Between the Sichuan plain and the high Tibetan plateaus, this journey begins in Chengdu with a tasty, urban immersion before gradually gaining altitude towards Mount Emei, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its temples and mist-covered landscapes. From there, the road leads you to Kangding, Xinduqiao and the grasslands of Tagong, where prayer flags, Tibetan monasteries and snow-capped peaks create a powerful backdrop, ideal for experiencing the atmosphere of Kham without giving up the comfort of charming accommodations.
The second part of the itinerary crosses the spectacular valleys of Mount Siguniang, sometimes nicknamed the “Alps of the East”, then continues to the Bipenggou nature reserve, which has the feel of a Chinese alpine landscape with its forests, lakes and glaciers. Finally, the last days take you to Songpan, a historic stronghold on the ancient Tea Horse Road, and then to the emblematic sites of Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou, famous for their travertine pools and surreal-coloured lakes, before a comfortable high-speed train journey back to Chengdu. A comprehensive itinerary for seasoned travellers, combining altitude, spectacular nature and cultural immersion, at a late-winter period that is ideal for enjoying clear light and often quieter landscapes.
Sichuan Panoramic Adventure, February – March 2026
Altitude Sickness: This itinerary reaches very high elevations (beyond 4,000 m). To acclimatize, spend your first days in Chengdu (~500 m) before ascending. Stay hydrated, avoid strenuous physical activities upon arrival in high-altitude areas, and consider consulting a physician about medications such as acetazolamide.
Luggage: Pack clothing in layers. Temperatures can vary significantly between day and night, especially in the mountains. Essential items include a warm down jacket, thermal underwear, a waterproof outer layer, good hiking boots, sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen, lip balm, and a hat.
Payment & Connectivity: Keep Chinese yuan (CNY) cash for small vendors, markets, and remote areas. Although WeChat Pay & Alipay are ubiquitous, connectivity may be weak in isolated valleys.
Daily program: The most beautiful mountains of Sichuan, from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou
Day 1: Arrival in Chengdu – Tuk-Tuk Food Tour
- Key Information: Arrival day, low altitude, urban exploration.
- Start Time: Your guide and driver will meet you at Chengdu Shuangliu Airport at 9:45 AM, after baggage claim.
- Driving Time: Airport → hotel: ~45–60 minutes (depending on traffic).
- Altitude: Chengdu ~500 meters.
- Meals: Dinner included during the food tour.
Upon your arrival in Chengdu on flight 3U8890 at 9:45 AM, your driver and guide warmly welcome you at the airport before accompanying you to check in at your hotel. As evening falls, embark on an extraordinary culinary adventure: hop aboard a local tuk-tuk and glide through neon-lit alleyways. Amid steaming food stalls and spicy aromas, you’ll discover Chengdu’s most authentic culinary scene—a festival of flavors where each stop tells a story.
Overnight at Chengdu Heritage Hotel.
Day 2: Kuanzhai Alley – Emei Old Town – Overnight in Emei
- Key Information: First transition to slightly higher altitude, historic towns.
- Start Time: ~9:00 AM after breakfast.
- Driving Time: Chengdu → Kuanzhai Alley: ~20 min. Chengdu → Emei: ~2h30.
- Altitude: Chengdu ~500 m; Emei ~450 m.
- Meals: Breakfast included. Lunch & dinner at your own expense.
In the morning, enjoy a stroll through the famous Kuanzhai Alley, where traditional houses, small boutiques, and a bohemian atmosphere create one of Chengdu’s most charming neighborhoods. You then continue to a peaceful old town near Mount Emei (lunch en route, at your own expense), where ancient houses and local life offer a genuine journey back in time. In the late afternoon, check in at Emei for a serene evening before ascending the sacred mountain.
Overnight at Yuexigu Valley Hotspring Homestay.
Day 3: Full-Day Excursion to Mount Emei – Overnight in Emei
- Key Information: Significant hiking, cable cars, high altitude on the mountain.
- Start Time: ~8:00 AM to make the most of the day.
- Driving Time: Hotel → Mount Emei entrance: ~30 minutes.
- Altitude: Emei ~450 m; summit (Golden Summit) 3,099 m.
- Meals: Breakfast included. Lunch & dinner at your own expense.
