Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
After checking in, take it gently: Chunxi Road is a good place to get your bearings and see central Chengdu in motion. Allow about an hour to wander, browse, and grab a drink if you need one. It’s a busy shopping district, so keep an eye on bags in the crowds; a short taxi or metro ride from your hotel may be easier than walking with luggage.
Walk from Chunxi Road to Daci Temple—roughly 10–15 minutes at an easy pace. Give yourself about an hour in this calm, historic complex; daytime hours and any entry arrangements can change, so check locally before setting out. Then continue into Taikoo Li Chengdu, whose open-air lanes wrap around the temple. An hour is enough for a relaxed look at the architecture and shops without turning your arrival day into a forced shopping tour.
For dinner, head to Shu Jiu Xiang Hotpot in the central district; allow 1.5–2 hours and budget around ¥80–150 per person, depending on what you order. Hotpot can be intensely spicy, so ask for a mild or split broth if you’re unsure, and order gradually—the portions add up. Popular branches can have a wait at peak dinner time; check the nearest branch and queue situation in a map app before walking over.
Head to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding as close to opening as you can manage; mornings are usually the liveliest time to see the pandas. From central Chengdu, a taxi or ride-hail typically takes 40–60 minutes, while metro plus a connecting bus or shuttle can be cheaper but slower. Allow around three hours inside. Check the base’s current hours and reserve a real-name ticket in advance through an official channel or a reputable booking app; entry procedures and availability can change.
Take a taxi or ride-hail to Wenshu Monastery (roughly 30–45 minutes, depending on traffic) and give yourself about 1.5 hours for its halls and quiet courtyard. It’s generally open during daytime hours; check locally before setting out, and allow for any ticket or entry requirements. For lunch, stay in the monastery area and eat at the Wenshu Monastery vegetarian restaurant. Budget about ¥20–50 per person, and expect a simple, filling meal rather than a long restaurant stop.
From Wenshu, take a taxi or ride-hail to People’s Park—usually around 15–25 minutes—or use the metro if traffic is slow. Spend about 1.5 hours by the lake and teahouses; a tea stop is a pleasant way to watch Chengdu residents catch up and play cards. Then continue west to Qingyang Palace, around 10–20 minutes by car. Allow about an hour to explore this well-known Taoist temple, checking its current closing time before you go. Keep a little flexibility in the afternoon: city traffic can make these short hops take longer.
Leave Chengdu as early as practical for the 6–8-hour journey to Kangding; mountain-road conditions can stretch the day, so keep the afternoon flexible. Confirm the bus station and service before setting out, and allow extra time to reach the station and board. On arrival, check in, drink water and take it gently: Kangding sits at around 2,500 metres, and even an easy first afternoon can feel more tiring than expected.
If you arrive with daylight to spare, take a gentle 45-minute walk through Kangding town center, following the Zheduo River and stopping for a tea or a breather rather than tackling steep streets. Then visit Anjue Temple, allowing about an hour. Check locally for visiting hours and any access restrictions; if you arrive late or the temple is closed, don’t rush—ask your guesthouse about the next day’s visiting window.
Choose a busy, well-reviewed restaurant in Kangding town center for Tibetan or Sichuan dishes; budget about ¥30–70 per person. Warm soup, noodles or a simple rice dish make an easy first meal at altitude. Keep the evening quiet and get some rest before exploring more of western Sichuan.
Start gently at Nanwu Temple, the hilltop Tibetan Buddhist temple above town. Give yourself around 1.5 hours to look around and take in the views; the uphill walk can feel harder at Kangding’s altitude, so go slowly and carry water. Check locally whether the temple is open to visitors that day, and be respectful around worshippers—ask before photographing people or inside prayer spaces. A taxi or local ride-hail can save your legs on the steep approach; agree on the pickup plan for the return.
