Sichuan Location Map: Where is Sichuan on China Map
On a standard map of China, Sichuan is located in the southwestern interior. It is not on the coast; instead, it is landlocked, acting as a massive gateway between the flat eastern plains and the high Tibetan Plateau to the west.
Its capital, Chengdu, sits in the heart of the renowned Sichuan Basin, a lush area famous for being the home of giant pandas.
Sichuan province is celebrated globally for its dramatic landscapes, ranging from snow-capped mountains in the west to rolling rivers in the east, as well as its rich cultural heritage and world-famous spicy cuisine, including Sichuan hotpot.
Geographically, Sichuan is surrounded by diverse regions that define its character.
To the west lies the Tibet Autonomous Region, marking the edge of the Himalayas. To the east, it borders the major municipality of Chongqing. The province is also flanked by Yunnan and Guizhou to the south, and Shaanxi, Gansu, and Qinghai to the north and northwest.
This unique position makes Sichuan a crucial hub for travel between central China and the ethnic minority regions of the southwest and west.
Sichuan Province Map - Layout of Travel Area
This Sichuan Province map marks Sichuan's administrative regions with different colors. Although you may not understand Chinese, that's okay. We've circled different types of tourist areas to help you understand Sichuan's popular tourist destinations.
- Western Sichuan Tibetan Region (Orange Circle)
Highlights: Snow-capped mountains, grasslands, monasteries, and the gateway to Tibet.
Key Destinations: Garze (Kangding, Litang, Daocheng Yading), Aba (Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong).
Vibe: Spiritual, high-altitude adventure, pristine nature.
6 Days Chengdu & Daocheng Yading Adventure Tour: Pandas & Peaks
Chengdu - Daocheng Yading
- Chengdu Basin & Cultural Heart (Green Circle)
Highlights: Giant Pandas, spicy cuisine, ancient history, and relaxed tea house culture.
Key Destinations: Chengdu, Dujiangyan, Mount Qingcheng, Leshan Giant Buddha.
Vibe: Urban comfort, culinary capital, family-friendly.
3 Days Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou High Speed Train Tour
Chengdu - Huanglong Valley - Jiuzhaigou Valley
- Southern Sichuan: Yi Culture & Sunlight Wellness (Blue Circle)
Liangshan: The heart of Yi ethnic culture, featuring the famous Torch Festival, deep valleys, and the mysterious Lugu Lake.
Panzhihua: Known as the "City of Flowers and Sunshine," it offers a unique blend of Yi traditions and modern wellness tourism. It is China's premier winter destination for warm weather, health retreats, and fruit picking.
Vibe: Ethnic mystery mixed with tropical-like warmth and relaxation.
Sichuan Travel Map: Cities, Airports & High-Speed Rail Network
Navigate Sichuan with confidence using our comprehensive Sichuan Travel map. We have integrated key tourist cities, major airports, and the latest high-speed rail (HSR) lines into a single visual guide.
The map highlights Chengdu as the central hub, connected by high-speed trains to emerging destinations like Zigong (famous for dinosaurs and lanterns) and Yibin (the start of the Yangtze River).
2 Day Dujiangyan Panda Volunteer Tour & Mount Qingcheng Kung Fu Lesson
Chengdu - Dujiangyan - Mount Qingcheng - Chengdu
Look for the airport icons marking gateways to remote wonders like Jiuzhaigou and Daocheng Yading, and follow the red rail lines that offer fast access to Leshan, Emei, and the southern Sichuan loop.
For high-altitude areas without rail access, such as Kangding and Litang, the map indicates the primary highway routes (G318), helping you plan the perfect combination of flight, train, and road trip.
Sichuan Map with Cities - Beautiful Places in Sichuan
Instead of listing every administrative unit, this map highlights the major hubs and the specific scenic areas you actually visit. Note that many famous names (like Jiuzhaigou or Yading) are counties or towns, not large cities.
| Category | Destination | Key Highlights (Why Visit?) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Major Hubs (Gateway Cities) |
Chengdu | Giant Pandas, Spicy Hotpot, Tea Culture, Modern Skyline. |
| Leshan | Leshan Giant Buddha (UNESCO), Gateway to Mount Emei. | |
| Yibin | Wuliangye Liquor Culture, "First City of the Yangtze River", Bamboo Sea nearby. | |
| Zigong | Dinosaur Fossils, World-famous Lantern Festival, Salt History. | |
| 2. Top Scenic Areas (Counties & Towns) Note: These are specific destinations, not big cities |
Jiuzhaigou | Colorful Alpine Lakes, Waterfalls, Autumn Forests (UNESCO). |
| Daocheng Yading | "Last Shangri-La", Three Sacred Snow Peaks, High-altitude Trekking. | |
| Emeishan | Sacred Buddhist Mountain, Golden Summit, Wild Monkeys. | |
| Xinduqiao | "Photographer's Paradise", Stunning light/shadow on grasslands. | |
| Litang | "World's Highest City", Tibetan Grasslands, Horse Racing Festival. | |
| Kangding | Gateway to Western Sichuan, Mix of Tibetan & Han cultures, Love Song legacy. | |
| 3. Historical & Cultural (Day Trips from Chengdu) |
Guanghan | Sanxingdui Museum, Mysterious 3,000-year-old Bronze Masks. |
| Dujiangyan | Ancient Irrigation System (still in use), Mount Qingcheng (Taoism). |
- Some Big Cities (Chengdu, Leshan): They are where you fly into, take trains, and find hotels/restaurants. They are your bases.
- Small Scenic Counties (Jiuzhaigou, Daocheng): You travel from the big cities to these places. They are often 4–8 hours away by car or bus.
