7 Days Chongqing and Chengdu Tour Itinerary and Packages

7 days, a week’s time, is perfect for a relaxed exploration of Chongqing and Chengdu. It’s a very suitable duration! Within these 7 days, you can discover the most essential highlights and deeply experience the local life, culture, and cuisine.

The Most Worthwhile Experiences

Hongya Cave

Warm yellow lights outline the 11-story stilt house complex, resembling a real-life dream straight out of Spirited Away. On Fridays and Saturdays from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM, special lighting effects are added. From the viewing platform at the grand theater across the river, you can capture panoramic shots along with the glowing cruise boats

Face-Changing

Watch face-changing up close at a Ciqikou teahouse — marvel as the performer instantly switches between 20 masks and breathes fire with flames reaching up to 3 meters!

Liziba Light Rail Through Building

The light rail train roars directly through a residential building, showcasing the magical and surreal transportation marvel of Chongqing.

Nanshan Cliff Café

A free alternative to the paid observation decks, this café offers a terrace with stunning views over the starry lights of Yuzhong Peninsula. From 19:30 to 20:30, the "blue hour" guarantees breathtaking photos.

Dialect and Teahouse Culture

At the teahouse, sip tea while learning versatile Chongqing dialect words such as “巴适” (comfortable/nice) and “要得” (got it/okay). Experience the unique teahouse culture of "longmenzhen" (闲聊 or storytelling), a hallmark of social life in Chongqing.

Dazu Botanical Dyeing Craft

Using natural dyes such as indigo and madder to stamp square scarves, creating traditional patterned textile art.

Wushan Traditional Papermaking

Participate in the process of steaming tree bark and pounding it into pulp to make handmade, writable paper, and experience the craftsmanship once used to produce tribute paper during the Ming Dynasty.

Stir-frying the Hot Pot Base

At a workshop on Nanshan Hot Pot Street, learn how to melt beef tallow, blend spices, and simmer the secret recipe for the base broth with "70% oil and 30% water."

Chongqing Hot Pot

Chongqing hot pot centers around a spicy, numbing, and fragrant beef tallow broth, paired with fresh and crunchy ingredients like tripe and beef aorta. Cooking these in the bubbling red oil creates the unique lively street-food atmosphere of this mountain city.

7-Day Cultural Experience in Chongqing and Chengdu

Day 1: Arrive in Chongqing & Night View of Jiefangbei

Jiefangbei/解放碑

Check in at Niccolo Chongqing, located within walking distance of the Jiefangbei shopping district. For dinner, we recommend Yonghe Club Private Cuisine (Jiefangbei Branch) to enjoy exquisite Sichuan-Chongqing fusion dishes.

Day 2: Ciqikou Ancient Town & Hot Pot Base DIY Experience

Spend the morning exploring Ciqikou Ancient Town. In the afternoon, join a Hot Pot Base DIY class. For dinner, head to Peijie Hotpot (Hongyadong Branch) to taste the locals’ favorite spicy flavors.

Day 3: Wulong Karst Landscape Day Tour

Enjoy a full-day excursion to Wulong’s Three Natural Bridges and Longshuixia Fissure Gorge, both part of a UNESCO Karst landscape. Return to Chongqing in the evening and dine at Niccolo Kitchen, a fine Western restaurant with river views.

Day 4: Yangtze Cableway & Teahouse Culture Experience

Take the Yangtze River Cableway for a panoramic view of the city. In the afternoon, immerse yourself in local culture with a Chongqing dialect mini-lesson and teahouse experience at the Huguang Guild Hall. Stay overnight at Radisson Blu Plaza Chongqing (River View Room) and consider Wangjianglou Jianghu Cuisine for dinner.

Day 5: Chengdu Panda Volunteer Experience

Take a high-speed train to Chengdu and check in at The Temple House, a centrally located luxury hotel. Spend the day as a volunteer at the Dujiangyan Panda Base. For dinner, enjoy the ambiance and flavors of Shu Daxia Hotpot (Chunxi Road Branch).

Day 6: Learn Sichuan Cuisine & Stroll Kuanzhai Alley

Take a cooking class at the Sichuan Cuisine Museum to master authentic Sichuan dishes. In the afternoon, explore Kuanzhai Alley, taste street snacks, and watch a Sichuan Opera face-changing performance. Stay at Diaoyutai Boutique Hotel Chengdu (near Kuanzhai Alley) and indulge in an artistic Sichuan meal at Yu Zhi Lan.

