South West China and the Pandas of Sichuan

Day 1 Depart UK

Depart the UK on Etihad Airways flight to Abu Dhabi. (N)

Day 2 Arrive Abu Dhabi/ Abu Dhabi to Chengdu

Arrive into Abu Dhabi and connect onto the Etihad Airways flight to Chengdu. Capital of Sichuan Province, Chengdu is the region’s most important city and is famous for its distinctive food culture and links to the panda with two major conservation and research centres dedicated to the creature. (N)

Accommodation in Chengdu: Buddha Zen Hotel (or similar)

Upgrade option: The Temple House (or similar)

Day 3 Chengdu – visit Sanxingdui

This morning travel north of Chengdu to the archaeological site of Sanxingdui. Dating to the Bronze Age, the remains at Sanxingdui are now considered as important as those of the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an. Believed to be the ancient city that was part of the enigmatic Kingdom of Shu and hundreds of objects have been found – some of which are close to 4,000 years old. In the afternoon return to the city and visit People’s Park, the popular House of Tea and Wenshu Temple, the best preserved Buddhist sanctuary in the city. (B)

Accommodation in Chengdu: Buddha Zen Hotel (or similar)

Upgrade option: The Temple House (or similar)

Day 4 Chengdu

After breakfast visit the influential Panda Breeding Centre. Currently home to around 100 pandas, the centre has the largest number of captive pandas in the world. A leading research facility with a focus on conservation and education, the centre was founded in the late 1980s to protect and increase the numbers of this endangered species. Thanks to the help of places like the Panda Breeding Centre, panda numbers are on the increase and it is believed that there are around 2000 pandas now living in the wild. In the afternoon return to Chengdu and explore the ancient atmospheric alleys of Kuanzhai Xiangzi and Jinli. (B)

Accommodation in Chengdu: Buddha Zen Hotel (or similar)

Upgrade option: The Temple House (or similar)

Day 5 Chengdu – visit Dujiangyan

Today drive 60kms out of the city to the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda at Dujiangyan where you will join their panda volunteer programme for the day. Clean the panda enclosures, prepare their food and assist in the planting of bamboo and other trees and plants. Time will also be spent at the Panda Centre of Science and Education where you will be able to learn more about these fascinating animals. Return to Chengdu and your hotel in the afternoon. (B) Please note that only those between the ages of 12 and 65 can volunteer at the China Conservation and Research Centre.

Accommodation in Chengdu: Buddha Zen Hotel (or similar)

Upgrade option: The Temple House (or similar)

Day 6 Chengdu to Emeishan via Leshan – 165kms

After breakfast drive to Leshan – location of the largest Buddha statue in the world which was carved into the cliff-side more than 1,200 years ago. Take a pleasant walk through the forested Oriental Buddha Park with its temples and statues then continue on to Emeishan. One of the four sacred mountains of China, Emeishan remains a major pilgrimage destination and many of its temples and monasteries date back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. (B)

Accommodation in Emeishan: meishan Central Sunshine Shangsai Hotel (or similar)

Upgrade option: Anantara Emei Resort and Spa (or similar)

Day 7 Emeishan

Today explore Emeishan and the mountain on foot and by cable-car. Highlights include Baoguo Temple with its porcelain Buddha, a cable-car ride to Wannian Temple which is the oldest place of worship on the mountain and Jinding Temple with its spectacular views of the 3,000m Wanfo peak. (B)

Accommodation in Emeishan: meishan Central Sunshine Shangsai Hotel (or similar)

Upgrade option: Anantara Emei Resort and Spa (or similar)

Day 8 Emeishan to Chengdu – 165kms

This morning leave Emeishan and return by road to Chengdu where you will stay overnight. The remainder of the day will be at leisure. (B)

Accommodation in Chengdu: Buddha Zen Hotel (or similar)

Upgrade option: The Temple House (or similar)

Day 9 Chengdu to Huanglong – by air/ Huanglong to Jiuzhaigou National Park – 90kms

Today transfer to Chengdu Airport and fly to Huanglong. On arrival you will be met and driven to Jiuzhaigou National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jiuzhaigou National Park is famous for the coloured waters of its lake which change from turquoise to navy blue to emerald green. Jiuzhaigou is also home to elusive wild populations of panda and snub-nosed monkey. (B)

Accommodation in Jiuzhaigou National Park: Zhuo Ma’s Jiuzhaigou Homestay (or similar)

Upgrade option: Sheraton Hotel (or similar)

Day 10 Jiuzhaigou National Park

As one of China’s main eco-tourism sites, all transport within the national park is either on foot or by ‘eco-bus’ shared with other visitors. Visit Shuzheng, Tiger and Rhinoceros lakes, the beautiful Five Colour Pond, the Nuorilang waterfalls and the area around Five Flower Lake which many consider to be the most beautiful part of the park. If time permits, also visit the Primeval Forest which is dominated by the majestic 4500m Ganzigongai – the highest mountain in the reserve. (B)

Accommodation in Jiuzhaigou National Park: Zhuo Ma’s Jiuzhaigou Homestay (or similar)

Upgrade option: Sheraton Hotel (or similar)

Day 11 Jiuzhaigou to Huanglong National Park – 120kms/ Huanglong National Park to Chengdu - by air

This morning leave your hotel and take the spectacular drive to Huanglong National Park. On arrival hike through pine forest, passing incredibly beautiful turquoise, yellow and emerald green limestone ponds, to the Ming era Yellow Dragon Temple – location of the Five Colour Lake which is overlooked by the 6,000m Xuebao peak. The hike takes around two hours but it is also possible to take a cable-car to the temple and summit. Later, return to Huanglong Airport and fly to Chengdu. (B)

Accommodation in Chengdu: Buddha Zen Hotel (or similar)

Upgrade option: The Temple House (or similar)

Day 12 Depart Chengdu

Today you are at leisure. Later you will be met and transferred to Chengdu Airport in good time to catch the Etihad Airways flight to Abu Dhabi. (B)

Day 13 Arrive Abu Dhabi/ Abu Dhabi to UK

Arrive into Abu Dhabi and connect onto the Etihad Airways flight to the UK arriving in the morning. (N)

South West China and the Pandas of Sichuan

13 days from £3990 per person

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Itinerary: South West China and the Pandas of Sichuan

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