Panda & Plates: An 8-Day Culinary & Cultural Odyssey Through Sichuan & Chongqing

Day 1: Welcome to Chengdu – A Taste of Sichuan’s Living Culture

Arrive in Chengdu, the laid-back capital of Sichuan known for its deep culinary traditions and relaxed tea culture.

After checking in at The Temple House, a design-forward five-star hotel tucked behind a historic courtyard, enjoy a guided walk through the atmospheric Kuanzhai Alley. Sip tea with locals and witness the elegant art of ear-cleaning at a park teahouse.

At night, enjoy a Michelin-starred welcome dinner with signature dishes like the chicken tofu flower soup.

Day 2: Panda Keeper Experience and Sichuan Cooking Class

Head to Dujiangyan Panda Base where you’ll become a panda keeper for a day. Help feed pandas, clean their enclosure, and learn about their behavior from conservation staff.

Afterwards, return to Chengdu for a private Sichuan cooking class. Under the guidance of a local chef, make your own mapo tofu, panda-shaped tangyuan, and fish-flavored eggplant. Enjoy your self-cooked meal while hearing stories behind each dish.

Day 3: Brunch with Private Chef and Wild Panda Tracking at Tangjiahe Nature Reserve

Leave Chengdu early in the morning and stop at a peaceful mountain top campsite where a private chef will prepare a rustic yet refined brunch using fresh local ingredients.

After the brunch, continue to Tangjiahe, one of China’s best-preserved wildlife areas. You'll go on a panda and wildlife tracking hike led by an expert nature guide. While it's not a gurantee to see wild pandas, Tangjiahe is home to many other wild lifes including golden snub-nosed monkeys, Chinese serow, takin, and more than 250 bird species.

As the sun sets, unwind with a nourishing dinner at your eco-lodge. For the adventurous, continue the experience with a nighttime tracking walk led by a professional wildlife guide, offering a glimpse into the secret life of nocturnal animals.

Day 4: Forest Morning and Six Sensens Qingcheng Mountain

Choose to sleep in or track some more wild animals in the morning misty forest led by our expert.

After lunch, travel to Qingcheng Mountain and check into Six Senses Qingcheng, a luxury eco-resort known for its wellness programs and beautiful architecture. Settle into your private villa and relax with a spa treatment, join a Tai Chi session, pick up eggs from the farm or explore the area on your own.

Dinner is served farm-to-table from the resort’s own organic gardens.

Day 5: Taoist Temples and Buddhist Meal 

Wake up to a peaceful tai chi or yoga session. After breakfast, explore a Taoist temple nestled in the forest of Qingcheng Mountain and enjoy a traditional vegetarian meal prepared by temple cooks.

In the afternoon, transfer to Leshan, a riverside town known for the world’s largest stone Buddha. Sample local specialties at a night market or enjoy a quiet evening at your hotel.

Day 6: Leshan Giant Buddha and High-speed Train to Chongqing

In the morning, take a boat ride for a stunning view of the 71-meter-tall (233 feet) Leshan Giant Buddha carved into a cliff face more than 1,200 years ago.

After lunch, travel to Chongqing by high-speed train. Check in to your hotel and explore the lively nightscape of this mountain city.

End your day with a hotpot dinner at Yuwei Xiaoyu, a Michelin-recommended restaurant with spicy and non-spicy options.

Day 7: Ciqikou Old Town, 3D city and Yangtze Cruise Dinner

Spend the morning exploring Ciqikou, an ancient town filled with traditional houses, craftspeople, and quiet alleyways.

In the afternoon, visit Hongya Cave’s multi-level food and market complex, or opt for a foot massage and tea break if you prefer to relax.

In the evening, enjoy a private Yangtze River night cruise with a gourmet dinner on board as you float past Chongqing’s illuminated skyline.

Day 8:Farewell from Chongqing or Return to Chengdu

Savor a relaxed breakfast and take a moment for final reflections before your private transfer to the airport or train station. If you're heading back to Chengdu, our driver can take you directly. Should your journey continue, we’d be happy to help you discover other captivating destinations such as West Sichuan, Yunnan, Beijing, or Yangzhou.

Exclusive Panda Encounters: Go beyond the usual panda experience with a private keeper session and wild panda tracking in Tangjiahe Nature Reserve.

Unparalleled Culinary Delights: Dine at Michelin-starred restaurants, enjoy meals prepared by your own private chef, cook with locals, and savor authentic Sichuan & Chongqing flavors.

Meet the Real China: Go far beyond the tourist trail. You’ll sit down with temple monks for a vegetarian Buddhist meal at Qingcheng Mountain, get your ears cleaned like a local in People’s Park, and stroll hidden alleys in Leshan and Ciqikou, where old China still whispers.

Wild Beauty and Peaceful Eco-luxury: Sleep under the stars in a cabin surrounded by wildlifes, then retreat to your private villa at Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain—an eco-luxury resort surrounded by bamboo groves and Taoist temples. Every stay is chosen for comfort, serenity, and a sense of place.

Chengdu 

Temple House (subject to availability; if unavailable, we will substitute with similar five-star hotel)

Qingcheng Mountain

Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain

Chongqing

Niccolo Chongqing (subject to availability; if unavailable, we will substitute with similar five-star hotel)

Inclusions

• Luxury accommodation for seven nights at five-star hotels and luxury boutique stays

• High-speed train tickets for comfortable, efficient rail travel from Leshan to Chongqing

• Daily breakfast, brunch prepared by private chef on Day 3, authentic regional dining experiences, select beverages, and thoughtfully curated menus throughout the trip

• Private English-speaking guided tours

• Entrance fees for all site, museum and park admissions as listed in the itinerary.

• Private transportation. Comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles provided for all ground travel listed in the itineary

• 24/7 concierge support. Dedicated assistance throughout your journey to ensure a seamless experience

• Dietary accommodations. All dietary needs and restrictions honored with advance notice

• Basic travel insurance

Exclusions

• International and domestic flights to and from Beijing or other cities outside the listed itinerary

• Personal expenses such as spa treatments, souvenirs, and optional activities not specified in the program.

• Gratuities (optional)

• Visa fees

At Sino PathFinder, we’d like to offer you the most personalized experience, start from booking.

Please fill out the inquiry form below or email contact@sinopathfinder.com for booking. Our travel advisors will:

• Tailor the itinerary to your preferences

• Arrange private extensions (pre/post-trip) to other destinations 

• Ensure every detail meets your expectations and accommodate any dietary or mobility needs

A 20% deposit per person is required to confirm your booking. This will be applied to your final balance. You can pay your deposit on our website or we can send other easy payment options that work best for you.

Deposit Policy:

• Non-refundable once paid

• Flexible date changes (subject to availability)

• Full terms and conditions available here

Final Payment:
The remaining balance is due 30 days before departure. You'll be able to pay the final balance on the website or through other easy payment options.

Have Questions?
Our team is ready to assist at contact@sinopathfinder.com or via the form below. Feel free to reach out with any questions you may have.

Day 0 Service
If you’re arriving in a different city than where the tour begins, we can arrange a pickup as soon as you land in China and accompany you to your flight or train to the tour’s starting city.

Extended Itineraries
Customize your trip by adding destinations like Beijing, Shanghai, Yunnan, and more after your tour ends.

VIP Photography Package
Capture unforgettable moments with professional photos, drone footage, and cinematic videos—a lifetime of memories.

Contact our travel advisors for pricing and further details.