James Henderson
April 3, 2026
Customized China Tours Tailored Just for You
This 7-day private family adventure, the Sichuan and Chongqing Chinese Panda Odyssey, takes you across southwest China’s beloved destinations Chengdu and Chongqing, centered on the unforgettable experience of getting up close with iconic giant pandas in their native home region. Curated specifically for family groups, this handpicked tour delivers great value with competitive pricing and secure, trusted payment processes, letting you focus on enjoying a tailored, stress-free getaway packed with one-of-a-kind wildlife and cultural experiences.
This 7-day private family adventure kicks off in Chengdu, the laid-back bamboo-filled capital of Sichuan and the world’s most famous home of giant pandas. After getting up close to China’s most beloved furry residents and tasting iconic Sichuan flavors, you’ll travel east to misty, hilly Chongqing — a vibrant riverside megacity packed with quirky landmarks and rich culture. You’ll explore Chongqing’s most iconic spots, dig into authentic spicy hot pot, then take a day trip to the otherworldly karst landscapes of Wulong before wrapping up your journey for departure from Chongqing. Curated for a relaxed, memorable family trip, this route perfectly balances wildlife, culture, food and nature to show you the very best of southwest China.
After your flight lands in Chengdu, your private guide will greet you and escort you to your city hotel 🏨 to check in. Take the rest of the day to unwind from travel, stretch your legs, and even pop out to try a local street snack like dan dan noodles to get your first taste of Sichuan hospitality.
Today you get to step into the role of a giant panda keeper for an unforgettable hands-on volunteer experience! You’ll help center staff with daily panda care, including preparing bamboo snacks, feeding the gentle giants, cleaning their enclosures, and observing their daily behaviors up close. After your morning working with pandas, you’ll enjoy a hearty buffet lunch right at the Panda Center 🍽️. Today includes breakfast 🍽️ at your hotel.
Enjoy a leisurely morning wandering the world-famous Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where you’ll roam through bamboo-filled habitats to spot giant pandas (and adorable tiny red pandas!) playing and munching on their favorite snack. After your panda visit, treat yourself to a relaxing 60-minute ear cleaning session complete with a gentle mini-massage to recharge for the evening. End the night with premium VIP seats at Shufeng Yayun Theater, where you’ll get a front-row view of the iconic, thrilling traditional Sichuan Opera face-changing performance. Today includes breakfast 🍽️ at your hotel.
After breakfast 🍽️, you’ll travel from Chengdu to Chongqing, and jump straight into exploring this one-of-a-kind hilly riverside city. First, stop at Liziba Monorail Station to see the viral engineering marvel: the train that passes straight through a residential building. Next, wander through the bustling Jiefangbei Central Business District to visit the historic Liberation Monument, a landmark that tells the story of modern Chongqing. End your day exploring the glowing cliff-side Hongyadong Complex, a multi-level stilted building complex that looks like it’s straight out of an animated fantasy after dark. You’ll check into your central Chongqing hotel 🏨 for the night.
Dive deeper into Chongqing’s history and local culture today. Start with a visit to the grand, iconic People's Grand Hall, a stunning architectural landmark set beside a beautiful central park. Next, head to historic Kuixing Tower, where you can climb to the top for sweeping panoramic views of the whole city. After that, take a leisurely stroll through Shancheng Lane, a charming old alley where you can experience authentic daily local life away from the tourist crowds. For lunch, you’ll enjoy a famous traditional Chongqing hot pot meal at Piyuan Garden 🍽️. Today includes breakfast 🍽️ at your hotel.
Leave the bustle of the city behind today for a day of exploring the dramatic natural scenery of Wulong County. Your main stop is the world-famous Three Natural Bridges, a series of massive ancient natural rock arches carved by rivers, surrounded by lush green valleys. You’ll also visit a well-preserved ancient staging post from the Tang Dynasty, located right near Qinglong Bridge, where you can step back in time to imagine ancient trade routes through southwest China. Spend the afternoon wandering along peaceful scenic valley paths, breathing in fresh mountain air and admiring the dramatic karst views around you. Today includes breakfast 🍽️, and you’ll stay overnight in Wulong 🏨.
After breakfast 🍽️ at your hotel, your 7-day panda odyssey comes to a close. Your private guide will escort you back to Chongqing and drop you at the airport for your departure flight, leaving you with warm memories of giant pandas, spicy delicious food, and stunning southwest Chinese scenery.
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
April 3, 2026
We did this trip as a multi-generational vacation with our teens and my retired parents, and every single person loved it. The itinerary was paced perfectly, with enough downtime for older family members who don’t like to be on the go all day. Our guide was flexible with meal requests, easily accommodating our vegetarian family member without any extra fuss. Getting to the panda base early meant we avoided the worst of the midday crowds, which made the whole experience so much more enjoyable. This is easily the best private family tour we’ve taken in Asia.
February 14, 2026
This is the best organized family tour we’ve ever booked anywhere in the world.
January 9, 2026
This was the most memorable family vacation we have ever taken.
October 27, 2025
If you’re traveling with kids who love animals, this tour is an absolute must-book. Getting to watch giant pandas munch on bamboo just a few feet away is an experience none of our family will ever forget. Our local guide shared so many fun panda facts that kept our 8-year-old engaged the whole visit, and Chongqing’s famous night view was even more stunning than we saw in photos. All private transfers were comfortable and always on time, and we never had any issues with bookings or arrangements. We left already planning when we can come back for another visit.
May 22, 2025
My husband and I are lifelong panda fans, and this tour exceeded every one of our expectations. The private arrangement let us spend as much time as we wanted watching the pandas play, instead of being herded along with large crowds. The mix of Chengdu’s wildlife and Chongqing’s vibrant city energy made for the perfect 7-day getaway.
April 18, 2025
We had a lovely time exploring Chengdu and Chongqing and seeing the giant pandas up close on this private family tour. The only reason I’m not giving 5 stars is that we traveled during May public holiday, so all popular scenic spots were far more wonderful than usual, which is just a seasonal factor outside of the tour operator’s control.
March 12, 2025
This panda-focused family tour was everything we hoped it would be and more.
January 18, 2025
We brought our two young kids on this adventure, and they haven’t stopped talking about our panda encounters since we got home. Getting to Chengdu’s panda base early before the crowds was a huge win, and our guide tailored every stop to keep little kids engaged. We also loved exploring Chongqing’s hilly streets and trying authentic spicy hot pot together.
December 20, 2024
Our consultant Elean from HelloChinaTrip helped us add an extra half-day of panda volunteer work to our itinerary, which made this trip absolutely perfect for our animal-obsessed kids. As a private tour, we never had to rush or wait for other groups, which is such a stress-free way to travel with family. We got to see both giant pandas and red pandas up close, cruise the Jialing River at sunset, and sample delicious street food at Chongqing’s night markets. Every transfer and booking was completely seamless, and our local guide was incredibly knowledgeable about panda conservation and local culture. I’d recommend this tour to any family looking for an unforgettable trip to southwest China.
