Chengdu is the gateway to some of Sichuan's most significant sights. The Leshan Giant Buddha (2 hours by high-speed train or bus) and Emei Shan sacred mountain are natural companions for a 2-day trip south. