Chengdu, Sichuan Free Travel Guide: Travel Routes, Recommended Local Personal Tour Guides, and Must-Visit Attractions in Sichuan

Chengdu, Sichuan free travel guide: recommended local personal tour guide contact information and introduction to essential attractions in Sichuan.

For traveling to Sichuan, look for Sichuan guide Big Brother (Daage), search on Baidu.

My colleague and I went to Sichuan at the beginning of last month. We found a local Chengdu guide, Big Brother, to arrange our travel route. He customized a reasonable itinerary based on our schedule and requirements, including scenic spot tickets, meals, accommodation, guide, and transportation. This made our trip worry-free, convenient, and cost-effective. Most scenic spots in Sichuan are now open! I think now is the best time to visit Sichuan. First, because the scenic spots have just reopened, there aren't many people, so it's perfect for relaxation. Second, I feel it's safer now; during the pandemic, the scenic spots are disinfected, and body temperatures are taken upon entry.

The attractions we chose are definitely worth a visit. Here's our five-day itinerary:

DAY1: Arrive in Chengdu—Kuanzhai Alley—Taikoo Li

DAY2: Chengdu—Huanglong—Chuanzhusi/Jiuzhaigou Entrance

DAY3: Jiuzhaigou (Shuzheng Group Sea—Five Flower Sea—Long Sea—Nuorilang Waterfall—Five-Color Pond—Pearl Shoal Waterfall)

DAY4: Tibetan Village—Ancient Qiang City (enjoy local food, experience unique customs)

DAY5: Wake up naturally, leave Chengdu, end the trip.

Scenic spot check-ins (including admission tickets for all attractions; bring discount cards if available)

Dining check-ins (local specialties; Jiuzhaigou also has Tibetan cuisine)

Accommodation check-ins (high-end hotels, top comfort)

Private car and guide (private car pickup from the airport, certified guide providing full narration)

Insurance (signed upon arrival for travel protection)

We found the recommended local guide Big Brother online, and the entire trip was well arranged, so we didn't get too tired. I was lucky to sign up early during Big Brother's promotion, which gave us a great discount. The original price was 2000 per person, but the promotional price was only about 1080. Although it was a discounted price, the service standards were not compromised; everything was handled according to the contract, very professional. If you want to go to Sichuan, ask him quickly.

Also, private cars are not allowed to drive into the scenic areas. Big Brother arranged our car to be parked in a designated lot in the city. For the entire trip, Ye Zi arranged a tour bus for us. In addition, the scenic areas in Sichuan are quite large, so you often enter from one gate and exit from another to avoid backtracking. Moreover, the area is mountainous, and driving yourself without knowing the routes can be dangerous.

Main highlights of Sichuan:

Jiuzhaigou: This magical stream shows different colors every year, surrounded by vast primeval forests, mountains, and snowy peaks. It's a pity not to see such a wonder.

Mount Emei: A famous Buddhist sacred site in Sichuan and China. The Golden Summit of Emei is renowned through the ages, and various Buddhist rituals will dazzle you.

Qingcheng Mountain: A famous Taoist mountain, rich in Taoist culture that lets you experience the unique charm of ancient religion. Morning incense ceremonies attract crowds of visitors.

Leshan Giant Buddha: A place of strong Buddhist culture. The Buddha gazes compassionately at all beings. It's amazing that such a great stone carving was completed in ancient times. At the foot of the Giant Buddha are the three rivers; taking a boat tour offers a unique experience.

Dujiangyan: An artificial weir built during the pre-Qin period. It tamed the Min River, protecting the Chengdu Plain from floods. Today, Dujiangyan has the Li Bing Museum where you can appreciate the great wisdom of the ancients.

Huanglong Scenic Area: Located above 3,000 meters in altitude, it features scattered landscapes including forests, waterfalls, snow mountains, canyons, and large areas of primeval forest. You will marvel at the power and wonder of nature.

Five-day, four-night tour: Chengdu + Huanglong + Chuanzhusi + Jiuzhaigou

Day 1: Departure city—Chengdu. Stay in Chengdu.

We arrived at Chengdu High-Speed Rail Station, and Big Brother arranged pickup and check-in at the hotel.

Day 2: Chengdu—Huanglong—Chuanzhusi—Jiuzhaigou Entrance. Stay overnight in Jiuzhaigou.

After breakfast, the guide picked us up and we departed from Chengdu, enjoying the Chengdu Plain scenery along the way. Passing through Dujiangyan, Yingxiu, Wenchuan, and Mao County. Lunch in Chuanzhusi. After lunch, we took a bus to the 'Fairyland on Earth'—Huanglong Scenic Area. Huanglong is famous for its majestic, steep, strange, and wild scenery, earning the reputation of 'World Wonder' and 'Fairyland on Earth'. Attractions include Welcome Pool, Flying Waterfall, Golden Sand Spread, Colorful Pool, Mirror Reflection, Spinach Reflection, Huanglong Temple, Five-Color Pond, etc. The pools vary in size and shape, some reflecting different colors, brilliant and gorgeous. The shallow streams flow with sparkling waves under sunlight, crystal clear. A layer of fine yellowish moss covers the bottom; stepping into the stream feels soft and cool, as if entering a fairyland. Because Huanglong is at high altitude, please assess your stamina. You can also take the cable car (at your own expense) to the Five-Color Pond, enjoying the Welcome Pool, Flying Waterfall, Bathing Cave, Bonsai Pool, etc. After visiting, take the bus to Jiuzhaigou for check-in.

Day 3: Full day exploring Jiuzhaigou. Stay overnight in Jiuzhaigou.

After breakfast, depart to the Jiuzhaigou parking lot. Walk 800-1000 meters from Blue Sky or Minghua parking lots to the entrance, then queue up to take the sightseeing bus into the valley. Jiuzhaigou is located in Zhangzha Town, Jiuzhaigou County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan. It is a branch ditch of the Baihe River upstream of Baishui Ditch, named after nine Tibetan villages. Jiuzhaigou is over 2,000 meters above sea level, covered with primeval forests, and has 108 lakes.

Jiuzhaigou's scenery is charming in all seasons. It is rich in animal and plant resources, with many species and vast primeval forests. It is home to giant pandas and over ten other rare and precious wild animals. Distant snow-capped peaks stand tall and high, covered with snow all year round. Together with Tibetan wooden houses, drying racks with prayer flags, bridges, mills, traditional customs, and myths, it forms a cultural landscape known as a 'fairy tale world'. Jiuzhaigou includes Shuzheng Valley and Zechawa Valley. After the tour, return to the hotel for a good rest.

Day 4: Jiuzhaigou, Chuanzhusi—Tibetan Village—Chuanzhu Ethnic Town. Stay overnight in Chengdu.

After breakfast, depart to visit a distinctive Tibetan village, then go to Chuanzhusi Ethnic Town, where you will enjoy a special meal—the Ancient Tea Horse Road Feast. After the visit, return to Chengdu by bus.

Day 5: Wake up naturally, leave Chengdu, ending the happy trip.