3 Days Chengdu Travel Itinerary: Plan a 3-day trip to get up close with the giant pandas...

How would you plan a 3-day trip to Chengdu? We offer both a 3-day itinerary within the city and a 3-day itinerary that includes Chengdu's surrounding areas. Besides city attractions like the Giant Panda Base, we also include trips to Leshan and Emei Mountain, Dujiangyan and Qingcheng Mountain, and the Sanxingdui and Jinsha museums. Our itineraries not only cover the usual tourist spots but also include local cultural experiences such as cooking Sichuan cuisine, watching Sichuan opera with face-changing, experiencing local life in tea houses, and volunteering with giant pandas.

If you have your own plans and ideas, we can customize a 3-day Chengdu itinerary based on your requirements.

3 Days Chengdu Itinerary for Family with Kids

Giant Pandas, Chengdu

Day 1: Chengdu Arrival

Arrive in Chengdu, bet met and transferred to your hotel. If time permits, visit Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, explore the panda enclosures and learn about panda conservation. Enjoy a dinner at a local restaurant, sampling famous Sichuan cuisine.

Day 2: Chengdu

Wander through the traditional-style streets of Jinli Street, shop for souvenirs, and taste local snacks. Continue to visit Wuhou Shrine, learn about the history of the Three Kingdoms period. Drive to People's Park, enjoy the park’s teahouses, boating on the lake, and children's playground. And then visit the Sichuan Science and Technology Museum lately. Engage with interactive exhibits suitable for children. Watch a Sichuan Opera performance featuring the famous face-changing act, which is sure to captivate the kids.

Day 3: Chengdu Departure

Drive to Qingcheng Mountain, take a cable car ride to the top for scenic views and an easy hike suitable for children. Then continue to visit the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, learn this ancient water management system and its significance.

3 Days Chengdu Itinerary for Seniors with a Slow Pace

Hotpot, Chengdu

Day 1: Chengdu Arrival

Be met and transferred to your hotel when arriving at Chengdu. If time permits, start your day with a leisurely visit to the Wuhou Shrine, a historic site dedicated to Zhuge Liang, a famous military strategist. Explore Jinli Ancient Street: Enjoy a relaxed stroll through Jinli Ancient Street, where you can admire traditional architecture, shop for souvenirs, and savor local snacks. Enjoy a comfortable dinner at a nearby restaurant, sampling Chengdu's renowned Sichuan cuisine, but at a pace suited for leisurely dining.

Day 2: Chengdu, Nature and Relaxation

Drive to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, spend a peaceful morning observing pandas in a serene, natural setting. Benches and shaded areas are available for resting. Relax in People's Park: Head to People's Park to enjoy its tranquil environment. Participate in tea tasting at one of the park’s famous teahouses and, if interested, watch or join locals practicing Tai Chi. Enjoy a traditional Sichuan opera performance, including the famous face-changing act, at a local theater.

Day 3: Spiritual and Culinary Delights before Departure

Spend the morning at Wenshu Monastery, Chengdu's best-preserved Buddhist temple, where you can walk through the peaceful gardens and visit the teahouse for a moment of quiet reflection. Explore these historic alleys of Wide and Narrow Alleys, where you can see traditional courtyard houses, enjoy small museums, and find places to rest and take in the atmosphere.

3 Day Chengdu Itinerary for Young Travelers

Panda Volunteer, Chengdu

Day 1: Chengdu Arrival

Arrive at Chengdu, be met and transferred to your hotel. If time permits, visit Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breedin, observe pandas and learn about conservation efforts. And then continue to visit Wuhou Shrine and Jinli Ancient Street in afternoon. Explore historic sites and enjoy local snacks and shopping. Enjoy Sichuan hotpot at a popular local restaurant. Explore street in evening.

Day 2: Chengdu, Cultural Immersions and Outdoor Adventures

Drive to Dujiangyan Irrigation System, explore this ancient engineering marvel and the surrounding scenic area. Continue to visit Mount Qingcheng, hike through this beautiful Taoist Mountain, taking in temples and natural scenery. Attend a Sichuan Opera performance, complete with face-changing and fire-spitting acts.

Day 3: Chengdu, Modern Chengdu and Relaxation

Today you will visit People’s Park, experience local life, join in tai chi sessions, sip tea at a traditional teahouse. After lunch, you will visit Sichuan Museum, discover the rich history and culture of Sichuan Province. Relax and unwind at Taikoo Li, an upscale shopping and dining district, and enjoy a farewell dinner at a trendy restaurant.

