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Panda & Plates: An 8-Day Culinary & Cultural Odyssey Through Sichuan & Chongqing
Panda & Plates: An 8-Day Culinary & Cultural Odyssey Through Sichuan & Chongqing
- Trip Overview
- Itinerary
- Optional Add-Ons
Perfect for panda lovers and gourmands alike, this exclusive Chengdu-to-Chongqing 8-day odyssey offers intimate encounters with China’s beloved black-and-white bears and unforgettable culinary adventures.
Track wild pandas in the pristine Tangjiahe Nature Reserve, dine at Michelin-starred tables, and master Sichuan flavors alongside local chefs—each moment crafted for deep immersion.
Retreat to eco-luxury sanctuaries like Six Senses Qingcheng Mountain, stand in awe before the UNESCO-listed Leshan Giant Buddha, and lose yourself in Chongqing’s mesmerizing 3D cityscape-all experienced in an ultra-small group with dedicated concierge care.
Day 1 Arrive in Chengdu. Check in to a 5-star hotel, explore Kuanzhai Alley’s hidden teahouses, and savor a Michelin-starred welcome dinner.
Day 2 Experience the life of panda keeper at Dujiangyan Panda Base, devour authentic hotpot, then master Sichuan classics like Mapo Tofu in a private cooking class.
Day 3 Begin your day with a gourmet mountain-top brunch prepared by your private chef, then set off into the heart of Tangjiahe Nature Reserve for an unforgettable afternoon of panda tracking and wildlife exploration led by professional guides.
Day 4 Choose between a second nature hike or a peaceful morning at camp before transferring to Qingcheng Mountain, where you’ll check in to a luxury eco-resort Six Senses nestled in a Taoist paradise, enjoy a farm-to-table gourmet dinner.
Day 5 Begin the day with Tai Chi or a wellness session, then explore Qingcheng’s ancient temples and continue to Leshan for a sunset stroll and local delicacies.
Day 6 Marvel at the Leshan Giant Buddha from a boat cruise before boarding a high-speed train to Chongqing, where hotpot, hillside architecture, and city lights await.
Day 7 Wander through the charming lanes of Ciqikou, descend into the layered depths of Hongya Cave, and end the day with a Yangtze River dinner cruise beneath the glowing skyline.
Day 8 Departure from Chongqing or optional return to Chengdu
Why This Trip is Special
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Exclusive Panda Encounters
Go beyond the usual panda experience with a private keeper session and wild panda tracking in Tangjiahe Nature Reserve.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Track Pandas, Taste Sichuan, Touch the Wild Soul of China
Day 1: Welcome to Chengdu
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.
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.
