The whole morning is devoted to a visit in Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, the first stop of your Chengdu tour. Giant pandas are most energetic in the morning, so we set off early today at around 08:00. The panda base was constructed in such a way as imitating the wild habitats of these cute animals, with research and training centers. As creatures already adorable for their look, they could easily melt your heart by chewing bamboo and rolling on the grounds!

To experience the local life, is there anything more immersive than doing what locals would normally do? For lunch, eat at Yongle Restaurant in Xiaojiahe Community, a scenic food street not far from Xiaojiahe River. Standing for 20 years, it is frequented by locals and mainly serves homely dishes, which are sold at fair prices. But you might have to wait in line as others for an empty seat around this time. Of course, if you don’t feel like waiting, we can take you to a nearby restaurant that caters to your interest. Please note that lunch is at your own expense.

In the afternoon, dive into a local vegetable market, the daily must-visit of Chinese people. It’s true vegetables are main commodities here, but you can also see spices, sea food, braised products, etc., components of the culinary culture of Chinese people. Another 15 minutes’ walk will take us to the bank of Xiaojiahe River, which is packed with tea houses. Over Gaiwan Tea (tea in lidded bowl), locals chat and play Mahjong - activities that are featured in Chengdu’s “slow-paced life”. With us, you’ll be treated to a special cup of Gaiwan Coffee. Familiar taste, yet from a Chinese lidded bowl, in a tea house? It fascinates, doesn’t it! Afterwards, the guide will escort you back to your hotel.

Meal: Western buffet breakfast

In the morning, we’ll drive to Leshan and get on a cruise ship to appreciate the Leshan Giant Buddha. Measuring about 71 meters (233 feet) high, it’s the world’s largest Buddha statue, carved into a hillside and representing the future Buddha of Maitreya. The sitting statue took about 90 years to complete during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD), to bless ships passing the confluence of three rivers it is overlooking.

Afterwards, travel to the Mt. Emei and check into the local 5-star hotel at its foot. Rest for a while and enjoy dinner.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The private itinerary today focuses on the Mt. Emei and two renowned temples. From the parking lot, we’ll take the cable car and then walk 10 to 20 minutes to the Wannian Temple; then come back the same way we came, and continue driving to Baoguo Temple. As one of the Four Sacred Mountains of Buddhism in China, Mt. Emei is a holy land for Buddhists with many religious sites dating back to the ancient times. Acclaimed as 'a beauty spot under heaven' by Chinese ancestors, it boasts majestic cliffs, deep valleys, waterfalls, cloud sea, and verdant forests for you to wonder at. The Wannian Temple is one of the oldest temples which houses rich Buddhist cultural relics, while the Baoguo Temple, a magnificent building complex with four temple halls, quaint pavilions, and beautiful gardens, is the largest temple as well as the No. 1 scenic spot here. To stroll under its shady ever-green pines and cypresses would be an unforgettable experience.

After a full-day sightseeing tour, drive back to Chengdu and check into the hotel.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch

This morning, let the archaeological finds in Jinsha Site Museum tell you stories of the ancient Shu Civilization, which existed between 12th to 7th century BC on this land. Of those finds, one that the museum is most proud of is a piece of carved gold foil named “Sun and Immortal Birds”, on which you can find the image of a sun and four birds around it, speaking for Shu people’s belief in the Sun God. Unearthed in 2001, it surprised the world with its delicacy of craftsmanship, achieved by artisans that lived 3,000 years ago. Now it is a symbol not only of the Shu Civilization, but of Chengdu and Chinese Cultural Heritage. You can find the image on the gold foil almost everywhere that is most likely to be passed by, like on street light poles, at the entrance of subway, and in parks.

The afternoon sees us drive to and wander around Wide and Narrow Alley, the last must-visit of our 5 days Chengdu tour. It’s a district comprising three alleys, all flanked by traditional courtyard houses, some of which have been converted to restaurants, pubs, teahouses and stores. Dating back hundreds of years, it offers you fascinating views of past Chengdu.

It’s time for us to say goodbye to each other now. Your guide and driver will see you off at the airport. Hope we have a chance to see you again in the future.

Meal: Western buffet breakfast