Explore Sichuan with John Craven

Days 1-2 : Fly to Chengdu

Fly to Chengdu.

Day 3 : Beishan Frescoes

We travel to the small town of Dazu to see the rock carvings at the UNESCO World Heritage listed Beishan Frescoes, which are carved into limestone hills and some of which are a thousand years old.

Day 5 : Leshan Grand Buddha

Travel to Leshan to visit the Grand Buddha, the world’s largest stone-carved Buddhist statue. The carving of the Buddha took over 100 years to complete. After lunch, continue to Mt Emei, the highest of the four sacred Buddhist Mountains in China.

Day 6 : Mt Emei

We spend the day exploring the magnificent mountain and mingling with the locals and the many pilgrims that pay homage to this holy site. Mt Emei once had more than 100 monasteries, many of which were built during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220AD). The mountain is known for its steep cliffs,roaring waterfalls, towering trees, and diverse flora.

Day 7 : Drive to Bifengxia

Drive to Bifengxia. Afternoon at the panda reserve.

Day 8 : Explore Bifengxia Panda Reserve

Spend the next two days in the company of John Craven. In the morning spend more time at Bifengxia. Take the opportunity to spend some time supporting the Panda Conservation Centre’s vital work in protecting these endangered creatures including help to feed and wash the pandas, and cleaning the enclosure. Return to Chengdu visiting Huanglongxi en-route. In the evening enjoy a banquet of traditional Sichuan cuisine.

Day 9 : Panda Conservation Centre

Visit the famous Panda Conservation Centre in Chengdu to see these charismatic animals being reared in wooded surroundings reminiscent of their natural habitat.

Days 10-11 : Nine Villages Valley

Travel to the breathtaking Nine Villages Valley (Jiuzhaigou National Park), a botanical gallery that is heavily forested and home to many protected species. Entering the valley is like being transported into a different world as it presents a seemingly never ending display of natural scenery; crystal clear lakes gather at the foot of every waterfall and rich dense forests are dotted with colourful flowers.

Day 12 : Huanglong Pools

Travel to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Huanglong,renowned for its hundreds of sparkling mineral pools where beautiful striking colours intertwine and the waters cascade down the mountainside. Later, continue to Mao County.

Day 13 : Return to Chengdu

Return to Chengdu visiting the Dujiangyan Irrigation Project en-route.

Day 14 : Fly Chengdu to UK

Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.

Tour includes:

two days touring with John Craven
all international airfares and current taxes
all domestic transportation
all accommodation
all meals
touring with expert guides and entrance fees
visa fees for UK & EU passport holders

Wendy Wu Tours is the leading independent specialist tour operator to China in the UK. They offer an extensive range of tour itineraries to enable you to visit famous tourist attractions such as the Great Wall, the Yangtze River or the Terracotta Warriors in China, Angkor Wat in Cambodia and the Taj Mahal in India.

Many of their tours also take you off the beaten track, to emerald lakes and traditional villages, allowing you to enjoy the authentic China experience. Other unforgettable excursions include a rickshaw ride through Beijing’s traditional Hutongs, attending a Buddhist ceremony or cruising on a traditional junk boat. They also offer the opportunity to explore a bustling city like Hong Kong or Dubai en-route for a few nights.

Our Opinion
Wendy Wu Tours allow you to not only visit famous attractions but really discover the country’s culture, natural beauty and hidden treasures. Coupled with their affordable, all-inclusive style pricing, it’s no surprise that the company is growing from strength to strength and winning multiple industry awards along the way!