📋 Trip Overview
14 Nights · Sep 14–28, 2026 · Tour + DIY
✈️ Flights
| Flight | Route | Date & Time | Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3U3994 | KUL → TFU | Sep 14, 4:50am → 9:25am | Wilson + Wife |
| 3U3995 | TFU → KUL | Sep 28, 9:40am → 1:05pm | Wilson + Wife |
Booking: AliTrip 51928464629780 · PNR PJ2YG0 · Conf 876-4884618989
🏨 Hotel Bases
Sep 14🏨 Chengdu · 1 night (tour start)
Sep 15–16🏨 Jiuzhaigou · 2 nights (tour)
Sep 17🏨 Chengdu · 1 night (tour)
Sep 18🏨 Emeishan · 1 night (tour — verify, itinerary text says Jiuzhaigou which is impossible)
Sep 19–27🏨 Chengdu · 9 nights (tour Days 6–7 + DIY)
📅 Schedule
| Day | Date | Plan | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14 Sep Mon | Arrive · 宽窄巷子/春熙路 evening | Tour |
| 2 | 15 Sep Tue | 叠溪海子 → 黄龙 → 藏家 night | Tour |
| 3 | 16 Sep Wed | Jiuzhaigou full day | Tour |
| 4 | 17 Sep Thu | 岷江源 → 藏寨 → 松潘古城 → CD | Tour |
| 5 | 18 Sep Fri | Emei 金顶 + 清音阁 + 猴区 | Tour |
| 6 | 19 Sep Sat | 乐山大佛 → CD | Tour |
| 7 | 20 Sep Sun | 青城山 AM + 都江堰 PM | Tour |
| 8 | 21 Sep Mon | Rest / easy recovery | DIY |
| 9 | 22 Sep Tue | Flex — see Tips (三星堆 top pick) | DIY |
| 10 | 23 Sep Wed | Flex / Spa day | DIY |
| 11 | 24 Sep Thu | Flex / Hidden gems | DIY |
| 12 | 25 Sep Fri | 🌙 Mid-Autumn | DIY |
| 13 | 26 Sep Sat | Flex / Show night | DIY |
| 14 | 27 Sep Sun | Pack + final shopping | DIY |
| 15 | 28 Sep Mon | Fly Home ✈️ | — |
🍚 Tour Meals Included
| Day | Date | Meals |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 15 Sep | Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner (藏家 hotpot) |
| 3 | 16 Sep | Breakfast · Dinner (lunch own — carry snacks) |
| 4 | 17 Sep | Breakfast · Lunch |
| 5 | 18 Sep | Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner |
| 6 | 19 Sep | Breakfast · Lunch |
| 7 | 20 Sep | Breakfast · Lunch |
| 8 | 21 Sep | Breakfast only |
Day 1 of 15 · Tour
14th September 2026 (Monday)
Arrive Chengdu + Free Evening Chengdu
🌧️ Cloudy · 24°C · Humid
✈️ Flight 3U3994
RouteKUL → TFU (Kuala Lumpur → Chengdu Tianfu)
Depart4:50 AM local time
Arrive9:25 AM Chengdu time (UTC+8)
🚌 Tour: 专人接站
🚗 Airport Pickup → Hotel
IncludedTour driver meets you at arrivals — look for name sign
FallbackDiDi ~¥80–120 · 40–50 min · Metro Line 19 ¥8–10
11 AM
🏨 Check In — Chengdu Hotel
Tip: Early check-in depends on availability — ask politely. If not ready, leave bags and rest in lobby or start walking.
Evening free
🌆 宽窄巷子 · 春熙路
宽窄巷子Historic alley district · lanterns at night · Metro Line 4
春熙路Main shopping street + 太古里 upscale mall · IFS panda
Jet lag4:50am departure = awake since ~2am. Keep it light, sleep early. Real touring starts tomorrow — early coach.
