07:30

Giant Panda Breeding Research Base

Plan about 3 hours for the trails and viewing areas: in the morning you can look for pandas as they eat or move around their enclosures, without getting close to the barriers or attracting their attention. From the city center, allow roughly 45–70 minutes by taxi or ride-hailing car, at around 70–120 RMB depending on traffic and your starting point; by public transport, the journey may take longer. Budget for an approximate ticket in the 55–60 RMB range, and check availability and entry conditions on the official website.

Arrive early in the schedule and bring water; routes and actual timing depend on the day’s access conditions.

12:00

Jinsha Site Museum

Reach the museum from the base in about 60–90 minutes by taxi or ride-hailing car, with an estimated cost of 90–150 RMB; alternatively, plan a longer trip by subway with any final connections. Set aside about 2 hours for the galleries and relics of the Shu kingdom, especially the golden masks, jade artifacts, and materials related to the site excavations. For lunch, you can stop nearby before or after your visit; expect a simple meal of around 30–70 RMB and an approximate admission price of 70–80 RMB, to be confirmed on the official website.

Check ticket purchase options in advance and leave time for lunch.

16:00

People's Park and the teahouses

From the museum, reach the park in about 30–50 minutes by taxi or ride-hailing car, at roughly 30–60 RMB, or by subway with a short walk. Spend 1–2 hours strolling the paths, observing local life, and sitting down in a teahouse: a cup can cost around 20–50 RMB, depending on the venue and what you order. The park is usually a stop with no admission fee, but check for any updated information and keep in mind that drinks and services are paid separately.

Choose a teahouse with a displayed menu and ask the price before ordering.

09:00

Wide and Narrow Alleys (Kuanzhai Xiangzi)

Set aside about 2–2.5 hours to stroll through the alleys, lingering over the historic facades, courtyards, and shops: the area is made up of lively streets, so take your time to explore at a relaxed pace. For a late breakfast or snack, budget around 20–60 CNY per person, depending on the venue and what you order. After your visit, take a lunch break nearby, with an estimated spend of 35–80 CNY, then make your way to Wuhou Temple: by taxi, the trip can take about 10–20 minutes depending on traffic, while on foot it is roughly 25–35 minutes.

The streets can be crowded: explore the side lanes and check official channels for any updated information.

13:30

Wuhou Temple

Allow around 2.5–3 hours for the complex so you can take your time visiting the pavilions, shaded courtyards, and exhibits related to Zhuge Liang and the Three Kingdoms. Notice the inscriptions, statues, and architectural details: they help place the site in its historical and cultural context. An indicative admission cost is 30–60 CNY per person, to be confirmed on the official website along with access details and tickets; also allow 10–25 CNY for a drink or a light break.

07:30

Ancient Jinli Street

Spend about 1–1.5 hours walking among the wooden architecture, lanes, and shops, stopping for a breakfast or snack of local specialties: budget roughly 20–60 CNY for food. The area is a good introduction to Sichuan’s food culture, but some stalls or activities may not be available at this time: check the latest information before you go. To continue, reach Xipu railway station by taxi or public transport, then take the train to Dujiangyan and a short local transfer to the scenic area; including waiting and changes, plan on about 1.5–2 hours and a total of 20–50 CNY for transport.

Check the attraction’s official website for any visitor information and buy or confirm your train ticket for the Xipu route in advance.

11:00

Dujiangyan Irrigation System

Plan on about 3.5–4 hours to reach the main points of the complex and observe the system that regulates the Minjiang River’s waters: the project is made up of several works, including flow separation and sediment control. Follow the marked route and keep in mind that stairs, walkways, and walking distances can make the visit more demanding than expected; the admission ticket is typically in the 80–90 CNY range, to be checked on official channels. After the visit, leave enough time to return to Chengdu by train via Xipu, reachable from the area with a local transfer; allow about 1.5–2 hours, plus any waiting time, and plan on dinner after you get back.

The duration depends on the chosen route and available connections: check train schedules, access points, and tickets on the official websites; avoid relying on tight connections.

06:00

Mount Qingcheng (Cradle of Taoism)

Leave Chengdu very early: get to Chengdu railway station by taxi or subway and continue by train to Qingchengshan; from the local station, you’ll then need a road transfer to the mountain entrance. Set aside about 3–3.5 hours for a selected route in the Front Mountain area, among vegetation, pavilions, and temples tied to Taoist tradition; do not attempt to cover the entire mountain itinerary. Budget roughly 80–90 CNY for admission, plus any internal transport or cable cars, to be confirmed before your visit.

