7-Day Sichuan Trip (Chengdu - Mount Emei - Leshan - Jiuzhaigou - Huanglong)

Note 1: Bring sunscreen, mosquito repellent, rain gear, ID card, power bank, and medications (stomach medicine, cold medicine, motion sickness medicine, anti-inflammatory medicine, band-aids).

Note 2: Apply for the Chengdu Metro QR code on your phone in advance. Two children should bring ID cards (free for bus, metro, and high-speed rail).

Note 3: The first stop is Mount Emei. There are some mountain paths that require walking. It is recommended to store luggage at the Emeishan High-Speed Rail Station (large bag 30 yuan, small bag 15 yuan, can be stored until the next day, negotiable for multiple bags). Bring a backpack up the mountain. It is recommended to wear long pants and long sleeves. In the backpack, put jackets and base layers for adults and children, plus a change of clothes for the next day, cold-proof and sun-proof items, and daily necessities. The mountaintop is about 13°C cooler than the base, plus mountain wind, so it will be quite cool, especially at night and when watching sunrise.

Note 4: Book tickets and hotels for all main scenic areas in advance.

Note 5: For Jiuzhaigou, buy two oxygen canisters near the hotel as a backup. Some spots are at 3,000 meters altitude; normal walking without running or jumping should not require them. Huanglong is above 3,500 meters, higher than Jiuzhaigou (Huanglong's highest is 5,500 meters but usually not visited; popular spots max at 3,500 meters). Visit Jiuzhaigou first for acclimatization.

Note 6: There are oxygen areas inside the scenic spots. If oxygen canisters are insufficient, call for scenic area emergency or go to the oxygen area to rest (our group of four adults and two children managed with two canisters).

Note 7: This itinerary visits famous characteristic scenic spots in Sichuan, scattered across three cities/counties, so you will use almost all types of transport and spend a lot of time on the road. Consider if this suits you.

Simple itinerary: Morning flight from Guangzhou to Chengdu Tianfu (cheaper; if first stop is Chengdu, suggest flying to Shuangliu). Take metro to Chengdu East High-Speed Rail Station, have lunch at the station.

Estimate time while eating lunch, then buy high-speed rail tickets to Emeishan. Get off at Emeishan Station, store luggage at station, take scenic area bus to Leidongping, walk to Jieyin Hall, take cable car up the mountain before 18:00.

Take high-speed rail from Chengdu East to Emeishan Station (about 65 yuan, ~1h20min).

Store luggage at high-speed rail station after getting off.

Buy combo tickets in advance via WeChat public account (370/person, includes entrance fee, uphill/downhill bus, round-trip cable car). Enter with ID card. Children under 1.2m and under 7 years old are free; carry them through the gate.

Take scenic area bus directly from the station (total journey about 2 hours).

Bus first/last departure times: 06:00–17:00/18:00 (one round trip only, valid for two days).

Walk from Leidongping to Jieyin Hall (normally 20–30 minutes; short distance but high altitude and stairs, walk slowly).

From Jieyin Hall to Golden Summit cable car (about 3–5 minutes by cable car; walking takes over 2 hours).

Cable car hours: 06:00–18:00 (one round trip only, valid for two days).

I chose Golden Summit Hotel (off-season over 400 yuan), Leidongping/Jieyin Hall (around 200 yuan), and base hotel (over 100 yuan). If you don't want to see sunrise, no need to stay at the summit.

You can rent a cotton coat at the summit (30 yuan; generally not needed if you bring a fall jacket and base layer).

Four major attractions of Mount Emei: sunrise/sunset, sea of clouds, Buddha's halo, sacred lamps (sunrise and sunset: not possible without staying at the summit due to cable car hours; sea of clouds usually 9–10 AM; both require good weather; check forecast before traveling; Buddha's halo and sacred lamps depend on luck; don't expect them. Besides these, the overall environment is nice, but food options are limited.)

The restaurant at Grand Golden Summit Hotel: our group of four adults and two children spent over 300 yuan and found it decent, better than typical scenic spot food.

After dinner, take a casual walk (there are temples like Wanfoding, Huazang Temple, Woyun Temple. Sometimes evening ceremonies occur). During our visit, the path to Wanfoding was closed; Wanfoding is the highest point, said to have better views than Golden Summit—worth visiting if accessible.

Sleep early; check sunrise time for the next day before bed, set alarm (hoping for good weather).

Grand Golden Summit Hotel (off-season: 467 yuan).

