Chengdu and giant pandas
From Panda Hometown to Lhasa
Tailor-made private Sichuan journey following Shanghai - Chengdu - Leshan - Emei Shan - Lhasa - Xining focused on giant pandas, Chengdu access and realistic visit timing, shaped for families, photography or a softer pace.
We shape the route around your dates, pace and comfort level before preparing the proposal.
Choose with confidence
Picture the route before asking for a proposal.
Follow the route rhythm, landscapes and travel moments first. If this feels like the China you want, we shape the dates, pace, hotels, transport and special interests around your group.
What you will see
Pandas, Chengdu neighborhoods, culture or nearby scenery need the right timing.
How the pace feels
Morning visits, transfers, afternoon choices and hotel position shape the experience.
How it can change
Family pace, photography, softer half-days, food or special dates can be added.
Route fit
A strong Sichuan starter for families and panda lovers.
You want pandas, Chengdu culture, heritage sites and a comfortable rhythm.
You expect a pure trekking route or very remote western Sichuan every day.
Highlights
- Shanghai
- Chengdu
- Leshan
- Emei Shan
- Lhasa
- Xining
Planning focus
Panda days depend on timing.
We check booking windows, morning visit rhythm, transfer time, nearby cultural stops and family comfort before shaping the final day.
Route at a glance
See the sequence before the details.
This quick route view helps you understand the order of stops, where the journey slows down and what we check before the final proposal.
Route sequence
Altitude rhythm
Add acclimatization time and avoid compressing high passes or remote nights.
Permit check
Tibet and special-route rules must be verified before the proposal is treated as confirmable.
Ticket timing
Pandas, museums, trains and popular sites may need document-based booking windows.
First-China clarity
Classic China works best when the route stays clear and each city has a real reason.
Itinerary rhythm
What each day can feel like
See how panda visits, Chengdu and nearby stops fit together. Before confirmation, we check booking windows, visit timing, transfers and family comfort.
Air Shanghai – Chengdu
In the morning leave for Leshan. On the way enjoy the beautiful countryside landscape of western Chengdu Plains during about two hours of driving on the expressway. Upon arrival in Leshan visit of the Grand Buddha in Lingyun Temple. The grand Buddha was completed in 803 of Tang Dynasty after 90 years of construction and enjoys the fame of the biggest sitting stone sculpture in the world (71-meter height). Carved on the cliff face, the sculpture is well designed with perfect balan
Chengdu – Leshan – Emei Shan
Early in the morning take the sightseeing bus to Leidongping Bus Station along the 52-kilometer zigzag mountain road. Upon arrival, we take the cable car to the Golden Summit. With an altitude of 3099 meters, if the weather is fine, the view is amazing; the verdant forest waves surge along the mountain; Min River, Qingyi River and Dadu River are like three pieces of silk; Mt. Daxue and Mt. Gongga seem to stretch to the horizon; the sun emerges with all shimmering rays through the surging
Emei Shan – Chengdu
In the morning drive to Chengdu Giant Panda Base of Breeding and Research. Founded in 1985, today there are over 50 giant pandas living there. In the afternoon visit of Qingyang Gong. The Qingyang Temple is one of the most famous Daoist temples in China. The temple was originally built in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), a period when Taoism was flourishing. Wandering through the temple, you will find many locals and visitors eating, drinking tea and playing Mahjong at the temple's teahouse. This is a tra
Chengdu
In the morning transfer to the airport, fly (CA4401 0740/0950) to Lhasa (3650 m), the capital of Tibet. Arrival at Gongga Airport, transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon visit of the beautiful Ani Sangkhung Nunnery. There are plants everywhere and it feels like you are in a garden in the middle of the city. In the nunnery there is a little shop where they print prayer books. If the nuns are working on it you are welcome inside to see how it is done.
Air Chengdu – Lhasa
In the morning, visit of the Potala, which was originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet, and later expanded and used as the Dalai Lamas’ winter residence and as the religious and political center of traditional Tibet. The crowds of pilgrims, the innumerable and magnificent murals, Buddhist statues, scriptures and rare treasures put altogether create a dense religious and artistic atmosphere that impresses every visitor. In the afternoon, visit of Jokhang monas
Lhasa
In the morning visit of Parla Lupu Cave Monastery, located on the slopes of Yaowang Mountain, was built in the 7th century. It is 22m high and from there you can have a wonderful panoramic view over Potala palace. Afterwards, visit of the Tibet Museum, you’ll learn much about the Tibetan geography, nature and culture, etc. In the afternoon visit of Sera monastery, which was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As roses are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also c
Lhasa
The city of Xining is mainly inhabited with Tibetans but also a home of Uygur, Kazak and Hui minorities. Upon arrival in Xining transfer to a hotel for breakfast. Then drive to visit Dongguan Grand Mosque. Then transfer to the airport, fly to Beijing (MU2077 1445/1710). Transfer to the hotel.
Air Xining – Beijing
In the morning, stroll about Tian An Men Square, which is probably the biggest one of its kind in the world. Then go to visit the Forbidden City (Gu Gong) the emperor's palace, which was built between 1406 and 1420 with 9000 halls and rooms, containing many precious relics. Facing south and rising from a terrace, the largest palace in the world represents the supreme power and authority emperors enjoyed during the feudalistic dynasties, and exemplifies the elements of palace architecture. Then we wi
Beijing
In the morning go to the Great Wall at Mutianyu. The Great Wall is one of the eight ancient wonders of the world and the only man-made construction on earth that the astronauts can see from the moon. Starting out in the east on the banks of Yalu River in Liaoning Province, the Wall stretches westwards for 12,700 kilometers to Jiayuguan in the Gobi Desert. It was built as a defensive structure and gradually become the symbol of the ancient Chinese civilization. Take the cable car to the Great Wall an
Beijing
Check out the hotel in the morning and transfer to the airport for homeward flight.
Images help show the landscape and travel mood of the route. The exact hotel, vehicle, guide and timing are confirmed with your proposal.
Trip inquiry
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