8/9 days in Sichuan Car/driver rental? Places to visit?

Question

Hi we will land in Chongquing the 14th of may.

My wife and I are trying to develop a Sichuan tour excluding the big cities and Pandas that are not in our interests.

The places we would like to visit are:

Zhonglu + Yinke village? 1day

Tagong + Longdeng Grassland - Lhagang monastery - Muya monastery 2days?

Litang - Litang monastery- Maoya Grassland 2days?

Shangli Ancient Town 1gg

Do you have any suggestions on what to add or does it make no sense to do? our desire is to discover the local culture and live in contact with its people. We would prefer to sleep in a homestay and our doubt is to take a car with a driver from the first day in Chengdu or arrive at the first stop by bus and look for someone to take us around day by day by car. If anyone has contacts of local drivers or suggestions they are super appreciated.

Thanks to those who will answer.

Have a nice day.

Davide

Answer

Your proposed itinerary in Sichuan is ambitious but doable if you focus on immersive cultural experiences rather than rushing between destinations. The areas you mention are all in the Tibetan cultural region of western Sichuan and are less touristy, which aligns well with your goal of connecting with local people.

Regarding transport, the options are as follows:

Private car with driver from the start: Hiring a driver from Chongqing or Chengdu for the full 8-9 days gives maximum flexibility and saves time. Distances in western Sichuan can be long and roads are sometimes challenging, so a local driver familiar with the area is recommended.
Day-by-day driver or local transport: You could take buses or trains to major towns, then hire a driver locally for shorter excursions. This can work, but availability may be limited in smaller villages, and it may be less convenient if you want to stick to your tight schedule.

Suggested itinerary breakdown:

Day 1: Arrive in Chongqing, transfer to Zhonglu/Yinke villages. Explore local life, homestay overnight.
Days 2-3: Tagong + Longdeng Grassland, Lhagang Monastery, Muya Monastery. Two days is reasonable if you want to hike lightly and spend time with locals.
Days 4-5: Litang, Litang Monastery, Maoya Grassland. Two days again allows you to experience local Tibetan culture, markets, and homestays.
Day 6: Shangli Ancient Town. This is smaller, so one day is sufficient.
Day 7-8: Buffer days for travel between locations or optional visits to nearby villages, local markets, or short hikes. Roads can be slow and weather dependent, so extra days help.

Additional suggestions:

Focus on homestays run by Tibetan families to get authentic experiences; these often include meals and opportunities to interact with locals.
If you prefer comfort, some towns have guesthouses with private bathrooms; in smaller villages, amenities are basic.
Consider hiring a driver familiar with the Tibetan areas, who can also act as a translator, as English is rarely spoken outside major towns.
Bring some cash in RMB for remote areas; ATMs may not always be reliable.
Check weather conditions in May, as some high-altitude areas can still be cold or rainy.

Contacts for local drivers can sometimes be arranged through homestays or tour agencies specializing in Tibetan areas of Sichuan. Websites like Trip.com or local WeChat groups can be useful. Booking a full-route private driver is generally more efficient if your time is limited.

Overall, your plan makes sense if you value cultural immersion and don’t mind long drives. Make sure to allow some buffer for travel delays, altitude acclimatization, and rest.

8/9 days in Sichuan Car/driver rental? Places to visit?

More Sichuan Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions