Ava Thompson
April 18, 2026
Ideal for family getaways, this 7-day private Chinese Panda Odyssey adventure explores Chengdu and Chongqing, giving your group unforgettable up-close encounters with China’s iconic giant pandas in their native Southwest Chinese home. Curated as a top-quality itinerary tailored for family groups, this tour comes with unbeatable pricing and secure, trusted payment options to deliver a fully stress-free booking and travel experience from start to finish.



This 7-day private family adventure kicks off in lush, food-focused Chengdu, the global center of giant panda conservation, before traveling east to the hilly, one-of-a-kind mountain city of Chongqing, capped off with a day trip to the otherworldly karst landscapes of Wulong County before your departure. Curated for relaxed, stress-free family travel, this route blends once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters, authentic cultural experiences, mouthwatering signature Sichuan cuisine, and breathtaking natural scenery, with every stop adjusted to your group’s pace.
🌟 Day 1: Chengdu
Your Panda Odyssey officially begins when you arrive in sunny, laid-back Chengdu. Your private tour team will greet you at the airport or train station and escort you to your 🏨 to settle in, leaving you free to rest after your journey or sneak out to try local street food on your own.
🌟 Day 2: Chengdu
After a hearty included 🍽️ breakfast, you’ll head to the panda reserve for your exclusive volunteer keeper experience. You’ll get up close to gentle giant pandas, helping prepare their meals, feed them, clean their enclosures, and watch these iconic creatures munch bamboo and play throughout the morning. After your hands-on time with pandas, you’ll enjoy a delicious included buffet lunch 🍽️ right at the Panda Center before returning to your accommodation for the night 🏨.
🌟 Day 3: Chengdu
Kick off today with another tasty included 🍽️ breakfast, then enjoy a leisurely visit to the world-famous Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Wander through lush, bamboo-filled habitats at your own pace, spotting dozens of giant and red pandas going about their daily routines. After your panda visit, treat yourself to a soothing 60-minute ear cleaning session complete with a gentle mini-massage, the perfect mid-trip pick-me-up. As dusk falls, you’ll head to Shufeng Yayun Theater to take in the iconic Sichuan Opera from premium VIP seats, where you’ll experience the breathtaking traditional face-changing performance that has wowed audiences for centuries. You’ll return to your 🏨 in Chengdu for the night.
🌟 Day 4: Chengdu → Chongqing
After your included 🍽️ breakfast this morning, you’ll travel from Chengdu to Chongqing, China’s famous vertical mountain city. Once you arrive, start exploring with a stop at iconic Liziba Monorail Station, where you can watch the viral moment a monorail train passes straight through a residential high-rise. Next, wander through the bustling Jiefangbei Central Business District to visit the historic Liberation Monument, before moving on to the dazzling Hongyadong cliffside complex, where layered traditional stilt buildings light up the hillside after dark. You’ll check into your 🏨 in Chongqing for the night.
🌟 Day 5: Chongqing
Start your day of city exploration with an included 🍽️ breakfast, then head to your first stop: the grand, iconic People’s Grand Hall, one of Chongqing’s most recognizable architectural landmarks. Next, visit historic Kuixing Tower for sweeping panoramic views of the city spread out below, then take a slow stroll through the quaint old alleyways of Shancheng Lane, where you can soak up authentic local life and charming traditional architecture. Midday, you’ll enjoy an included iconic Chongqing meal: spicy hot pot lunch 🍽️ at the famous Piyuan Garden Hot Pot, where you can taste the bold, numbing flavors Sichuan is known for. You’ll spend another night at your 🏨 in Chongqing.
🌟 Day 6: Chongqing → Wulong County
After your included 🍽️ breakfast, leave Chongqing’s busy city streets behind and head to the dramatic natural landscapes of Wulong County. Your main stop today is a guided tour of the world-famous Three Natural Bridges, a jaw-dropping karst landscape featuring three massive ancient natural stone arches tucked into a lush green valley. Near the stunning Qinglong Bridge, you’ll also explore a well-preserved ancient staging post dating back to the Tang Dynasty, stepping back in time to imagine ancient trade along this route. After that, take a leisurely scenic walk through the valley to soak up fresh mountain air and incredible views before heading back to Chongqing for the night at your 🏨.
🌟 Day 7: Chongqing
Enjoy your final included 🍽️ breakfast at your hotel this morning, before your private tour escort escorts you to the airport for your departure, bringing your unforgettable Panda Odyssey adventure to a close.
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
April 18, 2026
Every part of this tour was well organized and our panda encounter is a memory our family will cherish forever.
February 14, 2026
As a family of four with teens who love nature and good food, this tour checked every single box. The private car was comfortable, our guide was knowledgeable about pandas and local culture, and the Chongqing night cruise was such a fun surprise. We left feeling like we got to see the best of both cities without any of the stress of planning everything ourselves.
September 5, 2025
We were a little nervous about traveling to China with our elderly parents and two young kids, but this private tour was perfectly paced for everyone. The panda encounters were scheduled early in the morning when pandas are most active, so we got to see them playing and eating bamboo instead of napping out of sight. We had plenty of time to rest at the comfortable included hotels, and our guide adjusted the walking pace to match what our group needed. The Sichuan food we tried was incredible, and they even swapped out the spiciest dishes for milder versions for our kids without us even asking. This tour is honestly designed perfectly for family groups of all ages.
May 22, 2025
Chongqing’s incredible skyline and spicy hot pot were such a fun contrast to Chengdu’s relaxed panda-focused days. The private tour format meant we could linger longer at the panda base when we wanted to, which our kids absolutely loved.
April 30, 2025
We had an amazing time overall, but we visited during a national holiday week so the panda base was much more wonderful than we expected.
March 12, 2025
This was the best family vacation we’ve ever taken, perfect for our panda-obsessed kids.
January 18, 2025
Our private guide knew all the best spots to see giant pandas up close before the crowds hit. Chengdu and Chongqing were both so much fun, with plenty of stops for kid-friendly snacks and breaks when we needed them. Our whole family left with huge smiles and hundreds of photos.
December 30, 2024
We booked this tour last minute as a special Christmas trip for our kids, and it exceeded every expectation we had. Getting up close to giant pandas at the well-managed conservation base was such a special experience that taught our kids a lot about giant panda conservation efforts in China. The day trip we took to a smaller panda sanctuary outside Chengdu was the highlight of the whole trip, with far fewer crowds and more pandas roaming around. We would absolutely recommend this tour to any family looking for a unique, stress-free adventure in China.
December 22, 2024
HelloChinaTrip’s consultant Ethan helped us adjust the itinerary last minute when our flight got delayed, and he was so responsive the whole time. We got to have an up-close encounter with a young panda under expert supervision, and it was even more magical than we imagined. The private tour meant we never had to wait in long lines with our two young kids, and the stops in Chongqing for hot pot and night views of the city were the perfect complement to the panda-focused days in Chengdu. We couldn’t have asked for a better 7-day family getaway, and we’re already planning our next trip back.