Day 7: Ear Spa & Departure

Relax with a traditional ear-cleaning experience in an old Chengdu teahouse. For lunch, we recommend the Original Chen Mapo Tofu Restaurant, a century-old name for authentic spicy dishes. Transfer to the airport and conclude your flavorful and culture-rich journey through Chongqing and Chengdu.

One Week Premium Culinary & Cultural Essence Tour: Chongqing & Chengdu

Day 1: Arrival in Chongqing & Jiefangbei Nightscape

Giant Pandas

Check in at Niccolo Chongqing, ideally located in the heart of Jiefangbei with stunning river views.

Lunch: Luxi Fat Beef Hotpot (Jiefangbei Flagship) – Specializes in premium beef hotpot with a light, flavorful broth.

Dinner: Yonghe Club Private Cuisine – Elegant setting serving refined Sichuan-Chongqing fusion dishes; ideal for your first taste of the city.

Day 2: Ciqikou Ancient Town & Signature Hotpot

Morning stroll through Ciqikou Ancient Town, then visit the iconic Liziba Monorail running through buildings.

Lunch: Taoranju Restaurant (Ciqikou) – Enjoy traditional Chongqing snacks and classic Sichuan dishes in a rustic ambiance.

Dinner: Peijie Hotpot (Hongyadong Branch) – A local favorite for authentic spicy butter-based broth; known for its rich flavors and lively vibe.

Day 3: Yangtze Cableway & Skyline Dining

Ride the Yangtze River Cableway for panoramic city views; visit the historic Huguang Guild Hall.

Lunch: Shancheng Xiao Tangyuan – A local gem serving traditional noodles and sweet rice dumplings.

Dinner: Niccolo Kitchen – High-rise modern Western dining with specialties like French steak and seafood, plus stunning night views of the rivers.

Day 4: Wulong Karst Adventure & Private Dinner

Full-day tour of Wulong's Three Natural Bridges and Longshuixia Gorge, part of a UNESCO Karst landscape.

Lunch: Wulong Mountain Delicacies – Featuring fresh local bamboo shoots, mushrooms, and free-range chicken in a natural setting.

Dinner: Custom Riverside Private Dining – Return to Chongqing for a specially arranged dinner combining Western finesse and Sichuan flavors along the riverbank.

Day 5: To Chengdu & Kuanzhai Alley Exploration

Take a high-speed train to Chengdu and check in at The Temple House or Diaoyutai Boutique Hotel, both in prime locations.

Lunch: Lao Ma Rabbit Head (IFS Branch) – Modern presentation of classic Chengdu street snacks, including cold beef slices and spicy rabbit head.

Dinner: Yu Zhi Lan (Fine Art Sichuan Cuisine) – Michelin-acclaimed; each course is an edible artwork with exquisite presentation and balanced flavors.

Day 6: Panda Volunteer & Sichuan Cooking Class

Volunteer at Dujiangyan Panda Base in the morning, followed by a Sichuan cooking class in the afternoon.

Lunch: Wangjiang Pavilion Garden Banquet – Refined Sichuan lunch menu in a scenic garden setting; perfect harmony of color, aroma, and taste.

Dinner: Mixun · Contemporary Sichuan Cuisine – Innovative take on traditional flavors, featuring dishes like green pepper grilled fish and pickled chili foie gras.

Day 7: Ear Spa & Departure

Start the day with tea and a traditional ear-cleaning experience at Heming Teahouse in People’s Park.

Lunch: Original Chen Mapo Tofu Restaurant – A century-old name famous for its numbing and spicy Mapo Tofu and classic cold appetizers.

Transfer to the airport and conclude this luxurious journey of flavors, culture, and mountain-river beauty.

7-Day Leisure Tour of Chongqing & Chengdu

Day 1: Arrival in Chongqing · First Impressions

Ciqikou Ancient Town

Check in at Niccolo Chongqing, stroll around the Jiefangbei area in the afternoon, enjoy fusion cuisine at Yonghe Club Private Dining for dinner, and take a relaxing evening walk through the illuminated Hongyadong.

Day 2: Teahouses & Old Chongqing Charm

Ride the Yangtze River Cableway in the morning; spend a lazy afternoon sipping tea and listening to storytelling at Huguang Guild Hall Teahouse.

