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🗓 Chengdu Itinerary · 5 Days 4 Nights · 2026

Chengdu in Depth —
5 Days of Pandas, Mountains and Sichuan

Watch pandas eat bamboo at dawn, share a hotpot beside the Jinli lanes, stand beneath the 71-metre Leshan Giant Buddha, then sleep on Mount Emei to wake for sunrise above a sea of clouds — this is the plan where the day trips become the main event.

Why 5 days?

Chengdu rewards the traveller who reaches the mountains

Honestly, two or three days is enough to cover Chengdu itself — the pandas, Kuanzhai Alley, Wuhou Shrine, a hotpot dinner and a teahouse afternoon in People's Park. But what sets Sichuan apart from anywhere else in China is the ring of sacred mountains around the city, and you need real time to feel them.

This plan is deliberately different from the 3-day and 4-day versions — it spends two full days (Day 3 into Day 4) on Sichuan's classic pilgrimage: the Leshan Giant Buddha, and an overnight on Mount Emei so you can wake for sunrise above the sea of clouds at the Golden Summit. Everyone who has done it says the same thing — they can still picture it. If you have less time, see the 3-day Chengdu plan or the 4-day plan instead.

Before you book your hotel, browse the 10 best Chengdu hotels and decide between Chunxi Road, Tianfu Square or somewhere near Chengdu East Station — the location shapes how easily the day trips in this plan come together.

