Sichuan is the soul-warming cradle of China’s boldest flavors and some of its most storied landscapes. From the incense and camphor trees of Chengdu’s temples to the jasmine tea clinking in old tea houses, life moves at a gentle, convivial pace—until the chilies and peppercorns kick in. Expect giant pandas before breakfast, opera face-changing after dusk, and hot pot that will make you grin through happy tears.

Historically, Sichuan (literally “Four Rivers”) has been an agricultural heartland since the Qin and Han dynasties. The Dujiangyan Irrigation System, a 2,000-year-old engineering marvel, still waters the Chengdu Plain. Buddhist devotion carved a 233-foot (71-meter) Maitreya into the cliff at Leshan, and monastic chants still float across Mount Emei’s cedar forests and cloud seas.

Practically speaking, Chengdu is your hub: an easy flight from most Asian gateways, excellent subways, and high-speed trains to Leshan and Emeishan. Reserve panda base tickets in advance, carry a payment app that works in China (WeChat Pay or Alipay for Tourists), and be brave with the menu—dan dan noodles, mapo tofu, and rabbit-head snacks are famous for a reason. Spring and fall offer the best weather; winters are atmospheric and mild in Chengdu, cooler in the mountains.

Chengdu

Gentle, green, and delicious—Chengdu is where mornings begin with tea and end with hot pot. Stroll Kuanzhai (Wide & Narrow) Alleys, sip at People’s Park tea houses, and watch locals play mahjong beneath gingko trees. Between bites, visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to see roly‑poly residents at peak playtime.

• Top sights: Panda Base, Wuhou Shrine, Jinli Ancient Street, People’s Park (Heming Teahouse), Kuanzhai Alleys, Daci Temple & Taikoo Li, Sichuan Museum, Shufeng Yayun Sichuan Opera.
• Food highlights: Chen Mapo Tofu’s peppery classic, shu jiu xiang and shu daxia hot pot, Zhong dumplings, long chao shou wontons, dan dan noodles, chuan chuan xiang (skewer hot pot).
• Stay via: VRBO Chengdu or Hotels.com Chengdu. Consider boutique stays near Taikoo Li (Temple House area) for design-forward comfort, or around Kuanzhai for heritage charm.
• Getting in: Fly into Chengdu Tianfu (TFU) or Shuangliu (CTU). Search fares on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights. Metro rides to downtown are straightforward (30–70 minutes depending on airport/area).

Day 1: Arrive in Chengdu, Tea and Alleys

Morning: In transit.

Afternoon: Check in, then decompress at People’s Park. Order jasmine or chrysanthemum at Heming Teahouse (classic bamboo chairs, ear-cleaners plying their craft, and a slice of local life). Wander the bonsai garden and matchmakers’ corner.

Evening: Explore Kuanzhai Alleys. Snack your way through vendors: Long Chao Shou (wontons in red oil), Zhong Shui Jiao (peanuty dumplings), and sweet bingfen (ice jelly) for dessert. For dinner, try Shu Daxia Hot Pot (Three Kingdoms theatrics, numbing broth) or Da Miao Hot Pot (occasional bianlian face-changing performances). Nightcap at The Beer Nest near Jiuyanqiao for Chengdu’s craft scene.

Day 2: Pandas at Dawn, Temples at Dusk

Morning: Head early (arrive ~7:30–8:00) to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to watch feeding and peak panda play. Expect 20–40 minutes by taxi from central Chengdu. Coffee/brunch nearby at M Stand (good espresso) or return downtown for flaky dan hong gao (sponge cake) and soy milk.

Afternoon: Walk the serene grounds of Wenshu Monastery. Eat at its Vegetarian Restaurant for hearty tofu clay pots, wild mushrooms, and seasonal greens; then sip at the courtyard tea garden. If you enjoy museums, detour to the Sichuan Museum (bronzes, Tibetan art) near Huanhua Stream Park.

Evening: See the Shufeng Yayun Sichuan Opera: rapid-fire face changing, shadow puppets, and clacking percussion—shows typically 8–9:30 pm. Dine pre-show at Chen Mapo Tofu (origins traced to 1862; the numbing-spicy tofu is the benchmark) or sample chuan chuan skewers at Yulin Chuanchuan Xiang, a locals’ favorite.

