The China Route
Sichuan and Chongqing: Pandas, Hotpot and the Yangtze in 7 Days: Chengdu, Chongqing
The Sichuan spice route

Sichuan and Chongqing: Pandas, Hotpot and the Yangtze in 7 Days

Updated · By Carl

7 days Easy 2 cities Autumn Balanced

Trip facts

Duration
7 days
Difficulty
Easy
Pace
Balanced
Best season
Autumn
Budget
Mid-range
Cities on this route
2 cities

Pandas, fiery hotpot and a Yangtze cruise from Chengdu to Chongqing, with a side trip to Leshan's giant Buddha.

Overview

Who it is for

This route suits food lovers, wildlife fans and anyone curious about the Yangtze who has a week to spare. You split time between Chengdu's teahouse culture and panda reserves, then move to Chongqing for its hillside hotpot restaurants and a two-night river cruise that ends in Yichang. The pace is comfortable: two full days in Chengdu, a day trip to Leshan, two days exploring Chongqing, then two nights afloat. If you dislike spicy food or have mobility issues with steep stairs, note that Sichuan cuisine is fiery and both Leshan's cliff path and Chongqing's hillside lanes involve hundreds of steps.

How the route flows

You fly into Chengdu, Sichuan's capital, and spend two days seeing pandas and walking the old Qing-dynasty lanes of Kuanzhai Alley. On day three you take an intercity bus two hours south to Leshan to see the riverside Buddha, then return to Chengdu that evening. Day four is a morning high-speed train to Chongqing (one hour ten minutes, second class ¥96), where you spend a day and a half eating hotpot, riding the Yangtze cableway and exploring Ciqikou's old town. On the evening of day five you board your cruise ship, which sails overnight through the gorges and docks in Yichang on the morning of day seven. This sequence minimises backtracking: Chengdu to Leshan and back is a natural day loop, and Chongqing to Yichang flows downstream with the current.

Getting around

Chengdu and Chongqing both have metro systems: Chengdu's Line 3 reaches the panda base, and Chongqing's Line 1 and Line 6 cover most tourist sites. Between the two cities, high-speed trains run every 30 minutes (one hour ten minutes, second class ¥96). The Leshan Buddha day trip uses intercity buses from Chengdu Xinnanmen station (two hours, ¥47). Your Yangtze cruise is the final leg: it departs Chongqing's Chaotianmen port around 20:00 on day five and arrives in Yichang at 08:00 on day seven. From Yichang you can fly onward to Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou, or take a high-speed train to Wuhan (one hour, second class ¥120).

Route highlights

  • ◆Watch giant pandas at Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (entry ¥55, metro Line 3 to Panda Avenue, then shuttle bus).
  • ◆Stand at the base of Leshan's 71-metre Tang-dynasty Buddha carved into a riverside cliff (entry ¥80, 2-hour drive from Chengdu).
  • ◆Eat authentic Chongqing hotpot at Zhu's Fatty Hotpot on Nanbin Road (¥60-80 per person, metro Line 6 to Shangxin Street).
  • ◆Sail through the Three Gorges on a two-night Yangtze cruise from Chongqing to Yichang (cabins from ¥1,400).
  • ◆Ride the Hongya Cave escalators and walk the Yangtze River cableway in Chongqing (¥20 one-way, Line 1 to Xiaoshizi).

Day by day

  1. 1
    Day 1 · Chengdu

    Arrive in Chengdu

    Fly into Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport. Take metro Line 10 to Taipingyuan, transfer to Line 3 toward Junping Street and alight at Chunxi Road (45 minutes, ¥7). Walk the pedestrianised shopping streets, then head south to Daci Temple (free entry) and the adjacent IFS shopping mall to see the rooftop panda sculpture. For dinner, try Shu Jiu Xiang hot pot on Zongfu Road (¥50 per person, Line 2 to Tianfu Square, ten-minute walk).

    Stay: 1 night, Jinjiang District near Chunxi Road station (Line 2 and Line 3 interchange).
  2. 2
    Day 2 · Chengdu

    Chengdu Panda Base and Old Town

    Take metro Line 3 to Panda Avenue, then the shuttle bus or taxi to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (entry ¥55, open 07:30). Arrive by 08:00 to see pandas during their morning feed. Spend two to three hours walking the enclosures, then return to the city centre. In the afternoon, walk Kuanzhai Alley (Kuan Alley and Zhai Alley) near Line 4 Kuanzhai Alley station for Qing-style courtyards, teahouses and snack stalls. Try dan dan noodles at Chen Mapo Tofu on Qinghua Road (¥15-25 per dish, short walk from Line 2 Tongzilin).

    Stay: 1 night, Jinjiang District near Chunxi Road station.
  3. 3
    Day 3 · Leshan

    Day Trip to Leshan Buddha

    Take intercity bus from Chengdu Xinnanmen station to Leshan (every 30 minutes, two hours, ¥47). Walk or taxi to Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area (entry ¥80). Climb down the cliff staircase (217 steps) to stand at the 71-metre Buddha's feet, carved into the rock face in 713 AD. For a water view, take the boat tour (¥70 round-trip, 30 minutes). Return to Chengdu by evening bus, arriving around 19:00. Eat late dinner at Yu's Family Kitchen near Wuhou Temple (¥40 per person, Line 3 to Wuhouci).

