A GIANT Chengdu tour – seeing Giant Panda and visiting Giant Buddha in just one go!
Visit the International Face Giant Panda is a MUST thing to do for all travelers in Chengdu, and easily can be done in a half day. You only have to spend a morning there? Then what comes next after visiting panda? Definitely the world-famous Leshan Giant Buddha, a famous World Heritage Site as well as a sacred Buddhist site in Leshan City.
One day is enough to visit both two sites, usually see the pandas in the morning, and then drive about two hours to Leshan city in the afternoon. Generally two hours are needed to see the Buddha and other historical sites on the mountain where the Giant Buddha locates. After visit, drive back to Chengdu. (Alert: Giant Panda Base and Leshan Giant Buddha are 150km from each other, approximately 2 hours' driving. You need to leave from your hotel at around 07:00 AM so that you can visit both of them in a single day as the same time avoiding crowds as much as possible. )
Day 1 Chengdu - Leshan ( L )
Today's highlights: Giant Panda, Leshan Giant Buddha
This morning you will make a stirring visit to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding which is not only the most important panda scientific research center, but also dwelling home to more than 100 Giant Pandas. Walk at leisure through the bamboo framed paths, and closely observe giant pandas of different ages eating bamboos, playing with each other, tumbling, climbing trees, etc. Don't miss the chance to visit the most adorable panda cubs in the panda kindergartens. If you are lucky, you may be able to see the precious panda babies in the nursery rooms. There is also a very informative Panda Museum where you can learn more scientific facts about Giant Pandas.
Following the pandas, you will drive about 2 hours from Chengdu to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site - Leshan Giant Buddha which is the largest and tallest stone-carved statue of Buddha in the world. It was carved during AD713~803 on a mountain rock cliff by the river, with its head reaching to the mountain top and its feet standing next to the river. The total height is 71m; while the head is 14.7m high and 10m wide, ear is 7meters high, 28 meters between knees and insteps. Its insteps can hold over a hundred people. You may be wondering why such a giant Buddha was built? It is said to have been built to calm the turbulent waters that plagued passing boats and killed many people each year in ancient time. On the right cliff of the Giant Buddha, there is a plank road built along with the Giant Buddha. From the top to foot, the plank road has nine turns, thus it’s called Nine Bends Plank Road. The widest part of the road is 1.45m and the narrowest part is only 0.6m, and there are 217 stone steps in total. You will walk to the feet of the Giant Buddha for a closer view. Please note you may have to queue up to enter the stone stairway if you visit the Giant Buddha during the busy hours. If you want to save time, you can take the 30 minutes’ sightseeing boat to enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of the Giant Buddha on the river.
Lastly, drive back to your hotel in Chengdu.
Recommended Optional Activities: 1) enjoy a delicious dinner of Sichuan cuisine (or hotpot) at a local restaurant; 2) watch a wonderful performance of Sichuan Opera which includes folk opera, face changing, fire spitting, rolling lights, and other delightful entertainment (usually performs during 20:00~21:30).
Look up at Leshan Giant Buddha from its foot stage
Cute Pandas Living in Their Natural Environment
1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one standard double-bed room in 4-star hotel and traveling with our private tour in low seasons.
2. This price is subject to change according your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities in your itinerary and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate. If you want a lower price, you can get more people to join you, or use economy class hotels.
3. This price is only valid to March 31, 2023.
4. Reference exchange rate of USD 1= RMB 6.45. The final quote is based on current exchange rate. It may change according to the currency fluctuation, while the RMB quotation will be remained the same.
Hi Wonder,
we made it back to Shanghai. It was a great trip even with rain, COVID, and Sophie's personal issues.
Kristin
Hello Rita,
谢谢，我们玩的挺好，气温很适宜，也没怎么下雨，比较幸运。
Vivien
Hello Tracy,
we enjoyed the trip very much. Thanks a lot for organizing everything so brilliant it was really fantastic!
Nadine
Hi Tracy,
Thank you for your help in sorting out my few days ago. I will certainly be asking you for help in the future, now to start thinking about my 10 day break, beginning of April!