🍽️ Day 1 Food
LunchNear hotel — 龙抄手 wontons (春熙路) or 冒菜
Dinner宽窄巷子 street food · 三大炮, 糖油果子
MealsOwn expense today (tour meals start Day 2)
🏨 Overnight — Chengdu Chengdu
Day 2 of 15 · Tour
15th September 2026 (Tuesday)
叠溪海子 → 黄龙风景区 → 藏家夜 Jiuzhaigou
❄️ Huanglong 5–15°C · big altitude jump
🚌 Chengdu → 叠溪海子 → 黄龙
叠溪海子Diexi Lake — landslide lake on the way up, photo stop
黄龙Huanglong Scenic Area — UNESCO travertine pools
Sights五彩池 · 飞瀑流辉 · 雪宝顶 · 黄龙沟 · 争艳池 · 迎宾池 · 黄龙洞 · 映月彩池
MealsBreakfast · Lunch · Dinner included
⚠️ Altitude warning
🏔️ Huanglong = 3,500m, same-day from 500m Chengdu
Reality~12h day, coach + altitude. Walk SLOWLY at 五彩池. Mild breathlessness is normal.
OxygenCans sold at entrance (~¥20–30). Buy one even if you feel fine.
ClothingLight down jacket — 5–15°C up top while Chengdu is 25°C
Cable carTake it up, walk the boardwalk down — saves the climb at altitude
Evening
🔥 藏家体验 — Tibetan Family Night
What土火锅 (Tibetan hotpot) + 锅庄歌舞 (circle dance) + 篝火 (bonfire)
VibeTouristy but fun. Join the dance, drink the 青稞酒 if offered (or politely decline).
🏨 Overnight — Jiuzhaigou town Jiuzhaigou
Altitude~2,300m. Sleep arrives fast after a 12h day.
Day 3 of 15 · Tour
16th September 2026 (Wednesday)
九寨沟 Full Day Jiuzhaigou
☀️ Crisp mountain morning · 8–18°C
🏞️ Jiuzhaigou Valley — the big day
The hits五花海 · 五彩池 · 诺日朗瀑布 · 树正群海 · 长海 · 熊猫海 · 珍珠滩瀑布 · 芦苇海 · 犀牛海 · 老虎海
LayoutY-shaped valley, shuttle bus + flat boardwalks. No climbing required.
Best light五花海 in morning sun — the postcard shot
MealsBreakfast + Dinner included · Lunch NOT included
⚠️ Lunch gap
🍱 Lunch on your own inside the valley
Option 1诺日朗 tourist center cafeteria — pricey, mediocre, but convenient (~¥50–80)
Option 2Grab extra breakfast pastries + snacks before entering. Recommended.
📷 Photo strategy
📸 Shuttle routing trick
InsiderShuttle to the far end (长海/五彩池) FIRST, then work back — you walk against the crowd all day
镜海 ruleReflections die after ~10am when wind picks up — hit mirror lakes early or late
SeptemberEarly autumn color starting at high elevations — greens + golds mix
🏨 Overnight — Jiuzhaigou town Jiuzhaigou
Day 4 of 15 · Tour
17th September 2026 (Thursday)
岷江源头 → 藏寨 → 松潘古城 → Chengdu Chengdu
☀️ Mountain pass morning · highway day
🚌 Return leg — culture stops
岷江源头Source of the Min River — short photo stop on the pass
藏寨Tibetan village + 碉楼 watchtowers + traditional houses
松潘古城Songpan ancient town — old walls, gate towers, tea-horse-road history
MealsBreakfast · Lunch included
⚠️ Heads up
🛍️ Shopping stop likely
PatternTour 藏寨 visits often include a silver/Chinese-medicine shop stop — 30–45 min
PlaySmile, look, buy nothing. Prices 3–5x market.
Legit buys松潘 street yak jerky (¥30–50/bag) and 藏红花 small packs are fine from street stalls
🏨 Overnight — Chengdu Chengdu
Tomorrow: Emei day — another early coach. Repack tonight, charge devices.
