Day Tour: Chengdu Panda Breeding Base and Leshan Giant Buddha
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About this experience
Enjoy a trip to popular Chengdu Panda Breeding Base, Leshan Giant Buddha Statue, and Chengdu Tianfu Square. English-speaking tour guide and air-conditioned coach service.
Available options
April to June
Spring Tour: Please provide your hotel name and address upon booking. You will be picked up from your hotel lobby, or be informed the near<br/>Pickup included
September to November
Autumn Tour: Please provide your hotel name and address upon booking. You will be picked up from your hotel lobby, or be informed the near<br/>Pickup included
December to March
Winter Tour : Please provide your hotel name and address upon booking. You will be picked up from your hotel lobby, or be informed the nearest pickup hotel to meet with your tour guide<br/>Pickup included
What's included
Escorted walking tour at Chengdu Panda Base
Hotel pick-up from Chengdu downtown hotels
Before arriving at Leshan Buddha, passengers need to vote for the choice of walking tour from the foot to head of the Buddha (Option A) or taking a boat ride (Option B). You need to make an agreement for the whole team to do together. The visiting time only allows to choose one option. By taking the boat ride, you will miss the walking tour.
English-speaking tour guide service
Option A for an escorted walking tour along Leshan Giant Buddha or option B of a boat ride around the Buddha.
Transfers between attractions
What you'll see
You will be picked up from selected hotels in downtown Chengdu between 7:20am and 7:40am then set out for Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda, which is a non-profit research and breeding facility for giant pandas as well as other rare animals. Founded in 1987 on Futou Shan, an almost barren hill, the base boasts research laboratory, animal hospital, panda cribs, playground, museum, kitchen, and a swan lake. You will explore the base till 11am before driving to Leshan.
Upon arriving in Leshan, you will take a break for lunch which is at your own expense but your guide will give you ideas and recommendations. After lunch break, you will visit Leshan Giant Buddha, the tallest rock Buddha statue in the world and carved out of a cliff by monks in southern Sichuan province during Tang Dynasty (618–907AD). The Giant Buddha is overlooking at the confluence of Minjiang, Dadu, and Qingyi Rivers as well as the sacred Mount Emei. Both Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei are currently listed as World Heritage sites by UNESCO. Hike the trail along the Buddha and enjoy serene views till 4pm before heading back to Chengdu. Your tour will conclude at 6:30pm at Tianfu Square, the largest square in downtown Chengdu surrounded by lots of good restaurants, tea houses, shops, and entertainment venues.
Chengdu Hotel Pickup List:
1 Buddha Zen Hotel
2 Chengdu Celebrity City Hotel
3 Chengdu Celebrity Hotel
4 Chengdu Fraser Suites Hotel
5 Chengdu Heyi Hotel Jiuyanqiao
6 Chengdu Jinjiang Hotel
7 Chengdu Jinyuanlou Hotel
8 Chengdu Kangsun Hotel
9 Chengdu Minya Hotel
10 Chengdu Minyoun Royal hotel
11 Chengdu Orange Hotel (shuncheng hotel )
12 Chengdu Rehe Spring Hotel
13 Chengdu Taihe Sofitel Hotel
14 Chengdu Temple House Hotel
15 Chengdu Theme Hotel &; Resorts
16 Chengdu Tianfu Sunshine Hotel
17 Chengdu Xinhua International Hotel
18 Chengdu xinliang hotel
19 Chengdu Youke Hotel
20 Crowne Plaza Chengdu City Center
21 Diaoyutai Boutique Chengdu
22 Dorsett Grand Hotel
23 Grand Hyatt Chengdu
24 Haiyatt Hotel Chengdu
25 Holiday Inn Chengdu Oriental Plaza
26 Holiday Inn Express Chengdu West Gate
27 Holiday Inn Express Chengdu Wuhou
28 Holiday Inn Gulou Express Hotel Chengdu
29 Hotel Lavende Hotel
30 ibis Chengdu Chunxi Road
31 Kempinski Hotel Chengdu
32 Niccolo Hotel
33 Rhombus Park Aura Chengdu Hotel
34 Romantic Holiday Hotel Chengdu
35 Shangrila Hotel Chengdu
36 Sheraton Lido Hotel Chengdu
37 Somerset Riverview Chengdu
38 St.Regis Hotel Chengdu
39 The Hotel Zen Urban Resort
40 The Renaissance Chengdu Hote
41 The Ritz-Carlton hotel
42 Tibetan Hotel Chengdu
43 Yaduo Hotel
44 Yinhe Dynasty Hotel
What's not included
Extra cost for optional photo opportunity with baby panda by request (RMB$2,000/person, proceed goes to Panda Research and Protection Program)
Lunch
Optional Sichuan Opera performance at a traditional tea house in Chengdu (RMB$160/person for VIP seat; RMB$120 for regular seat)
Gratuities for guide and driver (recommended)
Available languages
Guide guide
EN
Reviews breakdown
Viator
3.2
11 reviews
5★
4
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1★
4
Important information
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Before arriving at Leshan Buddha, passengers need to vote for the choice of walking up to the Buddha (Option A) or taking a boat ride (Option B). You need to make an agreement for the whole team to do together. The visiting time only allows to choose one option.
This tour is a seat-in-coach tour, with a driver and a tour guide. You will share a coach with other passengers. There is no unwelcome factory or tourist shop visit.
Hotel information should be provided 24 hours before departure.
The scheduled hotel pickup time is between 7:20am and 7:40am. Your tour guide will call you at your hotel before 10pm the day prior to tour departure to reconfirm exact time.
If you do not receive a phone call from your tour guide the day before tour departure, please check with the front desk of your hotel for messages or refer to the emergency phone number on your confirmation voucher and call your tour operator.