David
Hi Wonder,
We did quite a lot of research for travel agency before heading for our first trip to Lhasa, Tibet; since foreign travelers to Tibet have to purchase a tour. China Discovery did a great job in helping us get the Tibet Tourism Bureau permit, booking our train tickets from Xining, Qinghai Province, to Lhasa; and organizing a private Tibetan guide, Tenzin, and a driver, for our 5 days in Tibet. They also helped us with all Covid-19 safety measures and authorization requirements). Great sceneries and sites, especially Yamdrok Lake, Khambala pass (4800m), Potala Palace, Sera Monastery and Deprung Monastery. Our guide Tenzin spoke very well in English and was very helpful.
My suggestion: No need to visit Summer Palace; suggest organizing visit of Yack herd with Nomads in higher plateau and in Snow area. Otherwise, very good and Tenzin was excellent
Richard
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There will be some meals excluded in your itinerary as you like, and your private guide will be delighted to give you some suggestions and take you to the local restaurants to taste like Beijing Roast Duck, Xian Dumpling Dinner, Sichuan Hotpot, etc., if you are interested in local food tasting.
All the dining options will satisfy your stomach!
Look up at Leshan Giant Buddha from its foot stage
Cute Pandas Living in Their Natural Environment
Based in Chengdu (only 2hrs driving from Leshan) with more than 1360 good reviews on Tripadvisor, we always master the first-hand travel information of Leshan Giant Buddha, Mount Emei and other beautiful places in Chengdu region. We know what is the best way to enjoy your own Giant Buddha vacation; Our private tour packages assure you the highest standards with great flexibility, comfort and personalized arrangement. You will your personal travel consultant, professional tour guide and a private vehicle which only serve for your party - nobody else. All-inclusive tour package to let you enjoy the best of Leshan as well as Mount Emei, Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou, etc.
There are two ways to visit the Giant Buddha, one is walking from the entrance to the top area near the head and keeping walking down to the feet area of the Buddha along a zigzag plank road on the cliff, generally 1.5hrs~3hrs. This may require some waiting in line and large crowds but the view of looking up from the bottom is worthwhile. Another option is to take a boat to approach it and get a panoramic view, generally 30~45 minutes. This is a good option for those who want to avoid walking or waiting in crowds. Our tour guide will help you adjust accordingly based on your preference.
Leshan Giant Buddha is located in Leshan city which has no airport. Travelers usually get there from Chengdu (about 150km/2hrs’ driving). The road condition is very good but traffic jams may happen during holidays and some weekends. If you arrive at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport early, we can also book a high speed train ticket for you to get to the Buddha.
The Giant Buddha trip usually takes a half day. After that, you can transfer back to Chengdu, or traveling from Leshan to Mount Emei, which is a classic itinerary, and needs an extra day. You can stay a night at the foot of the mountain, then explore the mountain on the next day. If you come during March, August and September, you are suggested to experience Jiayang Steam Train and enjoy canola flowers/sunflowers. Leshan trip is usually a part of longer Sichuan trip which covers other popular destinations in Sichuan, such as Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou, Mount Qingcheng, etc. We can also design a tailor-made tour for you if you need.
Leshan city has abundant rainfall with four clear-cut seasons. Weather in Leshan is mild with an annual average temperature between 16.5℃ and 18℃. It is suitable for travel all year around. Generally speaking, the best times: March to June and September to November when it is comfortable and less -crowded. It's always a good idea to avoid public holidays. Opening hours are 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in April to Oct and 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m in November to March. Try to arrive in the morning for the best views and smaller crowds.
What to wear in summer? - light, quick-dry and easy to wear clothes, hat, sunscreen, rain jacket and comfortable shoes. What to wear in winter? - double layer jacket, long underwear pants and tops, sweaters, long sleeve shirts, wool blend socks, boots, winter jacket, winter hat, winter gloves, winter scarf. What to wear in spring and autumn? - long underwear, fleece outer layer,, light hat, scarf.
Dujiangyan
Chengdu / Leshan / Mt. Emei / Chengdu
Chengdu / Guanghan (Sanxingdui)
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