The Mistbound Realm

Morning

• Start the day exploring Taikoo Li and Chunxi Road — Chengdu's most vibrant shopping and cultural district.
• Visit Fangsuo Bookstore and the famous climbing panda installation for a taste of the city's playful creativity.

Afternoon

• Experience local leisure culture at Heming Teahouse in People's Park.
• Enjoying a traditional ear-cleaning service, followed by a walk through the historic Kuanzhai Alleys.

Evening

• Enjoy festive dinner and live cultural performance at Ba Guo Bu Yi, blending Sichuan flavors with artistic atmosphere.

Morning

• After breakfast, drive to Leshan (approx. 2.5 hrs).
• Enjoy scenic views along the way as the city fades into the rolling hills of Sichuan’s countryside.

Afternoon

• Take a river cruise to admire the Leshan Giant Buddha — the world’s largest stone-carved Buddha, standing serenely at the confluence of three rivers.
• Continue the journey to Mount Emei, one of China’s four sacred Buddhist mountains.

Evening

• Check in at the hot spring resort and relax after dinner with an optional soak in the hotel’s natural thermal pools.

Morning

• Take the scenic shuttle and cable car to the Golden Summit of Mount Emei.
• Enjoy breathtaking views of sea clouds and the Four-Sided Buddha.

Afternoon

• Visit Huazang Temple, one of Emei’s most sacred sites, before descending by cable car.

Evening

• Dinner at the hotel followed by free time to unwind in the natural hot springs.

Morning

• Drive to Mount Qingcheng, one of the birthplaces of Taoism (Yinyang).

Afternoon

• Hike through serene forest paths past Jianfu Palace, Tianshi Cave and Laojun Pavilion.
• Take the cable car and small boat ride down Yuecheng Lake, enjoying the peaceful mountain scenery.

Evening

• Dinner at a local restaurant, followed by a relaxing foot massage.

Morning

• Learn the art of Tai Chi.
• Then visit the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, a 2,000-year-old UNESCO World Heritage site, still in use today.

Afternoon

• Drive along the Panda Avenue highway toward the highlands of Siguniang Mountain.
• Watch the scenery shift from bamboo forests to snow-capped mountains.

Evening

• Arrive at Rilong Town and settle into your mountain lodge for dinner and rest.

Morning

• After breakfast, take the sightseeing shuttle into Changping Valley — the heart of the Four Sisters Mountain National Park.
• Daytime: Begin a gentle hike from Lama Temple (alt. 3,400m) through silent forests and frozen rivers to Shang Ganhai Lake.
• This 10 km trail offers breathtaking alpine scenery and is suitable for moderate hikers.
• Optional: Experienced hikers may choose the longer route to Muluozi Meadow for a full-day adventure.

Afternoon

• Return to the lodge and, if available, join a Thangka Painting Workshop — learn traditional Tibetan artistry and take your own painted piece home.

Evening

• Dinner at the hotel and a peaceful rest surrounded by the mountains.

Morning

• Depart early for Wolong Panda Reserve (Shenshuping Base) — the most scenic and ecological panda habitat in China.
• Spend a relaxing morning observing pandas in their natural mountain environment.

Afternoon

• Enjoy lunch en route, then return to Chengdu.
• Visit the Wuhou Shrine Museum and stroll through Jinli Ancient Street, surrounded by teahouses and red lanterns.

Evening

• Dinner featuring Chinese medicinal cuisine, followed by optional nightlife exploration at SKP Chengdu or Jiuyanqiao Riverside.

Morning

• After a relaxed start, drive to Sanxingdui Museum, home to the mysterious Bronze Age civilization that redefined the world’s understanding of ancient China.
• Marvel at the surreal bronze masks, sacred trees, and golden scepters that connect mythology with archaeology.

Afternoon

• Return to Chengdu for a visit to Dongjiao Memory — a creative industrial park blending old factories with modern art.
• Explore Lang Art Museum, where architecture and light installations merge into a futuristic, meditative space.

Evening

• Celebrate the night with a Sichuan Banquet Dinner at Shu Yan Fu, located inside Dongjiao Memory.
• Enjoy theatrical performances, traditional décor, and a festive dinner to welcome the New Year.

Morning

• Enjoy a relaxed morning before transferring to Chengdu East Station for the high-speed train to Chongqing (approx. 2 hrs).
• Arrive and check in to your downtown hotel.

Afternoon

• Explore Ciqikou Ancient Town, a riverside heritage district filled with teahouses, street snacks, and handcrafted souvenirs.
• Stop at the Liziba Light Rail Station — a signature Chongqing landmark where the train passes straight through a residential building.

Evening

• Dinner at Pipagarden Hotpot, the largest hotpot restaurant in the world, to experience the true spice and soul of Chongqing.
• Afterward, unwind with a luxurious Golden Impression 4K Foot Spa Experience or an Oriental Shantea Spa aromatherapy massage — the perfect balance of heat and healing.

Morning

• Take a slow morning walk along the Mountain City Trail and Shibati (Eighteen Steps) — a living museum of Chongqing’s layered urban life, where old alleys meet the rising skyline.

Afternoon

• Enjoy a local lunch, then explore Beicang Creative Park — a former industrial complex reborn as an artistic hub with cafés, design studios, and murals —before visiting Guanyinqiao Pedestrian Street, one of Chongqing’s most vibrant commercial areas.
• End your day with a drink at The InterContinental Sky Bar atop Raffles City, gazing out over the glittering confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers.
• (at own arrangement).

Morning

• Begin your final day with a calm pace.
• Ride the Yangtze River Cableway for sweeping views of the “Mountain City” skyline before exploring Longmenhao and Xiahuali — hidden lanes where time slows among murals, old homes, and riverside cafés.

Afternoon

• Visit the Three Gorges Museum to glimpse the heritage and transformation of Chongqing.
• Then continue to Jiefangbei, Kuixinglou, and Bayi Gourmet Street — a perfect mix of urban landmarks and local food adventures.

Evening

• Enjoy a farewell dinner of authentic Jianghu cuisine, followed by a night walk through Hongyadong, a dazzling cascade of lights over the river.
• Guests may choose to stay longer for photos or bar hopping before returning to the hotel.

Morning

• Enjoy your final breakfast at the hotel and some free time for last-minute shopping or a relaxed stroll through the nearby streets of Chongqing.

Afternoon

• Transfer to Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport for your return flight to Sydney.
• End of the Southwest Journey.