8 Days in Sichuan and Chongqing: Round-trip Flights + Car Rental on Arrival, Even My Wife Was Impressed

---------------------------------------------------------A Few Words First--------------------------------------------------------------

It wasn’t a honeymoon, but we had even more fun and enjoyment than a honeymoon trip. My wife and I recently got married, and both work in the tourism industry. The pandemic has made our already fragile industry even more difficult—literally adding ice on top of snow, and a big chunk of ice at that. But everything has two sides: we gained rare leisure time, and our restless hearts began yearning for travel. An idea popped up: let’s go out and travel!

PS: This article is a mix of narrative and personal reflections, not a guide—just for reference.

--------------------------------------------------------What We Prepared------------------------------------------------------

1. ID card, driver’s license

2. Alipay health codes (Tianfu Health Link and Yu Health Code)

3. Several summer clothes and one set of autumn clothes; enough underwear for changing

4. Power bank and various charging cables

5. Miscellaneous items (face masks, nail clippers, storage bags, toilet paper, razor, etc.)

6. One small backpack per person

7. My wife’s skincare products... a whole bag

8. One 26-inch suitcase

-----------------------------------------------------------The Main Story Begins-----------------------------------------------------------

We departed from Tianjin, chose flights for long-distance travel, entering through Chengdu and exiting from Chongqing. High-speed rail connects Chengdu and Chongqing.

For local transport, we rented a car—a standard economy sedan, enough space for two people.

When renting, be sure to note the option for returning the car at a different location, because our itinerary required entering and exiting from different points.

------------------------------------------------------------Day One--------------------------------------------------------------

P1 After landing at Shuangliu Airport, the rental company staff called and arranged to pick us up at a designated exit. Then we went to the rental company’s parking lot to handle the paperwork. Note:

※ Open Alipay, search for “Tianfu Health Link,” fill it in—it’s mandatory during the pandemic!

※ Rental requires a deposit of 2000 yuan, which can be frozen via credit card pre-authorization. Some rental companies waive the deposit if you have a good Zhima Credit score. The pre-authorization is usually released 30 days after the rental ends; with Zhima Credit, it can be released on the day of return.

※ Inspect the car condition. I won’t go into detail here, but check small things like wiper blades for noise, whether there’s a phone holder inside, etc.

※ Vehicle insurance varies. I usually take the 50 yuan/day collision damage waiver, which covers damage under 1500 yuan without deductible.

P2 Drive to Jinli Ancient Street (free admission) (about 35 minutes by car).

Park the car in the underground lot about 200 meters in front of Wuhou Temple, then walk back.

No need to elaborate on the experience—it’s a commercial street that’s old wine in a new bottle.

P3 Dinner: hotpot! This depends on personal preference. Open the Meituan app, search for hotpot, pick one with high ratings—no problem.

※ If it’s a very popular restaurant, queue up early! Queue up early! Queue up early!

P4 Since the next day’s itinerary was Dujiangyan, we drove directly there after dinner in Chengdu (about 1 hour 15 minutes).

------------------------------------------------------------Day Two--------------------------------------------------------------

Mount Qingcheng Scenic Area + Dujiangyan Scenic Area, stay overnight in Dujiangyan.