Simple itinerary: Alarm – sunrise – breakfast – sea of clouds – descend – Leshan – hotel to drop luggage – taxi (or bike-sharing if no kids) to Jiaxing Road (recommend Feng Siniang's Spiced Beef, Zhao Duck's Sweet Duck, Xiaodou Haitang) for food tour – Leshan Giant Buddha – continue food tour (Shangzhongshun) – late-night snack recommendation: Changyao Haoyun Fried Food.

Leshan Giant Buddha (food is also a theme here).

Time the sunrise, then wander and take photos. Have breakfast at the hotel's restaurant, watch sea of clouds.

Take cable car down, then bus down. Get off at Wannian Temple if desired (bus ticket: one round trip valid two days, can get off once for free at either Wannian Temple or Wuxiangang on the way down. Take Wannian Temple cable car: up 65 yuan, down 45 yuan. Wannian Temple is often visited for blessings. If not interested, go directly to Leshan by train.)

If going to Wannian Temple (skip if visiting Wanfoding), have vegetarian lunch there (20 yuan). Otherwise, eat in Leshan. I chose to skip and go directly to Leshan.

Return to high-speed rail station, retrieve luggage.

Emeishan Station to Leshan Station (about 12 yuan, ~20 min).

Taxi to Tangyuchan Enjoy and Nourish Resort Hotel in Leshan (247 yuan incl. breakfast) to drop luggage.

Taxi to Jiaxing Road (order a set meal at Feng Siniang's Spiced Beef, pack some Sweet Duck from Zhao Duck, then have a sweet soup at Xiaodou Haitang).

After lunch, taxi to Leshan Giant Buddha, get off at North Gate parking lot, then walk a few steps to free shuttle bus to ticket gate. Enter with ID card (scenic area 80/person). Children under 6 free (bring ID for inspection).

My personal suggestion: just enter and wander around. You can also take a boat, which is less tiring and offers a view of the Buddha, but you miss other spots and the awe of standing at the Buddha's feet.

Shangzhongshun: try Ju Popo's Mian Bing (ice cream), Haihui Yuan's fresh meat shao mai, Jiujiu Tofu Pudding, Jiumei Chicken Feet. Small portions, try many. Then browse nearby shopping malls. For late-night snack, try Changyao Haoyun Fried Food.

Snack recommendations: Crispy Tofu Pudding, Intestine Sandwich, Leshan Boboji, Egg Puff Cake, Crispy Meat Kebab, Brown Sugar Guokui, Liangya Potatoes, Leshan Malatang, Yerba Cake, Shredded Tofu Roll, Kaka.

Return to hotel early, prepare for next day's high-speed rail.

Simple itinerary: After breakfast, prepare snacks – taxi to Leshan Station for 08:49 train to transfer – arrive Zhenjiangguan at 12:11, take 12:50 bus to hotel – Jiuzhaigou Eternal Love scenic area.

Breakfast, then buy some food before taking the train (Leshan to Zhenjiangguan, transfer at Chengdu East, about 200 yuan). Leshan 08:49 to Chengdu East 09:36, then 10:30 high-speed rail from Chengdu East to Zhenjiangguan 12:11. Hotel bus at 12:50, arrive hotel around 16:00, drop luggage, then go to Jiuzhaigou Eternal Love or nearby food street.

Two common ways from high-speed rail station to hotel (about 3 hours):

1. If not taking the bus, a 7-seat minivan shared with others is 100/person (same for children).

2. Recommend booking Xingyu International Hotel (618 for two nights, includes two bus tickets, Tibetan costume experience, breakfast, and fruit). Two buses directly to hotel daily: 12:50/17:00. Book at least a week in advance to confirm tickets. Children's bus tickets must be paid separately (75 yuan; I negotiated with hotel to buy for 50/person).

Jiuzhaigou Eternal Love: online 280/person; from hoteliers or taxi drivers 180/person. It's a scenic-like area with main performances, but also food and a small market. Show times: 17:30–18:30 and 19:00–20:00.

Jiuzhaigou opens at 8:00, last entry at 14:00. Rest early; next day busy.

Simple itinerary: Early breakfast at hotel – enter Jiuzhaigou just after 8:00 – leave before 18:00 – dinner – back to hotel.

Jiuzhaigou (tickets for both Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong can be bought on the official account 'Aba Tourism Network').

Have breakfast at hotel, then depart. Jiuzhaigou has many spots; suggest entering just after 8:00 (taxi from hotel takes 6 minutes).

Ticket: 190 entrance + 90 sightseeing bus.

