Chongqing chengdu itinerary 7 days

Here is a meticulously crafted 7-day itinerary for exploring Chongqing and Chengdu. It blends the magical charm of the Mountain City with Chengdu’s laid-back vibe, complete with practical tips to help you embark on an unforgettable journey through Sichuan and Chongqing.

🏞️ 7-Day Travel Guide from Chongqing to Chengdu

✨ Trip Highlights

• Dual Experience of a Magical Mountain City and the Land of Abundance: From the 8D multidimensional terrain of Chongqing to the leisurely plains lifestyle of Chengdu, experience two distinctly different urban characters in one journey.
• Perfect Blend of World Heritage Sites and Viral Check-in Spots: The itinerary includes the natural wonder of Wulong Karst and the Chengdu Panda Base, alongside the hottest urban landmarks in both cities.
• In-depth Exploration of Spicy Cuisine: From Chongqing hotpot to Chengdu skewers, we’ll guide you to the most authentic Sichuan and Chongqing flavors, experiencing a spicy feast for your taste buds.

📝 Essential Information

Best Travel Season: Spring (March-May) and Autumn (September-November) offer the most pleasant weather, ideal for tourism.
Trip Overview: Chongqing (4 days) → Chengdu (3 days)
Transportation between Cities: We recommend taking the high-speed train; the journey takes about 1-2 hours, with fares approximately 51-440 RMB.

🗓️ Itinerary

🌆 Days 1-4: Mountain City Chongqing

Day 1: First Impressions of Chongqing

• Afternoon: After arriving in Chongqing, head to the Liberation Monument Pedestrian Street, the heart of the city. You can then sample various Chongqing snacks at the nearby Bayi Good Food Street.
• Evening: Visit Hongya Cave to admire the night views. The lights at Hongya Cave are typically illuminated from 19:00 to 23:00. You can capture the panoramic view from the Qiansimen Bridge.

Day 2: The Magical Mountain City Terrain

• Morning: Head to Liziba Monorail Station to witness the marvel of the “monorail piercing through a building”. Afterwards, proceed to the Eling 1942 Creative Park, a cultural and creative zone transformed from old factory buildings, offering views of the river.
• Afternoon: Explore Ciqikou Ancient Town. Stroll along the bluestone paths and sample local specialties like Chen’s Crispy Twist. Avoid the main street and explore the alleys to experience a more authentic old Chongqing atmosphere.
• Evening: Go to Chaotianmen Square and Raffles City to enjoy the spectacular night view where the two rivers converge.

Day 3: The Natural Wonder of Wulong

• Full Day: Join a Wulong One-Day Tour to visit the Three Natural Bridges scenic area. This is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site and the filming location for Curse of the Golden Flower. Be prepared to walk about 5 kilometers within the scenic area; comfortable, slip-resistant shoes are recommended.
• Evening: After returning to the city center, why not experience an authentic Chongqing hotpot meal.

Day 4: Chongqing Cultural Journey

• Morning: Take a stroll along the Shancheng (Mountain City) Step Trail No. 3. This is the trail that best captures the atmosphere of old Chongqing life. The trail features an elevated walkway with river views.
• Afternoon: Visit the Huangjueping Campus of Sichuan Fine Arts Institute to see the famous graffiti art street. Afterwards, you can experience the local vibe of old Chongqing at the nearby Traffic Teahouse.

🐼 Days 5-7: The Land of Abundance, Chengdu

Day 5: Transfer to Chengdu, Experience Old Chengdu Charm

• Morning: Take the high-speed train from Chongqing to Chengdu; the journey takes about 1-2 hours.
• Afternoon: Upon arrival in Chengdu, head to Kuanzhai Alley (Wide and Narrow Alleys), consisting of three parallel old-style streets: Wide Alley, Narrow Alley, and Well Alley. Avoid the crowds on the main streets and explore the small cafes and handicraft shops in the alleys.
• Evening: Visit Jinli Ancient Street. At night, Jinli is lit up with red lanterns; there are Sichuan opera performances on the stage and shadow puppet stalls glowing with warm light, creating a great atmosphere. Jinli is adjacent to the Wuhou Shrine; if time permits, you can visit both.