Day 5 of 15 · Tour
18th September 2026 (Friday)
峨眉山 — 金顶 + 清音阁 + 猴区 Emeishan
🌤️ Summit 5–12°C · cloud sea chances good
⛰️ Emei Golden Summit (金顶)
Summit48m 十方普贤 golden statue · 金银铜殿 · 云海 + 佛光 if lucky
World's largest朝拜中心 pilgrimage centre — make a wish
Altitude3,099m. Jacket essential. Boardwalk + cable car, no serious climbing.
Mid-mountain
🌿 Afternoon — the scenic loop
Stops白龙洞 (White Dragon Cave) · 清音阁 (twin bridges + stream) · 一线天 · 黑龙江栈道 · 生态猴区
MonkeysNO plastic bags in hand, no loose phone. They grab. Buy ¥5 monkey food only if you want the full chaos experience.
MealsBreakfast · Lunch · Dinner included
🏨 Overnight — Emeishan (verify!) Emeishan
⚠️ Check with agency: the tour text says 住宿九寨沟 tonight — impossible (Jiuzhaigou is 8h away). It should be Emeishan (报国寺 area). Confirm before departure.
Day 6 of 15 · Tour
19th September 2026 (Saturday)
乐山大佛 — 山是一尊佛 Leshan
☁️ Overcast · 25°C
🗿 Leshan Giant Buddha
Biggest71m stone Buddha, carved 713 AD — "the mountain is a Buddha, the Buddha is a mountain"
Route凌云寺大雄宝殿 → 九曲栈道 (down the cliff beside the Buddha) → Buddha feet
Views三江汇流 (three rivers converge) · 灵宝塔
MealsBreakfast · Lunch included
⚠️ Saturday crowds
🚶 九曲栈道 queue
RealityThe cliff stairway is single-file — Saturday queue can be 30–60 min
Tour timingGuided groups usually enter early — stick with the guide, don't linger at the back
Back in Chengdu
🌆 Evening — free
OptionFirst proper DIY evening — 玉林路 food street or rest
Leshan food?If the tour lunch stop allows, try 甜皮鸭 / 钵钵鸡 — see Things to Consider page for the hit list
🏨 Overnight — Chengdu Chengdu
Day 7 of 15 · Tour
20th September 2026 (Sunday)
青城山 AM + 都江堰 PM Chengdu
☁️ Misty mountain AM · 24°C
⛰️ 青城山 (AM)
WhatBirthplace of Taoism — "青城天下幽" (the most serene mountain under heaven)
ExpectMist, ancient trees, temple courtyards. Guide leads the front-mountain highlights.
PM
💧 都江堰 (PM)
What2,300-year-old irrigation system, still working, no dam — pure engineering genius. UNESCO.
Sights二王庙 · 安澜索桥 (rope bridge) · 鱼嘴分水堤 · 飞沙堰泄洪道 · 西游记 filming site
Fun factCrossing 安澜索桥 = classic wobbly photo op
MealsBreakfast · Lunch included
🏨 Overnight — Chengdu Chengdu
Tour done! Tomorrow starts 7 DIY days. Tonight: celebratory hotpot? 蜀大侠 or 玉林串串香 (see Tips page).
Day 8 of 15 · DIY
21st September 2026 (Monday)
Rest + Easy Recovery Chengdu
Recovery day
😴 Slow start after 6 tour days
BreakfastHotel breakfast included (last tour meal)
AMSleep in. You've earned it — 6 consecutive tour days with 3 altitude jumps.
PMEasy walk: 人民公园 tea + ear cleaning, or 文殊院 temple + vegetarian lunch
Low effort options
🍵 The Chengdu slow afternoon
Classic人民公园 → 鹤鸣茶社 one bowl of tea = your seat all day + free refills. Ear cleaning masters circle the tables.
Alt水木和 foot massage (~¥165, unlimited 糖水 + snacks) — recovery-appropriate
Full plan?See Tips & Options page (menu) for the full must-see list
🏨 Overnight — Chengdu Chengdu
Day 9 of 15 · DIY
22nd September 2026 (Tuesday)
Flex Day — 三星堆 Top Pick Chengdu
Recommended
🏺 三星堆博物馆 — my #1 DIY pick
WhyNew 2024 building, world-class. 3,000-year-old bronze masks that look alien. THE wow museum in China.
