Sichuan Cultural & Natural Wonders: 13-Day Explorer’s Journey

World's Highest Cable Car & Glacier Exploration

• Morning: Cable car ascent to 4,800-meter elevation with panoramic views. The cable car holds Guinness World Record for highest elevation.

• Afternoon: Glacial lake walking and high-altitude adaptation. Transfer to Songpan ancient town

Photo Tip:

Capture the contrast between glacial ice and red rock formations

UNESCO Golden Lakes & Limestone Terraces

• Morning: Huanglong Valley hike through colorful travertine pools. The calcium carbonate deposits create stunning golden hues. The highest pool sits at 3,576 meters above sea level.

• Afternoon: Traditional Tibetan tea ceremony with local family

• Evening: Transfer to Jiuzhaigou, check into valley-view hotel

Y-Shaped Valley & Multi-Colored Lakes

• Full Day: Valley comprehensive tour covering all three branches: Rize, Zechawa, and Shuzheng

• Evening: Traditional Qiang bonfire dinner with folk dancing

Must-See:

Five-Flower Lake and Nuorilang Waterfall - most photographed spots

Giant Panda Experience & Ancient Mysteries

• Morning: Panda keeper program - prepare food, clean enclosures, and observe behavior. Program fees support panda breeding and research.

• Afternoon: Sanxingdui Museum - Bronze Age artifacts with mysterious origins

• Evening: Sichuan hot pot dinner with cooking demonstration

Cultural Mystery:

The masks show advanced technology from 3,000 years ago

Tea Culture & Historic Neighborhoods

• Morning: People's Park tea house experience with local mahjong players. Experience traditional "tea pouring" performance with long-spout pots.

• Afternoon: Kuanzhai Alley exploration and Sichuan opera backstage visit

• Evening: Jinli Ancient Street night market and food tasting

Opera Workshop:

Learn basic face-changing techniques from masters

Buddhist Art & Song Dynasty Ceramics

Morning:

• High-speed train to Suining (1 hour).
• Explore Guangde Temple, originally founded during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD) and expanded during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644 AD). The temple complex features majestic Ming-era wooden sculptures, a revered Sutra Pillar from the Tang Dynasty, and serene meditation halls.
• Admire the exquisite Ming Dynasty (1368–1644 AD) murals in Baofan Temple. Also known for its elegant flying eaves and carved stone steles.

Afternoon:

• Visit Jinxian Temple Main Hall, was built during 1324–1328 AD – a rare example of Yuan temple architecture featuring distinctive bracket sets (dougong), sweeping roof lines, and faded murals conveying the solemn aesthetic of the period.

• Immerse in the elegance of Song Dynasty (960–1279 AD) ceramics in Song Porcelain Museum.

Hand-on Activity: Try a hands-on pottery session replicating classic Song techniques.

UNESCO Buddhist Art & Ancient Engineering

• Morning: Stroll through “Kengeng Mountain Residence”—a well-preserved Huizhou-style complex. Head to Baodingshan Rock Carvings - 10,000 life-sized sculptures. The carvings span 9th-13th centuries showing daily Song Dynasty life.

• Afternoon: Beishan Carvings and Dazu Museum visit

Religious Significance:

Represents the integration of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism

Huizhou Architecture Features:

White lime-washed walls and black tiles; horse-head gables; intricately carved woodwork; skywell courtyards (天井)

Ancient Fortress & Mountain City Lights

• Morning: Explore Fishing City Fortress, one of China's most legendary military strongholds, where the Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279) resisted Mongol invasions for 36 years (1243–1279). The fortress changed world history by preventing Mongol expansion. Head to Wenfeng Pagoda a historic tower built during the Ming Dynasty.

• Afternoon: Drive to Chongqing, WFC Observation Deck for 360-degree city views

• Evening: Chongqing hot pot experience with river view

Urban Unique:

Take the Yangtze River Cable Car for panoramic vistas

Mountain City Walking & Modern Marvels

• Morning: Liberation Monument and Eight-Food Street tasting tour

• Afternoon: Shancheng Steps and Eighteen Ladders historic district

• Evening: Hongyadong night view

Photo Spot:

Hongyadong's layered lights against the Yangtze River

Food Adventure:

Try local specialties like spicy skewers and sweet rice balls

Natural Bridges & Underground Rivers

• Morning: Drive to Wulong, Three Natural Bridges exploration. The bridges are the largest natural bridge cluster in Asia. It is also a filming location for Transformers movies)

• Afternoon: Furong Cave boat ride through illuminated caverns.

• Evening: Tujia ethnic minority performance and dinner

Cave Experience:

The river cruise passes spectacular stalactite formations

Baiheliang Museum & Cold War History

• Morning: Baiheliang Underwater Museum - ancient hydrological inscriptions. The museum protects 1,200-year-old stone carvings underwater.

• Afternoon: 816 Nuclear Military Plant - massive underground complex. The nuclear plant was built by 60,000 soldiers over 17 years.

• Evening: Return to Chongqing for farewell dinner