Day 6: Pandas and Chengdu’s Slow-Paced Life

• Morning: Be sure to get up early! Head to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. It’s best to arrive before 9:00 AM, as this is when the pandas are most active. The Moonlight Delivery Room and Sunshine Delivery Room are the core areas to visit.
• Afternoon: Go to People’s Park and experience Chengdu’s slow life by sitting down for a cup of tea at the Heming Teahouse. You can also try the unique Chengdu experience of ear cleaning.
• Evening: Head to Jiuyanqiao (Nine-Eye Bridge). The bar street here is brightly lit at night, with bars along the river featuring live singers. You can sit, have a drink, and enjoy the reflection of the corridor bridge on the water.

Day 7: Chengdu Day Trip or City Exploration
Depending on your energy and interest, here are two options for Day 7:

Option A: Dujiangyan and Mount Qingcheng Day Trip

• Full Day: Travel to Dujiangyan to see the millennia-old irrigation engineering marvels: the Fish Mouth Levee, Bottle-Neck Channel, and Flying Sand Spillway, and appreciate the wisdom of the ancients.
• If time and energy allow, you can continue to Mount Qingcheng. The front mountain has many Taoist temples, while the back mountain features streams, waterfalls, and shaded, cool hiking paths.

Option B: Leisure Day in Chengdu City

• Morning: Visit Du Fu Thatched Cottage to soak in the literary atmosphere. The famous “Red Wall with Bamboo Shadows” path within the garden is a popular photo spot.
• Afternoon: Choose based on your personal interests:
  • Culture enthusiasts can visit the Sichuan Museum or Chengdu Museum.
  • Shopping lovers can explore the Chunxi Road-Taikoo Li commercial area and take a photo with the “Climbing Panda” on the IFS rooftop.
  • Food lovers can head to Kuixinglou Street or Jianshe Road Snack Street to try the old establishments favored by locals.

💰 Budget Estimate

Transportation: High-speed train tickets 51-440 RMB + local transportation approx. 150 RMB (Economy); High-speed business class 829 RMB + taxis approx. 400 RMB (Comfort)
Accommodation: Budget hotels (approx. 200/night) total 1400 RMB; Comfortable hotels (approx. 400/night) total 2800 RMB
Attraction Tickets: Approx. 400 RMB (including Wulong, Panda Base, etc.); Approx. 600 RMB (including all attractions)
Food & Beverage: Approx. 800 RMB (approx. 120 per day); Approx. 1400 RMB (approx. 200 per day)
Total Cost: Approx. 2850 RMB (Economy); Approx. 5200 RMB (Comfort)

🎒 Practical Tips

1. Special Terrain in Chongqing: Chongqing has many steps and slopes; be sure to wear comfortable, slip-resistant shoes. Navigation apps often fail in the mountain city; sometimes a straight-line distance of 200 meters might require a 10-minute detour, so don’t hesitate to ask locals for directions.
2. Chengdu Visit Suggestions: For the Panda Base, you must go early, before 9 AM, when the pandas are most active. For Kuanzhai Alley and Jinli, it’s advisable to avoid the peak daytime crowds and visit in the early morning or evening instead.
3. Food Experience: The “mild spicy” level in Chongqing hotpot can still be very spicy. If you can’t handle much spice, you can order a “mandarin duck pot” (split pot with spicy and non-spicy broths). In Chengdu, we recommend visiting the local favorites known as “fly restaurants” (e.g., Mingting Restaurant, Yutian Restaurant) for better value.
4. Prepare Your Documents: Attractions like Zhazidong Prison and the Three Gorges Museum require real-name verification, so remember to carry your ID card with you.

This 7-day itinerary from Chongqing to Chengdu includes both classic must-see attractions and incorporates some in-depth experiences, while maintaining a suitable level of flexibility. We hope you can adjust it based on your own energy and interests, and harvest a wealth of beautiful memories in the magical land of Sichuan and Chongqing! If you have a particular interest in a certain part or need more detailed suggestions, feel free to ask further questions.