Chengdu 5-Day Itinerary: Pandas, Leshan, Mount Emei & Taoist Mountains

Chengdu, the “Land of Abundance,” is famous for its relaxed pace, rich history, and world-class cuisine. This Chengdu 5-day itinerary guides you from cuddly pandas to sacred mountains, historic temples, and iconic Sichuan flavors.

Day 1: Pandas, Heroes, and Old Alleys

Morning: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

• Transport: Leave around 6:30 AM. Metro Line 3 → Panda Avenue Station (Exit D). Then shuttle (2 RMB, 10 mins) or taxi (~15 RMB).
• Highlights: Spend about 3 hours here. Watch the playful cubs tumbling in the Infant Villa, see the adults lounging lazily in their area, and look for tiny newborns at the Moon Nursery.
• Pro Tip: Arrive by 7:30 AM; pandas are most active at breakfast. See the “Infant Villa” and “Moon Delivery Room”.
• Lunch: Local bamboo-themed farm food; try stir-fried bamboo shoots.

Afternoon: Wuhou Shrine & Jinli Ancient Street

• Transport: Taxi from Panda Base (~40 RMB, 40 mins).
• Highlights: Wuhou Shrine for Three Kingdoms history; walk next door to Jinli Street for snacks.
• Snacks: Sandapao, Sugar Oil Fruit.

Evening: Kuanzhai Alley

• Vibe: Tea houses, Sichuan Opera (Face-Changing), night lights.
• Highlights: Explore the “Wide, Narrow, and Well” alleys. At night, settle into a cozy tea house for a cup of tea and a Sichuan Opera (Face-Changing) show.
• Stay: Hotels near Chunxi Road or Taikoo Li—central and convenient.

Day 2: Leshan Giant Buddha & Local Flavors (Optional Split Day)

Morning: Bullet Train to Leshan

• Metro Line 7 → Chengdu East Station → High-speed train to Leshan (1 hr, 54 RMB).
• Lunch: Feng Sanniang Qiaojiao Beef—local broth with tender beef slices.

Afternoon: Leshan Giant Buddha

• Take a boat tour (~120 RMB, 40 mins)
• Highlights: Take a 1-hour boat ride to see the full 71-meter scale of the world’s largest stone-carved sitting Buddha. It is the best way to see the whole masterpiece at once.

Evening: Leshan Food Street & Move to Emei

• Dinner: Zhanggongqiao Food Street—Sweet Skin Duck, Bobo Chicken.
• Night train to Emeishan Station (~20 mins). Stay near Baoguo Temple.

Day 3: The Golden Summit of Mount Emei

Full Day: Exploring the Sacred Mountain

• Transport: Sightseeing bus to Leidongping (1.5 hrs), walk 20 mins → cable car to Golden Summit.
• Highlights: Morning: Visit the Golden Summit to see the Samantabhadra statue and the stunning Sea of Clouds. Afternoon: Take the cable car down, then head to Wannian Temple (65 RMB for the uphill cable car). Hike down through Qingyin Pavilion and the “First Thread of Sky” to the Monkey Zone before heading back.
• Lunch: Buddhist vegetarian meal; “vegetarian roast pork” made from tofu.
• Afternoon: Cable car down → Wannian Temple → walk past Monkey Zone (keep bags zipped).

Day 4: Taoist Serenity & Ancient Engineering

Morning: Emei → Dujiangyan

• High-speed train (1.5–2 hrs) → hotel near South Bridge (Nanqiao).
• Lunch: Twice-Cooked Pork (Huiguorou), Mapo Tofu.

Afternoon: Mount Qingcheng (Front Mountain)

• Birthplace of Taoism, quiet winter/misty forest, Taoist temples.
• Dinner: Farmhouse local specialties: Old Cured Pork, Ginkgo Chicken Soup.

Evening: Nanqiao & “Blue Tears” River

• South Bridge at night; river glows blue; Guanxian Ancient Town alive with music.

Day 5: Dujiangyan Irrigation System & Return

Morning: Dujiangyan Irrigation System

• Built 2,200+ years ago; visit Fish Mouth levee, Anlan Suspension Bridge.
• Highlights: Spend 3 hours seeing the “Fish Mouth,” “Feishayan,” and “Baopingkou” levees. It is a great place to appreciate the engineering genius of the ancient world.

Afternoon: Return to Chengdu

• Train back to Xipu (30 mins, 10 RMB) → Metro Line 2 to city center.
• Farewell Dinner: Classic Chengdu Hotpot at Shu Da Xia or busy local spot. Try Milk-marinated Beef.

Practical Survival Tips

1. Apps: Alipay, WeChat Pay (link international cards).
2. Metro: Tianfu Tong app for easy rides.
3. Language: Signs mostly in English; Google Translate offline useful.
4. Gear: Comfortable walking shoes; Mt. Emei summit can be chilly.
5. Safety: Keep bags closed in Monkey Zones; watch icy paths if winter.

Planning Tip: This Chengdu 5-day itinerary emphasizes quality over quantity. Leave blank spots in your schedule to wander streets, sip tea, and explore hidden gems. Enjoy the city’s “slow life” while tasting unforgettable local food.

For more flexible routes and extended stays, you can explore additional ideas in our Chengdu Travel Itineraries collection.