Sichuan Food Express: Chengdu → Leshan → Emei → Qingcheng, 4 Cities, 5 Must-Try Spots in a Weekend
If you’re a foodie visiting Chengdu, why not take a 2-hour high-speed train adventure to explore the best local cuisine in nearby cities? In just a weekend, you can enjoy Chengdu, Leshan, Emei, and Qingcheng—four culinary hotspots packed with authentic flavors, all reachable by train. Here’s the ultimate itinerary for eating your way through Sichuan.
First Stop: Leshan (20 min by train)
Feng Si Niang Qiao Jiao Beef (Main Store)
Start your Leshan foodie tour at this local favorite, famous for its “tip-toe” beef. Large copper pots simmer beef bones into a rich broth; fresh beef and offal are cooked to order and garnished with chopped celery. Must-try dishes: fresh beef and ultra-thin beef tongue, blanched for just 3 seconds, dipped in dry chili sauce—flavor that will make you stomp your feet in delight! Pair with spicy blood curd and steamed beef for an extra kick. Average cost: 45 RMB per person. Free soup refills are available. A taxi from Leshan Station (Line 1) takes about 10 minutes.
Zhang Gongqiao Food Street – Yingzi Fried Snacks
Try crispy fried pork belly, chicken skin, and mushrooms, made fresh on the spot. In the evening, grab a sweet-and-salty Zhao Roast Duck from the park branch (half duck, 35 RMB) as a take-home gift.
Second Stop: Emei (30 min by train from Leshan)
Emei Xiangcai Restaurant (Scenic Area Branch)
Indulge in finely stir-fried river eel threads with delicate flavor. Finish with hand-pulled noodles mixed in the leftover sauce—simply addictive.
Xu BBQ (Wannan East Road Branch)
Enjoy skewers of pork belly and eel with locally famous “Emei Snow” soda. Average cost: 70 RMB. Stay overnight in Emei City and wake up early for the Golden Summit sunrise.
Old-School Tofu Porridge (Shuyuan Street)
Breakfast after sunrise: soft tofu with beef and minced meat, served with crispy fried bread. Only 15 RMB per person.
Third Stop: Qingcheng Mountain (50 min train via Chengdu → Xipu → Qingcheng)
Zhang Rice Wine Dessert (Taian Ancient Town Branch)
Warm up with sweet red sugar glutinous rice cakes and fermented rice egg soup. Only 10 RMB per person.
Qingcheng Jia Restaurant (Qingcheng Branch)
Must-try dishes include ginkgo nut stewed chicken and stir-fried fish with aromatic herbs—flavors that will astonish your taste buds. Average cost: 80 RMB per person.
Old Cured Meat Shop (Qianmen Branch)
Take home traditional Sichuan cured meat, vacuum-packed at 50 RMB per jin (~500g).
Return to Chengdu in the evening by high-speed train, ending your two-day culinary journey.
Suggested 2–3 Day Weekend Itinerary
Day 1: Chengdu → Leshan (train 20 min) → Qiao Jiao Beef → Zhang Gongqiao Food Street → Zhao Roast Duck → Emei (train 30 min) → Overnight in Emei City
Day 2: Golden Summit Sunrise → Old-School Tofu Porridge → Emei Xiangcai Restaurant → Xu BBQ → Chengdu (train 1 hr) → Overnight in Chengdu
Day 3: Chengdu → Qingcheng Mountain (train 20 min) → Zhang Rice Wine Dessert → Qingcheng Jia Restaurant → Qingcheng Back Mountain → Old Cured Meat Shop → Chengdu (train 20 min)
Travel Tips
Buy high-speed train tickets at least 1 day in advance, especially on weekends and holidays.
Local food spots near scenic areas are easy to reach by taxi.
For souvenirs, choose sweet roast duck, cured meat, or Qiao Jiao Beef in vacuum packs for easy transport.
The itinerary balances sightseeing and food, perfect for 2–3 day weekends without rushing.
Pro Tip: Explore Sichuan’s cuisine safely and comfortably with a professional Chengdu travel agency. We offer custom weekend tours, high-speed train planning, and curated local food experiences, making your journey unforgettable. Perfect for food lovers, families, or friends looking to taste authentic Sichuan without missing any highlights.