Getting there成都东 → 广汉北 HSR 30 min + taxi/¥18 · or direct tourist bus
TimeHalf day. Book tickets on official WeChat 公众号 or Trip.com ahead.
Alternatives
📋 Not museum people?
熊猫基地7:30am opening — pandas active 8–10am only. Line 3 direct.
武侯祠 + 锦里Red walls 8am, 锦里 lanterns evening · ¥50
Spa day水裹汤泉 ~¥368 24hr all-you-can-eat resort — full day version
More ideasSee Tips & Options page in menu
🏨 Overnight — Chengdu Chengdu
Day 10 of 15 · DIY
23rd September 2026 (Wednesday)
Flex Day — Spa / Tea / Hidden Gems Chengdu
Pick one lane
📋 Three ways to spend today
Spa lane水裹汤泉 (24hr buffet spa, ¥368) or 水木和 (foot + Thai, ¥165) — post-tour recovery continues
Culture lane成都博物馆 (free, Tianfu Square) + 东郊记忆 industrial park + 大戏台茶馆 evening opera
Hidden lane彭镇老茶馆 (coal-stove locals tea house, 30–40 min out) — the real Chengdu
Evening
🎭 Show night option
蜀风雅韵¥150–580 · classic opera + face changing · book ahead on Trip.com/Klook
大戏台茶馆¥150–200 · includes tea + 6 snacks · at 东郊记忆 · more casual
🏨 Overnight — Chengdu Chengdu
Day 11 of 15 · DIY
24th September 2026 (Thursday)
Flex Day — Hidden Gems Chengdu
Off the tourist path
💎 Hidden gems day
官塘新村Rice-paddy art village + 蜀锦博物馆 + 荥窑 — near-empty, ~1hr out
道明竹艺村Bamboo weaving village, free entry, DIY workshop
洛带古镇簪花 costume photos (¥100–300) — atmospheric, huge hit with Chinese visitors
漆器 DIY成都漆器工艺厂 (蜀华街72号) — make a lacquer bookmark/chopsticks to take home
In-city望平街 riverside + 玉林路 evening — locals' Chengdu
Food
🌶️ Tonight: proper hotpot
Go蜀大侠火锅 (big group experience) or 玉林串串香 (skewers, cheaper)
Protocol油碟 = sesame oil + raw garlic — it's the cooling antidote, not a sauce. Order 鸳鸯锅. 毛肚 = 7-sec dips (七上八下).
🏨 Overnight — Chengdu Chengdu
Day 12 of 15 · DIY
25th September 2026 (Friday)
🌙 Mid-Autumn Festival Chengdu
🌕 Full moon
🌙 Mid-Autumn — how to spend it
Classic龙泉山 — Didi up, mooncakes + tea, moonrise ~7–8pm with locals
Easy安顺廊桥 riverside night walk — bridge lit gold, bars along 锦江
LocalTea house + osmanthus (桂花 season — whole city smells of it) + moon cakes
Daytime
🛍️ Shopping (if not done)
Where春熙路 · 太古里 · IFS (7F rooftop panda photo)
MooncakesEverywhere today — accept them; egg-yolk lotus ones are the good ones
Book dinnerMid-Autumn = restaurants full. Reserve or eat early.
🏨 Overnight — Chengdu Chengdu
Day 13 of 15 · DIY
26th September 2026 (Saturday)
Flex / Last Show Chengdu
Last full weekend day
📋 Finish the list
UnfinishedWhatever you missed — 三星堆, pandas, 武侯祠 — today's the buffer
Tea彭镇老茶馆 if not yet done — the authentic one
Wet market菜市场 7–9am — real local life, cheap fruit, great photos
Evening
🎭 Show — last chance
Pick蜀风雅韵 (classic) · 大戏台茶馆 (opera + dinner combo) · 芙蓉国粹 (backup)
Book NOWSaturday shows sell out — reserve today if not already
🏨 Overnight — Chengdu Chengdu
Day 14 of 15 · DIY
27th September 2026 (Sunday)
Pack + Final Prep Chengdu
Departure prep
🎒 Pack + Final Check
MorningSort shopping · pack bags · weigh luggage (23kg limit)
Overweight?Ship via 顺丰 SF Express — cheaper than excess baggage
Final buysHotpot base 火锅底料, tea, panda stuff — supermarket run
Farewell
🍵 Last rituals
AM人民公园 鹤鸣茶社 — one final 盖碗茶 + ear cleaning
Lunch龙抄手 (春熙路) — wontons · 钟水饺 · 赖汤圆
Decision
🏨 Tonight — city or airport hotel?
