This one seems to be going up for a Preliminary Assessment
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1354392.shtml

I am trying to build an itinerary to cover the Sichuan hotspot for 9 full days, so I thought I'd ask people in the forum who have previously done the same. Here's my draft and would love to hear about your recommendations. I will be based in Chengdu.

29 May (Fri) - Rest in the morning, Jinsha site in the afternoon.
30 May (Sat) - day trip to Dujiangyuan and Qingchengshan (if right knee isn't acting up)
31 May (Sun) - day trip to Wolong Giant Panda Nature Reserve
1 Jun (Mon) - day trip to Leshan Giant Buddha (not keen to visit Emeishan)
2 Jun (Tue) - transfer to Jiuzhaigou National Park
3 Jun (Wed) - Jiuzhaigou National Park
4 Jun (Thu) - Huanglong National Park
5 Jun (Fri) - back to Chengdu in the morning, Shuijingjie Workshop in the afternoon
6 Jun (Sat) - day trip to Dazu Rock Carvings (is this even possible as a daytrip)?

Things to consider:
* You cant / shouldnt do the trip based on daytrips. Woolong is not possible imho from Chengdu as day trip.
* Monday many sites are closed. Use trip.com to check opening hours.
* Get tickets via trip.com in advance. And no, I dont get paid by them, but they are just the best offer.


Assuming you arrive that day, get a train to the city. Dont get off before Chendgu Nan (South). The airport train is a fast connection. Our hotel let us check in early at no extra cost (Mercure, Downtown, pending availabiity).

Consider visiting the liquor site. It's just down town. Seems like a good idea to combine this.


* Say overnight in Dujiangyuan. The train leaves from Xipu. Staying at the central square, you can take a metro directly there.
* Day 1: I would visit Panda Valley and Mount Qingshan (Back) -> Take a cab. Mount Qingshan (Front) and Mount Qingshan (Back) are separate mountains. Both are in the Panda core zone. Woolong Panda centre is not, but you will drive through.
* Day 2: Downtown Dujiangyan and afternoon direct train to Emei.


1) Skipping Emeishan terrible choice. It's the lesser component.
2) There is a direct fast train from Dujiangyan to Leshan/Emei -> Saves you a lot of time in Chengdu getting to/from the HSR station.
3) Return in the evening from Emeishan to Chendgu.


We did basically the same thing. Remember to reserve the train ticket, the entry ticket and the cable car ticket in advance via trip.com. From the HSR station, you need to arrange transfer (again possible with trip.com).

Use the way the transfer to Jiuzhaigou National Park to stop at the Tibetan Dialou. Get a cab. Note: The eagle's nest is apparently a 1h hike, so should have 6h (2*1 transfer by cab (have them wait), 4h in site).

You hopefully arent visiting in winter?


I would rather see big panda park and go to the other ancient shu state site (they are close to each other). Liquor making can be done on the first day.


Been there done that. Entirely possible. Long day. Get didi.

Thanks nfmungard for the insights.


Gotcha. Wolong's inclusion is intentional even if it is just in the buffer zone, as it will supplement my visit to Qinchengshan (within the core zone) to enrich experiencing the OUV. I thought seeing pandas within the buffer zone is better than seeing pandas in the city, but I will check out Dujiangyan Panda Valley (thanks for this!).


Agree--I have used Ctrip before (before it was rebranded to trip.com) and they are more reliable than the other ones. I also used China DIY Travel back in the olden days.


I knowww!! :( But it would depend how my right knee would act up after doing Qingchengshan.


Didi is indeed the way.

Front or back? You need to check how close the cable car is. Front had some climbs involved to make it up to the cable car and from there to the pagoda.


Set language to English. VERY IMPORTANT. Otherwise offers may be missing.


Pandagou (valley) is in the buffer zone too. And the only place where you can spend 400$ to take a picture with a panda. I liked it. I would try to combine this with the back mountain and you should be good. Cabbies are a bit difficult, as they dont like going to the back mountain.