Chengdu 7 Days 6 Nights DIY Travel Plan

Day 1: Exploring Chengdu City - Chunxi Road / IFS / TaiKooLi: These three spots are located close to each other, making it easy to stroll around and shop. - Renmin Park (人民公园): A public park with a relaxing atmosphere. When we visited, there were still some autumn leaves. Inside, there’s a tea house. We went on a Saturday, and it was packed with families enjoying their day out. Day 2: High-Speed Train to Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou We took a high-speed train from Chengdu East Railway Station to Huanglongjiuzhai, which took about 2 hours. The train system here is very convenient; no need to print tickets—just use your passport. We booked tickets via Trip.com for about 700 THB per trip, depending on the booking time. It’s recommended to book in advance as tickets can sell out during peak times. Tickets are available 2 weeks prior to departure. We opted for second class, which was clean, comfortable, and reasonably priced. We arrived at Huanglongjiuzhai Station, which serves as a gateway to both Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou. From there, you need to take a bus to your destination. We didn’t pre-book the bus but followed the locals and found buses waiting outside the station. There were attendants calling out destinations. You can board first and pay for the ticket on the bus. Be careful not to board the wrong bus as Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou are in opposite directions. We took a bus to our hotel near Jiuzhaigou, which took about 2 hours. We stayed overnight to explore Jiuzhaigou the next day. Day 3: Jiuzhaigou In the morning, we walked from our hotel to Jiuzhaigou (it’s recommended to find a hotel within walking distance). We had pre-purchased tickets for about 750 THB per person. Entry was smooth with just our passports. Inside, you need to take a shuttle bus to explore the park. The buses stop at various highlights, allowing you to hop on and off as you please. Jiuzhaigou is absolutely stunning—by far the most beautiful place on this trip. The views were breathtaking. For the return trip to Chengdu, we took the same route: a bus from Jiuzhaigou to Huanglongjiuzhai Station, then a train back to Chengdu. Be sure to plan your timing well as the trains are very punctual. Day 4: Chongqing (Day Trip) We took a high-speed train from Chengdu East Railway Station at 6:24 AM to Chongqing North Station, which took about 2 hours. Wear comfortable shoes as the city is full of steep paths and stairs. Must-visit spots include: - Jiefangbei (解放碑): A bustling shopping and dining area. - Shibati (十八梯): A historic area with traditional architecture. - Shancheng Budao (山城步道): A scenic walking path. These three spots are close to each other and can be explored on foot. - Liziba Station (李子坝站): A train station where the train passes through a building. - Hongyadong (洪崖洞): A must-see at night for its spectacular lights. Chongqing is famous for its mala (spicy and numbing hotpot). We tried a restaurant called 陈胖子 (Chen Pangzi). The mala here is intensely flavorful and spicy, even when we ordered the mild version. Locals say that any mala restaurant in Chongqing is worth trying. For the return trip, we took a train from Shapingba Station back to Chengdu East Railway Station. Day 5: Chengdu > Mount Siguniang We joined a 2-day, 1-night tour to Mount Siguniang and Bipenggou. The tour company provided a car and driver who picked us up from our hotel. The driver also handled accommodation and park tickets. We left Chengdu at 6 AM and arrived at Mount Siguniang around 11 AM. We explored the Shuangqiaogou route, which required a 45-minute bus ride to the highest point, followed by stops at various scenic spots on the way down. Unfortunately, there was no snow during our visit, and the scenery felt a bit dry. Check the weather before planning your trip. We left the park around 4 PM and stayed overnight near Mount Siguniang to continue to Bipenggou the next morning. Day 6: Mount Siguniang > Bipenggou > Chengdu The drive from Mount Siguniang to Bipenggou took about 3 hours. At Bipenggou, we took a shuttle bus and then a golf cart to explore the park (golf cart tickets are not included in the entrance fee and must be purchased on-site). The scenery here is snowy and reminiscent of Europe. We stayed in the park until 4 PM, after which the driver took us back to Chengdu, dropping us off at our hotel. The return trip took about 4 hours. This trip involved a lot of driving, but it was worth it. Day 7: Exploring Chengdu City - Panda Research Center: Tickets cost about 250 THB per person. The center is huge and features both giant pandas and red pandas. Most pandas are asleep, so it’s best to visit in the morning when they’re more active. - Kuanxiangzi Alley: A traditional-style pedestrian street with shops and restaurants, offering a mix of old-world charm and modern convenience.