First ride and from Nuorilang to Changhai are over 10 km each – sit down. Other stops are shorter – standing is fine.

Main route inside: Arrow Bamboo Lake – Arrow Bamboo Lake Waterfall (walk) – Panda Lake (walk) – Five Flower Lake – Pearl Shoal (walk) – Mirror Lake – Nuorilang Waterfall (or see on return) – Long Sea – Five Color Pond (walk 800m). On return: Rhinoceros Lake, Tiger Lake, Spark Lake, etc. Shuzheng Qunhai (closed; only panoramic view).

Lunch: Nuorilang Restaurant (only restaurant; food average; if not eating set meal, bring self-heating food, sold at hotel supermarket).

Park closes at 17:30, but usually not kicked out until after 18:00. Slowly wander, finish around 5pm.

Dinner recommendation: Anuo Tibetan Restaurant.

Return to hotel early, next day Huanglong.

Simple itinerary: Early breakfast at hotel – depart hotel around 8:00 – Huanglong – expected play time 10:30–15:00 (lunch at scenic area; there is a restaurant halfway up, or bring self-heating food) – last high-speed rail back to Chengdu East at 19:11 – metro to hotel – walk for dinner.

Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong, and the high-speed rail station are far apart. Two ways to visit Huanglong after Jiuzhaigou and return to Chengdu (our group of 4 adults and 2 children chose option 1; the driver might stop at rest/food shops, not compulsory to buy, but will offer free samples):

1. Charter car (700 yuan: pick up at hotel in morning, to Huanglong, luggage stays in car, after tour drives to Zhenjiangguan Station).

2. Taxi to bus station – bus to Huanglong (full price 80, same for children; sometimes group deals) – store luggage at Huanglong visitor center – tour – after tour taxi to Songpan Bus Station (about 150) – then bus from Songpan to Zhenjiangguan Station (free with train ticket; buses at 10:30 and 16:00).

Huanglong entrance: 60 yuan (entry hours 08:00–16:30; peak season 170, off-season 60; off-season Dec 16–May 31). Near visitor center, there is a free green bus to cable car check-in (if chartered, driver takes you directly to cable car check-in). Uphill cable car 80, downhill 40; sightseeing car 20 (from cable car to Five Color Pond, limited to 5,000 per day, saves 1 hour walking; must book a few days in advance).

Recommended visit time: about 4 hours. Walk slowly, use oxygen if uncomfortable (normal walking doesn't need it; for weaker people, one canister should suffice).

After exiting, contact charter driver; usually waiting nearby; appeared 7–8 minutes after our call (drive about 2 hours, so must finish before 15:00).

Last high-speed rail from Zhenjiangguan to Chengdu at 17:30 (need to book in advance), arriving 19:11. At hotel, drop luggage, then walk to Chunxi Road or Taikoo Li for dinner. Our first dinner in Chengdu: Taolin Restaurant – good service and taste, recommended.

Stay at Hanting Hotel (Chunxi Road new branch; has free washer and dryer).

Simple itinerary: Wake naturally – breakfast/lunch – Sanxingdui – Fuqin Night Market.

Sanxingdui Museum.

After waking, take taxi or go to the direct bus stop near the panda statue (book in advance via mini-program 'Scenic Direct Bus').

Sanxingdui Museum (72/person, open 08:30–18:00, last entry 17:00; book on official account, available 5 days in advance, tickets released daily at 20:00).

Starting from Chunxi Road:

1. Walk to Chunxi Road bus stop, take Sanxingdui direct bus (departures 7:00–16:00 hourly; return 09:30–20:30, depart when full; 25/person), about 2 hours.

2. Walk to metro station, take metro 6 stops to Chengdu East Station, then train to Guanghan North, walk 15 minutes, about 2 hours.

3. Taxi 70–90 yuan; our group took two taxis.

There is an order-dish restaurant near Hall 2.

Recommended visit time: 3–4 hours; finish by afternoon.

Take bus or taxi to Fuqin Night Market, eat and wander. If still hungry, try Wuming Pig Trotters near the hotel.

Simple itinerary: Breakfast at nearby skewer shop or noodle shop – taxi to Wenshu Monastery – Shuyi Theater Sichuan Opera performance – Dongzikou Zhang Erliang Liangfen – Imperial Pastry – taxi to Kuanzhai Alley – dinner recommendation: Sanshi Street Laozhaizi Feichangyu (intestine fish).

If not marked as taxi, walking is possible (close). For those without kids, bike-sharing is more convenient.