Exquisite rock carvings of Beishan in Dazu
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TRIP 5 : FROM CHENGDU TO CHONGQING/ 6
DAYS |
Exquisite rock carvings of Beishan in Dazu
| Day | Daily schedule | Overnight in |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | In the morning to panda breeding center, afternoon to Wenshu temple and Kuang and Zhai ancient streets | Chengdu |
| 2 | Via Leshan, the biggest sitting stone Buddha in the world to Zigong | Zigong |
| 3 | Zigong dinosaur museum, salt museum, secret tea house | Zigong |
| 4 | Via the Rongxian Buddha to Dazu | Dazu |
| 5 | Dazu grottoes sightseeing | Dazu |
| 6 | To Chongqing |
rock carvings of Baodingshan in Dazu / Rongxian
Buddha / Zigong Salt Museum
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Included |
* private car and driver for above itinerary * English speaking guide * 3-star hotels including breakfast buffet |
|---|---|
| Excluded |
* entrance fees * lunch, dinner |
| Price |
Price for 2 persons: RMB 6800 p.p. Special group rates are available on request. (Price will be higher during the Chinese holidays: 1-7 May and 1-7 October.) Calculate exchange rate |
|
Best travel time |
Whole year round. Spring and autumn is the best time though. |
|
Remarks |
Itinerary:
Day 1: We start the day by going to one of China’s most famous
attractions: the Panda bear. We go to the panda breeding center just outside the
city to enjoy the panda’s playing and we can see how they are fed. After that we
go to the Wenshu temple and we end the afternoon by walking around in the Zhai
and Kuang old streets.
Day 2: Today we drive from Chengdu to Zigong, on the
way stopping to enjoy the wonderful Big Buddha in Leshan, the biggest sitting
stone Buddha in the world. This Maitreya Buddha is 71 meters high, carved out of
a cliff face along the river. We first admire the Buddha from the river by boat.
We then go up the mountain to see the Buddha from close by. We also visit the
temple on top of the mountain, dedicated to monk Haitong who led the
construction of the Buddha in 713 AD. The aim of the construction was that the
Buddha would calm the rivers that disturbed the ships. When funding for the
project was threatened, he is said to have gouged out his own eyes to show his
piety and sincerity. Construction was completed by his disciples ninety years
later and it deed indeed calm the waters. Continue to Zigong where we spend the
night.
Day 3: We go to the Zigong Dinosaur Museum, one of the three top
dinosaur museums in the world. After that we see the salt museum, located in a
great guilt house with a stunning entrance gate. Salt has been found and
produced around Zigong for a period of more than 2000 years, and the museum
nicely shows the interesting history of Zigong salt. Then we drink tea in a
secret tea house!!!
Day 4: We first go to the nearby city of Rongxian, to see
the amazing Buddha carved out of stone. We then continue to Dazu, famous for its
amazing rock carvings. Today we will see the rock carvings at Beishan. A
relatively small group of rock carvings compared to baodingshan, but of
exquisite quality! really a jewel for the eye.
Day 5: Today we have the whole
day to unhurriedly see all the carvings in the Baodingshan area. The sculptures
were completed between 1179 and 1249. There are many very large statues, such as
the reclining Buddha and the statue of Avoloketeshwara, Buddha of Compassion.
There are many many smaller statues to be seen, Buddhist as well as Taoist.
Day 6: Today we drive to Chongqing, the largest city of China.