Chengdu Circle Route in 18 Days - Itinerary

This is not a family-friendly itinerary -- I’d only recommend this to seasoned travelers planning a well-rounded tour of the authentic Sichuan. Though ... you could turn this into a family-friendly trip simply by skipping the Eastern Himalayas (i.e. Kangding to Mount Siguniang) and by flying in and out of Jiuzhaigou.


But if you're looking for adventure in a culturally exotic region of China, this circle route took us to colorful Tibetan villages and alpine steppes, views of turquoise lakes and 7000m Himalayan peaks, some of China's best-preserved medieval townscapes, and classic Sichuanese sights from the Giant Buddha to the giant panda. It's a long, winding and occasionally treacherous road, but ultimately well worth the authentic experiences and gorgeous views.

Our final itinerary, as traveled, went like this:

Day 01: Arrival at Chengdu (Air)
Day 02: Chengdu
Day 03: Chengdu - Langzhong (Bus)
Day 04: Langzhong
Day 05: Langzhong - Chengdu (Minibus/Train) - Leshan (Bus)
Day 06: Leshan - Ya’an (Bus) - Shangli (Taxi)
Day 07: Shangli - Ya’an (Minibus) - Kangding (Bus)
Day 08: Kangding to Xinduqiao to Tagong to Danba (Taxi)
Day 09: Danba
Day 10: Danba
Day 11: Danba to Mount Siguniang (Minibuses via Xiaojin)
Day 12: Mount Siguniang to Dujiangyan (Bus)
Day 13: Dujiangyan, Mount Qingcheng, Jiezi Old Town (Local Buses)
Day 14: Dujiangyan - Songpan (Bus)
Day 15: Songpan - Huanglong (Taxi) - Jiuzhaigou (Taxi)
Day 16: Jiuzhaigou
Day 17: Jiuzhaigou - Chengdu (Air)
Day 18: Departure from Chengdu (Air)

I’m still sorting through the 3000+ photos so new posts will be added gradually.

Chengdu Circle Route in 18 Days

This is the INDEX PAGE of our Circle Route of Sichuan, China in 18 Days, starting and ending at the provincial capital of Chengdu. As usual authentic local cuisine and culture are among the main focus.

Destinations include Chengdu, the ancient city of Langzhong, Leshan and the Giant Buddha, Ya’an, the old town of Shangli, the Tibetan towns of Dartsedo, Xinduqiao and Lhagang, the Tibetan villages of Danba Canyon (Jiaju, Niega, Zhonglu, Suopo), the national park of Mount Siguniang, Dujiangyan’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, Taoist monasteries of Mount Qingcheng, the old town of Jiezi, the walled city of Songpan, and the national parks of Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou.


Chengdu Circle Trip in 18 Days - Itinerary
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Authentic Sichuanese Eats in Chengdu
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Panda Kindergarten of Chengdu
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2 Days in the Ancient City of Langzhong
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Ancient City of Langzhong - Restaurant Reviews
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The Giant Buddha and Roast Duck of Leshan
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Shangli of the Ancient Tea Horse Road
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On Tibetan Roads - Part 1: Dartsedo to Lhagang Lamasery
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On Tibetan Roads - Part 2: Lhagang Lamasery to Danba Canyon
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Tibetan Villages of Danba Canyon - Part 1: Village Guesthouse
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Tibetan Villages of Danba Canyon - Part 2: Villages of Jiaju and Niega
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Tibetan Villages of Danba Canyon - Part 3: Zhonglu Village
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Suopo - San Gimignano of the Tibetan Plateau?
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Day of Drama at Mount Siguniang National Park
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Cheap Sichuanese Eats in Dujiangyan
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Day-Trip to Taoist Enclave of Mount Qingcheng
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The New-Old Town of Jiezi
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Songpan - Citadel on the Tibetan Plateau
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Late Autumn in Huanglong National Park
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Late Autumn in Jiuzhaigou National Park
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