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Overview
Most first journeys to China cross half the country in a week. This one stays inside one province and goes deeper. Three nights in Chengdu hold the opera community, the teahouse, the pandas and a wok you work yourself; two nights by Mount Emei hold craftspeople, martial arts, an evening temple and, on the last morning, a cliff-carved Buddha seen from the river. A private van links everything: no internal flights, and only two hotels in six days. The people are the itinerary: performers, cooks, a Taoist practitioner and a tea-farming family. Once you are home, you will notice your China stories all have names in them.
LyrikTrip travel designers
Your route is designed and noted before you land; a licensed English-speaking local guide is with you throughout.
Why you'll love this trip
- One province, no flights. Pandas, Sichuan Opera, a cooking class, a Taoist mountain trail and a family tea farm, with an English-speaking guide throughout.
- Eat where the neighborhood eats, carried in by tuk-tuk through Chengdu's evening lanes.
- Walk a working food market with a chef, then cook your own Sichuan dishes and eat them.
- Time your visit to the pandas' morning meal, the hours they actually move.
- Follow a Taoist along the quiet side of Mount Qingcheng, forest overhead, learning how balance works.
- Stand in an Emei temple courtyard after the day visitors leave, evening bells overhead.
- Look up at the Leshan Giant Buddha from the water, then end at a tea family's table in the hills.
Things to do
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Itinerary
Arrivals
Chengdu · Day 1 - Day 2
· Chengdu: arrival and the first table
No monuments today. Chengdu introduces itself the way it lives: seated, then eating.
· Chengdu: pandas, then the wok
Morning belongs to the pandas' breakfast. By evening, Sichuan's flavor is in your own hands.
Private vehicle
Dujiangyan · Day 3
· Qingcheng and the water
A mountain that teaches slowness, then the water that feeds the plain. Today your dinners get traced to their source.
Private vehicle
Leshan · Day 4 - Day 5
· To Mount Emei: hands, fists, bells
The drive trades the plain for temple country. Skills while it's light, stillness after dark.
· Mount Emei
One mountain gets your whole day. Pilgrims have climbed it for centuries; you get the shuttle.
Private vehicle
Chengdu · Day 6
· Leshan: the Buddha and the tea table
The biggest thing you'll see all week, then the smallest table. The journey ends on tea.
Departures
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Hotels
These are sample stays typically included in the itinerary. Final pricing depends on the hotel level selected.
Chengdu
Atour Hotel Chengdu Taikoo Li Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street
A simple Chengdu stay near Chunxi Road, good for travellers who want easy walks, food stops, and short city transfers.
Dujiangyan
Atour Hotel Dujiangyan Imixpark
Atour Hotel Dujiangyan Imixpark. A selected stay in Dujiangyan.
Mount Emei
Mozhuang Chanyi Hotel
Mozhuang Chanyi Hotel. A selected stay in Mount Emei.
Leshan
Rezen Select Leshan Zhanggongqiao
Rezen Select Leshan Zhanggongqiao. A selected stay in Leshan.
Mount_Emei
Golden Summit Hotel
On Mount Emei's Golden Summit, this hotel is ideal for catching both sunrise and sunset.
Leshan
Borrman Hotel (Leshan High-Speed Railway Station Wanda Plaza)
Borrman Hotel (Leshan High-Speed Railway Station Wanda Plaza). A selected stay in Leshan.
Chengdu
Hilton Chengdu Chenghua
A practical Chengdu base for travellers who want easy city access, relaxed days out, and a comfortable return after sightseeing.
Dujiangyan
Howard Johnson Conference Resort Chengdu
Howard Johnson Conference Resort Chengdu. A selected stay in Dujiangyan.
Leshan
Gongxin Hotel
Gongxin Hotel. A selected stay in Leshan.
Chengdu
Atour Hotel Chengdu Taikoo Li Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street
A simple Chengdu stay near Chunxi Road, good for travellers who want easy walks, food stops, and short city transfers.
Dujiangyan
Atour Hotel Dujiangyan Imixpark
Atour Hotel Dujiangyan Imixpark. A selected stay in Dujiangyan.
Mount Emei
Mozhuang Chanyi Hotel
Mozhuang Chanyi Hotel. A selected stay in Mount Emei.
Leshan
Rezen Select Leshan Zhanggongqiao
Rezen Select Leshan Zhanggongqiao. A selected stay in Leshan.
Mount_Emei
Golden Summit Hotel
On Mount Emei's Golden Summit, this hotel is ideal for catching both sunrise and sunset.
Leshan
Borrman Hotel (Leshan High-Speed Railway Station Wanda Plaza)
Borrman Hotel (Leshan High-Speed Railway Station Wanda Plaza). A selected stay in Leshan.
Chengdu
Hilton Chengdu Chenghua
A practical Chengdu base for travellers who want easy city access, relaxed days out, and a comfortable return after sightseeing.
Dujiangyan
Howard Johnson Conference Resort Chengdu
Howard Johnson Conference Resort Chengdu. A selected stay in Dujiangyan.
Leshan
Gongxin Hotel
Gongxin Hotel. A selected stay in Leshan.