    Travel: Intercity bus Chengdu to Leshan and return, two hours each way, ¥47 one-way.
    Stay: 1 night, Jinjiang District near Chunxi Road station.
  4. 4
    Day 4 · Chongqing

    Chengdu to Chongqing

    Take morning high-speed train from Chengdu East to Chongqing West (one hour ten minutes, second class ¥96, trains every 30 minutes). Metro Line 9 connects Chongqing West station to the city centre at Guanyinqiao (25 minutes, ¥5). Check into your hotel, then walk Jiefangbei pedestrian square and the surrounding shopping streets. For lunch, try Qin Ma Hotpot in the basement of the Chongqing Times Square building (¥60-80 per person, Line 2 to Linjiangmen). In late afternoon, ride the Yangtze River cableway from Xinhua Road to Shangxin Street (¥20 one-way, Line 1 to Xiaoshizi, ten-minute walk).

    Travel: High-speed train Chengdu East to Chongqing West, one hour ten minutes, second class ¥96.
    Stay: 2 nights, Yuzhong District near Jiefangbei or Linjiangmen station (Line 2).
  5. 5
    Day 5 · Chongqing

    Chongqing Old Town and Hotpot

    Take metro Line 1 to Ciqikou station (20 minutes from Jiefangbei, ¥3) and walk the old town's stone lanes, teahouses and souvenir stalls. Try fried dough twists and spicy tofu snacks from street vendors (¥5-10). Return to the city and visit Hongya Cave, a modern timber stilthouse complex on the riverbank at Linjiangmen (free entry, escalators and walkways connect eleven floors). For dinner, head to Zhu's Fatty Hotpot on Nanbin Road (¥60-80 per person, metro Line 6 to Shangxin Street, then taxi or riverside walk). Order yuanyang (half spicy, half mild broth) if you want a break from the heat.

    Stay: 2 nights, Yuzhong District near Jiefangbei or Linjiangmen station.
  6. 6
    Day 6 · Yangtze River

    Board Yangtze Cruise

    Spend the morning at your leisure: visit the Three Gorges Museum at Renmin Square (free entry, closed Mondays, Line 2 to Zengjiayan) or walk the riverside Nanbin Road park. Check out by midday. In the evening, take a taxi or metro Line 6 to Chaotianmen port and board your Yangtze cruise ship (cabins from ¥1,400 for two nights). Century Cruises and Yangtze Gold offer English-speaking guides and shore excursions to Shibaozhai pagoda and Fengdu Ghost City. The ship departs around 20:00 and sails overnight through the Qutang, Wu and Xiling gorges.

    Travel: Yangtze cruise, Chongqing to Yichang, departs 20:00.
    Stay: 1 night aboard cruise ship.
  7. 7
    Day 7 · Yichang

    Yangtze Gorges and Arrive in Yichang

    Wake on the river as the ship passes through the final gorge. Shore excursions typically include a transfer to the Three Gorges Dam viewing platform (entry included in cruise fare). The ship docks at Yichang around 08:00 on day seven. Disembark and take a taxi or shuttle bus to Yichang East station (30 minutes). From here, high-speed trains run to Wuhan (one hour, second class ¥120), and flights connect to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. If you have a few hours, visit the Three Gorges Dam visitor centre (free entry, 45-minute taxi ride from the port) before departing.

    Travel: Disembark at Yichang at 08:00.
    Stay: Depart Yichang or overnight in Yichang near Yichang East station if continuing by train the next morning.

Cities on this route

Chengdu
Best in spring 3 to 4 days

Chengdu

Explore
Chongqing
Best in spring 3 to 4 days

Chongqing

Explore

Frequently asked questions

How do I book panda base tickets in advance?
Book at least three days ahead on the official WeChat mini-program (Chengdu Panda Base) or through Trip.com. Morning slots (7:30-9:00) sell out fastest because pandas are most active then. Entry is ¥55.
Which Yangtze cruise should I book?
Century Cruises and Yangtze Gold run the cleanest ships with English-speaking guides. Book a two-night downstream cruise from Chongqing to Yichang (cabins start at ¥1,400). Avoid budget ferries: they skip shore excursions and have shared bathrooms.
Is Chongqing hotpot really that spicy?
Yes. Order yuanyang (half spicy, half clear broth) for your first meal. Zhu's Fatty Hotpot on Nanbin Road and Qin Ma Hotpot near Jiefangbei both offer this option. Expect ¥60-80 per person.
How long does the Leshan Buddha day trip take?
Two hours each way by intercity bus from Chengdu Xinnanmen station (¥47 one-way, every 30 minutes). Climb down the cliff staircase to stand at the Buddha's feet, then take the boat view (¥70 round-trip). Budget five hours total.
Do I need a visa for this route?
As of 2026, citizens of 54 countries can enter Chengdu visa-free for up to 240 hours if arriving by direct international flight and staying within Sichuan. For longer stays or if arriving overland, apply for a standard 30-day tourist L visa.