Head back down to Kangding Love Song Square, the riverside gathering spot in the town center. Allow about 45 minutes to watch local life along the water, then find lunch nearby. Central Kangding restaurants commonly serve yak dishes alongside straightforward Sichuan meals; budget roughly ¥30–70 per person. Menus and opening hours vary, so choose a busy place with dishes you recognize if the menu is hard to decipher.
If you’re feeling well at altitude, continue to Paoma Mountain for valley scenery. Set aside 2–3 hours including the ascent, and check the day’s access and conditions with your guesthouse before setting out; weather can change quickly, and the climb is best skipped if you have a headache, nausea, or unusual breathlessness. Take a taxi or ride-hail to the access point rather than spending your energy on the town’s steep roads, and bring a warm layer even if it feels mild below.
Return to central Kangding for dinner at a Kangding town restaurant—yak is a local staple, but a simple Sichuan meal is an easy, budget-friendly choice too. Keep the evening unhurried after the climb, drink water, and ask your accommodation to help confirm tomorrow’s onward transport plans.
Leave Kangding in the morning in a shared car or hired vehicle, arranged through your guesthouse the day before. Allow 3–4 hours via Xinduqiao, plus extra time for stops or road delays; confirm the pickup point, fare and road conditions before setting out. A shared ride is roughly ¥100–250 per person. The road climbs onto the plateau, so take it easy on arrival, drink water and keep warm layers handy.
After checking in and dropping your bags, spend about 1.5 hours at Tagong Monastery, exploring the complex and its surrounding settlement. Visitor access and any entrance fee can change, so check locally before you go. Then take an unhurried 1–2-hour walk on Tagong Grassland; the open plateau can be windy, and weather shifts quickly, so bring a windproof layer and sun protection. If the drive runs late, keep the walk flexible rather than rushing it.
Finish at a busy restaurant in Tagong village center, where Tibetan staples are a good bet; allow ¥30–70 per person. Ask your accommodation for a current recommendation, since opening hours and menus can vary. Keep the evening quiet and hydrate well—Tagong is high enough that a gentle first day here is kinder than pushing on.
Ask your guesthouse to arrange a local driver to Muya Golden Pagoda; transport options are limited, so agree on the fare and a return pickup before setting off. Allow about 1.5 hours at the pagoda for its striking gold-colored exterior and expansive plateau views. Go slowly, bring water and warm layers, and take breaks: Tagong sits at high altitude, and even a short walk can feel more strenuous than expected.
Continue to Tagong Grassland for a gentle walk and time to watch everyday life on the plateau. Keep the outing unhurried and avoid pushing yourself uphill; weather can change quickly, so carry a rain layer and sun protection. Ask your driver or guesthouse about the day’s road and access conditions before leaving.
Back in the village, stop at a Tagong village tea house for butter tea or a simple snack—budget around ¥10–30 per person. Then browse the Tagong local market stalls for about 45 minutes. Stalls and market activity vary by day, so treat this as a relaxed wander rather than a guaranteed full market; carry some cash for small purchases.
Leave Tagong in the morning in the shared or arranged car booked through your guesthouse. The route runs via Bamei and usually takes 4–6 hours, with mountain-road conditions and photo or comfort stops affecting the timing. Agree the fare, route and any stops before you set off; shared rides are often around ¥150–300 per person, while a private car costs more. Keep water and a warm layer handy, and don’t count on a tight arrival time.
After checking in and grabbing a quick lunch in town, arrange a local car to Jiaju Tibetan Village; allow about 2 hours to wander among the hillside houses and take in the valley views. Confirm the village’s current visitor arrangements and any entrance fee locally, as access and charges can change. The lanes are steep, so comfortable shoes and an unhurried pace make the visit more enjoyable.
Back in Danba, stretch your legs with an easy 45-minute walk along the riverside, then choose a well-reviewed restaurant in the town center for Sichuan or Tibetan dishes. Budget roughly ¥30–70 per person for dinner; ask your guesthouse for a current recommendation, since opening hours and menus can vary. Keep the evening relaxed after the winding drive, and ask about tomorrow’s local transport before turning in.
