7 Days Chengdu Zhangjiajie Tour: Pandas, Buddha, Avatar Mountians, Ancient Towns

Nihao! Welcome to Chengdu, the Hometown of Giant Pandas! Your private transfer will be waiting to greet you upon arrival and whisk you directly to your hotel.

Once you’ve settled in, you have the freedom to explore the city at your leisure. Here are our top recommendations for your first day:

1. Immerse in Culture at Jinli Old Street: This bustling pedestrian street is the heart of Chengdu’s folk culture. Enjoy a stroll past traditional lanterns and shops, try local street food, or catch a glimpse of a traditional Sichuan Opera performance.

2. Explore the City Center: Visit Tianfu Square to see the city’s modern landmarks, then walk over to the Chunxi Road and Taikoo Li area. It’s the perfect spot to see Chengdu’s modern side, do some shopping, and find the iconic giant panda sculpture climbing the building wall.

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 g

iant 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.

This morning, be transferred to the railway station and you’ll board the high-speed train for scenic 4-hour journey from Chengdu to Zhangjiajie. As you arrive at Zhangjiajie West Station, our local team will be waiting to greet you and handle your transfer to the Wulingyuan area (approx. 40 minutes).

Wulingyuan is the heart of Zhangjiajie’s UNESCO World Heritage landscape - a surreal world of quartz-sandstone pillars and deep canyons that inspired the floating mountains of Avatar.

After checking into your hotel, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy. We highly recommend a stroll through Xibu Old Street. This vibrant pedestrian hub is the perfect place to immerse yourself in Tujia culture. Explore the creative workshops, browse for local handwoven brocades, and treat yourself to authentic Hunan street food or savory Tujia fried rice as the street lights up for the evening.

Morning: Yuanjiajie & The Avatar World

Our local guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. It is time to fully explore this amazing Avatar world.

Ascend via the world’s tallest outdoor elevator (Bailong Elevator) to reach the summit of Yuanjiajie. Hike the 3,500-meter cliffside trail to see the famous "Floating Mountain" (South Sky Pillar) and the natural stone arch of the "First Bridge Under Heaven." It is a landscape of towering quartz-sandstone pillars that feels like a scene from another planet.

Afternoon: Tianzi Mountain (The King of Peaks)

In this afternoon, you’ll continue to Tianzi Mountain, a fairyland of misty canyons and rugged peaks. Key highlights include:

1. West Sea Peaks Forest: A breathtaking sea of stone pillars.
2. Imperial Writing Brush Peaks: A row of slender, iconic stone pillars.
3. He Long Park & Tianzige Pavilion: Historic sites offering the best panoramic views of the entire mountain range.

After a full day of exploration, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel to relax.

Note: If you are traveling during the peak season, your guide may consider reversing the itinerary to avoid the largest crowds.

Morning: The Glass Bridge Challenge

In this morning, our guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel in Wulingyuan. You’ll travel to the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon to walk the world’s longest and highest glass-bottomed bridge. Designed by renowned architect Haim Dotan, this bridge offers an unparalleled view of the canyon floor 300 meters below. It’s an iconic photo opportunity and a true test of courage!

Afternoon: Baofeng Lake Cruise

After lunch, we head to Baofeng Lake to restore your inner peace. This alpine lake is a hidden gem, famous for its emerald-green water and surrounding limestone peaks. You’ll take a relaxing wooden boat cruise, enjoying the serene atmosphere and traditional folk performances by local minority groups.

In the late afternoon, we’ll drive about 1 hour to return to Zhangjiajie City, where you will check into your hotel for the night.

Today, you will spend half-day tour of Tianmen Mountain in Tianmenshan National Forest Park, known as as the "Soul of Zhangjiajie" and the "No.1 Sacred Mountain of Western Hunan Province". Located only 8 kilometers away from Zhangjiajie city center, the Tianmen Mountain Scenic Area is unique in that it is suitable for people of all ages, and climbing is not necessary.

First, take the 30-minute cable car (7,455 meters) ride from Zhangjiajie City to the top of Tianmen Mountain. As you ascend, you'll be treated to a panoramic view of the winding mountain road with 99 bends (the Road to Heaven) and the breathtaking beauty of the bonsai gardens. Now, brace yourself for a thrilling challenge. Take a deep breath and step on the cliff path hanging on the mountainside. Walk along the Glass Walkway, a transparent glass path that stretches for 60 meters and hovers 1,430 meters above the bottomless valley, giving you a thrilling sensation of walking in the sky. Additionally, experience the 1.6-kilometer-long Cliff-Hanging Walkway, which is built along the edges of the mountain's summits. It's truly an amazing adventure! Next, you have the option to visit Tianmen Temple, a Buddhist structure that embodies the architectural style of the Qing Dynasty (1616-1912). It is surrounded by lush green forests, providing a serene atmosphere. And, you can also visit Yunmenxianding (云梦仙顶; 1,518m), the highest point in Tianmenshan National Forest Park, to enjoy a bird's eye view of the surroundings.

