Sichuan is a vast southwestern province of China renowned for its fiery cuisine, spectacular natural scenery, and rich cultural heritage. Home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Jiuzhaigou, Mount Emei, and the Leshan Giant Buddha, Sichuan captivates visitors with its dramatic landscapes ranging from lush river valleys to towering Tibetan-fringe highlands.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Leshan Giant Buddha & Mount Emei
The ultimate Sichuan day trip combining the world's largest stone Buddha (71m) at Leshan with the sacred Buddhist mountain of Emei in the same region. Take the boat cruise at Leshan for the full height view of the Giant Buddha, then head to Mount Emei's lower temple circuit for a few hours of hiking through ancient forests.
Highlights: Leshan Giant Buddha boat cruise · Lingyun Scenic Area · Mount Emei lower temples · Qingyin Pavilion
Dujiangyan Irrigation System & Mount Qingcheng
A perfectly paired day trip combining two UNESCO World Heritage Sites just 30 minutes apart. The 2,300-year-old Dujiangyan irrigation system is an engineering marvel still in use today, while the sacred Taoist mountain of Qingcheng offers a forested hike through ancient temple complexes. Both can be covered comfortably in one day.
Highlights: Dujiangyan Fish Mouth Dam · Anlan Chain Bridge · Qingcheng Front Mountain temples · Jianfu Palace
Sanxingdui Museum (Bronze Age Civilization)
A fascinating half-day or full-day trip to the world's most extraordinary Bronze Age museum revealing a previously unknown ancient Shu civilization. The recently opened new wing contains artifacts from excavation pits opened in 2020–2022, providing an unprecedented window into ongoing archaeological discovery. Combine with a visit to Guanghan city for Sichuan home cooking lunch.
Highlights: Giant bronze masks · Golden scepter · New excavation pit viewing area · Gold sun-bird disc
Wolong Giant Panda Research Center
A more immersive panda experience than the urban Chengdu base, Wolong's research center is set in actual panda habitat surrounded by the Wolong National Nature Reserve mountains. Panda keeper programs allow close encounters with pandas in semi-wild enclosures. The scenic mountain drive through earthquake-recovered Wenchuan adds to the adventure.
Highlights: Semi-wild panda enclosures · Panda keeper experience (book ahead) · Wolong mountain scenery · Panda Valley adjacent facility
Langzhong Ancient City
One of China's best-preserved ancient cities in northeastern Sichuan, Langzhong retains over 200 Tang-Qing Dynasty buildings along a Jialing River bend. The city is renowned for feng shui urban planning, its unique vinegar fermentation tradition (over 3,000 years old), and the Three Kingdoms hero Zhang Fei Temple. A long but rewarding day trip for history and culture lovers.
Highlights: Ancient street architecture · Zhang Fei Temple · Langzhong vinegar workshops · Riverside evening atmosphere
Siguniang Mountain (Day Hike)
A rewarding and scenic day trip (or better, overnight stay) to the dramatic Four Girls Mountain massif in western Sichuan. Shuangqiao Valley's flat easy trail rewards even casual hikers with extraordinary views of snow peaks rising above birch forests. Best done as an overnight trip in autumn for peak foliage viewing.
Highlights: Shuangqiao Valley trail · Four Girls Mountain snow peaks · Alpine meadows · Optional horse riding
Zigong — Dinosaur Museum & Salt History
A fascinating double museum day trip to Zigong, home to the world's largest in-situ dinosaur fossil museum and a remarkable Salt History Museum documenting China's ancient salt industry. Zigong was the heart of China's ancient salt trade using deep borehole technology invented 2,000 years ago.
Highlights: Dashanpu Jurassic dinosaur fossils · In-situ excavation hall · Zigong Salt History Museum · Ancient brine well technology
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Tours
- Organized day tours from Chengdu from $40 include transport, guide, and entry fees — convenient but less flexible
- Private
- Private car with English-speaking driver from $80/day — best for multiple sites or western Sichuan routes
- Public
- High-speed trains serve Leshan, Emeishan, Dujiangyan, Guanghan, and Zigong — comfortable and affordable ($7–20 one way)
- Rental
- Car rental not available to foreign visitors without Chinese license — hire a private car with driver instead
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Start early for long day trips — aim to depart by 7:30–8:00 AM on public transport or 7:00 AM by private car
Book high-speed train tickets in advance on Ctrip/Trip.com — weekend trains to Leshan and Emeishan fill quickly
The Leshan + Emei combination requires efficient time management — consider a private driver to maximize time at each site
For Siguniang Mountain, book return transport from Rilong town before you leave Chengdu — bus schedules back are limited
Many sites close at 5:00–5:30 PM — plan your furthest destination first and return toward Chengdu in the afternoon