5 Days · 4 Nights Overnight on Mount Emei Leshan Buddha — 1 hr by HSR Budget ¥1,600–3,000/person
1
Day 1
Panda Base, Kuanzhai Alley and People's Park
A giant panda sitting and eating bamboo among green bamboo groves at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
🐼 Morning — go as early as you can
Begin at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (成都大熊猫繁育研究基地). The single most important tip: go early. Pandas are active and feeding between 08:00 and 09:00; by late morning most are asleep. The base opens at 07:30 (March–October), admission ¥55 (~฿275), and you must book online in advance with the name on your passport — there are no gate sales. Take Metro Line 3 to Panda Avenue Station (熊猫大道), exit A, then Shuttle 408 to the south gate. Inside you'll find adult pandas, red pandas and the nursery for the cubs. Allow at least 3 hours. Full details in our Chengdu Panda Base guide.
☀️ Afternoon
Head back into the city to Kuanzhai Alley (宽窄巷子) — three restored Qing-dynasty courtyard lanes now full of teahouses, snack stalls, cafés and souvenir shops. Free to enter; just wander. Sit down at one of the old teahouses, order jasmine tea, and watch the Chengdu ear-cleaning masters (採耳) at work — a genuinely local ritual. This is where Chengdu's famous slowness makes sense. More in our Kuanzhai Alley guide.
🌙 Evening
Walk on to People's Park (人民公园), a short distance away and the heart of Chengdu's teahouse culture. At the lakeside Heming Teahouse (鹤鸣茶社), locals sip tea, play mahjong and talk away whole afternoons — there is no better window into the city's character. For dinner, find a Sichuan restaurant nearby, or save your appetite for tomorrow's hotpot (see our Chengdu food guide).
Tip: Panda Base tickets open for booking about 7 days ahead and sell out fast on holidays — book the moment you know your date. If you can't book direct, a ticket with guide and transfer via Klook is a convenient alternative.
2
Day 2
Wuhou Shrine, Jinli, Tianfu Square, Wenshu Monastery and Hotpot
Jinli Ancient Street in Chengdu — red lanterns strung above wooden Sichuan-style houses at dusk
🌅 Morning
Start at Wuhou Shrine (武侯祠) — the memorial temple to Zhuge Liang and the heroes of the Three Kingdoms era. Admission ¥50 (~฿250); inside it's shaded with bamboo and old pavilions, essential for any Three Kingdoms fan. See our Wuhou Shrine guide. A side gate leads straight into Jinli Ancient Street (锦里) — a free, recreated Three-Kingdoms-style lane packed with Sichuan street food. Try minced-pork congee, mala fried chicken, and a bowl of icy bingfen (冰粉). Read on in the Jinli guide.
☀️ Afternoon
Take the metro to Tianfu Square (天府广场), the city's central plaza with its Mao statue and fountains. Around it sit the Sichuan Museum and the Science & Technology Museum, both free. Use Metro Lines 1/2 to Tianfu Square Station. More in the Tianfu Square guide. From there continue to Wenshu Monastery (文殊院) — a working Buddhist temple, calm and beautiful, with its own teahouse in the grounds. Free to enter.
🍲 Evening — the hotpot meal
Tonight has to be Sichuan hotpot (火锅) — Chengdu is the home of the mala pot, a red broth glistening with chillies and numbing Sichuan peppercorns. Dip beef, vegetables, tofu and offal; if you can't take the heat, order a "yuanyang" pot split between spicy and mild. Famous names include Shu Da Xia and Xiaolongkan, but tiny neighbourhood places are just as good. See our recommendations in the Chengdu hotpot guide.
Tip: If you're not used to chilli, tell the restaurant "wei la" (微辣, mildly spicy). Local soy milk or yoghurt soothes the burn far better than water — mala heat is oil-based, so plain water doesn't help much.
3
Day 3 — The Big One
Leshan Giant Buddha, then Up Mount Emei to Sleep for the Golden Summit Sunrise
The Leshan Giant Buddha — a 71-metre Buddha carved into a riverside cliff in Sichuan, China
🚄 Morning — Train to Leshan
Leave early from Chengdu East Station (成都东) on a high-speed train to Leshan (乐山) — about 50–70 minutes, with a 2nd-class ticket around ¥54–65 (~฿270–325) each way. At Leshan station, take a bus or DiDi to the Buddha scenic area. The Leshan Giant Buddha (乐山大佛) stands 71 metres tall, carved into the cliff over 1,200 years ago — the largest stone Buddha in the world. Admission ¥80 (~฿400). You can descend the cliffside staircase to stand at the Buddha's feet (long queues on holidays) or take a river boat (~¥70) that gives an equally clear full view. Read on in our Leshan Giant Buddha guide.
⛰️ Afternoon — Up Mount Emei
In the afternoon, take a train from Leshan on to Emeishan (峨眉山), another 20–30 minutes (the two stations are on the same line), or go by bus. From the Baoguo Temple Bus Centre (报国寺), buy the park entrance ticket — ¥185 (1 Apr–30 Nov; off-season ¥110; valid 2 days) — and board a park bus to Leidongping (雷洞坪): a ¥90 return fare, about 2 hours up the winding mountain road. From Leidongping it's a roughly 30-minute walk to the cable-car station, then the Golden Summit cable car (~¥65 one way) lifts you to the Golden Summit (金顶) at 3,077 metres, where the gilded Samantabhadra statue rises above the clouds below. Full details in our Mount Emei guide.
🌌 Night — Sleep on the Mountain
Tonight you sleep on the mountain so you can rise before dawn for the sunrise. If your budget allows, stay at the Golden Summit Hotel (~¥800–1,500/night · ~฿4,000–7,500), where you can walk straight from your room to the viewpoint. Budget travellers can use temple lodgings on the mountain (~¥50–160), though they involve more walking. It is bitterly cold at the summit even in summer — pack warm layers (coats can be rented up top). Always confirm rates before booking, as they shift with the season.
Tip: The sea of clouds and sunrise are clearest on bright spring and autumn mornings — but nature gives no guarantees, and some mornings the cloud sits too thick to see anything. It's a gamble. If you'd rather not stay overnight, 2-day, 1-night tours via Klook bundle Leshan and Emei together and handle the transport and tickets for you.
4
Day 4 — Your Choice
Down the Mountain to Chengdu, via Mount Qingcheng & Dujiangyan, or Sanxingdui
Mount Qingcheng, the sacred Taoist mountain near Chengdu — wooden pavilions among green forest and mist
🌅 Dawn — Sunrise, Then Descend
Wake before dawn and walk out to the Golden Summit viewpoint for sunrise above the sea of clouds — the moment that makes the overnight worth it. Once the sky brightens, make your way down by cable car and park bus to the foot of the mountain, then catch a train back towards Chengdu. On the way there are two options worth a stop — pick one; there's no need to force both.
🏞️ Option A — Mount Qingcheng & Dujiangyan
If you prefer nature and Taoist culture, stop at Mount Qingcheng (青城山) — a birthplace of Taoism, shaded with green forest and timber pavilions — paired with the Dujiangyan irrigation system (都江堰), a 2,000-year-old feat of engineering that still works today. Both are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Take a train from Chengdu West Station (成都西) to Qingchengshan, about 30 minutes, ¥10–27. Read on in our Mount Qingcheng & Dujiangyan guide.
🏺 Option B — Sanxingdui Museum
If you prefer archaeology, stop at the Sanxingdui Museum (三星堆博物馆) — a 3,000-year-old civilisation whose bulging-eyed bronze masks and sacred bronze trees have drawn worldwide fascination. Take a train from Chengdu East to Guanghan North (广汉北), about 20 minutes, ¥18, then a 15-minute taxi. You must book a timed entry ticket online in advance (real-name system, no gate sales). The new museum building opened in 2023 and the displays are superb.
Sleep in Chengdu tonight: You'll be back in the city by late afternoon or evening. Save your energy for a slow final day. See all six day trips around the city in our Chengdu day trips guide.
🚄
China High-Speed Rail
Book your own HSR tickets with the 12306 app — no agent needed
Full guide →
5
Day 5
A Slow Chengdu Day — Cafés, Teahouses, Markets and Last Shopping
Taikoo Li in Chengdu — a modern shopping district built around the ancient Daci Temple amid designer storefronts
☕ Morning — Slow Down Over Coffee
After two days in the mountains, let the final day be what Chengdu does best — slowness. Start at a café; the city's coffee scene is booming, with everything from old-building roasters to slick design spaces around Taikoo Li (太古里) and the city's smaller lanes. See our picks in the Chengdu café guide. Or, for the most authentically local atmosphere, return to a teahouse in People's Park or Wenshu Monastery for another round.
🛍️ Afternoon — Shopping and Souvenirs
In the afternoon, head to Chunxi Road (春熙路) and Taikoo Li (太古里) — Chengdu's biggest shopping district, with international brands, the IFS mall (home to the famous panda sculpture climbing the building) and the ancient Daci Temple (大慈寺) tucked among the modern blocks. Popular Chengdu souvenirs: mala chilli, ready-made hotpot seasoning, Sichuan tea and, of course, a panda plush.
✈️ Departure
Chengdu has two airports. Tianfu (TFU 天府机场) is the new one, about 50 km to the south-east; most international flights from Thailand use it, and Metro Line 18 runs straight into the city (~1 hour). Shuangliu (CTU 双流机场) is the older airport, about 16 km to the south-west, on Metro Line 10. Check which airport is on your ticket. Allow at least 3 hours before an international flight.
One last idea: If your flight is in the evening and you have a spare afternoon, catch a Sichuan Opera face-changing show (变脸) at one of the city's theatres — the split-second mask-swapping is unique to Sichuan. Book ahead through Klook.
Before You Go