Flight9:40 AM Sep 28 — city departure means leaving ~6:30 AM
Airport hotelTFU is 45–60km out — airport hotel tonight = stress-free morning
🏨 Overnight — Chengdu / Airport hotel
Day 15 of 15
28th September 2026 (Monday)
✈️ Fly Home
☀️ Sunny · 27°C
✈️ Flight 3U3995 — TFU → KUL
RouteTFU (Chengdu Tianfu) → KUL (Kuala Lumpur)
Depart9:40 AM local time
Arrive1:05 PM Kuala Lumpur time (UTC+8)
🛫 Checklist
✅ Departure
☐ BagsUnder 23kg each? Excess shipped via SF?
☐ DocumentsPassport, boarding pass
☐ SouvenirsPanda items, tea, 火锅底料, lacquerware DIY
☐ Liquids>100ml in checked bag
TimingArrive airport 7:30 AM · international departure flow
🇲🇾 Home
ArrivalKUL 1:05 PM
NoteYou dodge Golden Week entirely — country starts moving Sep 30 🎉
🐼🌶️🏔️
Chengdu + Sichuan 2026
Sep 14–28 · 14 Nights · Wilson + Wife
💡 Tips & Must-See Options
Wilson's picks — DIY days, for consideration
🏆 Top 3 Non-Negotiables
1. 🏺 三星堆博物馆
Why3,000-year-old bronze masks that look alien. THE wow museum in China. If you do one DIY excursion, this is it.
How成都东→广汉北 HSR 30min · half day · book ahead
2. 🛕 文殊院 Wenshu Monastery
WhyVegetarian restaurant inside (香园) is legitimately good. Back gardens, free incense, quiet.
NearYour hotel area (Wenshu) — walkable
3. 🍵 People's Park slow morning
WhyFree refills, mahjong tables, marriage market corner, ear cleaning masters circling. Peak Chengdu.
When8–10am weekday for calm
🏛️ City Sights Worth Slotting
大慈寺 Daci Temple
Odd1,600yr temple INSIDE Taikoo Li mall. Red walls, no crowds, wild contrast.
武侯祠 + 锦里
TrickRed wall alley at 8am opening or queue 30min. 锦里 at NIGHT (lanterns) — Kuanzhai at 9am instead.
IFS climbing panda
TrickElevator to 7F rooftop garden = front-facing shot. Street level = panda butt only.
东郊记忆 + 安顺廊桥
EveningIndustrial-chic park (pair with 大戏台茶馆 opera) then riverside night walk, bridge lit gold.
💎 Hidden Gems (local research)
彭镇老茶馆
WhatCoal-stove locals tea house · ¥10–15 all day · 30–40min out · zero tourists
官塘新村
WhatRice-paddy village + 蜀锦博物馆 + 荥窑 · ~1hr · near-empty
道明竹艺村 · 洛带古镇
WhatBamboo weaving DIY (free entry) · 簪花 costume photos ¥100–300
成都漆器工艺厂 DIY
WhatLacquer bookmark/chopsticks, 1.5–2h, take home · 蜀华街72号 · ¥30 entry
望平街 + 玉林路
WhatLocals' riverside evening strip · old neighborhood bars & food stalls
🍜 Food Knowledge
Hotpot protocol
油碟Sesame oil + raw garlic — cooling ANTIDOTE, not sauce. 毛肚 = 七上八下 7-sec dips. 鸳鸯锅 split pot, no shame.