Lunch at Taoranju, a classic local favorite; dinner at Niccolo Kitchen with river views and refined Western cuisine.

Day 3: Street Life & Hotpot Culture

Wander Ciqikou Ancient Town and snack on street food.

Lunch at Taoranju Private Dining for local specialties; dinner at the popular Peijie Hotpot to experience true Chongqing spice.

Optional: enjoy a comedy skit in Chongqing dialect at a local theater like Dongzikou Small Theater.

Day 4: Wulong Natural Scenery & Riverside Night

Take a relaxed day trip to Wulong Karst Park (Three Natural Bridges), with a rural-style lunch.

Return to Chongqing for a cozy riverside stay and dinner at Wangjianglou Jianghu Cuisine, then unwind with a cocktail at your hotel bar.

Day 5: To Chengdu · Artsy Alley Afternoon

Take a high-speed train to Chengdu and check in at The Temple House or Diaoyutai Boutique Hotel.

Lunch at Old Pier Private Kitchen for refined Sichuan flavors; spend the afternoon exploring Kuanzhai Alley.

Dinner at Yu Zhi Lan, followed by a Sichuan Opera face-changing show.

Day 6: Pandas & Ear Spa Experience

Visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in the morning, followed by lunch at Wangjiang Garden Restaurant, known for its classic garden-style Sichuan cuisine.

In the afternoon, relax with tea and a traditional ear-cleaning experience at Heming Teahouse.

Dinner at Mixun Contemporary Sichuan, then enjoy a drink along Jiuyanqiao Bar Street.

Day 7: Shopping & Departure

Enjoy a free morning exploring Taikoo Li / IFS shopping district, and have a farewell lunch at the Original Chen Mapo Tofu Restaurant, a century-old institution of spicy delight.

Transfer to the airport with memories of flavor, culture, and calm from Sichuan and Chongqing.

Fine Dinning

Chongqing Cuisine (Spicy, Bold & Soulful)

Chongqing cuisine is known for its bold, numbing, and spicy flavors, with hotpot as its soul. Whether it’s a rich beef tallow base or a milder clear broth, hotpot here is a must-try. Street foods like Chongqing noodles, spicy vermicelli, skewers (chuanchuan), and pork with peas offer an intense yet addictive experience. The flavors are strong and fiery, but leave a lingering satisfaction.

Signature dishes: Chongqing hotpot, spicy skewers, Chongqing noodles, spicy pork blood & offal stew (mao xue wang), chili fried chicken, tofu pudding with rice

Spicy Skewers

Chongqing Noodles

Mao Xue Wang

Chongqing Hot Pot

Chengdu Cuisine (Rich, Aromatic & Balanced)

Recognized by UNESCO as a "City of Gastronomy," Chengdu’s cuisine features layered, fragrant, and balanced spicy flavors—typically milder and more refined than Chongqing’s. Beyond hotpot, Chengdu is famed for its delicate Sichuan dishes and street snacks like long chao shou (wontons), Zhong dumplings, dan dan noodles, and glutinous rice balls. Here, you can enjoy both bold spice and subtle richness, making it a perfect place for leisurely culinary exploration.

Signature dishes: Sichuan hotpot, twice-cooked pork, kung pao chicken, long chao shou (wontons), dan dan noodles, mapo tofu, sweet water noodles

Dan Dan Noodles

Twice-cooked Pork

Mapo Tofu

Kung Pao Chicken

Luxury Hotel with a Swimming Pool, Excellent Location, and Great Service

Niccolo Chongqing

Niccolo Chongqing is a top-tier luxury sky‑hotel nestled on levels 52–62 of Chongqing's iconic IFS Tower, offering stunning panoramic views of the city, mountains, and the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers

The Niccolo Chongqing Exterior

Niccolo Chongqing: Swimming Pool

Niccolo Chongqing: Room

The Temple House

The Temple House in Chengdu is a luxury boutique hotel that seamlessly blends traditional Sichuan heritage with modern design. Set within a restored Qing Dynasty courtyard and adjacent to the ancient Daci Temple, the hotel offers a serene oasis in the heart of the city. Guests enjoy elegant rooms, world-class dining, a peaceful spa, and easy access to Chengdu’s cultural hotspots like Taikoo Li and Chunxi Road.

The Temple House Exterior

Swimming Pool

King Bed Room