Where to Stay and How to Get Around

🏨
Which Neighbourhood for This Plan
For this itinerary, staying around Chunxi Road / Taikoo Li or Tianfu Square in the centre makes the most sense — Days 1, 2 and 5 are all in the city, with easy metro access.

On Day 3 you'll head to Chengdu East Station (成都东) for the train to Leshan and Emei, so a hotel with a quick metro link to the station helps you leave early. You'll sleep on Mount Emei that night — leave your large bag at the city hotel and pack just an overnight bag.
Luxury: The Ritz-Carlton · St. Regis · Niccolo Chengdu Mid-range: Atour · Crystal Orange · Holiday Inn Express See the 10 best Chengdu hotels →
🚇
Chengdu Metro — Lines You'll Actually Use
Chengdu's metro is vast (15+ lines), clean and cheap at ¥2–8 per trip. Scan Alipay/WeChat or buy a 天府通 card at any station. The lines you'll use in this plan:

Line 3 — Panda Base (Panda Avenue Station + Shuttle 408)
Lines 1/2 — Tianfu Square, Chunxi Road
Line 18 — Tianfu Airport (TFU)
Line 10 — Shuangliu Airport (CTU)
Payment: Link Alipay/WeChat Pay to a foreign card before you go — scan to pay anywhere Navigation: Amap (高德地图) is far more accurate in Mainland China than Google Maps
Budget

What 5 Days in Chengdu Actually Costs

Figures below are per person per day, excluding flights and travel insurance. Accommodation uses mid-range hotels (¥350–700/night/room); the Day 3 night on Mount Emei costs more than usual. Two people sharing a room lowers the accommodation figure significantly. Confirm all prices before you travel, as they shift with the season.

Item Days 1–2
(City)		 Day 3
(Leshan + Emei)		 Day 4
(Descend + trip)		 Day 5
(Easy)
Accommodation (per person) ¥350–700
฿1,750–3,500		 ¥400–1,500
(on the mountain · ฿2,000–7,500)		 ¥350–700 ¥350–700
Admission ¥55–105
฿275–525		 ¥265–340
(Leshan + Emei + cable car)		 ¥0–90
฿0–450		 ¥0–50
฿0–250
Rail / Metro / Bus ¥15–30 ¥210–260
(HSR + park buses)		 ¥60–120 ¥10–50
Food ¥120–280
(includes hotpot)		 ¥120–250
(food costs more up the mountain)		 ¥100–200 ¥120–280
Total / person / day ¥540–1,115 ¥995–2,350 ¥510–1,110 ¥480–1,080
5-day total per person (estimate): ¥3,500–6,500 (~฿17,500–32,500) including accommodation, admissions, food and rail, excluding flights. Budget travellers (hostel + cheap eats + temple lodging on the mountain + free museums): ¥1,600–2,800 (~฿8,000–14,000). Luxury (5-star + Golden Summit Hotel): ¥7,500+ (~฿37,500+).

