Days 1-3
Panda Conservation and Sichuan Cuisine Aesthetics
Upon arrival, check into a boutique hotel blending Sichuanese elegance with modern comfort. As twilight blankets the city, stroll to a riverside teahouse perched along the Jin River, where the aroma of jasmine tea mingles with the lively chatter of locals. Settle into bamboo chairs as master performers unveil the mesmerizing art of Bian Lian (face-changing), their painted masks shifting in a blink amid thunderous applause. Sip fragrant chrysanthemum tea between acts, soaking in the vibrant pulse of Chengdu’s nocturnal charm.
Spend a full day immersed in panda conservation, stepping into restricted-access zones of a research base to assist keepers with feeding, cleaning enclosures, and monitoring behavior alongside wildlife experts. After donning gloves to prepare bamboo and panda cakes, document intimate moments of cubs playing. As dusk falls, transition to a hidden culinary studio where a Sichuan cuisine master guides you through crafting fiery mapo tofu and hand-pulled noodles, sharing secrets of peppercorn balance amid laughter and sizzling woks.
Begin the morning at the Jinsha Site Museum, tracing ancient Shu civilization through golden sunbird relics and jade artifacts, followed by a hands-on workshop crafting miniature gold ornaments under artisan guidance. As afternoon light filters through Du Fu Thatched Cottage's centuries-old ginkgo trees, join a classical poetry gathering where scholars recite Tang Dynasty verses. Sip fragrant bamboo-leaf tea while composing your own quatrains, inspired by the tranquil pond and stone inscriptions echoing the legacy of China’s beloved “Poet Sage.”
Days 4-5
Golden Summit Buddha Light and Meditation Meditation
At dawn, a private car ascends mist-clad mountains to witness the sun pierce through ethereal cloud seas, with the golden spire of Huazang Temple glowing as monks chant sacred sutras in a harmonious morning prayer. By afternoon, retreat to a thousand-year-old Zen monastery nestled in bamboo groves, where a tea master demonstrates the graceful art of Cha Dao (tea ceremony) using aged Pu'er, while a fragrance artisan guides you through crafting incense blends from sandalwood and herbs, blending spiritual serenity with sensory artistry.
Embark on a guided trek through Emei Mountain’s secluded backcountry, where a seasoned naturalist unveils hidden trails teeming with rare gibbons, elusive takins, and ancient ferns clinging to moss-covered cliffs. Trace the melodies of songbirds while learning to identify medicinal herbs used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. As dusk settles, retreat to a private hot spring villa nestled in bamboo forests, where geothermal waters infused with local minerals soothe muscles amidst the whispering pines, blending wilderness adventure with rejuvenating tranquility.
Days 6-7
The Wonders of the Giant Buddha and the Night of the Ancient Town
Climb aboard a private yacht at dawn, gliding along the confluence of rivers to witness Leshan Giant Buddha’s serene visage from a unique aquatic vantage, as sunlight gilds the cliffs. Savor a vegetarian banquet of lotus-root dumplings and bamboo fungus creations crafted by a Michelin-inspired chef. By afternoon, wander into Luocheng Ancient Town’s crescent-shaped main street, where a private troupe performs Sichuan Opera under a weathered stage, their Bian Lian (face-changing) masks flickering like shadows amidst the clatter of tea cups and applause.
Spend the morning under the guidance of a master bamboo weaver, transforming slender strips into intricate baskets or delicate panda-shaped keepsakes, each stitch echoing centuries of craftsmanship. As sunset gilds the Min River, gather for a farewell banquet along the water’s edge, where dishes of spicy Sichuan rabbit and lotus-root soup are paired with local rice wine. Between courses, a traditional ensemble plays erhu and pipa melodies, their strings weaving a poetic farewell beneath the glow of paper lanterns swaying in the river breeze.
After enjoying a special breakfast, a private car will take you to the airport to end the journey with beautiful memories.