Day 3: Daoist Peaks and Ancient Dams (Qingcheng Mountain & Dujiangyan Day Trip)

Morning: Take a high-speed train from Chengdu to Qingchengshan Station (40–50 minutes; ~$4–6/¥25–40). Book on Trip.com Trains. Hike the lower gates of Mount Qingcheng, one of Daoism’s cradles: mossy stairways, ancient cedars, and incense curling around Tianshi Cave. Light lunch at a hillside farmhouse—simple noodles with wild greens are perfect trail fuel.

Afternoon: Taxi or bus 20–30 minutes to the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, a UNESCO site from 256 BCE. Walk the Anlan Suspension Bridge to view the fish-mouth levee that still tames the Min River. Try a bowl of local smoked pork rice or rabbit cold noodles in the old town before returning.

Evening: Train back to Chengdu (50–60 minutes). Treat yourself to a modern Sichuan dinner at Mi Xun Teahouse (refined vegetarian tasting menus in a Qing-dynasty courtyard) or go casual with dan dan noodles and kou shui ji (mouthwatering chicken) at a neighborhood eatery. Cocktails at Jing Bar (Temple House) if you’re in a mood for something polished.

Day 4: Shrines, Street Snacks, and Taikoo Li

Morning: Visit the Wuhou Shrine, dedicated to Zhuge Liang of Three Kingdoms lore, then meander into Jinli Ancient Street for snack safari: tangyou guozi (glutinous rice fritters), sweet rice cakes, and bo bo chicken (skewers bathed in chili oil). Coffee break at UNIC Specialty Coffee or a tea tasting around Daci Temple.

Afternoon: Explore Daci Temple and the sleek lanes of Taikoo Li. Pop by Chengdu IFS to see the giant panda sculpture “I Am Here” clambering over the mall facade. If you love hands-on experiences, arrange a short Sichuan cooking class or a mahjong lesson—both popular, easy to fit, and deliciously cultural.

Evening: Dinner at Shu Jiu Xiang for richly layered hot pot broth. If you prefer non-spicy, ask for yuan yang (half mild, half spicy). Later, listen to live music at Little Bar, a beloved indie venue that helped shape Chengdu’s music scene.

Leshan & Emeishan (Mount Emei)

South of Chengdu, the Min and Dadu Rivers converge near Leshan, where a colossal Buddha keeps watch over the currents. A short ride away, Mount Emei rises through bamboo and fir forests to a sea of clouds and a golden summit haloed by sunrise. Monasteries, chanting, and warm spring pools await after a day on the trails.

• Top sights: Leshan Giant Buddha (clifftop trail and boat views), Mount Emei’s Golden Summit, Qingyin Pavilion, Wannian Temple, Baoguo Temple.
• Food highlights: Leshan’s qiaojiao beef, spicy bo bo chicken, tofu pudding with brown sugar, and clean, comforting vegetarian temple cuisine on Emei.
• Stay via: VRBO Leshan, Hotels.com Leshan, or base in Emeishan near Baoguo Temple via VRBO Emeishan / Hotels.com Emeishan. Look for hotels with hot springs (e.g., near Baoguo) to soothe post‑hike legs.
• Getting there: High-speed trains from Chengdu East to Leshan (~1 hour; ~$8–12/¥55–85) or directly to Emeishan (~1.5 hours; ~$9–15/¥65–100). Book on Trip.com Trains.

Day 5: Chengdu to Leshan Buddha, then on to Emeishan

Morning: Depart Chengdu East by high-speed train to Leshan (~1 hour). Taxi or bus to the Leshan Giant Buddha scenic area. Walk the clifftop to the Buddha’s head, then descend the zigzag Lingyun plank path for a powerful, ground‑up scale. Optional 30‑minute riverboat ride (~¥70–90) gives the full frontal perspective.

Afternoon: Lunch in Leshan old town: try Qiaojiao Beef (slow-braised in a fragrant broth), a local specialty with chili and pickled vegetables, or bo bo chicken (skewers steeped in chili oil) from a time-honored stall. Train onward to Emeishan Station (14–20 minutes by HSR) or a 45–60 minute drive. Check into your hotel near Baoguo Temple.

