Help! Advice For Last Minute Trip to Chengdu & Chongqing

Question

We are two person (not young) travelling to Chengdu and Chongqing in mid November (a very last minute decision). Flight will be landing in Chengdu in the morning and leaving Chongqing 10 days later around 7am. Hence, we have 9days 9nights in these cities.

This is our plan:

Day 1

Fly to Chengdu. Take airport bus 1 from Tianfu International Airport to Chunxi stop. Walk or Didi to hotel depending on whether we are able to book an accommodation within walking distance to Chunxi metro station. Leave luggage at hotel and explore Taikoli area/lunch. Back to hotel to check in and out for Dongmen pier round trip cruise (have not book), dinner and back to hotel, rest for the night.

Day 2

Chengdu - no plan yet

Day 3

Check out of hotel and Didi to Chengdu East HSR Station to take HSR to Leshan Station. Didi to accommodation at Jiadingfang Area A. Buy ferry tickets (Day and Night) to see Leshan Buddha. Enjoy and explore Leshan & city.

Day 4

Morning ferry to see Leshan Buddha. Didi to to Leshan HSR station after check out of accommodation. HSR back to Chengdu. Check in to hotel in Chengdu.

Day 5

Check out of hotel in Chengdu and Didi to HSR Chengdu East Station to take HSR to Chongqing. Didi from Chongqing HSR station to hotel around Yuzhong City Centre.

Q: Any recommendations for hotel near jiefangbei area?

Q:Is it very difficult to get hold of HSR tickets from [1]Chengdu to Leshan, [2]Leshan to Chengdu and [3]Chengdu to Chongqing? This is stressing me out a lot!

Day 6 to 8 Chongqing- no plan yet!

Day 9 - Q: should we stay 1 night at airport hotel since our flight on Day 10 is around 7am? Appreciate advice.

Day 10 - Flight Home

Apart from air tickets and the one night accommodation at Leshan, nothing has been booked! We have already set up our Alipay and Wechatpay App. Not tested, so praying hard that they will work.

The last time we travelled to China was at least a decade ago and that was with group tours. We decided not to go with packaged tour this time for flexibility and food. I am beginning to regret the hasty decision to book the trip without 'enough' time for research. Navigating the payment and ride hailing systems in China is another thing. We have no issue using Grab or Uber in other countries.

Q:Is there a need to bring any winterwear during mid to late November?

Hope to receive answers to my queries and/or advice regarding my itinerary. Greatful and Many thanks for response!

Answer

Your itinerary for Chengdu and Chongqing looks feasible, even though it’s a last-minute plan. Here are detailed answers and advice for each of your queries and general tips for smooth travel.

Hotel near Jiefangbei, Chongqing:

JW Marriott Hotel Chongqing – located right in the heart of Jiefangbei, convenient for shopping and dining.
InterContinental Chongqing – centrally located, with excellent views of the city.
Holiday Inn Express Chongqing Jiefangbei – budget-friendly and within walking distance to key attractions.
These hotels are generally accessible for Didi rides and walking around the central district, so choose according to your budget and preferred amenities.

HSR (High-Speed Rail) tickets:

Chengdu to Leshan, Leshan to Chengdu, Chengdu to Chongqing – generally manageable, but last-minute travel may require checking availability carefully.
Use official apps like Ctrip/Trip.com or the 12306 China Railway app. Booking 1-3 days in advance is usually sufficient, especially in November, which is not peak season.
If seats are sold out online, consider booking through your hotel concierge or a travel agent – they can often secure tickets for you.
Try to book morning trains early in the day to allow flexibility and avoid potential sold-out trains, especially for Leshan day trips.

Day 9 – Stay at airport hotel?

Yes, since your flight is at 7 AM, staying near Chongqing Jiangbei Airport is highly recommended. It saves stress and early-morning travel time from the city center.
There are several airport hotels, including Holiday Inn Chongqing Airport and Hilton Garden Inn Chongqing Airport, which provide shuttle services.

Winterwear for mid-late November:

Chengdu and Chongqing temperatures typically range from 10°C to 18°C during this period, with Chongqing being slightly warmer but more humid.
Light to medium jackets, sweaters, and a scarf are recommended. You generally won’t need heavy winter coats, but layering is advisable, especially for cooler mornings and evenings.

Additional advice for your itinerary and travel:

Payment apps: Make sure Alipay and WeChat Pay are working and linked to your international credit card or have some local currency added. Test small payments before relying on them fully.
Didi rides: Use the English interface and ensure your pickup location is correctly entered. Chengdu and Chongqing are well-served by Didi, so it should be convenient.
Chunxi and Taikoo Li areas in Chengdu: These are excellent for walking, shopping, and lunch on your first day. For older travelers, pace yourself and plan for rest breaks.
Leshan: The day and night ferries are a great way to view the Buddha from the river. Be mindful of timing to avoid crowded hours.
Chongqing sightseeing: Consider visiting Ciqikou Old Town, Hongya Cave, and a Yangtze river night cruise. These are accessible and memorable experiences without strenuous walking.
General tips: Book hotels close to metro or main roads to make Didi pickups easier, carry a portable charger, and keep small cash for taxis and markets in case apps fail.

Overall, your plan is doable and flexible, especially with the use of HSR, Didi, and electronic payment apps. Booking HSR and key hotels a few days in advance should reduce stress and allow you to enjoy Chengdu and Chongqing comfortably.

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