Arrange a local car or taxi through your guesthouse for Suopo Ancient Watchtowers, across the river from Danba town. Allow about two hours including the drive and time to look around; confirm the fare, where the driver will wait, and whether you can get close to the towers before setting off. The stone towers are part of a living village landscape, so admire them from public routes and ask before photographing residents or entering private property.
Continue by car to Zhonglu Tibetan Village, allowing roughly 2–3 hours to wander and enjoy the hillside views. Roads are steep, and transport back to town can be sparse, so agree on a pickup time with your driver rather than relying on finding a ride there. Check locally about access arrangements or any village fee, which can vary; take water and go at an unhurried pace.
Back in town, spend about 45 minutes browsing Danba town market for local produce and everyday snacks. Market hours can vary, so ask your guesthouse what time stalls are busiest; carry small cash and keep the visit relaxed. Finish at a busy Danba local noodle shop in the town centre—ask your guesthouse to point you to one nearby, as small shops come and go. A bowl is usually a budget-friendly meal, around ¥15–40; menus may be simple, so pointing to a dish or asking for a mild option helps.
Set out from Danba as early as you can: the return to Chengdu takes roughly 7–9 hours door-to-door, and mountain-road delays are possible. Confirm the bus is running and check its departure point with your accommodation the day before; if there’s no suitable service, ask them to arrange a shared or private car. Keep tonight’s plans flexible and don’t book a tight onward connection.
After checking in, stay near your hotel for a simple noodle or rice meal—many casual Chengdu restaurants charge about ¥20–50 per person. If you arrive with daylight and still have energy, take an easy 30–45-minute walk along the Jinjiang River promenade. Continue to Anshun Bridge for a look at its evening lights from the riverfront; allow about 30 minutes, and skip the walk if the long road day has caught up with you.
Allow 4–5 hours on the high-speed train, plus time to reach Chengdu East station and get from Xi’an North into the city. Check the current timetable and book ahead through China Railway 12306 or Trip.com; leave a buffer at the station for security checks and boarding. After checking in, head toward the old center by metro or taxi. This is a full travel day, so the sightseeing below works best if your train arrives early enough; otherwise, keep the evening flexible rather than rushing.
Start at Xi’an Bell Tower, a striking landmark at the heart of the city and a useful point to get your bearings. Allow about 45 minutes to admire it and explore the surrounding square; entry to the tower is usually around ¥30, but check current hours and ticket details locally. From there, walk or take a short taxi ride to the Muslim Quarter. Give yourself around 1.5 hours to wander its busy food lanes and historic streets—follow your appetite, but expect crowds and keep an eye on your belongings.
Stay in the Muslim Quarter area for Jia San Soup Dumplings, a casual stop for Xi’an-style soup dumplings. Budget roughly ¥30–60 per person, and expect a lively, no-frills dining room; point to dishes on a menu or use a translation app if needed. If your train gets in too late for a relaxed visit, save the meal for tomorrow rather than trying to squeeze everything in.
Leave central Xi’an early for Lintong; a taxi or ride-hail usually takes about 1–1.5 hours each way, while metro plus a connecting bus can be cheaper but slower. Allow at least 3–4 hours for the visit and travel, and check the official booking system for any required timed entry before you go—don’t count on buying a ticket at the gate. The museum grounds are extensive, so wear comfortable shoes and bring water.
Continue to Huaqing Palace, a short drive from the Terracotta Army. Give the hot-spring complex around 1.5–2 hours; opening times and ticket arrangements can vary, so check locally before setting out. If you’re using a driver, agree on the pickup point and fare in advance; otherwise, look for local buses or taxis between the two sites.
Head back to central Xi’an for the Xi’an City Wall. Allow 1.5–2 hours to explore a section on foot or rent a bicycle at an open gate; rentals and access depend on operating hours and conditions, so confirm on arrival. This is a full day with two stops out in Lintong, so keep the wall visit flexible rather than trying to circle the entire rampart.