Evening: Soak in Emei hot springs if your hotel offers them—bliss after steps at Leshan. Dinner at a temple vegetarian hall or a farmhouse kitchen featuring bamboo shoots, local mushrooms, and mapo tofu with a gentler kick than Chengdu’s.

Day 6: Mount Emei—Golden Summit and Forest Temples

Morning: Start early from Baoguo Bus Station on the park shuttle to Leidongping (about 2 hours). Walk 20 minutes to the cableway and ride to the Golden Summit (Jinding). If skies cooperate, you’ll see the famed Cloud Sea and the shimmering ten‑faced golden Puxian statue. Bring layers—weather is changeable.

Afternoon: Descend by cable car and bus to mid‑mountain. Visit Wannian Temple (ancient halls and a gentle forested approach) or Qingyin Pavilion (rushing streams, arch bridges). Watch for Tibetan macaques—keep food sealed and maintain distance. Expect park costs: entry (~¥160–185 seasonally), buses (~¥90 round trip segments), and cableways (~¥55–65 each way).

Evening: Return to Baoguo. Celebrate the day with a nourishing silkie chicken soup or light spicy stir‑fries. Turn in early or stroll the lantern-lit streets around the temple gate.

Day 7: Back to Chengdu and Departure

Morning: High-speed train from Emeishan to Chengdu (~1.5 hours; ~$9–15/¥65–100). Store bags and make a final lap through Taikoo Li or snack at Chunxi Road—grab rabbit-head “tian shui” flavor if you’re adventurous, or safer bets like peppercorn ice cream.

Afternoon: Lunch at a classic noodle shop for yibin ran mian (dry “burning” noodles with sesame and chili) before heading to the airport. Search flights on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights. If departing late, return to Heming Teahouse for one last pot and the soft hum of Chengdu life.

Evening: In transit.

Where to Stay (Quick Picks)

• Chengdu base: Near Taikoo Li / Daci Temple for easy dining, shopping, and subway access. Book via Hotels.com Chengdu or browse apartments on VRBO Chengdu.
• Emeishan comfort: Properties with hot springs near Baoguo Temple are ideal for hikers. See Hotels.com Emeishan.
• Leshan stopover: If splitting the day, look around Leshan old town via VRBO Leshan or Hotels.com Leshan.

Getting Around & Estimated Costs

• Chengdu metro/taxi: Metro rides ¥3–7; taxis across the core ¥25–60 depending on distance/time.
• Trains: Chengdu–Qingchengshan ~50 min (¥25–40), Chengdu–Leshan ~1 h (¥55–85), Leshan–Emeishan ~20 min (¥15–25), Emeishan–Chengdu ~1.5 h (¥65–100). Book on Trip.com Trains.
• Food: Noodle shops ¥15–35 per bowl; hot pot feasts ¥80–180 per person depending on choices; tea houses ¥15–50 per person.
• Tickets: Panda Base (~¥55–60, reserve ahead), Leshan (~¥80), Emei entry (~¥160–185 seasonal) plus buses and cableways as noted.

Optional Add-Ons (If You Extend via Beijing or Shanghai)

If your China trip includes a stop in Beijing or Shanghai, these top-rated experiences pair beautifully with a Sichuan week. They’re not in Sichuan but are excellent bookends if you have extra days.

• Private Mutianyu Great Wall Trip With English-Speaking Driver (Beijing)

  

  Door-to-door ease to a scenic, less crowded section with an exhilarating toboggan ride down.

• Zhujiajiao Water Town and Shanghai City Private Day Tour

  

  Classical canals plus Bund and skyline highlights—a perfect snapshot of Jiangnan charm and modern China.

In seven days, you’ll taste Chengdu’s convivial rhythm, meet its most beloved residents (pandas!), and stand before ancient feats of faith and engineering in Leshan and Emei. The flavors linger, but so do the tea-sipped mornings, temple bells in the mist, and the easy warmth of Sichuanese hospitality. Safe travels—and bring an appetite.