Jiuzhaigou National Park to Wolong Panda Reserve
Discover Eastern Sichuan’s Splendors
A journey through eastern Sichuan to experience the unique beauty of Jiuzhaigou National Park, the imposing Giant Buddha of Mount Emei, and explore the Wolong Panda Reserve to meet the beloved giant pandas in their natural habitat.
Our Journey
| FROM | TO | KM | TRAVEL TIME |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHENGDU | PINGWU | 294 KM | 5 H 50 MIN |
| PINGWU | JIUZHAIGOU | 150 KM | 3 H 30 MIN |
| JIUZHAIGOU | TANGKE | 230 KM | 5 H 30 MIN |
| TANGKE | NGAWA | 190 KM | 4 H 30 MIN |
| NGAWA | BARKAM | 180 KM | 4 H 00 MIN |
| BARKAM | DUJIANGYAN | 220 KM | 5 H 00 MIN |
| DUJIANGYAN | CHENGDU | 70 KM | 1 H 00 MIN |
Day 1: Arrival in Chengdu
- Morning: Touch down in Chengdu and jump straight into vibrant Jinli Ancient Street – sugar-coated hawthorn, spicy skewers, and handmade crafts galore.
- Afternoon: Wander the serene gardens and halls of Wuhou Shrine, honouring the legends of the Three Kingdoms.
- Evening: Be mesmerized by a Sichuan opera face-changing spectacle, then retreat to your hotel in central Chengdu.
Day 2: Full-Day Excursion to Leshan Giant Buddha
- Early morning: Private transfer (2 hrs) to Leshan to beat the crowds.
- Morning/afternoon: Stand in awe at the 71-metre-tall Leshan Giant Buddha carved into the cliffside – walk the plank trail beside his ear, descend to his toes, and cruise the river for the full perspective.
- Late afternoon: Relaxing drive back to Chengdu.
- Evening: Free to unwind or stroll People’s Park before returning to your hotel.
Day 3: Chengdu→ Pingwu
- Morning/afternoon: Scenic private transfer north (approx. 5–6 hrs) through rolling hills and Qiang villages straight to peaceful Pingwu.
- Evening: Gentle stroll through the quiet county town and settle into your comfortable hotel in Pingwu.
Day 4: Pingwu → Jiuzhaigou – Enter the Dream Valley
- Morning/afternoon: Enter UNESCO-listed Jiuzhaigou Valley – crystal lakes, cascading waterfalls, and forests that look painted. Explore Nuorilang and Shuzheng areas.
- Evening: Watch the sun set over mirror-like lakes and relax at your hotel in Jiuzhaigou.
Day 5: Jiuzhaigou
- Morning/Afternoon: Continue your exploration of Jiuzhaigou, or visit the nearby water terraces in Huanglong.
- Evening: Free time and rest in your hotel.
Day 6: Jiuzhaigou→ Tangke
- Morning/afternoon: Drive into the vast Tangke grasslands – endless green plains, yaks, and nomadic tents under huge skies.
- Evening: Rest in your hotel in Tangke area.
Day 7: Tangke → Ngawa (Aba)
- Morning: Visit majestic Ngawa Kirti Gompa, one of the most important monasteries in Amdo Tibetan region.
- Afternoon: Walk among fluttering prayer flags on surrounding hills.
- Evening: Quiet sunset meditation stroll before checking into your comfortable hotel in Ngawa.
Day 8: Ngawa → Barkam
- Morning/afternoon: Arrive in lively Barkam, explore colourful markets and nearby rolling grasslands.
- Evening: Relax with an evening wander through the town square and spend the night in Barkam.
Day 9: Barkam → Dujiangyan – Ancient Water Magic
- Morning: Discover the 2,300-year-old Dujiangyan Irrigation System – brilliant engineering still preventing floods today.
- Afternoon: Visit Erwang Temple perched above the rushing river.
- Evening: Peaceful walk along the Min River at dusk, returning to your hotel in Dujiangyan.