Try at least once
Wild双流老妈兔头 (spicy rabbit head) — worth it for the story
Street蛋烘糕 carts (cream + meat floss ¥5–10) · 冰粉 with every spicy meal
Breakfast甜水面 / 素椒杂酱面 streetside · ¥12 · better than hotel breakfast
Ordering hack
No Chinese reading?Menus have photos — point-and-order works everywhere. Dianping/Meituan deals = 30–50% off walk-in price.
🧠 Practical Tricks
PayAlipay + WeChat Pay, link foreign cards BEFORE flying. Cash nearly dead.
TrainsPassport = ticket, needed at station gates same as flights.
Scams"Friendly" tea ceremony / calligraphy invites near Jinli/Kuanzhai — polite no, walk on.
Weather20–28°C + osmanthus season. Compact umbrella always.
Nap culturePost-lunch foot-massage nap = legitimate itinerary item.
✨ Things to Consider
Spas · Ear Cleaning · Tea · Eats · Shows — reference
🧖 Spas / Massage + Unlimited Food
🌡️ 水裹汤泉 (Shuiguo Spa)
Price~¥368/pax · Dianping discount · unlimited fruits, ice cream, hot food
Best forFull-day lounge + eat. Can spend 18hrs.
💆 水木和足道 (Shuimu He)
Price~¥165/pax · unlimited 糖水 + drinks + snacks
Best forProper massage, snacks as bonus
👂 Ear Cleaning (采耳)
人民公园 masters
Price¥30–60 · 10–30 min · blue uniforms, sterilized tools
TipMorning weekday, combined with tea house sitting
🍵 Tea Houses
鹤鸣茶社 — iconic
¥10–20103 years old, People's Park, touristy but historic
小桃园 — ceremony
~¥18–20Michelin Bib Gourmand, tea master guided, book via Klook
彭镇老茶馆 — authentic
¥10–15Coal stove, locals only, the real thing, 30–40min out
🥢 Must-Eat: Chengdu
玉林串串香 · 蜀大侠火锅
Skewers/HotpotThe two essential Chengdu meals
降龙爪爪 · 烤匠麻辣鱼 · 龙抄手
Local hitsBraised chicken paws · 椒麻 fish · classic wontons
建设路小吃街
Night marketStudent area, cheap + real, evening walk
🥢 Must-Eat: Leshan (tour day 6 free moments)
赵鸭子甜皮鸭 · 冯三孃跷脚牛肉
¥40/¥30–501939 非遗 candied duck · signature beef soup
九九豆腐脑 · 游记肥肠
¥15/¥25Leshan-style tofu pudding · 1855 intestine shop
🎭 Shows
蜀风雅韵
¥150–580#1 classic · book Trip.com/Klook
大戏台茶馆 (东郊记忆)
¥150–200Opera + 变脸 + tea + 6 snacks · nightly · casual
芙蓉国粹
¥150–350Backup if sold out
🚇 Transport Guide
DIY days logistics
🚌 Days 2–7
Tour coachEverything covered — just be on time at the hotel lobby
🚇 Chengdu Metro (DIY days)
App天府通 WeChat mini-program / Alipay QR · or physical card at any station
Hours~6:00 AM – 11:00 PM · ¥2–9
Line 2人民公园 · 春熙路 · most tourist spots
To TFULine 19 · 45–60 min · ¥8–10
🚕 DiDi / Taxi
DiDiIn WeChat/Alipay app · enter destination in Chinese · most rides ¥15–25
SaveHotel Chinese name in favorites before first ride
🚄 Trains (if adding excursions)
Apps12306 official or Trip.com · passport needed to book AND at gates
三星堆成都东 → 广汉北 · 30 min · ¥18
TipBook 1–2 days ahead. Morning trains 8–10 AM most convenient.
💳 Payment
AlipayLink Malaysian card before flying — easiest for foreigners
WeChat PaySame setup
CashRarely needed. ATM fallback: 中国银行 / ICBC
📱 Connectivity
eSIMChina Mobile/Unicom · ~¥100–150 for 15 days data
Maps高德地图 (Amap) — essential
TranslateGoogle Translate (Chinese downloaded) · WeChat translate works too