This day is devoted to the legendary Mount Emei, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a cable car ride, you follow forest trails wrapped in clouds and birdsong. Ancient temples, pavilions hidden in the mist, and quiet moments with monks punctuate your ascent. A spiritual as well as natural experience, at the heart of one of Chinese Buddhism’s most sacred sites.
Overnight at Yuexigu Valley Hotspring Homestay.
Day 4: Emei – Bifengxia Panda Base – Kangding
- Key Information: Entry onto the Tibetan Plateau, significant altitude gain.
- Start Time: ~8:00 AM.
- Driving Time: Emei → Bifengxia: ~1:30h. Bifengxia → Kangding: ~3:30h.
- Altitude: Emei ~450 m; Bifengxia ~900 m; Kangding ~2,600 m.
- Meals: Breakfast included. Lunch & dinner at your own expense.
This morning, you leave Emei to visit the Bifengxia Panda Base, renowned for its peaceful environment—ideal for observing these national treasures in a pristine setting. Then the road climbs to high altitudes toward Kangding, a Tibetan town where traditional songs and imposing mountains create a unique atmosphere. Here begins your true exploration of western Sichuan’s cultures.
Overnight at Kangding Nanwu Shuyuan.
Day 5: Kangding – Mugecuo Park – Scenic Road S434 – Xinduqiao
- Key Information: High altitude, spectacular landscapes, photographer’s paradise.
- Start Time: ~8:30 AM.
- Driving Time: Total with stops: ~4–5 hours.
- Altitude: Kangding ~2,600 m; Mugecuo Lake ~3,600 m; Xinduqiao ~3,450 m.
- Meals: Breakfast included. Lunch & dinner at your own expense.
Your day begins in the enchanting scenery of Mugecuo Park, with its crystal-clear lakes, high-altitude forests, and hot springs. Then, the S434 road reveals one of Sichuan’s most beautiful panoramas: snow-capped peaks, glacial valleys, and Tibetan pastures unfold like living paintings. At day’s end, arrival in Xinduqiao, the legendary photographer’s paradise.
Overnight at Zamba Luminaria.
Day 6: Tagong – Mount Yala – Danba
- Key Information: Vast grasslands, iconic monasteries, overnight at lower altitude.
- Start Time: ~8:30 AM.
- Driving Time: Xinduqiao → Tagong : ~1h. Tagong → Danba : ~3h.
- Altitude: Tagong Grasslands ~3,700 m; Danba ~1,800 m.
- Meals: Breakfast included. Lunch & dinner at your own expense.
Head to the vast Tagong Grasslands, dominated by Mount Yala whose eternal snows shimmer above golden monasteries. Tagong Monastery, a sacred place of Tibetan Buddhism, welcomes you into an atmosphere vibrant with devotion. In the afternoon, drive to Danba, famous for its ancient watchtowers and Tibetan villages nestled in a spectacular valley.
Overnight at Youthtour Kamanwu Star Garden Homestay.
Day 7: Danba – Mount Siguniang (Four Sisters Mountain)
- Key Information: Superb valleys, iconic mountain views.
- Start Time: ~9:00 AM after exploring Danba.
- Driving Time: Danba → Mount Siguniang (Shuangqiao Valley entrance): ~2:30.
- Altitude: Danba ~1,800 m; Mount Siguniang town ~3,200 m.
- Meals: Breakfast included. Lunch & dinner at your own expense.
In the morning, discover the surroundings of Danba, renowned for their elegant Tibetan houses and pristine landscapes. Then drive to the Mount Siguniang region, nicknamed “the Alps of the East” due to its four graceful peaks aligned in the sky. From the panoramic platform, you’ll have ample opportunity to admire these slender giants bathed in changing light.
Overnight at Sigura Manor.
Day 8: Mount Siguniang – Lixiaolu Road (G350) – Bipenggou
- Key Information: One of Sichuan’s most beautiful scenic roads.
- Start Time: ~8:30 AM.
- Driving Time: ~3–4 hours on the picturesque G350 road.
- Altitude: Mt Siguniang ~3,200 m; Bipenggou ~3,500 m.
- Meals: Breakfast included. Lunch & dinner at your own expense.
Today, the journey is an adventure in itself: spectacular tunnels, suspension bridges, and deep valleys shape the famous G350 road, one of the province’s most beautiful. Panoramas of the Qionglai Range unfold like a grand film. In the afternoon, arrival at Bipenggou, a wild valley with dense forests, crystalline lakes, and imposing glaciers. Pristine nature that invites contemplation.