Day 10: Wolong Panda National Reserve
- Morning/afternoon: Transfer to Wolong National Nature Reserve – home to wild pandas, red pandas, and misty bamboo forests. Guided nature walk and conservation centre visit.
- Evening: Watch the sun drop behind the peaks from the reserve overlook and settle into your hotel in Wolong.
Day 11: Wolong → Chengdu
- Morning: Leisurely return to Chengdu with free time for last-minute panda souvenirs or a final spicy snack.
- Afternoon: Private transfer to Chengdu Tianfu or Shuangliu Airport, carrying memories of turquoise lakes and snow-capped horizons.
Recommended 11-day itinerary. We handcraft each experience to match your style and budget.
Start designing your exclusive China journey today.
Chengdu (成都)
Sichuan’s capital city serves as the cultural heart of southwestern China and is home to over 16 million residents. Chengdu showcases Sichuan culture through its teahouses, cuisine, and traditions while being renowned globally as the home of giant pandas.
Highlights:
Giant Panda Research Base
Visit this world-famous conservation center to observe adorable giant pandas in a natural bamboo habitat.
People’s Park Teahouses
Experience Sichuan culture by relaxing at traditional teahouses where locals gather for tea and ear cleaning.
Jinli Ancient Street
Explore this lively street featuring traditional architecture, Sichuan spicy food, and performances.
Leshan (乐山) is famous worldwide for its monumental stone Buddha, combining natural beauty with profound cultural heritage.
Leshan Giant Buddha
Marvel at the world’s largest stone Buddha statue, carved into the red cliff face during the Tang Dynasty (713-803 CE). Standing 71 meters tall, this UNESCO World Heritage Site took 90 years to complete.
Mount Emei
Explore one of China’s Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains: China Mount Emei rises to 3,099 meters with ancient temples, diverse ecosystems, and stunning cloud sea views.
Pingwu (平武)
Pingwu County is a pristine mountainous region known for its rich biodiversity and stunning natural landscapes. The area sits at elevations between 700-5,000 meters and is renowned for its giant panda habitats, ancient Buddhist temples, and picturesque valleys surrounded by snow-capped peaks of the Min Mountains.
Highlights:
Bao’en Temple
Explore this 15th-century Buddhist temple complex, featuring intricate carvings and historical relics from the Ming Dynasty.
Tangjiahe Valleys
Hike through one of China’s most biodiverse nature reserves to spot rare wildlife including takin and golden monkeys.
Jiuzhaigou National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its spectacular azure lakes, multi-level waterfalls, colorful forests, and snow-capped mountains. This pristine valley stretches over 72,000 hectares and showcases some of China’s most breathtaking natural scenery.
Shuzheng Valley
The gateway valley where turquoise lakes like Rhino Lake and Tiger Lake glow under alpine skies, leading to the thunderous Nuorilang Waterfall. Hidden trails wind past Zharu Monastery, a Bon Buddhist gem where prayer wheels spin counterclockwise, whispering of Tibet’s ancient roots.
Rize Valley
Jiuzhaigou’s crown jewel, where Five Flower Lake Jiuzhaigou dazzles with liquid sapphire and emerald hues, and Mirror Lake doubles the world in its glassy surface. Though no pandas linger at Panda Lake, the valley’s 18km spectacle of waterfalls and jewel-toned pools feels plucked from a myth. Every turn rivals the last—bring extra camera batteries.
Zechawang Valley
The high-altitude wildcard, home to Long Lake—a 7.5km glacial mirror—and the chameleonic Five-Color Lake, shifting from cobalt to jade under the sun. Thin air and pine-scented trails reward hikers with panoramas of snow-capped peaks. Here, silence reigns, broken only by wind over water and the crunch of footsteps on sacred ground.
Tangke (唐克)
Nestled in the northeastern part of the Tibetan Plateau, Tangke offers one of the most spectacular views of the Yellow River (黄河) in China. This small settlement sits at an elevation of approximately 3,700 meters, providing visitors with breathtaking panoramas of the river’s major bend as it carves through the dramatic alpine landscape, creating what locals call the “Yellow River’s First Bend.”
