One Day Chengdu Panda & Leshan Giant Buddha Tour: Giant Panda & Giant Budhha Encounter

Itinerary Day by Day

Collapse All

Day 1 Chengdu - Leshan - Chengdu | Chengdu Panda Base, Leshan Giant Buddha

In the morning, you will meet your guide early at the appointed time in your hotel lobby. Since pandas prefer cool weather and are more active in the morning, we advise you to arrive early at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (Chengdu Panda Base), located only about 17 kilometers away from the city center. This is the closest panda base around Chengdu for you to fulfill your panda dream.

Chengdu Panda Base is the base with the largest population of captive giant pandas in the world, accommodating over 100 pandas of different ages. You can watch pandas playing, eating, climbing, sleeping, and in autumn, even see the pink newborn giant panda cubs in the Sunshine Nursery House and the Moonlight Nursery House. Discover the charming panda stars at this base, such as Hua Hua, the most adored and celebrated panda who has captured the hearts of the nation, and Zhi Ma, the real-life inspiration behind the panda mascot of the World University Games. Besides giant pandas, the cute red pandas (rarer than giant pandas) at the Red Panda Playgrounds are also the highlight of the Chengdu Panda Base. Nowadays, the panda base has also become an urban birding spot for local birders and kids to search for Red-billed Leiothrix, Black-throated Tit, Chinese Blackbird, Spotted Dove, White-browed Laughingthrush, and more. If you're interested, you can follow your guide to discover more about pandas' secrets through the Chengdu Giant Panda Museum, which is free to enter but requires advance reservation and is closed on Mondays.

After lunch, drive about 2.5 hours from Chengdu to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site - Leshan Giant Buddha which is the largest and tallest stone-carved statue of Buddha in the world. Carved into a cliff face overlooking the confluence of three rivers: the Dadu, Min, and Qingyi, the 1200-year-old Grand Buddha at a towering height of 71 meters (233 feet) and 28m (92ft) wide. His shoulders span 28m, and each of his big toes is 8.5m long. His ears are 7m. The Buddhist monk Haitong conceived the project in AD 713, hoping that Buddha would protect the boats and calm the lethal currents.

To witness this architectural marvel from a unique and captivating perspective, you can board a boat (about 20~30 minutes) to view the statue from the water. This allows you to fully appreciate the grandeur of the Leshan Giant Buddha. The play of light and shadow, coupled with the surrounding natural beauty, enhances the ethereal experience. Immersed in this extraordinary setting, one can't help but be reminded of the local saying: "The mountain is a Buddha, and the Buddha is a mountain.” Indeed, he is grand.

After the tour, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel in Chengdu downtown.

Dining:

Lunch

Accommodation:

None

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

National Treasure in China

A panda is taking a nap on the tree

Standing at a height of 71 meters

Take a Cruise to Appreciate Leshan Giant Buddha

Price: What’s Included & What’s Excluded

Price: Request

The above price is based on a private tour for 2 people. Price varies depending on travel date, group size, hotel class, program in your itinerary and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate.

What's Included?

Vehicle Service: Enjoy the "Land of Abundance" in comfort with an air-conditioned vehicles throughout your journey. We provide sedans, minivans, or coaches tailored to your group size. Luxury upgrades (such as Buick GL8 or Mercedes-Benz) are available upon request.

Airport & Train Station Transfers: Seamless pick-up and drop-off at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU), Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU), or major train stations (e.g., Chengdu East Railway Station).

Guide Service: A professional, licensed English-speaking guide will accompany you, sharing the deep history of the Three Kingdoms and the secrets of panda conservation.

Professional Driver Service: Includes the driver’s service fee, fuel, expressway tolls, and parking fees. You can focus on the scenery while we handle the mountain roads or city traffic.

Hotel Accommodation: Selection of 3-star, 4-star, or 5-star hotels (twin-bed or king-size) as specified in your curated itinerary.

Daily Breakfast: A full buffet breakfast at your hotel to kickstart your day of exploration.

Entrance Fees: First entrance tickets to all attractions listed in your itinerary (e.g., Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Wuhou Temple, Mount Emei, or the Leshan Giant Buddha).

Travel Agency Liability Insurance: Fully covered by our standard liability insurance.

Personal Travel Insurance: For your peace of mind, we will purchase personal travel insurance for your entire group before departure.

Comprehensive Service: Our team provides end-to-end support—from initial itinerary planning and logistics to 24/7 on-the-ground assistance during your trip.

What's Excluded?

International/Domestic Airfare: Flights to and from Chengdu (TFU/CTU), any domestic flights not explicitly mentioned in the itinerary, and associated airport taxes.

China Visa Fee: All costs related to obtaining your Chinese entry visa.

Optional Activities: Additional experiences to enrich your Sichuan journey, such as the Sichuan Opera "Face-Changing" Show, traditional Longchaoshou snack tasting, or evening tours of Anshun Bridge and the Funan River, which are available at an extra cost.

Meals Not Listed: Any lunches, dinners, or local culinary explorations not specifically mentioned in the itinerary (including meals during your free time).

Beverages: Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and other beverages not included with the scheduled meals.

Personal Expenses: Charges for laundry, telephone calls, hotel minibar usage, overweight luggage fees, and personal shopping.

Single Room Supplement: The additional cost for travelers who prefer the privacy of a single room rather than sharing a twin-bedded room.

Important Trip Notes for Your Chengdu Tour

How do I Book a Private Chengdu Tour?

Step 1: Choose the tour you like and click "Make an Enquiry for Free." Tell us your travel dates, group size, and any special interests in the form. No payment is required at this stage.

Step 2: Get expert advice within 0.5–24 hours. One of our Chengdu travel specialists will contact you with a personalized plan and suggestions.

