This route is for travelers who would rather eat well and stay two nights than collect cities. Chengdu sets the pace, Chongqing turns the volume up, and Xi’an closes with the Terracotta Army.
Route at a glance
Chengdu (3 nights) → Chongqing (3 nights) → Xi’an (3 nights)
- Chengdu–Chongqing: about 1.5–2 hours by high-speed train.
- Chongqing–Xi’an: about 5–6 hours by train; take an early departure or fly.
- Check 12306 for current schedules and station names.
Day 1: Arrive in Chengdu
Check in around Chunxi Road or Wuhou. Keep the first evening close: a teahouse, a bowl of noodles, an early night.
Chengdu is a city for lingering; do not fill the first day.
Day 2: Pandas and People’s Park
- Panda Base at opening; leave by mid-morning when the crowds build.
- People’s Park teahouse in the afternoon.
- Sichuan hotpot for dinner; ask for a split pot if you need it.
Day 3: Chengdu, slowly
- Chengdu Museum or the Wuhou Shrine.
- Kuanzhai Alley or a neighbourhood walk.
- Optional Sichuan opera in the evening.
Day 4: Train to Chongqing
Morning train to Chongqing. Check in near Jiefangbei or the river.
- Walk the hills and take the metro through a building if you want the novelty.
- Hongya Cave at dusk; eat somewhere with a view, then walk.
Day 5: Chongqing
- Ciqikou old town in the morning, before the tour groups.
- Three Gorges Museum or the riverfront.
- Hotpot or a small noodle shop for dinner.
Day 6: Chongqing, slowly
Use the day for a neighbourhood you have not seen, a river ferry, or a day trip if you have the energy. Do not add a second major city.
Day 7: Train to Xi’an
Take the long train to Xi’an, or fly if the schedule fits better. Check in inside the city wall.
- Muslim Quarter food walk.
- City wall at sunset.
Day 8: Terracotta Army
- Terracotta Army in the morning; go early and book with your passport if required.
- Shaanxi History Museum or Big Wild Goose Pagoda in the afternoon.
- Dinner near the Bell Tower.
Day 9: Xi’an
- City wall by bike or on foot.
- Muslim Quarter, the Great Mosque and the backstreets.
- A slower evening before departure.
Day 10: Departure
Fly out or take a train. If you are continuing to Beijing or Shanghai, check the schedule and leave a buffer.
Where to stay
Chengdu: Chunxi Road or Wuhou. Chongqing: Jiefangbei or the river. Xi’an: inside the wall, near the Bell Tower or South Gate.
Booking notes
- Trains: passport required; book the long Chongqing–Xi’an leg early.
- Pandas: go at opening; the base is a timed visit for many travelers.
- Food: ask for mild if you need it; Sichuan and Chongqing heat is not a dare.
- Entry: check the current visa-free rules before booking.
Sources & timing references
Train times and opening hours change. Re-check before booking. Last route review 29 October 2026.
Same shape, different pace.
We can adjust the cities, add a rest day, swap a museum for a food walk, or turn the whole thing into a family-friendly route.