Day 1
Arrival in Chengdu - Kuanzhai Alley - Wuhou Shrine - Jinli Ancient Street
by flight
A Keats teacher will accompany you throughout the whole trip. You will set out from Kunming by taking a flight to Chengdu. You will visit [Kuanzhai Alley (Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi)]. This is a historical part of Chengdu, known for its traditional-style Chinese buildings.
Then you will visit [Wuhou Shrine]. This is a temple dedicated to Zhuge Liang, the famous military strategist of the Three Kingdoms period. The shrine is located in the southern part of Chengdu and is adjacent to Jinli Ancient Street. It’s a cultural relic, with gardens and a collection of statues and steles.
Then you will visit [Du Fu Thatched Cottage (Du Fu Cao Tang)]. This is a park and museum in honor of Du Fu, one of China’s most famous poets, who lived during the Tang Dynasty. The cottage is a recreated version of the thatched hut where Du Fu wrote many of his poems.
In the evening, you will go to Shufeng Yayun Sichuan Opera House: Here you can experience Sichuan Opera, known for “face-changing” or “Bian Lian,” an ancient Chinese dramatic art that is part of the more general Sichuan Opera. Performers wear brightly colored costumes and move to quick, dramatic music.
Distance: 629 kilometers (about 391 miles).
Flight time: Around 1.5 hrs
Accommodation: Hotel in Chengdu
Meals: Not included, but will recommend local snacks
Day 2
Pandas! - Sanxingdui Museum
by subway
You will visit the [Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding]: A conservation center where visitors can see giant pandas and red pandas in a setting that mimics their natural habitat. The best time to visit is in the morning when pandas are most active.
Then you will visit the [Sanxingdui Museum]: This museum houses the artifacts from the Sanxingdui archaeological site, which dates back to the Shu kingdom (circa 1,600 BCE – 1,046 BCE). The exhibits include remarkable bronze masks and figures that are unique and mysterious, reflecting an ancient and sophisticated culture.
Accommodation: Hotel in Chengdu
Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included
Day 3
Dujiangyan and Beyond
by car
After breakfast, the driver will take you to visit the [Dujiangyan Irrigation System]: An ancient engineering marvel built over 2,000 years ago to control flooding and irrigate farms. It’s still in use today and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You will then visit [Diexi Lake]: Also known as Diexi Haizi, it’s a lake formed by a landslide damming a river following an earthquake in 1933. The area is known for its stunning landscape and clear waters.
You will then visit [Songpan Ancient Town]: A historic town that used to be an important military post and trading center. The town has retained its age-old charm with well-preserved city walls and gates.
Accommodation: Hotel in Jiuzhaigou Valley
Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included
Day 4
Jiuzhaigou Valley National Park
by car
You will visit [Jiuzhaigou Valley]: a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the north of Sichuan Province in China, is celebrated for its stunning natural beauty. Famous for its crystal-clear lakes, multi-level waterfalls, colorful forests, and snow-capped peaks, Jiuzhaigou is a haven for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike. Its name translates to “Valley of Nine Fortified Villages,” referencing the nine ancient Tibetan villages scattered throughout the park. The area is also rich in biodiversity, with many plant species and wildlife, including the giant panda and Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey. Jiuzhaigou’s unique landscape is often described as fairy-tale-like, offering visitors a glimpse into a serene and virtually untouched world.
Accommodation: Hotel in Jiuzhaigou Valley
Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included
Day 5
Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area
by car
After breakfast, the driver will take you to visit the [Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area], known for its strikingly colorful pools formed by calcite deposits. It is located in the northwestern part of Sichuan Province, China. It is situated near the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Huanglong is renowned for its vibrant, terraced travertine pools of various sizes and shapes, which are set amidst lush forests and snow-capped mountain peaks. These dazzling pools are filled with water that sparkles in shades of yellow, green, blue, and brown, a phenomenon caused by the reflection and refraction of sunlight on the calcite. The area gets its name, “Huanglong,” which means “Yellow Dragon,” from the appearance of the winding, yellow-colored calcite formations that resemble a dragon’s tail.
Distance:
from Jiuzhaigou valley to Huanglong: 128 kilometers (about 80 miles)
from Huanglong to Chengdu: 330 kilometers (about 205 miles)
Driving Time: 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Hotel in Chengdu
Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included
Day 6
Explore Chengdu City
by subway/taxi
Today, you will explore Chengdu City and have a closer look at local culture. You will visit [Wenshu Monastery]. It is the best-preserved Buddhist temple in Chengdu. It is dedicated to Wenshu (Manjusri), the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. With a history dating back to the Tang Dynasty, the monastery features exquisite gardens, stunning statues, and ancient architecture. It’s also a place where visitors can enjoy a tranquil atmosphere amidst bustling city life and partake in tea culture at the traditional teahouse within its grounds.
Then you will visit [Chengdu Museum]. It showcases a wide array of exhibits, ranging from ancient artifacts to modern art. It provides insights into the evolution of Chengdu and the surrounding area, including its role in the development of Sichuan’s unique civilization.
Then you will visit [People’s Park]. It is a popular public park in downtown Chengdu. It’s a social hub for locals and a peaceful retreat for visitors. The park is known for its beautiful landscapes, teahouses, and vibrant local life. Visitors can observe traditional pastimes such as tai chi, dancing, and matchmaking activities among the elderly population.
In the evening, you will visit [Taikoo Li]. It is a popular open-air shopping and lifestyle complex in Chengdu, China. Taikoo Li is not just a shopping destination but also a social space where people can stroll along the tree-lined alleys, relax in open courtyards, and enjoy the ambiance of modern urban life amidst historical surroundings. It’s a prime example of Chengdu’s rapid development and its efforts to maintain a connection to its cultural roots.
Accommodation: Hotel in Chengdu
Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included
Day 7
Departure from Chengdu
Departure day where you’ll leave Chengdu with memories of its cultural riches and natural beauty. You can choose to fly back to Kunming to continue your Chinese lessons or go to your next destination.
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