Chengdu Two Days Independent Tour

On the first day, you're suggested to visit Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda and Jinsha Site Museum to see China's national treasure, giant pandas and explore the Jinsha culture and ancient Shu civilization.

Today, it's better to set off early, 08:00 recommended, to Chengdu Panda Base as the giant pandas are more active in the morning. Taxi is the fastest and easiest way and it takes around CNY40 and 40 minutes from the city center (taking Grand Hyatt Chengdu hotel as an example). You can also choose to take buses and get off at the Panda Base Station. The bus no. 87, 655, 198 (interval), which takes CNY2 and Panda Express no. 2, 3, 4, 5, which takes CNY5, are available. If there are no any of these buses near your hotel, you can take the subway line 3 first, get out from the Exit B of Chengdu Dadao Station, and then transit to bus no.198 (interval) or Panda Express 3/5 to the base.

Chengdu Panda Base opens from 8:00 am. to 18:00 pm. and it takes CNY 55 per ticket. The base, taking an area of 1,500 acres (1 square kilometer), is divided into many different enclosures to meet the panda's ecological needs. It takes around three hours or more to tour the base by walking, so please wear comfortable shoes and get ready for it. Alternatively, you can also take the tourist minibus at a fee of CNY10 per ticket. It will stop at 5 stations and you can get off at each station and walk around. It takes around 1 - 1.5 hours by the minibus and you can have more time to watch pandas in this way. During the whole journey, please keep quiet as the giant pandas are quiet by nature and are easily stressed by loud and sudden noise.

After watching the cute pandas, the Jinsha Site Museum is recommended as your next destination (Admission fee: CNY 70 for adults). It takes around CNY60 and 35 minutes by taxi. For bus and subway, you can take Panda Express no. 3 or bus no. 655, 87, 198 (Interval) from Panda Base Station to Panda Dadao Station or Dongwuyuan Station, and then transit to subway line 3 to Simaqiao Station, where you will transit to the outer ring of subway line 7 and finally get out from the Exit C of Jinsha Museum Station. It is the relatively faster way which takes around 1 hour and 10 minutes. If you feel it's a little bit troublesome, you could also take the bus no. 87 first and then transit to bus no. 83 from Zhaojuehenglu Station and finally get off at Jinsha Site East Gate Station, which takes around one and a half hours.

Jinsha Site Museum is a relic museum built for the protection, research and display of Jinsha culture and ancient Shu civilization. It is an excavation site with an amazing collection of artifacts, which will be very attractive for people who are interested in history. The explanation is in both Chinese and English. However, if you want to have a deeper understanding, it's better to hire a tour guides. The service fee is CNY70 per person under 3 travelers as a group and CNY60 per person over 4 as a group. You can ask for more information from the Tourist Center or Ticket Office. Please kindly note that there will also be refundable deposit for the headset.

Jinsha Site Museum opens from 09:00 am. to 18:00 pm. and stops selling tickets at 17:00 pm. It will close at 20:00 pm. at weekends from May to October. Besides, please kindly note that it closes every Monday except for the legal holiday.

Today, you're suggested to get out of Chengdu to the Leshan Giant Buddha to visit China's largest stone sculpture, and then to the Jinli Street or the Broad and Narrow Alley to appreciate Chengdu specialty handicrafts and taste Sichuan delicious snacks.

The Leshan Giant Buddha is around 160 kilometers (99 miles) away from Chengdu downtown. The fastest way is to take the high speed train from Chengdu East/South Railway station to Leshan Railway Station, and then change to bus no. 302, 601 or K1 to reach this site. There are around 40 trains every day from 06:10 am. to 22:04 pm. and it takes CNY54 for the second class seat and around 50 minutes on the way. The bus takes CNY2 - 5 and around 1 hour and 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can also take a long-distance bus from Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station to Leshan Giant Buddha scenic area directly, which is the easiest and fastest bus route. It departs at 11:20 am. and takes CNY53 and around 2.5 hours on the way.

With a height of 71 meters (233 feet), this Buddha is said to be the biggest carved stone Buddha in the world. You are advised to view this gigantic Buddha from a boat on the river which will give you an excellent appreciation of the scale of this monument. The admission fee is CNY90 (Excluding the boat ticket which takes CNY 150 per person for a comfortable boat and CNY120 for an economical one). Three to four hours is enough to tour the gigantic Buddha. If time permits, you can also climb the mountain and visit the Buddha from different perspectives.

After the visiting, you can get back to Chengdu. As the last bus departs at 15:10, you're suggested to return by train. Upon arrival, take a taxi to the Jinli Street or the Board and Narrow Alley. The taxi fee is around CNY30 - 40 whether from the East or South railway station. Both Streets are alleyways lined with great restaurants, food stalls, and souvenir stores. You could spend a relaxed afternoon by walking through this street, admiring the traditional-style buildings, and tasting some local snacks.