In the morning, drive from the hotel to Mount Qingcheng. A little incident: since it was our first time, we followed the navigation uphill, but halfway we were blocked by a white sign that said something like “Internal road, no entry,” with a red scenic area stamp. Then an auntie came out from a nearby open space and asked if we were heading to the scenic area. If so, we could park there, and a dedicated car would take us to the main gate. Parking fee: 20 yuan. My first thought: “Uh, are we being ripped off?” But sticking to the principle of “since we’re already here,” and since I wasn’t sure of the route anyway, I paid the 20 yuan and added the auntie on WeChat. She told us that from Natural Pictures, there’s a path on the right leading down to Feixian Temple, which would bring us back to the parking lot. The locals drive fast—less than 10 minutes to the scenic area gate. Then we swiped our ID cards and entered. Got a map at the entrance. At Natural Pictures, which is the midpoint where the path splits, there are two options depending on time and fitness: on the right, Moon City Lake and cable car, which goes directly to Shangqing Palace (cable car one-way 35, round-trip 60, pay via machine scan); on the left, a mountain path via Celestial Master Cave, Chaoyang Cave, Nine Bends, to Shangqing Palace, then take the cable car down. ※ Note: During the pandemic, you can only go as far as Shangqing Palace; the area further up to the summit is closed (a small regret). Before heading back, we met a woman selling fruit from a basket. We bought two small watermelons and chatted a bit, asking if our route to go up and down had been a rip-off. She told us that if you navigate to the main gate parking lot, it costs 10 yuan, and from there you need to walk about 20 minutes to the scenic area entrance, or take a shuttle. That made me feel a bit better—20 yuan for parking plus shuttle service wasn’t bad after all. After chatting, we followed the auntie’s instructions and took the small path left from Natural Pictures to go down. It was a very quiet path, just the two of us walking... after about ten minutes, we felt a bit disoriented, then saw a scenic area iron gate with an old man in the guardhouse. I asked him twice if this path led down the mountain. He glanced at us but didn’t speak, just pointed to the gate as if to say “open it yourself.” We opened the gate, continued down, and soon saw Feixian Temple, which is also a distillery. Then we saw the road and immediately recognized it—this was where we parked! It took less than 20 minutes from Natural Pictures to the parking lot—so close! Not only did we not lose, we actually saved time. Back at the parking lot, we chatted with the auntie and learned that this spot is normally a back entrance used when the main gate is crowded during peak season. When the main gate is packed, this is a quiet alternative. As for why we weren’t allowed to drive on that road, their explanation was: “This road was built by locals, so only locals can use it.” Hmm... ※ Note: If you also want to enter via this back gate, you can navigate to Feixian Temple or Feixian Temple Distillery—it really saves time.

I strongly recommend spending 21 yuan to buy a guided audio tour on Ctrip. It lasts about 2 hours and covers everything from start to finish. After listening carefully, I realized two things: first, the great wisdom and creativity of the Chinese people; second, my vocabulary in the face of such wonders was reduced to phrases like “wow” and “amazing.”

------------------------------------------------------------Day Three--------------------------------------------------------------

Drive from Dujiangyan to Jiuzhaigou (about 6.5 hours), stay overnight near the Jiuzhaigou entrance.

When we reached western Sichuan, we couldn’t help but think of the 2008 earthquake. At that time, news reports spoke of the “Wenchuan earthquake,” but after a little research, one learns that Yingxiu Town in Wenchuan County was the epicenter. If you want to pay respects, you can drive past the earthquake memorial site in Yingxiu.

Continue driving north. There’s a highway from Dujiangyan to Wenchuan, but from Wenchuan northward, it’s national road, winding through valleys. Though it’s a mountain road, there were few ups and downs. The smooth journey suddenly encountered a traffic jam—it turned out to be a local wedding. All passing cars slowed down. Amid the mountains and valleys, the new house was decorated with red, people in colorful ethnic costumes, and the sound of firecrackers signaled the auspicious hour. The car crept along, and it felt like we, too, were touched by the festive joy.

Following the winding gorge and the rushing Min River, we drove north from Mao County to Chuanzhu Temple Town. From here, the road began to climb. Chuanzhu Temple Town is at an altitude of 2980 meters, but that’s not the highest point. Continuing onward, we reached a highland meadow area with snow-capped mountains, cattle and sheep, grasslands, and the source of the Min River. The source of the Min River might not mean much to an outsider, but after learning about Dujiangyan, one develops a subtle longing for the water that nurtures the Land of Abundance. (Along this stretch, you pass Songpan County, where there’s an ancient town called Songzhou—good for a meal stop.)

