Seven days is enough to see Chengdu, Leshan and Chongqing on trains alone, with two nights in each city and one day trip. The rail line between the two cities is short, so you spend your time in places, not in a vehicle.
This plan is written for first-timers who want a low-cost route they can follow without a guide.
Who is this route for?
It suits cost-conscious couples, friends and small families who are comfortable carrying their own bags. It also suits anyone nervous about long coach days, since every leg here is on rail or metro.
If you would rather compare a rail trip with a flight, open the rail versus flight tool first.
What does the route look like?
- Day 1: arrive in Chengdu and rest
- Day 2: pandas and old Chengdu streets
- Day 3: day trip to Leshan by train
- Day 4: train to Chongqing
- Day 5: Chongqing riverfront and Hongyadong
- Day 6: a free day for a second look, rest or shopping
- Day 7: fly home
Day by day
Day 1: arrive and rest
Chengdu has two airports. Malaysia Airlines serves Chengdu among nine China-region gateways[1], and other carriers fly there too, so compare options on dates and price. Ride the metro to the city, check in and sleep.
Day 2: pandas and old streets
Go to the panda base early. It was founded in 1987 with six rescued pandas[2]. Spend the afternoon at a tea house and a slow walk.
Day 3: Leshan by train
Leshan is a day trip, so take an early train and return in the evening. Buy the return ticket at the same time as the outbound one, to avoid a sold-out evening. The Chengdu, Leshan and Chongqing six-day route describes the Buddha viewing options.
Day 4: Chengdu to Chongqing
The Chengdu to Chongqing intercity railway opened in December 2015 and runs about 307 km[3]. Fast trains take roughly 1 hour 20 to 1 hour 30 minutes, with the fastest near 1 hour 7 minutes[4]. G trains are the premier high-speed class, running up to 300 km/h[5].
Reach the station 30 to 40 minutes early for the X-ray bag check[6]. After you arrive, check in and rest.
Day 5: Chongqing riverfront
Walk around Jiefangbei in the morning and head to Hongyadong at dusk. Chongqing is steep, so ask the hotel about the nearest metro exit.
Day 6: a free day
Keep this day empty on purpose. Use it for a second look, a rest or shopping.
Day 7: fly home
Leave for the airport early and keep your passport in your hand bag.
How do you buy the tickets?
Foreigners with ordinary passports can verify their details and buy tickets online through 12306[7]. You enter your name, nationality and passport number or upload a passport photo[8].
Tickets usually go on sale 15 days before departure and cannot be bought earlier[9]. That means you book flights first and rail later, so choose refundable hotels for the nights around the train days. You need the passport again at the platform gate[10].
Where should you stay?
- Chengdu: near a metro line; read the station versus centre guide
- Chongqing: close to the riverfront; see the north versus west station guide
Think in areas, not hotel names. Ask whether a taxi can reach the door.
How can you adapt it?
- Shorter: drop Day 6 and save a night.
- Seniors: choose first class and keep bags small.
- Halal meals: ask for Hui-run restaurants, because the Hui avoid pork[11]. Muslim-owned is not the same as certified.
What should you book ahead?
Book flights and the first and last hotels now, and the trains when the window opens. For a pair-of-cities view, read the Chengdu and Chongqing guide.
Price the whole trip in ringgit with the budget planner, and browse the getting around topic page for more rail tips.