Vibrance of Chengdu & Chongqing

Day 01 (Sat, 08 May’27)
Singapore – Chengdu
(-/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: The Ritz-Carlton Chengdu or similar 

Touching down in Chengdu, the laid-back capital of Sichuan, head to the beloved People’s Park, the green heart of the city, where locals gather to play mahjong, dance, and savour life at an unhurried pace. Settle into one of the park’s traditional teahouses for a classic Chengdu experience, a pot of fragrant tea, a comfortable chair, and watching the world go by, a ritual the city has been perfected over centuries. 

Then spend the afternoon free to indulge in another of Chengdu’s passions: shopping. Stroll through Chunxi Road, the city’s most vibrant retail and lifestyle district, a stylish blend of international luxury brands, local boutiques, and street-level energy that showcases the modern face of this ancient city.

Day 02 (Sun, 09 May’27)
Chengdu
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: The Ritz-Carlton Chengdu or similar 

The morning is reserved for one of China’s most iconic and heartwarming wildlife encounters at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, home to over 120 giant pandas and 76 red pandas, the largest captive panda population in the world. Spend some time watching the adorable pandas munching on bamboo, tumbling about their enclosures, and going about their endearingly unhurried lives. 

Afterwards, head to Dongjiao Memory, a fascinating creative district built on the preserved site of the former Hongguang Electronics Factory, one of the keystones of Chengdu’s mid-20th century industrial history. Today, the old chimneys and faded factory buildings have been thoughtfully reimagined into a sprawling cultural park of art spaces, music venues, galleries, and independent cafés, where the city’s industrial past and its creative present coexist in a distinctly compelling way. 

The evening brings an immersive cultural banquet at Shu Yan Fu. One of Chengdu’s most celebrated dining experiences, this panoramic dinner show recreates the grandeur of ancient Chinese court banquets spanning the Han, Tang, and Song dynasties. Seated in a magnificent banquet hall, each course of curated Sichuan specialties is paired with live performances of traditional music, elegant dance, and dramatic light and shadow artistry, with costumed staff completing the atmosphere of imperial splendour. 

Day 03 (Mon, 10 May’27)
Chengdu – Leshan – Chengdu
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: The Ritz-Carlton Chengdu or similar 

Take a day trip to Leshan to see one of the most awe-inspiring sights in all of China. Carved into a sandstone cliff at the confluence of three rivers during the Tang Dynasty, the Leshan Giant Buddha stands an astonishing 71m tall, making it the largest stone Buddha statue in the world. Approach by river cruise for the full dramatic effect, as the sheer scale of the figure, from its 28m shoulders to its 8.5m fingers, reveals itself slowly as you draw near. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this remarkable feat of human devotion and engineering took over 90 years to complete, and remains as commanding today as it was over a thousand years ago. 

Day 04 (Tue, 11 May’27)
Chengdu
(Breakfast/Lunch/-)
Hotel: The Ritz-Carlton Chengdu or similar 

Spend the day on a tour of the city, beginning at the atmospheric Kuanzhai Alley, a beautifully restored complex of Qing Dynasty courtyard residences and heritage buildings now home to teahouses, boutiques, and local eateries. One of Chengdu’s most beloved historic districts, its wide and narrow lanes offer a graceful window into the city’s aristocratic past. 

From there, wander the lively Jinli Old Street, a traditional pedestrian street of Qing and Ming Dynasty architecture lined with handicraft shops, local snack vendors, and the gentle aroma of Sichuan spices, an evocative and delicious stroll through old Chengdu. 

Then, be treated to one of Sichuan’s most dazzling performing arts, the ancient art of face changing, or bian lian. Performed by highly skilled Sichuan opera artists, the technique involves changing elaborately painted masks in the blink of an eye with breathtaking speed and precision, a closely guarded secret of the tradition that has been passed down for generations. 

Day 05 (Wed, 12 May’27)
Chengdu – Chongqing
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Regent Chongqing or similar 

Taking a high-speed train to Chongqing this morning, begin your exploration with one of the city’s iconic sights at the fascinating Liziba Station, where the monorail famously passes straight through a residential building. A must-see photo spot, it is a testament to the city’s seamless fusion of infrastructure and imagination.  

Continue to Kuixing Tower, an architectural wonder built into the mountainside in a way that captures Chongqing’s extraordinary layered topography in a single image – what appears to be the ground floor entrance is in fact the 22nd storey, with a sheer drop to the streets far below. 

As evening falls, set off on a memorable Two Rivers Night Cruise along the Yangtze and Jialing rivers. Glide past the illuminated city, where skyscrapers, bridges, and riverside districts come alive in dazzling colour. See the contrasts of old and new as ancient buildings nestle among modern high-rises, and marvel at landmarks glowing like a dream against the dark waters. 

Day 06 (Thu, 13 May’27)
Chongqing
(Breakfast/Lunch/-)
Hotel: Regent Chongqing or similar 

Take to the skies this morning with a ride on the Yangtze River Cableway, one of the few remaining urban aerial cable cars in the world. Glide across the river with panoramic views of Chongqing’s dramatic skyline, bridges, and bustling waterfront for a thrilling way to appreciate the city’s unique topography and urban density. 

In the afternoon, step back in time at Ciqikou Ancient Town, once a prosperous porcelain hub during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Wander through cobbled lanes lined with temples, tea houses, and varied stores, and sample the region’s bold culinary heritage through the many famed snacks found here. 

Continue on to the Jiefangbei Central Business District, the commercial heart of Chongqing and one of China’s largest Pedestrian Streets. Centred around the People’s Liberation Monument, the vibrant district is a hub for shopping, dining, and entertainment. While here, delve into Hongya Dong, a riverside complex of stilted buildings built in traditional Bayu style. Perched dramatically over the Jialing River, this multi-level maze offers artisan shops, a wealth of gourmet offerings, and spectacular river views, particularly magical as the city lights up after dark. 

Day 07 (Fri, 14 May’27)
Chongqing – Wulong – Chongqing
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Regent Chongqing or similar 

Today’s day trip ventures to Wulong, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of extraordinary natural beauty in the mountains of southeastern Chongqing. Visit the Fairy Mountain National Forest Park, a vast highland forest reserve of sweeping meadows, ancient beech forests, and dramatic karst landscapes perched at over 1,900m above sea level. The mountain is lush with fresh summer greenery, and the air is noticeably cooler and cleaner than the city below. Take the scenic sightseeing train through the heart of the park and be treated to spectacular vistas along the way. 

Day 08 (Sat, 15 May’27)
Chongqing – Singapore
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) 

Begin the day at the serene Eling Park, perched on one of the city’s highest ridges, where panoramic views take in the entire Yuzhong Peninsula embraced on both sides by the Yangtze and Jialing rivers. From these heights, the full drama of Chongqing’s geography unfolds in a single, sweeping glance. 

Then descend to the charming Xiahaoli Old Street, a historic riverside neighbourhood of old stone staircases, heritage buildings, and creative studios that have given this once-humble lane a new artistic energy while retaining its old Chongqing soul. 

The day’s final stop is the Cloud Eye Observatory, perched on the 67th floor of the United International Building at 520m above the city. With a full 360-degree panorama taking in the two rivers, the mountain ridgelines, and the extraordinary density of Chongqing’s layered skyline, it is a breathtaking final view of the city before transferring to the airport for your flight home.