Physical Grading: 1-2/5 (easy-slightly strenuous)
Highlights: LiuJiang, GaoMiao, steam-locomotive in QianWei, LuoCheng, coal mines, and Mount ErMei.
Cost: fr. USD950 / CNY6200
Inclusions:
1) All transport (private chartered mini-bus) + airport transfers
2) All accommodation (twin-share, 4-star in ChengDu, hotel at summit, & local guesthouses)
3) Services of our own trip leader and driver throughout the trip
4) Entrance fees to sights stated in itinerary – Mt ErMei, area tour bus, cable car to summit, BaoGuo temple, LeShan Big Buddha, return tickets on steam-locomotive)
5) 1x welcome dinner & 1x farewell dinner in ChengDu
6) Local insurance
7) Pre-Departure briefing and preparation
Synopsis:
This itinerary is suitable for those who are interested in leisure hikes, local people and their lifestyle, photography, ancient old towns and Buddhism and culture
SHANGRILA ADVENTURE created our very own unique itinerary to bring into the lesser known old towns in southern SiChuan, within 200km from ChengDu. We bring you to ancient towns such as LiuJiang and GaoMiao. These places characterized by small streams, unique architecture, tea-houses and local food delights.
We include another interesting and unique activity that we have included in this special itinerary. That is to take a ride and experience the world’ only functioning steam-locomotive. Today, it is still being used for transporting coal from the old coal mine at BaJiao valley, co-built and developed by the Chinese and English back in 1800s. As it is quite secluded deep in the mountains, it is also the only transport for the local villagers to shuttle between their homes and the town.
Another major highlight is Mount ErMei, with her famous temples such as the 400-year old WanNian temple and BaoGuo temple built in 1703. Standing at 3077m, Mount ErMei is one of the key places of Buddhism.
Day 01 Arrive ChengDu (成都)
Pickup from airport and transfer to your hotel. Welcome dinner at night. (hotel)
Day 02 ChengDu / HongYa county (洪雅县) / LiuJiang old town (柳江古镇)
In the morning, drive 130km, about 2.5hrs to LiuJiang. Lunch at a local restaurant within the old town. (traditional guesthouse)
Day 03 LiuJiang old town (柳江古镇) / GaoMiao (高庙古镇) / Mt ErMei (峨眉山)
Drive to GaoMiao to visit this ancient town, and the source of the HuaXi river. We continue our journey to the foothills of Mt ErMei, BaoGuoSi. (hotel) Option: You may choose to take on the 12km (3hrs hike) from LiuJiang to GaoMiao
Day 04 BaoGuoSi (报国寺) / WanNianSi (万年寺) / LeiDongPing (雷洞坪) / Summit (金顶)
Take the local tour bus within Mount ErMei. You will also take the cable-car ride to visit WanNian temple and other sights along the way to the summit. In between the sights, you will go for short hikes not exceeding 2hrs. (hotel)
Day 05 Summit / Ninety-nine bends (九十九道拐) / BaoGuoSi (报国寺)
Wake up early morning to view the spectacular sunrise on the golden summit. After breakfast, you can either hike downhill or take the cable-car and local tour bus back to the foothills at BaoGuo temple. (hotel)
Day 06 BaoGuoSi / Mt ErMei / LeShan (乐山) / LuoCheng (罗城) / QianWei (犍为)
After breakfast, drive about 2.5hrs to visit LeShan Big Buddha. We will continue onwards to visit LuoCheng, a unique ship-shaped old street bustling with old people drinking tea and playing cards. We will drive to QianWei town for the night. (hotel)
Day 07 QianWei (犍为) / BaJiao valley and coal mine (巴蕉沟) / QianWei
Take a ride on the world’s only functioning steam-locomotive. This small train will bring you deep into the valley. The end point is BaJiao valley where the old coal mine is located. In the afternoon, take the train back to QianWei. (hotel)
Day 08 QianWei / ChengDu
Transfer to your hotel in ChengDu. (hotel)
Day 09 Depart ChengDu
Send-off to the airport for your departure
