Mountain Qingcheng

Travel into Chengdu deeply, you will encounter the spicy Sichuan cuisine, taste a cup of green tea, Play Mayong with the locals and visit China’s adorable “Black and White “ Pandas. All these elements present the unique laid-back life style in Sichuan. And this is why people call Sichuan the Land of Milk and Honey since 2000 years ago.

On this journey, we will not only interact with the locals in city of downtown, but move to west, walk up to its holy Buddhism mountain—Mt Eemei, to learn about the history of Buddhism in Sichuan; Another holy Daoism Qingcheng Mountain also is on our travel list. It is said that the philosophy of Daoism has deeply shaped people’s life style here.
A country biking activity will let us touch the spirit of the local’s relaxed life here.

Come to join us, this will be your adventure of life time to explore the secret of Land of Abundance

Day 1 - Arrive in Chengdu:   

On arrival be transferred to your hotel, a leisure walk in Jingli Walking Street this afternoon, and you will watch traditional Sichuanese opera show this evening.

Day 2 - Chengdu:   
This morning we will have a city tour to learn about the Daoism philosophy in Qingyang Daoist Temple, after that we move to People’s Park and join the locals’ laid-back life style, we will have a chance to play Mahjong and sip a cup of green tea at an traditional teahouse

Afternoon we drive to visit the seasonal flowers at Sansheng Village, we will conduct a short walk in the wetland park and have a glimpse of Landing Art District.
A Sichuananese dinner will be arranged in the village.

Day 3—Leshan Giant Buddha to Mt. Emei
En- route to Mt.Emei we stop to visit Leshan Giant Buddha, which is the largest single cliff Buddha Statue in China. Firstly we will walk up to the top of the hill to closely observe the Buddha Statue, and then we still have a chance to take the boat to take photos of it on the river

After our tour in Leshan Giant Buddha, we move to the bottom of Mt.Emei, if time permitted, we will visit Baoguo Temple

Day 4 – Mt.Emei Secret Walking Trail:   
Today we will have a secret walking tour since this trail is only popular among the hikers.

We drive through countryside and mountainside villages to hike starting point; We will follow our local guide to hike Emei Mountain local trails to Ten Thousand Buddha Summit, which is about 4---6 hours hike, and enjoy sunset from the peak.

Overnight in the summit

Day 5 – Mt.Emei to Mt.Qingcheng:  

Early in the morning we wait for the sunrise and clouds ocean, after taking some nice photos of nature, we take the shuttle bus to Wannian Temple, and we will follow the well paved stone steps up to Qingyingge, where will have a chance to see the famous aborigines---Emei Monkeys.

After that we descend to the bottom of Mt. Emei, take the car to Mt. Qingcheng

Day 6-Mt.Qingcheng
This morning we enjoy the fresh air in the virgin forest by walking up to Mt.Qingcheng, and also a Qingcheng Gongfu class will be arranged somewhere in the mountain.

Afternoon we move to the panda base nearby, to watch the loveable black and white Great Pandas

Day 7 – Mt Qingcheng to Chengdu:   
En-route back to Chengdu we stop at Sichuan Cuisine Museum for private cooking lesson; and we also have a chance to explore those local villages by cycle, where are nearby the river. We will cycle on the green way along the river, crossing the orchard and farmlands to feel the country life in Sichuan

Late afternoon we go back to Chengdu, a fare well dinner is arranged in a local restaurant.

Day 8 – Depart:
Fly out, the end of trip

Chongzhou County, 40km east to Chengdu, is the heart of west Sichuan basin. It’s been granted the nickname ‘Chengdu’s Chengdu’ since ancient times due to its rich soil, and typical plain views. Our featured starting point is Chongqing Road, titled the most beautiful country road in Sichuan. It was newly built after the earthquake in 2008 to connect Chongzhou to Dujiangyan city via Mt. Qingcheng. This one-day biking tour will let us explore the typical western Sichuan country life, enjoy the landscapes of both mountain and plain, and discover the secrets of the land of abundance.

With only one hour’s drive from downtown Chengdu, we will get to a tiny village in Chongzhou, where we start our biking tour. A short stop in the village offers us enough time to have a quick look at the locals’ life. An exclusive cycle track paved there secures our cycling to be safe and comfortable. Then we go onto the mountain roads, where villages scatter all along. As we bike on, views coming in sight are green-shaded mountain ranges on the one side, and crop fields on the other. Road conditions are good. After two slopes, we cycle out the mountain area, getting to the flat roads. Local villagers will get surprised and curious when we ride by, since not many foreigners know this route – the hidden beauty.

On our way to Mt. Qingcheng, we will stop in an old town, which is quite popular among local tourists. After sipping a cup of tea, we keep going in the direction of Mt Qingcheng. But instead of the mountain itself, we will head towards our lunch place, a local tea farm. If the time is right, we may see and learn from the locals to pick and make the tea.

The tour after lunch will again be on mountain roads, heading to Dujiangyan city. This is another highlight as more mountain views coming into sight. To protect its beautiful natural environment, the local authority has built a panda valley to preserve the wild flora and fauna. For another hour’s ride, we will reach our destination - Dujiangyan city.

Driving Distance:  1.5 hours one way
Biking Distance: 50km/4-5 hours

Chongqing Road (Cycle from Chongzhou to Mt. Qingcheng 35km/2.5 - 3 hours biking)
It’s been titled the most beautiful country road in Sichuan once it was finished after the earthquake in 2008. It connects Chongzhou and Dujiangyan through mountain areas. All the way along our ride, you are accompanied by great scnery: farmers working in paddy fields, cattles and fowls snoozing by trees or swimming in ponds, or hill slopes covered with  orchards. Every weekend, people living nearby would come for fun rides or drives.

Cycle track from Mt. Qingcheng to Dujiangyan (15km/1.5 hours biking)
This track used to be the local country road connecting Dujiangyan and Mt. Qingcheng, rugged and bumpy. After the earthquake in 2008, the local government rebuilt it to be a safe and comfortable access, with an exclusive cycle track. The good road condition and beautiful scenery along the way make it so popular among the locals that every afternoon they would invite neighbors for a walk or ride. More interestingly, on the way there is a panda valley where about 15 pandas are raised. It is said to be open in 2015.

Tea Farm in Mt. Qingcheng
Green tea from Mt. Qingcheng used to be supplied to imperial families, and has been famous since Tang Dynasty. The tea farm is about 5 km away from the mountain on a foothill, with a tea factory nearby. Visitors can not only look around the farm, but also see for themselves the processes of tea making. An annual Tea-Picking Festival is held there every April.