After the highland meadow, the road descends until Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area. It’s recommended to stay near the entrance area. The hotel I chose was excellent—feel free to use it as a reference: 1 km from the scenic area entrance, 300 meters from the exit (the scenic area has shuttle buses for entry and exit; the entrance and exit are on the same road but at different points).

------------------------------------------------------------Day Four--------------------------------------------------------------

Spend the whole day in Jiuzhaigou, stay overnight in Songpan County.

“The beauty of Jiuzhaigou is the beauty of all seasons, the beauty of flowing water.”

“After visiting Jiuzhaigou, no other water scenery compares.” I won’t elaborate on its beauty. Let me describe the sightseeing order.

The scenic area is Y-shaped. When you board the bus at the entrance, you’re taken directly to Five Flower Lake on the right (further up is inaccessible; it hasn’t been restored since the 2017 earthquake). The visitor flow design seems unreasonable—they cram everyone into one spot instead of dispersing them along the left and right arms of the Y. I don’t understand this. The central point of the Y is Nuorilang Service Center. Don’t eat yet; first take the shuttle to the left arm to visit Long Lake and Five-Color Pond, then return to the service center. By then it’s around 1 p.m. Have lunch (I recommend preparing self-heating meals, bread, instant noodles, etc.; there’s free hot water in the restaurant). In the afternoon, board the bus from Nuorilang Service Center heading toward the exit, visiting attractions along the way. Get off at each stop for photos. You can return to the original bus stop or walk to the next stop—depending on your stamina. There are signs showing walking distances. Rhino Lake, Shuzheng Waterfall Group, Tiger Lake, Bonsai Beach, scenic area exit (Reed Lake doesn’t stop; Zharu Temple is closed due to pandemic and doesn’t stop).

Leave the scenic area around 4 p.m. and drive straight to Chuanzhu Temple (about 2.5 hours). Why stay in Chuanzhu Temple instead of Jiuzhaigou? Because we need to go back to Chengdu—driving more today means less tomorrow... allowing us to sleep in a bit more, hehe. (I’m not insisting on staying in Chuanzhu Temple; Songpan County town is about 3 hours away as well.)

------------------------------------------------------------Day Five--------------------------------------------------------------

Drive back to Chengdu (about 5.5 hours). In the afternoon, visit giant pandas, and then Kuanzhai Alley for food and shopping. Stay overnight in Chengdu.

P1 Finally saw the adorable round creatures I’d been longing for. You might say you’ve seen pandas at your local zoo, but you’ve definitely never seen so many together in Chengdu, eating bamboo, playing, and lazily lounging in trees—so cute my heart melted. (Note: The scenic area is small, no need for the electric cart. The shops inside are really expensive. Unless your girlfriend begs you with puppy eyes, don’t buy anything. Outside the scenic area, some aunties sell panda toys—though unofficial, they’re really cheap, and you can bargain—awesome.)

P2 Kuanzhai Alley and Jinli are both “old wine in new bottles,” but they have different styles. Kuanzhai feels like shopping on a street, Jinli feels like strolling in a garden. One is better during the day, the other in the evening. If you ask me which has better food and fun, my personal suggestion: buy small items if you like them; for bigger items, just look. Authentic opera isn’t performed in restaurants. Those seeking peace and quiet won’t drink tea in scenic spots.

------------------------------------------------------------Day Six--------------------------------------------------------------

Take high-speed rail from Chengdu to Chongqing. Recommended: G2883, Chengdu East to Chongqing West, 08:50–10:08.

Still, three things to note:

※ Get health code ready

※ Rental car deposit

※ Check car interior details

Visit Three Gorges Museum, Ciqikou, Hongya Cave, and hotpot.

P1 After landing, first stop: Three Gorges Museum. I enjoy learning about humanities and history, and also wanted to lay groundwork for a future Yangtze River cruise trip with my wife. The museum is free but requires advance reservation. Maybe because there were few visitors, we could reserve on-site. I won’t go into detail—both body and mind are on the journey.