See a full itemised breakdown in our Chengdu trip budget guide, or browse hotels at every level at Top 10 Chengdu Hotels.

Plan Further

Read Before You Go

Chengdu Attractions
Panda Base · Kuanzhai Alley · Wuhou Shrine · Jinli · People's Park
Read →
Chengdu Day Trips
Leshan · Mount Emei · Qingcheng-Dujiangyan · Sanxingdui — 6 day trips
Read →
10 Best Chengdu Hotels
Pick your base — Chunxi Road · Tianfu Square · near Chengdu East, every budget
Read →
Mount Emei Guide
Up to the Golden Summit · cable cars · where to sleep · sunrise above the clouds
Read →
China High-Speed Rail Guide
How to buy 12306 tickets · G/D/C trains · using your passport at the gate
Read →
Eating Hotpot in Chengdu
The original mala pot · famous names · how to order if you can't take the heat
Read →
Less time? See the 3-Day Chengdu Itinerary or the 4-Day plan — the main highlights in a more compact, fast-moving form.
Frequently Asked Questions

Before Your 5-Day Chengdu Trip

Is 5 days enough for Chengdu, Leshan and Mount Emei?
Comfortably, yes. This 5-day plan visits the Leshan Giant Buddha on the morning of Day 3, then continues to Mount Emei for one overnight so you can wake for sunrise above the sea of clouds at the Golden Summit. You descend on the morning of Day 4. If you have less time, a 3-day plan or 4-day plan is the better fit.
How do I take the high-speed train from Chengdu to Leshan and Mount Emei?
Trains depart from Chengdu East Station (成都东) several times a day. Leshan (乐山) takes about 50–70 minutes, with a 2nd-class ticket around ¥54–65 (~฿270–325) each way. Mount Emei (峨眉山) is about 1–1.5 hours, around ¥65 (~฿325). Both stations sit on the same line, so you can stop at Leshan first and continue to Emeishan afterwards. Book through the 12306 app — your passport is required. More in the China high-speed rail guide.
Where should I sleep on Mount Emei, and how much does it cost?
To walk straight out for sunrise, stay near the top at the Golden Summit Hotel, roughly ¥800–1,500/night (~฿4,000–7,500). Budget travellers can use simple temple lodgings on the mountain (such as Prince Terrace / Taizi Ping) for about ¥50–160/night, though they involve more walking. A cheaper alternative is to sleep at the foot of the mountain near Baoguo Temple, but then you must start before dawn by park bus and cable car to reach the summit by sunrise. It's cold at the top even in summer — bring warm layers and always check the latest rates before booking.
On Day 4, should I visit Mount Qingcheng and Dujiangyan, or Sanxingdui?
It depends on whether you prefer scenery or history. Mount Qingcheng (青城山) plus the Dujiangyan irrigation system (都江堰) suits travellers who like green Taoist mountains and ancient engineering — a 30-minute train from Chengdu West Station (成都西), ¥10–27. The Sanxingdui Museum (三星堆) suits archaeology fans, with its 3,000-year-old bronze masks — take a train from Chengdu East to Guanghan North (广汉北), about 20 minutes, ¥18, then a taxi. Sanxingdui requires booking a timed entry ticket online in advance. Pick one; both sit in a different direction from Mount Emei.
When is the best time of year to visit Chengdu?
March–June and September–November offer the most comfortable weather — cool and good for walking. July–August is hot and humid; winters are grey and damp (locals joke that the dogs bark at the sun because they so rarely see it). For the clearest sea of clouds on Mount Emei, aim for spring or autumn. Avoid Golden Week (October 1–7) and Spring Festival, when crowds peak.
Do I need a VPN in Chengdu?
If you rely on Google Maps, Instagram or Facebook, download and test a VPN before leaving home — you cannot install one inside Mainland China. For maps and finding restaurants in Chengdu, Amap (高德地图) is more accurate and works without a VPN. For payments, Alipay and WeChat Pay now accept foreign cards.
Klook · Chengdu Activities

Panda Base tickets, Leshan & Emei tours, and the Sichuan opera face-changing show — all on Klook

Klook has tickets for most of this itinerary — Panda Base entry with transfers, 1- and 2-day tours to Leshan and Mount Emei with a guide who handles the transport and tickets, plus Sichuan opera face-changing shows.

Browse Chengdu on Klook →
Wherebest is a Klook affiliate partner — we may earn a commission when you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.