Highlights:
Yellow River Observation Deck
Visit the famous viewpoint offering spectacular vistas of the Yellow River.
Tangke Monastery
Explore this historical Tibetan Buddhist monastery with its colorful prayer flags and traditional architecture.
Aba County (阿坝县)
Located in the northwest of Sichuan province within the Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Aba County sits at an elevation of 3,200 meters. Known for its vast grasslands, snow-capped mountains, and strong Tibetan cultural influence.
Highlights:
Kirti Monastery
Visit one of the most significant Gelug sect Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the region, home to intricate religious artwork, important cultural relics, and regular religious ceremonies.
Grassland Exploration
Journey across the vast alpine meadows where Tibetan nomads have grazed their yak herds for centuries, experiencing the region’s natural beauty and traditional way of life.
Barkam (马尔康)
The capital of Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in western Sichuan, Barkam sits at an elevation of 2,600 meters surrounded by magnificent mountains. This picturesque town blends Tibetan, Qiang, and Han cultures, featuring colorful prayer flags, traditional architecture, and serves as an important administrative and cultural center in the region.
Highlights:
Mugetso Lake
Visit this stunning alpine lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains and dense forests.
Barkam Monastery
Explore this important Buddhist monastery featuring intricate thangka paintings.
Wolong National Nature Reserve is one of China’s most important panda sanctuaries, nestled in the lush, misty mountains of Sichuan Province
Panda Sanctuary
As part of the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries UNESCO World Heritage Site, it offers a rare chance to see pandas in a semi-wild environment, with sprawling bamboo forests and conservation-focused enclosures
Beyond Pandas
Beyond pandas, Wolong is a biodiversity hotspot, home to red pandas, golden monkeys, and over 4,000 plant species, making it a must-visit for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.
Dujiangyan (都江堰)
Located just 60 kilometers from Chengdu, Dujiangyan serves as the perfect final rest point before returning to the provincial capital. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the world’s oldest non-dam irrigation system still in use today, dating back to 256 BCE during the Qin Dynasty. The ancient engineering marvel continues to irrigate over 5,300 square kilometers of land in the region.
Highlights:
Ancient Irrigation System
Marvel at the ingenious 2,200-year-old irrigation works that prevent flooding and provide water to the Chengdu Plain.
Erwang Temple
Visit this scenic temple complex dedicated to the engineer Li Bing and his son, who designed the irrigation system.
Table Of Contents
Your Journey Includes:
Considering the customizable nature of your trip, please regard the following as indicative and subject to modification based on your preferences. What will be included will ultimately be clearly specified in the Travel Services Contract prepared specifically for your travel experience:
- Private Transfers & Transportation
- Private airport transfers at the start/end of the trip
- Private vehicle and driver for all major overland journeys outlined in the final itinerary / Rental vehicle for self-drive trips, including insurance coverage
- Major train journeys
- Domestic flights and related taxes
- Guide/Coordinator & Activities
- Dedicated English-speaking guide/coordinator
- All entrance fees and activity costs per itinerary
- Accomodation
- Hotels based on availability and your preferred travel style (double occupancy)
- Daily breakfast
- Travel Support & Equipment
- In the case of an independent trip, remote support from the Ink Voyages Team throughout the duration of your journey
- Camping equipment (tents, sleeping bags) where applicable
- Support for setting up the main Chinese apps required for traveling in China
Your Journey does not include:
Considering the customizable nature of your trip, please regard the following as indicative and subject to modification based on your preferences. Anything not included will be clearly specified in the Travel Services Contract prepared specifically for your travel experience:
- Chinese tourist visa (can be required for some foreign passport holders – See our dedicated section “Tips&Tools – VISA Guidelines”)
- International flights and related taxes
- In the case of a self-drive itinerary, fuel costs and tolls
- Excursions/activities beyond the planned itinerary
- Personal expenses
- Travel/medical insurance (See our dedicated section “Tips&Tools – Travel Insurance)
- Meals and dining expenses
- Gratuities for guides and drivers (at your discretion)
- Any items/services not specified in “Your Journey Includes”