Afterward, go down by escalator from the mountaintop to Tianmen Cave, the world's highest natural mountain through the cave which spans 131.5 meters. Tianmen Cave, also known as Heaven's Gate Hole (天门洞), is frequently enveloped in swirling clouds and mist, and at other times, it is illuminated by ethereal rays of sunlight, resulting in a mesmerizing and ever-changing display of light and shadows. Take your time there to capture some beautiful photographs. Following that, you have the option to either walk down the 999 steps or take the elevator. Then, welcome back to another cable car station. Take the cable car down the mountain.

After touring Tianmen Mountain, you’ll be transferred to Fenghuang Ancient Town (凤凰古城), located southwest of Zhangjiajie City (211km, 3-hour drive).

Fenghuang Ancient Town is a fairytale-like riverside treasure nestled along the tranquil Tuo River. Widely celebrated as one of China's most picturesque towns, it presents postcard-perfect scenery: the Tuo River meanders gracefully past stilted wooden houses (Tuojia Diaojiaolou), their reflections dancing on the water's surface like strokes from an ancient Chinese ink painting. This charming town also serves as an important cultural center for the Miao and Tujia ethnic minorities.

You will arrive during daylight hours, you'll find yourself walking along cobblestone streets flanked by well-preserved Qing Dynasty architecture, creating endless opportunities for beautiful photographs. The iconic Hong Bridge and the mirror-like reflections on the Tuo River make particularly stunning subjects for your camera.

As evening falls, Fenghuang undergoes a magical transformation. The lantern-lit alleys come alive with the energetic buzz of night markets and riverside bars, while thousands of glowing red lanterns cast their radiant light across the water, magnificently amplifying the beauty of the stilt houses.

Tuo River Boating Experience: Relaxing Views of Fenghuang Ancient Town (Choose Between Daytime or Nighttime Cruises)

Enjoy a scenic boat ride along the Tuo River. Opt for the daytime cruise to glide peacefully past the stilt houses and beneath Hong Bridge, where you can observe local fishermen at work, women washing clothes along the shore, and children playing by the riverbanks.

Or, take evening cruise for a completely different perspective as the town comes alive with illumination - glowing bridges and lanterns create a dreamlike atmosphere, their golden reflections shimmering across the water's surface.

Stay overnight in Fenghuang Ancient Town.

This morning, enjoy your beautiful time to discover Fenghuang's cultural treasures at your own pace. When people speak of Fenghuang Ancient Town, they inevitably recall Shen Congwen (1902-1988), the renowned Chinese writer and historian whose novel The Border Town (边城) catapulted this riverside gem to global fame.

Begin your exploration at the Former Residence of Shen Congwen, where you can walk through the preserved home of this literary master. The house contains original manuscripts and personal artifacts that reveal his deep connection to Fenghuang. Nearby, the Ancient East Gate (Donghua Gate) offers panoramic views of the old town and Tuo River from its 18th-century gate tower.

No visit would be complete without seeing the Hongqiao Bridge (Rainbow Bridge), the town's iconic landmark. Lined with teahouses and artisan shops, it's the perfect spot to photograph the stilt houses reflected in the water. You might also enjoy watching local Miao silversmiths and batik makers practice their centuries-old crafts at nearby artisan workshops.

After bidding farewell to Fenghuang, we’ll stop at Furong Ancient Town (芙蓉古镇) en route to Zhangjiajie. Prepare to discover the surreal "Ancient Town Hanging on the Waterfall" from every angle. Unlike anywhere else, this 2,000-year-old gem features a dramatic waterfall cascading through its heart.

Renamed after the 1986 film Hibiscus Town, Furong welcomes you with: Cliffside stilt houses clinging to emerald cliffs; Winding stone alleys steeped in history; A living Tujia culture thriving amid the mist.

With Asia Odyssey Travel, explore highlights of Furong Ancient Town. Visit Xizhou Bronze Pillar Garden (溪州铜柱), where a striking group sculpture depicts the Chu King and the local Tusi (chieftain) signing their peace treaty on the "Xizhou Bronze Pillar." Cast from 5,000 jin of copper, this sacred pillar is deeply revered by the Tujia people. Next, cross Tuwang Bridge (土王桥), a classic covered wind-and-rain bridge. In the morning mist, its reflection alongside the stilt houses creates a living ink-wash painting - a beautiful relic from the Tusi era. Then continue to Youyang Palace (酉阳宫), the summer retreat of past Tusi kings.

Finally, explore the waterfall!!!At Qingxiu Pavilion (观瀑台), behold the 60-meter-wide cascade framed by glowing cliffs. The misty scene feels ethereal - as if the town floats on air. (This is the Instagram moment!) Capture endless photos of this natural masterpiece.

After the tour, you will be transferred back to Zhangjiajie. It is time to end your tour.Your guide will escort you to the airport or train station for your onward journey.

Thank you for traveling with Asia Odyssey Travel! We're honored to have been part of your China tour and look forward to welcoming you back for your next Asian Vacation.