8 Days Chengdu Chongqing Zhangjiajie Small Group Tour: Panda, Cyberpunk & Avatar

Welcome to Chengdu, home to the beloved giant panda! Our on‑site team will pick you up at the airport or railway station and take you straight to your city‑centre hotel. Spend the remainder of the day resting or exploring surrounding areas freely.

How to arrive in Chengdu Two international airports (Shuangliu & Tianfu) link Chengdu with Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and many overseas cities. You can also travel by high‑speed train: 1.5‑2hr from Chongqing, 3‑4hr from Xi’an, 3.5‑4.5hr from Guiyang, 6‑6.5hr from Kunming, 12.5‑14.5hr from Shanghai.

Free‑time Tips: Don’t miss genuine Sichuan hot pot or a spectacular Sichuan Opera performance for a wonderful night out.

This morning we head for the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where the world’s biggest captive panda population lives. See pandas of every age eat and play; look out for baby cubs in the nurseries during autumn. Keep an eye open for lovely red pandas and explore the Panda Museum to discover more about these beloved creatures.

Note: Pandas are most active early in the morning when it is cool. As daytime heats up, they tend to retreat indoors to sleep.

Spend your afternoon at Sanxingdui Museum, a stunning archaeological gem of 3,000‑5,000‑year‑old ancient Shu civilisation. Marvel at landmark treasures: the huge Bronze Sacred Tree, puzzling vertical‑eyed mask and golden scepter. Bronze, jade and gold exhibits showcase the astonishing artistry of this little‑known ancient kingdom.

We then head back to central Chengdu and wander Jinli Ancient Street. Dating back more than 1,800 years, this historic lane brims with local street‑food stalls, handcraft shops and lively folk shows.

Plan B: Chengdu City Tour (without Sanxingdui Museum) Sanxingdui tickets are extremely limited in peak season. If tickets cannot be secured, we will replace this segment with a classic Chengdu city tour: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding → Chengdu Museum → Kuanzhai Alleys → People’s Park.

This morning take a 1‑2‑hour high‑speed train from Chengdu to Chongqing, the incredible Mountain City famed for its rugged topography and futuristic cityscape.

Stop at Liziba Station to see the viral monorail running directly through a residential building. Watch this amazing engineering feat from the purpose‑built observation platform.

Then visit Kuixing Tower, the symbol of Chongqing’s mind‑bending 8D city layout. The plaza that feels like street level sits on the rooftop of a 22‑storey building, creating an unforgettable spatial illusion. This historic site was once where Qing‑dynasty scholars prayed for good fortune in examinations.

Proceed to Jiefangbei Monument, a 27.5‑metre landmark commemorating Chongqing’s WWII history. Explore relic displays at its base and snap your signature travel photo here.

Taste genuine local flavour with a group Chongqing hot‑pot dinner — brace yourself for rich, spicy numbing broth that defines the city’s food culture.

Later explore Hongya Cave, the stunning multi‑tiered diaojiaolou stilt‑house complex beside Jialing River. When dusk arrives, the whole cliff glows with dazzling lights. Stroll onto Qiansimen Bridge for spectacular panoramic night views of the lit‑up skyline. We then return you to your downtown hotel.

Travel for 2.5 hours by car to Wulong Karst National Geology Park, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Home to the spectacular Three Natural Bridges, this grand natural setting featured in Transformers.

Start from the glass viewing platform with jaw‑dropping 280‑metre gorge views, then take the sightseeing elevator down into the heart of the canyon.

Key sights along the hiking path: Tianlong Bridge (Heavenly Dragon) – The grandest limestone arch of the whole park. Tianfu Official Post – Well‑preserved ancient courtyard hidden in the gorge, reflecting old‑time official life. Qinglong Bridge (Azure Dragon) – Graceful arch surrounded by thick green forest, ideal for photos. Heilong Bridge (Black Dragon) – Mysterious misty zone with a quiet stream running under its dark giant rock roof.

Travel Tips

• Wear robust walking shoes for steep steps and rough ground.

• Bring enough water and snacks for the hike.

• Wide‑angle lens recommended for landscape photography; protect devices against moisture.

• Opt for breathable layered clothing and prepare a raincoat for humid canyon conditions.

Spend the night in downtown Chongqing.

​This morning, board a high-speed train this morning for a 2-3 hour journey Zhangjiajie, the inspiration for the world-famous "Avatar Mountains." Upon arrival, our local team will provide a seamless transfer to your hotel. Following check-in, enjoy some leisure time to unwind or begin exploring the city at your own pace.

Discover the magic of Wulingyuan at Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Over 3,000 lofty sandstone pillars create a surreal landscape straight out of another world.

Ride the Bailong Elevator — the world’s tallest outdoor lift — up to Yuanjiajie. Explore the terrain that inspired Avatar’s Hallelujah Mountains and walk along cliff paths to see the famous First Bridge Under Heaven.

Then head to Tianzi Mountain, “King of Peaks”. This UNESCO site sits at 1,262 m and is famous for ethereal cloud seas. See locations featured in Journey to the West. At Dianjiangtai Platform take in mist‑veiled West Sea Peaks, and admire the Imperial Writing‑Brush Peaks, slim stone columns shaped like ancient emperors’ calligraphy brushes.

Visit He Long Park and its grand bronze Marshal statue. Climb Tianzige Pavilion (30 m high) for sweeping 360‑degree views over endless ranks of mountain spires.

Travel Tip: During peak seasons, your guide may adjust the visiting order to bypass big crowds.

Travel 56 km from Wulingyuan to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, a smooth 90‑minute ride.

Home to rushing waterfalls and the world‑famous Glass Bridge, this attraction boasts a glass walkway bridging two cliffs, 300 metres above the treetops. Feel the thrill of hovering over mountain mist. The world’s highest bungee jump is available as an optional activity. Great photos and exciting mountain moments await you here.

Once finished with the Glass Bridge, unwind at Baofeng Lake. Hop on a wooden sightseeing boat across sparkling water surrounded by green hills and karst cliffs. Feast your eyes on mirror‑like mountain reflections and enjoy live folk singing from local performers.

Return to your hotel to relax.

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After breakfast, head for stunning Tianmen Mountain. Hop on the world’s longest cable car, test your nerve on the glass skywalk, and see the iconic Heaven’s Door. Look down at the Avenue toward Heaven, famous for its 99 dramatic hairpin turns.

The 30‑minute, 7,455‑metre cable car carries you to the mountaintop. Gaze over Heaven’s Door and the winding mountain road, then visit peaceful Tianmen Temple, a Qing‑Dynasty Buddhist temple hidden in thick green forest.

Step onto the Glass Skywalk at 1,430 metres above the valley for the surreal feeling of walking among clouds. Continue along the 1.6 km Cliff‑Hanging Walkway for fantastic high‑altitude scenery.

Take the escalator down to Tianmen Cave — the 131‑metre‑tall natural arch nicknamed Heaven’s Door, a famous spot for wingsuit flying. You may get to see this exciting extreme sport in action.

Ride the cable car back down the mountain once sightseeing finishes.

Your 8‑Day Chengdu‑Chongqing‑Zhangjiajie Group Tour comes to an end. Your guide will take you to the airport or train station for your next trip.