2-Day Chengdu Excursion: Dujiangyan, Mount Qingcheng & Leshan Buddha

A two-day private excursion from Chengdu that covers three UNESCO World Heritage sites without rushing: the Dujiangyan irrigation system and Mount Qingcheng on day one, then the Leshan Giant Buddha on day two. One hotel night is included, and the order can be reversed to suit your flights.

• Three UNESCO sites in two days
• Dujiangyan's 2,200-year-old irrigation system
• Mount Qingcheng, birthplace of Taoism
• Leshan Giant Buddha, 71 metres, carved into the river cliff
• One night in a 4-star hotel with breakfast
• Private vehicle and guide for both days

• Meals as listed in the daily itinerary (breakfasts and lunches as shown)
• Private air-conditioned vehicle with professional driver throughout
• English-speaking local guide (Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian or Japanese on request)
• All entrance fees for the sites listed, including shuttle buses, eco-buses and cable cars where the site requires them
• Local handling and coordination service throughout the programme
• Bottled water (2 bottles per person per day) and audio headsets where group size requires them
• Travel accident insurance for the duration of the tour

• International air tickets and any domestic flights not listed in the itinerary
• China visa or visa-free entry documentation fees
• Meals not specified in the daily itinerary and all beverages/alcohol
• Tips for guides, drivers and hotel staff (suggested USD 8-12 per person per day)
• Personal expenses: laundry, telephone, minibar, shopping
• Optional activities and any item not listed under Price Includes
• Single-room supplement if a traveller requires a room alone

A two-day private excursion with one hotel night, private vehicle and guide for both days. The order of the two days can be reversed to suit your flights.

Are all three sites UNESCO listed?

Yes. Dujiangyan, Mount Qingcheng and the Leshan Giant Buddha are all UNESCO World Heritage sites, and all three are on this itinerary. The Buddha is the largest stone Buddha in the world at 71 metres, and Dujiangyan is a working irrigation system rather than a ruin. Three UNESCO sites in two days without rushing is the whole design of the trip.

Does Dujiangyan still function?

Yes. The system is about 2,200 years old and still irrigates the Chengdu plain, which is the reason it is studied rather than simply visited. It works by dividing the river rather than damming it, using a fish-mouth levee, a spillway and a cut through the mountain. Your guide explains the three parts from the viewpoints above the works.

Why is Mount Qingcheng important?

It is regarded as the birthplace of Taoism, and its temples are built into a densely forested mountain rather than standing apart from it. The paths are shaded and the walking is moderate, which makes it a good pairing with Dujiangyan on the same day. The two are a short drive apart.

Do we see the Leshan Buddha on foot or by boat?

Either, and we recommend the boat if you want to understand the scale. The stairway to the feet is narrow and queues in high season, and from the bottom you cannot see the whole figure. The boat gives you the full 71 metres in one view, and we can arrange it in place of the climb.

Can the order of the days be reversed?

Yes, and we do it routinely when it suits flight times better. Both days are self-contained day trips from Chengdu, so the sequence does not affect what you see. Tell us your arrival and departure times and we will set the order.

How much driving is there?

Two day trips, one north-west to Dujiangyan and Qingcheng and one south to Leshan, each with a private vehicle and driver. The driving is split across the two days rather than stacked into one. Comfort stops are built in, and the roads are expressway for most of both routes.

Is one night enough for this trip?

Yes, because both days return to Chengdu. You need one night in the city and the two days either side of it. If you want a slower version, add a third day and we will put a teahouse afternoon or the panda base in the middle rather than compress the sites.