3 Days Chengdu Cultural Immersion Itinerary

Panda Volunteer, Chengdu

Day 1: Cultural Heritage

Visit Wuhou Shrine, dedicated to the famous Three Kingdoms period. Walk through Jinli Ancient Street, experiencing traditional architecture and local crafts. Explore the Sichuan Opera Museum and learn about the rich history of Sichuan Opera. Participate in a traditional Sichuan cooking class, learning to make classic dishes like Kung Pao Chicken and Mapo Tofu. Enjoy a Sichuan Opera performance with face-changing and fire-spitting acts. Dinner at a local restaurant to savor more Sichuan cuisine.

Day 2: Panda Volunteering and Local Culture

Engage in a half-day volunteer program, including feeding pandas, cleaning enclosures, and learning about panda conservation. Have lunch at the panda base cafeteria. Visit the Sanxingdui Museum to explore ancient Shu civilization artifacts. Stroll through Kuanzhai Alley, Chengdu's wide and narrow alleys, to enjoy local snacks and souvenirs. Dinner at a traditional hotpot restaurant.

Day 3: Tea Culture and Relaxation

Visit the People's Park and experience a traditional tea house, sipping tea while watching locals practice Tai Chi and play Mahjong. Try your hand at making Chinese tea in a tea culture workshop. Explore Du Fu Thatched Cottage, the former residence of the famous Tang dynasty poet Du Fu. Relax with a leisurely walk through the Chengdu Botanical Garden. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a renowned Sichuan restaurant, savoring the flavors of Chengdu one last time.

3 Days Chengdu Itinerary with Sanxingdui Ruins and Leshan Giant Buddha

Big Buddha, Leshan

Day 1: Chengdu

Visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to see the pandas. Stroll through People’s Park and enjoy a traditional tea house experience. Explore Jinli Ancient Street for dinner and shopping.

Day 2: Sanxingdui Ruins

Travel to the Sanxingdui Museum (approximately 1.5 hours from Chengdu). Explore the Sanxingdui Ruins and Museum, discovering ancient Shu civilization artifacts. Return to Chengdu and visit the Wuhou Shrine and Jinsha Site Museum. Enjoy Sichuan hot pot for dinner at a local restaurant. Sichuan opera performance in evening.

Day 3: Leshan Giant Buddha

Take a fast train to Leshan from Chengdu, visit the Leshan Giant Buddha, taking a boat ride to see the statue from the river. Explore the nearby Oriental Buddha Park and Lingyun Temple. Take a train back to Chengdu for your departure.

3 Days Chengdu Itinerary with Leshan Big Buddha and Emei Mountain

Emei Mountain

Day 1: Chengdu

Drive to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Enjoy watching pandas in their natural habitats and learn about conservation efforts in morning. Head to Wuhou Shrine to explore the history and culture of the Three Kingdoms period. Stroll through Jinli Ancient Street for a taste of traditional snacks and souvenirs. Enjoy a Sichuan hotpot dinner. Watch a Sichuan opera performance featuring the famous face-changing act.

Day 2: Leshan Big Buddha

Take fast train to Leshan, visit the Leshan Giant Buddha, the largest stone Buddha in the world. Take a boat tour for a panoramic view of the Buddha from the river. Explore the surrounding scenic area, including Lingyun Temple and Wuyou Temple. Have lunch at a local restaurant to sample Sichuan cuisine. Drive about 1 hour to Emei Mountain, check into a hotel at the base of the mountain, take a rest.

Day 3: Emei Mountain

Start early to explore Emei Mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take a cable car to the Golden Summit for stunning views and to visit Huazang Temple. Hike or take a cable car to Wannian Temple, one of the oldest temples on Emei Mountain. Enjoy the lush landscapes, ancient trees, and serene atmosphere. Drive to the train station and take a fast train back to Chengdu.

Customize Your Unique Chengdu Tour

Alternatively, if you would like to customize your Chengdu tour, please visit our Chengdu Tour Customized Center. We assure you that you will receive a reply within 24 working hours.

Informative Articles for Your Chengdu Trip

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• Chengdu Travel Guide: attractions, weather, food, culture, tours, etc.
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• Travel itinerary: various itineraries for your reference
• Weather: the best time and seasons to visit Chengdu
• Attraction: well-selected top attractions
• Activities: Chengdu cultural immersions
• Where to Visit: top places to visit in Chengdu
• Unique Perspective: top things to do in Chengdu
• Food and Restaurants: what and where to eat while traveling in Chengdu
• Accommodation: handpicked hotels for you
• Chengdu Tours: tailor-made Tours for your reference