April in Southwest China brings misty mountains and blooming rhododendrons – the perfect backdrop for my 7-day adventure through Sichuan and Chongqing. Having dreamt of experiencing the legendary Sichuan peppercorn numbness and Chongqing’s vertical cityscape, I finally embarked on this journey that seamlessly blended ancient heritage with modern vibrancy. Total cost? Around $500 including accommodation, transport, and food – an absolute steal for the experiences packed in!
Day 1: Chongqing – Where Mountains Meet Skyscrapers
Arrived at Jiangbei International around noon. First shock? The taxi ride to my hotel near Jiefangbei felt like a rollercoaster through a cyberpunk movie! After dropping luggage, I headed straight to Eling Second Factory – an artsy complex in a converted printing plant. Graffiti-covered walls, indie coffee shops, and vintage photo studios created such a creative vibe. The rooftop offered panoramic city views that stole my breath.
Evening brought me to Hongyadong – Chongqing’s iconic stilted village glowing like a layered golden cake against the night sky. Navigating its 11 floors connected by hidden staircases felt like exploring a real-life Minecraft world! Pro tip: The best photos come from across the river near Grand Theatre. Finished with numbingly delicious hotpot (mild spice? Ha!) that left my lips tingling for hours.
Day 2: Chongqing’s Hidden Gems & Vertical Explorations
Started at Baixiangju – a 24-story “vertical village” where corridors double as basketball courts and you can watch cable cars glide past your window. Felt like I’d stepped into a Wong Kar-wai film! Then descended through Longmenhao Old Street and Xiaohouli, where restored Qing dynasty buildings now house artisan workshops serving the best mala noodles.
Post-lunch, I tackled the Hongyadong maze again by daylight before marveling at the spaceship-like Raffles City complex. Evening found me people-watching at Jiefangbei Square – the Times Square of Chongqing. Critical advice: Wear proper walking shoes! Chongqing’s staircases are merciless.
Day 3: Journey to Jiuzhaigou via Songpan
An early 8-hour bus ride through misty mountains brought us to Songpan Ancient Town – a former tea-horse trading post with intact Ming walls. Grabbed yak meat skewers from Tibetan vendors before continuing to Jiuzhaigou. The altitude hit me at 3,000m – slight headache but cured by local butter tea. Stayed at cozy Tibetan-style lodge near park entrance.
Day 4: Jiuzhaigou – Nature’s Kaleidoscope
Entered Jiuzhaigou National Park as gates opened. Words fail before these turquoise lakes mirroring snow-capped peaks. Highlights:
- Five Flower Lake – Mineral deposits create surreal blue-green patterns
- Nuorilang Waterfall – Tibet’s widest waterfall roaring through forests
- Long Lake – Glacial waters reflecting surrounding peaks
Walking 18km through primeval forests felt like wandering through a Chinese landscape painting. The colors are impossibly vivid – no Instagram filter needed! Temperature dropped sharply at sunset – glad I packed my thermal layers.
Day 5: Huanglong’s Terraces & Chengdu Arrival
Huanglong Scenic Area surprised me with its travertine terraces – golden limestone pools cascading down the valley like dragon scales. The altitude (3,500m!) made the cable car ascent essential. Reached Chengdu by evening and immediately plunged into Kuanzhai Alley‘s lantern-lit lanes, snacking on dan dan noodles and sweet glutinous rice balls.
Day 6: Chengdu Cool – From Industry to Luxury
Morning at Dongjiao Memory – a hipster paradise in a former factory complex. Graffiti murals, vinyl record stores, and industrial-chic cafes made me wish I’d packed my vintage leather jacket. Then came the glamorous shock: Taikoo Li and Chunxi Road where designer boutines coexist with traditional tea houses. The highlight? Finding the giant panda sculpture climbing IFS building!
Evening exploration took me through Jinli Ancient Street – a sensory overload of sizzling snacks, opera masks, and shadow puppet shows. Beware: The “tea ceremonies” here are tourist traps!
| Destination | Must-Try Food | Approx Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Chongqing | Hotpot | $8-15/person |
| Chengdu | Dan Dan Noodles | $1.5-3 |
| Jiuzhaigou | Tibetan Yak Butter Tea | $2 |
Day 7: Pandas & Engineering Marvels
Last day began at Chengdu Research Base watching pandas munch bamboo like fuzzy royalty. Arrived at opening (7:30 AM!) to see them most active. The nursery with pink newborn pandas was almost unbearably cute.
Final stop: Dujiangyan Irrigation System – a 2,200-year-old engineering marvel still functioning today. Walking the suspended walkways over rushing waters gave me profound respect for ancient Chinese ingenuity. Flew out that evening with camera full of misty mountains, spicy memories, and slightly numb lips.
This journey taught me that Sichuan isn’t just a place – it’s a sensory experience where fiery flavors meet misty mountains, and ancient traditions pulse beneath neon skylines.
Essential Travel Tips
- Altitude Awareness: Jiuzhaigou/Huanglong sit above 3,000m – allow 1 day acclimatization
- Transport Savvy: Pre-book intercity buses via CTrip; Chengdu metro is excellent
- Spice Strategy: Request “wei la” (微辣) for “mild” spice – still plenty hot!
- Rain Ready: Pack compact umbrella – sudden showers are common
- Panda Timing: Visit research base at opening (7:30 AM) for active pandas
This journey through Sichuan and Chongqing revealed China’s incredible diversity – from hyper-modern cities to pristine national parks, all connected by the warmth of local people and unforgettable flavors. As my flight took off, I found myself already planning my return to explore the Tibetan areas west of Sichuan. Some places don’t just give you souvenirs – they leave permanent imprints on your soul.
This looks amazing! How did you handle the altitude in Jiuzhaigou? I’m planning a trip but worried about altitude sickness.
Great question! I took it slow the first day and drank plenty of water. The butter tea also helped. I’d recommend spending a night in Songpan to acclimatize before heading to Jiuzhaigou.
Your food recommendations are making me hungry! How spicy was the hotpot on a scale of 1-10? I can handle medium spice but don’t want to overdo it.
Haha, Chongqing hotpot is no joke! I’d say it’s a solid 8. But you can ask for ‘wei la’ (微辣) which is mild, but still packs a punch. They also have non-spicy broths if you need a break!
Those Hongyadong photos are magical! Was it super crowded when you visited? Trying to decide if I should go during weekdays.
$500 for 7 days?! How did you manage that? Any hostels you’d recommend?
@BudgetBackpacker Yes! I stayed in shared dorms ($10/night) and used local buses. The key is eating street food ($1-3/meal) and booking attractions in advance for discounts.
The panda base is on my bucket list! How early did you get there to see them active? And were there many people at that time?
@PandaFanatic I arrived right at opening (7:30 AM) and it was perfect! The pandas were having breakfast and very active. There were already some people, but it wasn’t too crowded until about 9 AM.