where you'll walk across 60 meters of clear glass floating 1,430 meters above the deep valley. It truly feels like walking on air. Afterward, follow the 1.6-kilometer Cliff-Hanging Walkway that hugs the mountain's edge—it's an incredible adventure with unbeatable views.

Next, you can explore Tianmen Temple, a beautiful Buddhist site built in the traditional style of the Qing Dynasty. It's tucked away in thick green forests, making it a peaceful place to relax. You can also head up to Yunmenxianding, the highest point at 1,518 meters, for a stunning overhead view of the entire park.

Later, take the escalator down to Tianmen Cave (Heaven's Gate Hole), a stunning

131.5-meter-high natural arch. Whether it's misty or sunny, the changing light makes for incredible photos. To finish your visit, you can either walk down the 999 steps for a challenge or take the quick elevator back to the cable car station.

Your 7 Days Chongqing Zhangjiajie Group Tour concludes today. Your guide will transfer you to the airport or station for your flight or high-speed train. We appreciate you choosing Asia Odyssey Travel!