Finish at Yongxingfang, where you can graze on Shaanxi snacks and small dishes; budget roughly ¥30–70 per person. It’s a lively food area, especially in the evening, and a relaxed place to try a few things rather than commit to a formal meal. From the wall, a taxi or ride-hail is simplest; if you’re tired, head straight there and save any extra wandering for another time.
After your train reaches Luoyang Longmen, allow time for the transfer into the old city and a hotel drop-off before setting out. With station access and arrival logistics, this is a roughly 3–4-hour door-to-door travel block; check the current timetable and book through China Railway 12306 or Trip.com. If you arrive around lunchtime, leave your bags first and explore on foot rather than trying to squeeze in another cross-city trip.
Spend about 1.5 hours wandering Luoyang Old Town: the pleasure is in the narrow lanes, shopfronts and everyday bustle, so take your time and pause for a tea or snack. Then walk to Lijing Gate, allowing about an hour for the landmark and nearby streets. The gate area is most atmospheric as the afternoon eases toward evening; check local ticketing and opening arrangements before you go, as access can vary.
Stay in the old town for a Luoyang Water Banquet dinner. This local multi-course meal is built around soups and broths, often served in small portions; expect roughly ¥50–100 per person, depending on the restaurant and menu. Choose a busy local dining room nearby, and ask staff to help pace the dishes if you’re unfamiliar with the style. Walk back through the lit-up lanes afterward rather than rushing on to another sight.
Start early for Longmen Grottoes, south of the city; from central Luoyang, allow roughly 30–45 minutes by taxi or ride-hail, or longer by bus. Set aside 3–4 hours for the cave complex and river setting, including the walk between the entrances and the main carvings. Tickets may require advance booking, so check the official arrangements before you go; budget around ¥90, but confirm the current price. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water—the site involves plenty of walking.
Head to Luoyang Museum in the new district, allowing about 30–45 minutes from Longmen by car and around two hours to explore its archaeological and regional-history collections. Check its current opening day and hours before setting out: if it is closed, don’t count on being able to visit today. Admission is often free, but advance real-name reservation may be required; verify this through the museum’s official channels.
Continue south to Guanlin Temple, associated with Guan Yu, and allow 1–1.5 hours for the halls and courtyards. A taxi or ride-hail is the simplest link from the museum; public transport is cheaper but can take longer, so check the route in your map app. Check today’s closing time and ticket price locally, and keep a little slack between visits for traffic.
Return to the central area for a bowl of Luoyang-style noodles at a busy local noodle shop; look for Luoyang water banquet noodle dishes or niurou tang (beef soup with noodles) on menus. Expect roughly ¥20–50 per person. It’s a full sightseeing day, so if the museum’s hours or transport delays squeeze the schedule, prioritize the grottoes and temple before settling in for dinner.
This is a long travel day: allow roughly 7–10 hours door to door for the trains from Luoyang Longmen via Xi’an North, including getting to the station, security, the connection and your onward transfer from Chengdu East. Check both legs together before booking through China Railway 12306 or Trip.com, and leave a generous connection buffer; fares are roughly ¥450–750 total. Keep the evening flexible in case of delays.
After checking in, eat close by rather than crossing town hungry with your luggage. If you’re staying centrally, Chen Mapo Tofu is a reliable choice for Sichuan dishes; expect around ¥20–60 per person, depending on what you order. If you arrive late, choose a nearby noodle shop instead and save the outing for another time.
If you still have energy, spend about 1–1.5 hours wandering Kuan Zhai Alley; its historic lanes are atmospheric in the evening, though the busiest stretches can feel touristy. From there, head to Chengdu People’s Park for a relaxed tea in the teahouse area—allow about an hour, and check the park’s closing time locally so you don’t arrive too late. If the train runs behind, skip the stroll and make the meal and an early night your plan.
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