Overnight at Bipenggou Guanshan Wangyue.
Day 9: Hiking in Bipenggou
- Key Information: Immersive day of alpine valley hiking.
- Start Time: ~9:00 AM after a leisurely breakfast.
- Driving Time: Minimal; scenic shuttles within the valley.
- Altitude: Bipenggou 3,500 m – 4,000 m+.
- Meals: Breakfast included. Lunch & dinner at your own expense.
This day is dedicated to a gentle discovery of Bipenggou Valley, a true natural gem with an alpine character. Several easy to intermediate hikes are available, winding through conifer forests, translucent rivers, and open meadows where snow-capped peaks sparkle. Each trail reveals a different setting, perfect for contemplation.
Overnight at Bipenggou Guanshan Wangyue.
Day 10: Bipenggou – Ancient Town of Songpan
- Key Information: Historic town on the ancient Tea Horse Road.
- Start Time: ~9:00.
- Driving Time: Bipenggou → Songpan : ~2:30.
- Altitude: Bipenggou ~3 500 m ; Songpan ~2 850 m.
- Meals : Breakfast included. Lunch & dinner at your own expense.
After one last breath of fresh air in Bipenggou’s landscapes, drive to the charming ancient town of Songpan. This former stronghold on the Tea Horse Road preserves its perfectly maintained Ming Dynasty ramparts. Wander its lively streets, colorful markets, and small shops where centuries of cultural exchange shine through.
Overnight at Songpan Courtyard No. 1.
Day 11: Songpan – Huanglong – Overnight in Jiuzhaigou
- Key Information: UNESCO site, high altitude at Huanglong.
- Start Time: ~8:00 AM.
- Driving Time: Songpan → Huanglong : ~1h. Huanglong → Jiuzhaigou : ~2:30h.
- Altitude: Songpan ~2,850 m; Huanglong ~3,100–3,500 m (by cable car); Jiuzhaigou ~2,000 m.
- Meals: Breakfast included. Lunch & dinner at your own expense.
Today, depart for Huanglong Valley, a true natural jewel. Its travertine pools filled with turquoise water create an almost surreal setting, worthy of a fairy tale. Each terrace reveals a different shade, forming a living landscape. After this striking visit, continue to Jiuzhaigou for the night.
Overnight at Jiuzhaigou Forest and Water.
Day 12: Full Day in Jiuzhaigou – Overnight in Jiuzhaigou
- Key Information: The pinnacle of water landscapes, lots of walking.
- Start Time: ~8:00 AM to enter the park early.
- Driving Time: Hotel → park entrance: ~10 minutes. Eco-friendly shuttles within the park.
- Altitude: Jiuzhaigou Valley 2,000 m – 3,100 m.
- Meals: Breakfast included. Lunch & dinner at your own expense.
Prepare for a full day devoted to the magic of Jiuzhaigou. Lakes of unreal colors, tiered waterfalls, deep forests, and snow-capped peaks create a mesmerizing tableau at every step. It is said that after Jiuzhaigou, no other water landscape truly surprises. A natural masterpiece imbued with Tibetan soul.
Overnight at Jiuzhaigou Forest and Water.
Day 13: High-Speed Train from Jiuzhaigou to Chengdu – Airport Transfer
- Key Information: Departure day, long but comfortable train journey.
- Departure Time: to be determined according to your chosen train:
- For C5784 (09:04): depart hotel ~7:00 AM (1h40 drive).
- For C5764 (12:10): depart hotel ~9:30 AM (more relaxed morning).
- Driving Time: Hotel → Huanglong Jiuzhai Station: ~1:40. Chengdu East → airport: ~40–60 min.
- Altitude: Jiuzhaigou ~2,000 m; Chengdu ~500 m.
- Meals: Breakfast included.
This morning, enjoy a 1h40 transfer to Huanglong Jiuzhai Railway Station to board the train to Chengdu (C5784 09:04–10:45, or C5764 12:10–14:17). A comfortable journey crossing mountains, plains, and rural landscapes. Upon arrival, direct transfer to Chengdu Shuangliu Airport (allow 40–60 minutes) for your flight 3U8895 to Beijing, scheduled at 5:30 PM. End of our services, with a breath of Sichuan still suspended in your heart.