Check the official website for access, tickets, and trail conditions; allow plenty of time to get back to the station and book the next connections in advance.

14:30

Leshan Giant Buddha

From Mount Qingcheng, return by train toward Chengdu and change for a direct connection to Leshan; from Leshan station, reach the Buddha area by taxi or local transport, allowing about 30–45 minutes by road. Set aside about 2–2.5 hours for the essential visit: take in the Buddha carved into the rock face and, if time and access allow, the scenic paths of the complex. Admission is roughly 80–90 CNY; add local transport and consider a quick meal in Leshan before heading back to Chengdu.

The schedule depends on train connections: check the official timetables and access arrangements for the complex before you leave. If a delay jeopardizes the visit, do not force risky connections.

08:30

Mount Emei (Golden Summit)

Take an early train from Chengdu to Emeishan, then continue with the mountain’s authorized transport to the Leidongping area and the final ascent planned on the operating route. Allow several hours for internal transfers and the visit: at the summit, take in the mountain views and the Buddhist complex, keeping in mind that clouds and visibility can change quickly. As a rough guide, budget about 160–185 CNY for admission, 90–100 CNY for the internal buses, and 120–130 CNY for the cable car, in addition to the train; prices, routes, and conditions should be checked on official channels.

Very ambitious schedule: check trains, buses and the cable car in advance on official websites, and do not count on unconfirmed connections. If the descent is delayed, skip the second visit rather than taking risky transfers.

17:00

Du Fu Thatched Cottage

Head back toward Chengdu on the first compatible connection and reach the complex by taxi or city transport, allowing for a long transfer from the station. Spend the time available in the garden, the reconstructed buildings, and the exhibition spaces dedicated to the poet Du Fu, who lived here during his stay in Sichuan; an essential visit takes about 60–90 minutes. Budget roughly 50 CNY for admission, plus city transport or a taxi, and check the official website for availability and access details.

The timing is only a suggestion, dependent on the return from Mount Emei; check official schedules before departure and treat this stop as not guaranteed on such a tight day.

09:00

Wenshu Monastery

Spend about two hours exploring the courtyards, halls, and pavilions, observing the decorative details and leaving time for a peaceful break in the gardens. Respect the prayer areas and, before your visit, check official channels for any access conditions and ticket information; admission is generally free, while a donation may be optional (around 0–20 CNY). For lunch, consider stopping nearby: a simple meal in the area can cost about 25–60 CNY.

Modest clothing and a discreet manner are appropriate in religious spaces.

13:00

Taikoo Li and Chengdu IFS

Reach the area by subway from Wenshu, allowing about 20–30 minutes in total for the journey and access; the ticket may cost around 2–5 CNY, depending on the route and distance. Spend the afternoon strolling through the pedestrian alleys and contemporary buildings of Taikoo Li, then head to Chengdu IFS to see the famous panda installation on the facade from the outside and get your bearings among the complex’s different levels. Access to the public areas is generally free; for a snack or drink, budget around 20–60 CNY, while shopping and restaurants will vary.

The area is large and crowded: agree on a meeting point if you are traveling in a group.

18:30

Sichuan Opera performance (Shufeng Yayun)

Head to the theater in the Chengdu Culture Park area, near Qintai Road, with a short taxi ride or by subway followed by a short walk. Set aside about 30–45 minutes before the show to have dinner nearby: a simple meal can cost roughly 40–100 CNY per person. If it’s scheduled on your chosen date, the performance usually lasts around 1–2 hours; pay special attention to the stage makeup, costumes, and traditional techniques, including the famous face-changing act. Tickets generally range from about 100 to 300 CNY: check the official website for the schedule, duration, prices, and booking details.

Arrive early and make sure the performance is actually scheduled for your visit date.

21:15

Anshun Bridge

After the show, reach Anshun Bridge by taxi or public transport; allow about 25–45 minutes, depending on traffic and the available connection, with an estimated cost of 3–6 CNY by subway or 20–50 CNY by taxi. Spend 45–60 minutes strolling along the Jinjiang and enjoying the views of the arches and the lights reflected on the water. The exterior visit and riverside walk are free; any drinks or snacks at nearby venues are extra. For the return trip, check the last departure time in advance or consider taking a taxi.

If it’s raining or crowded, stick to the more accessible pedestrian areas and avoid lingering at the river’s edge.