- The "Western Sichuan" Cluster: Notice how Kangding, Litang, and Daocheng form a line moving westward up the mountains. This is the popular "G318 Highway Route" for road trips.
Sichuan Railways on Map
This map was created at the end of 2024, and as of March 2026, more newly opened high-speed rail lines have been added to the high-speed rail network. See the Sichuan Travel Map above for details.
- Chengdu has three high-speed rail stations: Chengdu East, Chengdu South, and Chengdu West. The renovated Chengdu Station will also be added in the near future.
- Currently, the only way to travel to western Sichuan is by train to Ya'an, but in the near future, after the Sichuan-Tibet Railway is completed, direct train services will be available to cities such as Kangding and Litang.
Sichuan Tourist Map: Top Attractions in Sichuan
This Sichuan tourist map highlights the most popular tourist attractions in Sichuan. Most of these attractions are located within a 3-hour drive or high-speed train ride from Chengdu.
| Attraction | Key Highlights | Distance/Time from Chengdu |
|---|---|---|
| Jiuzhaigou Valley | Colorful lakes, waterfalls, snow peaks. | ~1.5h HSR + shuttle (or 1h flight) |
| Huanglong | Terraced calcium pools, alpine scenery. | ~1.5h HSR to Zhenjiangguan + 2h drive |
| Mount Emei | Sacred Buddhist mountain, sea of clouds. | 1.5h by High-Speed Rail (HSR) |
| Leshan Giant Buddha | World's largest stone Buddha statue. | 1h by HSR |
| Panda Bases | Chengdu: Cubs in urban setting. Wolong: Semi-wild habitat. | Chengdu: 30 min; Wolong: 2h drive |
| Mount Qingcheng | Birthplace of Taoism, lush & serene. | 30 min by HSR |
| Dujiangyan | 2,000-year-old functioning irrigation system. | 30 min by HSR |
| Wuhou Shrine & Jinli | Three Kingdoms history & traditional snacks. | 20 min (Metro/Taxi within city) |
| Hailuogou Glacier Park | Low-altitude glacier, icefalls, hot springs. | ~3.5–4h drive |
| Mount Siguniang | "Oriental Alps," trekking & photography. | ~3–3.5h drive |
| Daocheng Yading | "Last Shangri-La," sacred peaks & lakes. | 1.5h flight + 1.5h drive |
| Sanxingdui Museum | Mysterious ancient Shu bronze artifacts. | ~20 min HSR to Guanghan North |
| Langzhong Ancient Town | Well-preserved Ming/Qing architecture. | 2.5h by HSR |
| Mugecuo Scenic Area | Alpine lakes, Tibetan villages, hot springs. | ~3.5h drive |
| Lugu Lake | Clear waters, Mosuo matriarchal culture. | Flight to Xichang + 4h drive |
| Zigong | World-class Dinosaur Museum & Lantern Festival. | 1.5h by HSR |
- City & Short Trips: Chengdu city needs 1-2 days. Perfect for 2-3 day short trips to Zigong (Dinosaurs/Lanterns), Sanxingdui, Qingcheng/Dujiangyan, or Mount Siguniang.
- Jiuzhaigou Weekend: Now a feasible weekend trip from Chengdu via new high-speed rail, year-round. Combine with nearby Huanglong (both UNESCO sites).
- Western Sichuan: Requires 5-7 days for "Grand" or "Mini" loops. Best visited June–September.
- Panda Alternatives: Beyond the city base, visit Bifengxia (Ya'an), Dujiangyan, or Shenshuping (Wolong). All allow same-day round trips.
2 Days Chengdu Tour with Dujiangyan & Mount Qingcheng World Heritage Site
Chengdu - Dujiangyan - Chengdu
Sichuan Tour Map: Sichuan Itinerary with Map
This itinerary will take you through some of the most iconic natural and cultural sites in Sichuan province:
Day 1: Arrival in Chengdu.
Day 2: Panda and Culture Exploration.
Morning visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to see adorable pandas in their natural habitat. Explore a traditional Tea House in People's Park to experience Chengdu's tea culture and enjoy a cup of local tea. Visit Jinli Ancient Street to experience traditional Sichuan culture, food, and handicrafts.
Day 3: Day Trip to Leshan Giant Buddha
Take a day trip to Leshan to see the Leshan Giant Buddha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the area around the Buddha, including the Lingyun Temple and the riverside walkway. Head to Emeishan Mountain in the afternoon and check into your accommodation.
Day 4: Emeishan Mountain Exploration
Visit temples such as Baoguo Temple and Wannian Temple. Enjoy the scenic beauty and fresh mountain air. Take a cable car to the Golden Summit to enjoy the panaromic view. Back to Chengdu.
7 Days Sichuan Highlights Tour of Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou, Leshan and Emei
Chengdu - Leshan - Emei - Chengdu - Huanglong Valley - Jiuzhaigou Valley
Day 5: High-Speed Train to Huanglong
Take a morning high-speed train to Huanglongjiuzhai Railway Station within 2 hours, then transfer to Huanglong Scenic Area. Explore the breathtaking natural landscapes of Huanglong, known for its colorful pools and limestone formations. Head to Jiuzhaigou Valley and and check into your accommodation.
Day 6: Jiuzhaigou Valley Exploration
Spend the day exploring the stunning Jiuzhaigou Valley, known for its colorful lakes, waterfalls, and snow-capped peaks. Visit key sights like Five Flower Lake, Nuorilang Waterfall, and Long Lake. Enjoy the natural beauty and tranquility of the valley.
Day 7: Return to Chengdu and Departure.
Travel back to Chengdu and then departure. Or you can depature from Jiuzhaihuanglong Airport to other part of China by flight.
