14 Days Adventure in Sichuan West Itinerary

Take an early morning train from Chengdu to Leshan (approximately 1 hour). Start your day by visiting the Leshan Giant Buddha, one of the largest stone Buddha statues in the world. This UNESCO World Heritage site offers breathtaking views and an insight into ancient Chinese craftsmanship.

After exploring the Buddha site, take a short boat ride on the Min River for a different perspective of this colossal statue. Following this, visit Lingyun Temple located nearby which adds more historical context to your visit.

Return to Leshan city center and dine at Leshan Flavor, where you can enjoy local specialties such as Leshan tofu pudding and sweet-skinned duck.

Travel from Leshan to Emeishan (approximately 30 minutes by car). Begin your exploration at Baoguo Temple, located at the foot of Mount Emei. This temple serves as an excellent introduction to one of China's four sacred Buddhist mountains.

Take a cable car up to Wannian Temple for stunning views and spiritual ambiance. Spend some time exploring this ancient temple before hiking down through lush forests and past scenic waterfalls.

Head back to Emeishan town for dinner at Mountain Delights, known for its vegetarian dishes inspired by Buddhist cuisine.

Start your day early with a visit to the Golden Summit (Jinding) of Mount Emei. Take the cable car from Leidongping to the summit, where you can witness breathtaking panoramic views and the magnificent golden statue of Samantabhadra. The summit is often shrouded in mist, adding a mystical element to your visit.

Descend from the Golden Summit and explore the Qingyin Pavilion, known for its serene environment and beautiful architecture. The pavilion is surrounded by lush greenery and offers a peaceful retreat. It's about a 2-hour hike down from the summit.

Return to Emeishan town and enjoy dinner at Buddha's Feast, which offers a variety of vegetarian dishes inspired by local Buddhist traditions.

Visit Bifengxia Panda Base - Start your day with a visit to Bifengxia Panda Base, located about an hour's drive from Emeishan. This base is less crowded than Chengdu's panda base and offers more intimate encounters with these gentle giants.

Explore Shangli Ancient Town - After spending your morning with pandas, head to Shangli Ancient Town, about 30 minutes from Bifengxia. This well-preserved town offers a glimpse into traditional Chinese architecture and culture.

Dine at Ya'an Old Street - End your day with dinner at one of the local eateries on Ya'an Old Street. This area is known for its vibrant atmosphere and delicious street food.

Drive to Kangding - Depart early from Ya'an for Kangding, which takes approximately 3 hours by car. The journey offers stunning views of mountains and rivers along the way.

Visit Mugecuo Scenic Area - Upon arrival in Kangding, head straight to Mugecuo Scenic Area. This area is known for its beautiful lakes, hot springs, and alpine meadows.

Dine at Tibetan Family Restaurant - Enjoy dinner at Tibetan Family Restaurant in Kangding town, where you can savor authentic Tibetan cuisine.

Start your day with a visit to the Paoma Mountain, which is about a 20-minute drive from Kangding town. This mountain is famous for its beautiful scenery and cultural significance in Tibetan folklore. Enjoy a leisurely hike and take in the panoramic views of Kangding and the surrounding valleys.

After descending from Paoma Mountain, head to the Anjue Temple, one of the oldest Tibetan Buddhist temples in the region. The temple is located within Kangding town and offers a serene environment for meditation and reflection.

End your day with dinner at Highland Delights, known for its fusion of Sichuan and Tibetan cuisines. Try their yak meat dishes and other local specialties.

Depart early from Kangding to Tagong Grassland, which takes about 2 hours by car. The grassland is known for its vast open spaces, traditional Tibetan nomadic culture, and stunning views of snow-capped mountains.

Spend your afternoon exploring the Tagong Monastery, located in the heart of the grassland. This monastery is an important religious site for Tibetan Buddhists and offers a glimpse into their spiritual practices.

Return to Tagong town for dinner at Nomad's Feast, where you can enjoy traditional Tibetan dishes such as tsampa (roasted barley flour) and butter tea.

Travel from Tagong to Danba (approximately 3 hours by car). Start your day by visiting Jiaju Tibetan Village, often referred to as one of the most beautiful villages in China. The village is known for its unique architecture and stunning mountain backdrop.

After exploring Jiaju Village, head to Suopo Watchtowers, located nearby. These ancient watchtowers offer a fascinating insight into the region's history and were used for defense purposes centuries ago.

End your day with dinner at Danba Delicacies, where you can savor local specialties such as buckwheat noodles and highland barley wine.

Begin your day with a visit to the Zhonglu Tibetan Village, which is about a 30-minute drive from Danba town. This village is known for its traditional Tibetan houses and picturesque setting amidst terraced fields and mountains. Take a leisurely walk through the village and interact with the friendly locals to learn more about their way of life.

After exploring Zhonglu Village, head to the Danba Ancient Blockhouses, located nearby. These blockhouses are unique stone structures that date back hundreds of years and were used for both residential and defensive purposes. The architecture and historical significance of these structures offer a fascinating glimpse into the region's past.

Return to Danba town for dinner at Tibetan Flavors, where you can enjoy a variety of traditional Tibetan dishes such as momos (dumplings) and thukpa (noodle soup).

Drive to Siguniangshan - Depart early from Danba for Siguniangshan, which takes approximately 3 hours by car. The journey offers stunning views of mountains, rivers, and valleys along the way.

Explore Shuangqiao Valley - Upon arrival in Siguniangshan, head straight to Shuangqiao Valley. This valley is known for its breathtaking landscapes, including snow-capped peaks, alpine meadows, and pristine lakes. Spend your afternoon hiking through the valley and taking in the natural beauty.

Dine at Highland Cuisine - Enjoy dinner at Highland Cuisine in Siguniangshan town, where you can savor local specialties such as yak meat hotpot and wild mushroom dishes.

Hike in Changping Valley - Start your day with a hike in Changping Valley, one of the most scenic areas in Siguniangshan. The valley is known for its dense forests, crystal-clear streams, and stunning views of Mount Siguniang.

Visit Haizi Valley - After exploring Changping Valley, head to Haizi Valley for more breathtaking scenery. This valley is famous for its numerous glacial lakes surrounded by snow-capped peaks.

Dine at Mountain Delights - End your day with dinner at Mountain Delights in Siguniangshan town. The restaurant offers a variety of local dishes made with fresh ingredients sourced from the surrounding mountains.

Drive to Bipenggou - Depart early from Siguniangshan for Bipenggou, which takes approximately 2 hours by car. The journey offers stunning views of mountains and forests along the way.

Hike in Bipenggou Scenic Area - Upon arrival in Bipenggou, spend your afternoon hiking through the scenic area. This region is known for its pristine lakes, dense forests, and beautiful alpine meadows.

Dine at Alpine Flavors - Enjoy dinner at Alpine Flavors in Bipenggou town, where you can savor local specialties such as wild mushroom dishes and fresh trout.

Drive back to Chengdu - Depart early from Bipenggou for Chengdu, which takes approximately 3 hours by car. The journey offers a final opportunity to enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Sichuan West.

Visit Wenshu Monastery - Upon arrival in Chengdu, head to Wenshu Monastery. This ancient Buddhist temple is known for its beautiful architecture and serene gardens.

Dine at Sichuan Delights - End your trip with a farewell dinner at Sichuan Delights in Chengdu. The restaurant is known for its authentic Sichuan cuisine, including spicy hotpot and mapo tofu.