Chengdu
Atour Hotel Chengdu Taikoo Li Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street
A simple Chengdu stay near Chunxi Road, good for travellers who want easy walks, food stops, and short city transfers.
Dujiangyan
Atour Hotel Dujiangyan Imixpark
Atour Hotel Dujiangyan Imixpark. A selected stay in Dujiangyan.
Mount Emei
Mozhuang Chanyi Hotel
Mozhuang Chanyi Hotel. A selected stay in Mount Emei.
Leshan
Rezen Select Leshan Zhanggongqiao
Rezen Select Leshan Zhanggongqiao. A selected stay in Leshan.
Mount_Emei
Golden Summit Hotel
On Mount Emei's Golden Summit, this hotel is ideal for catching both sunrise and sunset.
Leshan
Borrman Hotel (Leshan High-Speed Railway Station Wanda Plaza)
Borrman Hotel (Leshan High-Speed Railway Station Wanda Plaza). A selected stay in Leshan.
Chengdu
Hilton Chengdu Chenghua
A practical Chengdu base for travellers who want easy city access, relaxed days out, and a comfortable return after sightseeing.
Dujiangyan
Howard Johnson Conference Resort Chengdu
Howard Johnson Conference Resort Chengdu. A selected stay in Dujiangyan.
Leshan
Gongxin Hotel
Gongxin Hotel. A selected stay in Leshan.
Included / Excluded
What's Included
- Private vehiclesAir-conditioned private vehicle for all listed touring and transfers, with airport and station pick-ups
- Hotels5 nights in selected four-star, five-star or quality boutique stays, breakfast daily
- GuidesLicensed English-speaking guide throughout
- Tickets and experiencesAll listed attractions and experiences, including opera, teahouse, tuk-tuk food night, cooking class, Qingcheng and Dujiangyan, Emei community visits, park transport, Leshan boat and tea family visit
- Meals listedDaily hotel breakfast, day 1 neighborhood dinner, day 2 cooking-class meal and day 3 lunch near Qingcheng
- AlsoBottled water on touring days and travel accident insurance
Not Included
- FlightsInternational and domestic flights to and from Chengdu
- MealsBeyond the listed meals, lunches and dinners remain flexible and on your account
- PersonalVisas, gratuities, single supplement, personal spending and optional activities
- OtherExtra costs caused by severe weather, transport disruption or closures beyond reasonable control
Special Notes
A few things on this route follow real schedules: a troupe's, a temple's and the tea plant's. Here they are, with what you get either way.
- Opera backstage — Backstage access follows the troupe's working day; when preparations are closed, you still meet members and see costumes and makeup.
- Craft visit — The receiving workshop is set on the day; the constant is working craftspeople, never a staged show.
- Temple evening — Conversation and vegetarian dinner follow the temple evening; if the kitchen is not receiving guests, dinner is booked nearby and the courtyard visit goes ahead.
- Mount Emei route — Temples and sections are chosen by season and weather; cable cars run to the operator's schedule.
- Tea picking — Hands-on picking runs in the main harvest season; other months center on processing and tasting with the family.
- Pandas — The early start targets active hours; the animals set their own pace, while the conservation story carries the morning.
- Hotels — Named in your written confirmation; or similar means the same class and comparable location.
Is Six Days Your Length?
Tell us your dates and who is coming: we will shape it around you.
Have about a week?
This is the full shape: three city nights, two mountain nights, one province, no internal flights.
Fewer days?
The Chengdu days and mountain days can each stand on their own.
Want the rest of China too?
This six-day block joins longer journeys; tell us your full window and we place it in the arc.
Good to Know
- Group
- Private; from 1 guest: no minimum
- Arrival
- Day 1 flexes to your landing time; later arrivals shift the visits within the six days
- Language
- English-speaking guide throughout
- Shopping Policy
- No shopping stops or commission detours on the route; your time is dedicated solely to the places listed here.
- Tailoring
- Fully flexible. Days, stops, and pace can be added, removed, or swapped. We'll reshape the plan together before you confirm and pay.
- Payment
- A 10% deposit, minimum $399, locks your dates and resources; the balance is due 14 days before departure
- Flexibility
- Walking distances adapt to your pace; schedule-dependent items and their alternatives are listed in Special Notes
- Season
- Spring and autumn are comfortable; spring overlaps the main tea harvest, summer runs green and hot, winter quiet
- Ports
- Chengdu In · Chengdu Out
- Gateway markets
- Lead country marker: FR. Gateway markets from inventory: WEU, SEU, UK, ANZ. Some source markets may need a connection.
Your Private Concierge
Jenessa
Private China Route Concierge
“A bilingual planning desk for tailor-made China journeys.”
Our China team tunes pacing, hotels and local hosts around each route style.
20+
Years
300+
Trips Designed
24/7
On-Trip Care
Step 01
Tell us what excites you
Not your dates and budget — your curiosity. Where have you always wanted to go? What do you want to feel? We start there.
24h
First concept delivered
Step 02
We design it around you
Your specialist builds the itinerary from scratch — routes, hosts, hotels, and experiences you won't find anywhere else.
