Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou Valley 5 days 4 nights tour

TOUR ITINERARY Tour code: GWAC-CD-04 Day Activities Hotel DAY 01 Arrive in Chengdu-Maoxian (L, D) You will either fly or take the train into Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province in southwest China. Upon arrival you’ll be met by your English-speaking travel guide. After your arrival we will get started on your sightseeing with a visit to the Wuhou Temple. Located in the southern suburbs, it is the most famous and influential of the temples dedicated to Zhuge Liang who lived from 181 until 234 AD. He is one of China’s famous historic figures, and he was a renowned minister and military strategist for Emperor Liu Bei (161-223) of the Shu Kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period in China. The temple is also dedicated to Emperor Liu Bei. It was built during the Qing dynasty in 1672. Because Zhuge Liang was granted the title of “Wuxiang Hou” (Marquis Wuxiang) in his lifetime, this temple is known as the Wuhou Memorial Temple. The temple is one of Chengdu’s major attractions and contains numerous statues to Emperor Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang and other officials of the Shu Kingdom, and there are ancient inscriptions and tablets that are famous in China. You’ll next learn more about Chengdu’s history at Dufu’s Thatched Cottage, a museum and memorial for Dufu (712-770 AD). He is one of China’s most famous poets, and he lived during the Tang Dynasty. The memorial is located in a 24 acre (97,000 square meter) park by the side of a stream called the Huanhua in Chengdu’s western suburb. Dufu resided in a thatched cottage at the site where he took refuge in Chengdu during a war. The memorial originated as a temple dedicated to Dufu that was built about a thousand years ago during the Song Dynasty. The park contains a recreation of his cottage, what is suspected to be the remains of the original cottage, and ancient temples and structures. A large beautiful garden surrounds the structures. After the cottage we will make the 250km drive to Maoxian, which is on the way to Jiuzhaigou. We will spend the night at a hotel in the city. 3 or 4 star for Standard; 5 star for deluxe DAY 02 Maoxian-Jiuzhaigou (B, L, D) Following breakfast we will complete our drive to Jiuzhaigou. This park contains scenery that takes your breath away, scenery that begins with dramatic snow-capped mountains, forested canyons, rivers, and lakes perched high on mountaintops. Jiuzhaiguo means ‘Valley of the Nine Villages’, and the nine villages remain spread around the valley within the Park, home to about 110 Tibetan and Qiang families. Agriculture is not permitted so the locals mostly work either for the Park itself, or with the nearby hotels. The Park covers a little over 700 sq km and there’s a further buffer zone of just under 600 sq km. It lies on the northern border of Sichuan Province, and is part of the magnificent Min Shan mountains on the edge of the Tibetan plateau. Jiuzhai Valley first became a Park in 1978, although it would be 14 years before it earned World Heritage listing, during which time work was aimed mainly at restoration and halting logging activities. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, and in 1997 awarded the status of UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve, and has since received many other, well-deserved listings. Once we arrive at the park we will take the rest of day to leisurely stroll around while enjoying the majestic and beautiful scenery. 3 or 4 star for Standard; 5 star for deluxe DAY 03 Jiuzhaigou (B, L, D) Today we will take the day to admire the mineral ponds and lush forests that abound in Jiuzhaigou. Some of the highlights will include a trip through Shuzheng Valley. Shuzheng valley is the major tour route to Jiuzhaigou. More than 40% of the lakes and ponds are situated in the valley. Double-Dragon Lake, Bonsai Beach, Reed Lake, Sparking Lake, Tiger Lake, Shuzheng Waterfall, Rhinoceros Lake, and the Nuorilang Waterfall are all contained in the valley. 3 or 4 star for Standard; 5 star for deluxe DAY 04 Jiuzhaigou-Huanglong (B, L, D) Following breakfast we’ll make the 128km drive to Huanglong (Yellow Dragon) scenic area. Located on the easternmost of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. it belongs to Songpan county, Aba Tibetan and Qiang autonomous prefecture, Sichuan province. The Huanglong scenic and historic area is famous for its colorful lakes, snow clad mountains, valleys and virgin forest. Huanglong is regarded as the "world wonder and fairly land on earth." Huanglong got its name for its special geographical features, which seems like a golden dragon winding its way through the virgin forest, stone mountains and glaciers. There are numerous ponds and lakes with different shapes and colors. Every lake is a beautiful picture and each pond can be an imagined image. Another special scenic in Huanglong is its calcium carbonate (travertine) formation in every corner of the park. You will find every lake, pond, spring, waterfall was held by the travertine. The water is so crystal clear that you can see the bottom of the pond and lake by your naked eyes. With the colorful plants around them, every pond and lake is a beautiful picture that can not be describe by words. Walking in the valley, you will feel like your dreaming with all the wonderful scenery before you. Famous ponds include the Yingbin (welcoming guests) Colored Ponds, Feipuliuhui (glowing waterfall), Xishen (washing body) Cave, Penjing (miniascape) Ponds, Huanglong (Yellow Dragon) Temple, Huanglong (Yellow Dragon) Cave, Shitazhenhai and Zhuanhua (whirling flower) Pond, etc. After our time in Huanglong we will proceed to the Dujiangyan Irrigation Ditch, which is one of the marvels of Chinese science. Over 2,200 years ago, the city was threatened by the frequent floods caused by flooding of the Minjiang River (a tributary of the Yangtze River ). Li Bing, a local official of Sichuan Province at that time, together with his son, decided to construct an irrigation system on the Minjiang River to prevent flooding. After a lengthy study and a lot of hard work by the local people, the great Dujiangyan Irrigation Project was completed. Since then, the Chengdu Plain has been free of flooding and the people have been living peacefully and affluently. Now, the project is honored as the 'Treasure of Sichuan', which still plays a crucial role in draining off floodwater, irrigating farms and providing water resources for more than 50 cities in the province. Dujiangyan is the oldest and only surviving no-dam irrigation system in the world; and a wonder in the development of Chinese science. The project consists of three important parts, namely Yuzui, Feishayan and Baopingkou scientifically designed to automatically control the water flow of the rivers from the mountains to the plains throughout the year. From there we will drive back to Chengdu and be taken to your hotel, where you can spend the night at your own leisure. 3 or 4 star for Standard; 5 star for deluxe DAY 05 Chengdu-depart (B) After breakfast in the hotel, you will be taken to either the airport or the train station, and you will depart for your next destination.

Tour Inclusions：

1. Hotels with daily western breakfasts;
2. Meals in accordance with that listed on the itinerary.
3. professional local guide & driver;
4. Private air-conditioned car or van for transportation;
5. Admission of the first gate.
6. Two bottles of mineral water per day.

Tour  Exclusions：

1. Tip of the guide
2. Personal costs