Step 3: Confirm the details and make a deposit. Once you are happy with the itinerary, we finalize the booking and secure your services.

Step 4: Stay in touch with your travel expert. You can contact your advisor at any time before the trip for changes, questions, or special requests.

Tell us your ideas now >>

Extend Your Chengdu Tour

Chengdu is one of China's major high-speed rail hubs, making it easy to extend your journey to nearby highlights or even the Tibetan Plateau. In just a few hours, you can reach sacred mountains, fairyland valleys, and world-famous cultural sites. Popular extensions from Chengdu include Leshan Gaint Buddha & Mount Emei, the breathtaking Jiuzhaigou Valley, and the legendary journey to Lhasa on the Qinghai–Tibet Railway.

>> 3 Days Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou High Speed Train Tour

>> 4 Days Classic Leshan and Mount Emei Tour from Chengdu

>> 7 Days Chengdu Tibet Tour via Qinghai-Tibet Railway

Transportation in a Private Tour

On a private Chengdu tour, all local sightseeing transfers are arranged by private, air-conditioned vehicles for your comfort. The cars are clean, spacious, and driven by experienced local drivers who know the routes well.

For Chengdu travel between different cities, we arrange domestic flights (economy class) or high-speed trains (second class, usually under 6 hours) depending on distance and schedule. Your local guide and driver will meet you at the airport or train station and escort you directly to your hotel, ensuring a smooth and worry-free journey from start to finish.

Meals of Your Chengdu Tour

“B” stands for breakfast. You will have it at your hotel in the morning.

“L” stands for lunch. The restaurants we will arrange for you are all designated tourist restaurants approved by local tourist administration bureau. All are in good sanitary conditions. Your guide will assist you with ordering the dishes.

“D” means dinner. All dinners are excluded in the itinerary. You have the chance to taste some authentic Chinese food and local snacks.

If you have special dietary requirements (vegetarian, halal, kosher, Indian, or gluten-free), please let us know before your booking. We will try our best to take care of you.

Accommodation & Hotel Condition for Your Chengdu Tour

Have a good sleep everyday is very important during your Chengdu tour. In a private tour, you can decide on your own which hotel class you want - luxury 5 star, comfortable 4-star or economic 3-star.

All the hotels in each destination we selected are at good location, close to commercial street or tourist attractions. And, all the hotels we use have a business relationship for many years and they have windows, air-conditioners, hot water, showers, wifi... (except for basic accommodation condition when travel to Mount Everest) to ensure you luxury and comfortable sleep experience. The staff can speak English and they will provide you the high quality service. If you have any requirements, you can ask them to help.

Latest Chengdu Tours Reviews from Our Customers

Discover what our customers are saying about the latest Chengdu Tours. Browse through their recent reviews and feedback on tour arrangements, guides, transportation, attractions, dining, hotels, and detailed itineraries to plan your own unforgettable China tour. View All Customers Reviews >>

Rachel Lim

Singapore

364

A Perfect Short Escape for Our Family of Seven

Our family of seven from Singapore joined the 3 Days Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou High Speed Train Tour, and it was truly one of the best short trips we’ve ever taken together. The bullet train ride was fast, comfortable, and very convenient for a big group like ours. All transfers and hotel arrangements were smooth, which made traveling with children and elders completely stress-free.

Jiuzhaigou’s colorful lakes and waterfalls were even more beautiful than we imagined. Walking along the scenic paths felt peaceful and refreshing, and everyone found something to love. Our guide was patient and caring, always making sure our family was comfortable. This tour gave us unforgettable memories and was the perfect mix of nature, comfort, and family time.

Destination(s): Chengdu/Sichuan

Date of Experience: Jan 16, 2026

Tour Customized by: Martin

You May be Interested in This Tour: 3 Days Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou High Speed Train Tour

Jonathan Miller

426

A Journey That Changed the Way I See the World

This 10 Days Chengdu & Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Tour via Qinghai-Tibet Railway was one of the most meaningful trips of my life. Traveling across such vast landscapes—from the green valleys of Sichuan to the high plateau of Tibet and finally into the Himalayas—felt like crossing into another world. The Qinghai-Tibet Railway itself was an unforgettable experience, offering breathtaking views and a smooth, comfortable ride into Lhasa.

Every detail of the journey was thoughtfully arranged, from permits to border crossings, which could have been very complicated without a professional team. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and supportive, especially in helping us adjust to the altitude. Standing in front of the Potala Palace, visiting ancient monasteries, and finally reaching Kathmandu felt like completing a once-in-a-lifetime journey. I am deeply grateful for the care and professionalism of the team. This tour is truly for travelers seeking adventure, culture, and a deeper connection to the world.

Destination(s): Tibet, Chengdu/Sichuan

Date of Experience: Jan 12, 2026

Tour Customized by: Thalia

You May be Interested in This Tour: 10 Days Chengdu & Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Tour via Qinghai-Tibet Railway

Daniel Peterson

Australia

246

The Best Way to Spend a 10-Hour Layover in Chengdu

This winter, I had a 10-hour layover in Chengdu and decided to join this Chengdu Layover Tour: Efficient Panda & City Tours Between Flights. It was the best decision I could have made. Instead of waiting at the airport, I got to see the adorable giant pandas up close, which was a lifelong dream. Even in the cold weather, watching them play and eat bamboo was incredibly heartwarming.

The schedule was perfectly planned for a short stop, and everything ran smoothly from airport pickup to drop-off. To top it off, I enjoyed a steaming hot Chengdu hotpot before heading back to the airport—exactly what I needed on a winter day. The guide was friendly, professional, and very mindful of my flight time. This tour turned a boring layover into a memorable mini adventure. Highly recommended for anyone passing through Chengdu!