Please note that pickup service is only available to guests staying at hotel list in downtown Chengdu area. If you live in the outskirt of Chengdu, please go to Sheraton Lido Hotel Chengdu to join in this tour. The pickup time from Sheraton Lido Hotel Chengdu is 7:30am.
From May to December 2019, the highway from Chengdu to Leshan is under renovation. Due to road closure, it might spend 60 minute or more on the road. You will arrive at Tianfu Square at about 19:30 to 20:00.
Optional Evening Activity: There is an optional 1.5 hours evening Sichuan Opera performance at a traditional tea house available at 8pm. The performance includes famous face changing, fire spitting, and lights rolling tricks by the performers along with puppet and hand-shadow impression shows. There are traditional Chinese musics playing while you sipping on a cup of Sichuan jasmine tea. You will be picked up from Tianfu Square and transferred back to your hotel after the show.
Important notes
Hotel pickups commence prior to this time, you must contact the local service provider to verify your exact pickup time.
About Chengdu
Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, is renowned as the home of the giant panda and famous for its rich history, spicy cuisine, and vibrant culture. This ancient city offers a unique blend of traditional charm and modern urban development, with lush tea houses, bustling markets, and stunning natural landscapes.
Top Attractions
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
This world-renowned research base is home to over 120 giant pandas. Visitors can observe these adorable creatures up close and learn about conservation efforts.
Nature
2-3 hours
¥55
Jinli Ancient Street
A well-preserved ancient street with traditional architecture, local snacks, and cultural performances. It's a great place to experience Sichuan's rich history and culture.
Historical
1-2 hours
Free (shopping and food at additional cost)
Wenshu Monastery
One of the oldest and best-preserved Buddhist monasteries in China. It's known for its peaceful atmosphere, beautiful architecture, and vegetarian cuisine.
Religious
1-2 hours
Free (donations welcome)
Dujiangyan Irrigation System
An ancient irrigation system built over 2,000 years ago. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a testament to ancient Chinese engineering.
Historical
Half day
¥80
Chengdu Panda Base
A research and breeding center for giant pandas. Visitors can see pandas in a natural setting and learn about conservation efforts.
Nature
2-3 hours
¥55
Must-Try Local Dishes
Mapo Tofu
A spicy tofu dish with minced meat, typically pork or beef, and fermented black beans. It's known for its numbing spiciness.
Dinner
Vegetarian versions available.
Dan Dan Noodles
Noodles topped with a spicy sauce made from chili oil, Sichuan pepper, minced pork, and scallions. It's a popular street food.
Lunch/Dinner
Can be made vegetarian.
Hot Pot
A communal dining experience where diners cook raw ingredients in a shared pot of boiling broth. Sichuan hot pot is known for its spicy broth.
Dinner
Vegetarian and non-vegetarian options available.
Sichuan Dumplings
Steamed or boiled dumplings filled with minced pork, shrimp, or vegetables. They're often served with a spicy dipping sauce.
Lunch/Dinner
Vegetarian options available.
Popular Activities
Hiking
Mountain biking
Rock climbing
Tea house visits
Spa treatments
Park picnics
Museum visits
Temple tours
Best Time to Visit
March to May, September to November
Spring and autumn offer pleasant weather, making it ideal for outdoor activities and sightseeing. The city is less crowded during these periods compared to summer.
15-25°C
59-77°F
Practical Information
Language
- Official: Mandarin
- Widely spoken: Sichuanese, English (limited)
- English: Limited
Currency
Renminbi (RMB) (CNY)
Time Zone
CST (UTC+8)
Electricity
220VV, 50HzHz
Safety Information
Overall Safety Rating: Generally safe
Chengdu is generally safe for travelers, with low crime rates. However, as with any major city, it's important to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions to protect yourself and your belongings.
Important Precautions:
- • Keep valuables secure
- • Use licensed taxis
- • Be cautious of strangers offering help or services
Getting there
By air
- Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport • 16 km from city center
- Chengdu Tianfu International Airport • 45 km from city center
By train
Chengdu Railway Station, Chengdu East Railway Station
By bus
Chengdu Long-Distance Bus Station, Chengdu North Long-Distance Bus Station
Getting around
Public transport
The metro system is efficient and covers most of the city. It's a convenient and affordable way to get around.
Taxis
Available • Apps: Didi Chuxing
Rentals
Car, Bike, Scooter
Neighborhoods
Jinli Ancient Street
Wuhou Shrine
Chunxi Road
Kuanzhai Alley
Day trips
Mount Qingcheng
60 km from Chengdu • Full day
A scenic mountain known for its beautiful landscapes, ancient temples, and hiking trails. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a great escape from the city.
Leshan Giant Buddha
130 km from Chengdu • Full day
A massive stone statue of Buddha carved into a cliff face during the Tang Dynasty. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a remarkable feat of ancient engineering.
Jiuzhaigou Valley
340 km from Chengdu • Overnight
A stunning national park known for its colorful lakes, waterfalls, and diverse wildlife. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular destination for nature lovers.
Festivals
Sichuan Festival • Late August
Lantern Festival • February (Lunar calendar)
Chengdu International Non-violence Week • October
Pro tips
- Learn a few basic Mandarin phrases to enhance your experience and interact with locals.
- Try the local street food, but be cautious and choose busy stalls with high turnover.
- Visit the Chengdu Panda Base early in the morning to see the pandas at their most active.
- Explore the city's tea houses and experience the rich tea culture of Sichuan.
- Take a day trip to Mount Qingcheng or Jiuzhaigou Valley for a stunning natural experience.
From $25
per person
Price varies by option
Secure booking
Free cancellation available
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