Sichuan Self-Guided Budget Tours with Support

Self-guided travel in Sichuan is possible and getting more and more popular now given the developement of parks and tourist attractions that making visiting easier as well as the convenient public transportation in China. Self-Guided Tour not only saves money but also gives travelers a sense of adventure while traveling in Sichuan and in China in general. The biggest challenge of sel-guided travel in China at the moment is the language barrier.

Why Choose A Self-guided Tour in Sichuan?

1, It saves Money. In a private guided tour for small group of 1 to 4 people, an English-speaking guide cost takes up one third of the total tour cost.

2, Pre-arranging of Tickets to (Parks & Sites, Trains) Available & Very Developed Sites and Parks. Now in China every park has online booking available that you can secure your booking in advance with early planning. And most parks are bilngually-signed and relatively easy to navigate yourself around. Most parks have internet coverage in China.

3, Convenient Public Transport. Public transportation is very convenient now in China. Fast trains are available to major travel destinations in Sichuan such as Emei, Leshan, Dujiangyan, Jiuzhaigou. Flights are available to Jiuzhaigou, Yading.

4, Many Parks in Sichuan are of Natural Beauty that don't Require lots of Cultural/Historical Explaination. Many of the parks in Sichuan are of natural sceneries such as Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong, Zoige Grassland, Lianbao Yeze, Bipenggou, Siguniang, Danba, Tagong, Daocheng Yading, Minya Konka and beyond. (unlike in Xi'an or Beijing where a lot of the places are cultral and historical sites that explainations are needed). Therefore with reading and studying of map of such places in Sichuan one can travel without a guide.

Who are suited for Self-guided Tours in Sichuan?

• Those who would like to explore;
• Those who travel in small group below 4 people;
• Those who travel with a budget;
• Those who can read maps and feel comfortable learning things;
• Introverts that prefer to be traveling by themselves.

Travel Destinations in Sichuan that are suited for Self-Guided Tours

Jiuzhaigou & Huangong, Daocheng Yading: These travel destinations are far but with flights available, you only book local transfer, pre-arrange park tickets and/or hotels. (Recommend: public transport + local transport).

Siguniang, Danba, Tagong, Derge, Ganzi, Yading, Kangding, Minya Konka and Xinduqiao, etc: Places in Western Sichuan that public transportation is difficult, and using a private transfer will save time and make your trip much easier. (Recommend: private transport).

Regular parks and sites such as Mt. Emei, Leshan Buddha, Dujiangyan Irrigation System, Mt. Qingcheng, Panda Bases, Streets of Chengdu: with Sufficient and reliable information and instructions, visits to these places are also possible self-gudied.

Disadvantages of Self-Guided Travel/Tour in Sichuan

1, Language Barrier (check in to parks, hotels, ordering food, etc).

2, Difficult and complicated public/local transportation in remote places in western Sichuan such as Siguniang, Danba, Tagong, Yading.

3, Missing out the cultural communication in a trip.

Solutions for Challenges/Difficulties in a Self-guided Tour as a Foreigner in Sichuan

• Download translation app on your phone and make sure they work offline;
• Hire a Private Transfer where necessary, especially when you are traveling to places off the main way/in the mountain areas such as Huanglong, Yading, Siguniang, Danba, Tagong, Xinduqiao, Minya Konka and beyond.
• Sichuan Travel Guide offers private transfer with experienced and patient driver, and support to travelers who book self-guided tours from us on check-in to hotels, pre-arrange entrance tickets to tourist parks/book train tickets, even on finding restaurants and on translating when necessary.

Below are good example of Self-Guided Tours in Sichuan.