P2 Ciqikou Ancient Town. Emphasis on “town”—don’t treat it as just a snack street. Here you’ll find an ancient dock, an academy, a temple. Take an extra few dozen minutes to explore the alleys and corners. When tired, find a small bar or cat café to rest, listen to music, and pet cats—perfect, isn’t it?

P3 Hongya Cave is one of Chongqing’s landmarks. Even before it became internet-famous, it was a must-visit spot. The building has 13 floors; the elevator only goes to the 9th floor. Floors 1–4: handicrafts and food. Floors 5–8: hotels. Floor 9: also food. Above 10: open-air. From the top floor, it’s about a 10-minute walk to Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street area. Hongya Cave is most beautiful at night. The best photo spot is the riverside path across from the first-floor exit—also the most crowded area at night.

P4 My wife loves spicy food. Over the years, we’ve eaten a lot of hotpot together. Comparing Chongqing hotpot and Chengdu hotpot, there are slight differences. First, the pot: Chengdu uses a large pot (yuanyang—half spicy, half clear—is considered heretical locally); Chongqing uses a nine-grid pot. The ingredients are basically the same. The broth: Chengdu’s is fragrant and spicy, Chongqing’s is numbing and spicy. Both use beef tallow blended with vegetable oil, but Chongqing has a higher proportion of beef tallow. Don’t ask which is better—it varies by personal taste. Open Meituan, search for hotpot, pick one with high ratings—no problem!

------------------------------------------------------------Day Seven--------------------------------------------------------------

Drive from Chongqing to Wulong Three Natural Bridges—return to Chongqing in the afternoon to return the car—evening Yangtze River night cruise.

P1 Three Natural Bridges is most famous for being featured in the movies “Curse of the Golden Flower” and “Transformers.” I initially thought the post station used in “Golden Flower” was a temporary set, but it turned out to be an ancient building. Nature’s craftsmanship: three natural stone bridges, majestic and grand. If you visit during the wet season, you might see waterfalls cascading from the bridges, and if lucky, a rainbow. The scenic area entrance is pyramid-shaped. Shuttles take you back and forth. It takes about 10 minutes by shuttle to reach the Three Bridges area, and about 30 minutes to return to the entrance. You don’t need to climb—an elevator takes you directly to the bottom of the tiankeng (sinkhole). I like this spot partly because it’s suitable for lazy people like me. Lunch can be brought from home or eaten in Wulong city center. Since we needed to rush back to Chongqing for the cruise, we brought food and ate at a service area.

P2 Returned the car in the city and headed to the dock. I had checked the weather forecast—it was a clear day, so I scheduled the Yangtze River night cruise for that day. Board at Chaotianmen Dock; tickets can be bought at Hongya Cave or the dock. Board at Pier 4. If you have plenty of time, visit Raffles City before boarding. Note: if your cruise is at 8 p.m., it’s best to board by 7:20 p.m., because seats on the top deck are limited—early birds get seats. (Ticket price 80 yuan/person, duration 50 minutes.) The cruise goes on the Jialing and Yangtze Rivers, mainly to see the beautiful night scenery—no need for commentary. Just take photos and post short videos.

------------------------------------------------------------Day Eight--------------------------------------------------------------

Go home, end of trip.

------------------------------------------------------------Cost Summary-----------------------------------------------------------

Flights: 835/person * 2 = 1670

Train: 146/person * 2 = 292

Car rental: Chengdu leg (5.17–5.21, 370), Chongqing leg (5.22–5.23, 240)

Hotels: 7 nights total 1573 (Ctrip rating 4–5 diamonds)

Entry tickets: calculated for 2 people. Mount Qingcheng 156 + Dujiangyan 198 (includes guide) + Jiuzhaigou 536 + Giant Panda 104 + Wulong 242 + Cruise 160

Fuel: 550

Tolls: Sichuan section 54*2, Chongqing section 89*2

Total: 6377 yuan (total for 2 people)

We traveled round-trip from Tianjin. The above prices are for reference only. Reference prices do not include:

All main meals (most hotels include breakfast), parking fees, shopping expenses (such as buying special toys or local products).