100%
Private, never off-the-shelf
Step 03
Lock it in with 30%
When the plan feels right, a 30% deposit holds your trip. Balance due 30 days before departure.
30%
Deposit to confirm
Step 04
Travel. We handle the rest.
Your Trip Pack arrives before you fly. On the road, your concierge is one message away — for the expected and everything you didn't plan for.
24/7
Support throughout your journey
Cancellation terms agreed in writing
English-speaking concierge
Secure payment via Stripe
Guest Reviews
4.9 / 5 · from 523 verified reviews
E
Emily Carter
🇺🇸 Seattle, USA
Perfect for couples
“My partner and I had an amazing time in China. Everything was arranged for us — transfers, hotels, guides. No stress at all.”
May 2026
C
Claire Brooks
🇬🇧 London, UK
Great for families
“Traveled with my two kids and had zero issues. The team made sure the pace wasn't too rushed and included things the kids would enjoy. Communication was easy throughout. Will definitely use them again for our next Asia trip.”
Apr 2026
L
Laura Bennett
🇨🇦 Toronto, Canada
Alisa made the whole experience easy
“Alisa was our point of contact throughout and she was brilliant — patient, knowledgeable, and always quick to reply. The trip itself was wonderful. Beijing and Guilin were highlights.”
Mar 2026
M
Mark Henderson
🇺🇸 Denver, USA
Good service, minor hiccup but sorted quickly
“Really good service. There was a small mix-up with one of our restaurant bookings but it got sorted quickly. The rest of the trip was seamless.”
Feb 2026
R
Rebecca Miller
🇺🇸 Boston, USA
Really listened to what we wanted
“Really helpful team. They listened to what we wanted and delivered. Beijing and Xi'an were incredible.”
Jan 2026
China Ready
We've solved the hard parts. Here's everything a first-time Western traveler needs to know before arriving.
Do this before you fly
VPN & Internet Access
What's blocked
Google, Gmail, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and most Western news sites are inaccessible in China without a VPN.
Download before you leave
It's nearly impossible to download a VPN once inside China. Install and test at home. Recommended: Astrill (most reliable), Mullvad, ExpressVPN — subscribe to at least two in case one stops working.
Hotel Wi-Fi tip
Some hotels block VPN connections on their Wi-Fi. Use your phone's mobile data as a hotspot if the VPN drops.
Good news
WhatsApp works perfectly through a VPN, so your messaging stays unchanged. Apple iMessage and Signal also work.
Your concierge sets this up on Day 1
Paying in China
China is cashless
Alipay and WeChat Pay are used for almost everything — restaurants, taxis, markets, tickets. Cash is rarely accepted in cities.
International cards now work
Foreign Visa/Mastercard can now link directly to Alipay (set up in minutes, $5,000 single transaction limit). Your concierge walks you through the setup on your first morning.
Carry some cash
We recommend ¥500–800 RMB in cash for the rare vendor that won't accept digital payment, and for small towns.
Booking this trip
Your deposit and balance are charged via Stripe — the same trusted platform used by Airbnb and Booking.com. USD billing, no surprise conversion fees.
We handle the paperwork
Visa & Entry
Do you need a visa?
Most US, UK, EU, Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand passport holders need a tourist (L) visa for stays over 10 days. We provide a visa invitation letter with every booking — it significantly speeds up approval.
240-hour visa-free transit
Citizens of 55+ countries (including USA, UK, most of EU, AUS, NZ, Canada) can enter China visa-free for up to 10 days if transiting through eligible ports. This covers our 12-day itinerary only if you have a confirmed onward flight.
Processing time
Apply 4–6 weeks before departure. Standard processing: 4–7 business days. Express (3 days) and same-day options available at most Chinese consulates.
What we provide
Visa invitation letter, hotel confirmation for all nights, suggested itinerary document — everything the consulate needs, formatted correctly.
Our responsibility, always
Safety & Practical Tips
Is China safe?
China consistently ranks among the safest countries for foreign tourists. Violent crime against visitors is extremely rare. Cities have extensive CCTV coverage and a visible police presence.
Emergency numbers
Police: 110. Ambulance: 120. Your concierge is your first call for any non-emergency situation — she has local contacts for every city on the itinerary.
Health & medications
Bring a full supply of any prescription medication. International pharmacies exist in major cities but may not carry your brand. Travel insurance is required — we can recommend policies that cover China specifically.
Language
English fluency outside hotels and tourist sites is limited. Your guides all speak English. We provide a printed pocket card with essential Chinese phrases and emergency contacts for every traveler.
Before You Book
Everything worth knowing before you book.
No. The register changes daily: stage, panda base, wok, Taoist trail, evening temple, river Buddha and tea field. Staying in one province removes flights and leaves time to talk with people.
No. Heat adjusts across the route, the cooking menu follows your needs and the food night lets you choose stall by stall. Sichuan cooking also has gentle dishes.
Mornings are their active window, so the base is the first stop. They are animals, not performers; the breeding and conservation work still carries the visit on a sleepy day.
The grounds and evening visit are included. Conversation and vegetarian dinner follow the temple's schedule; if the kitchen is closed to guests, dinner is booked nearby.
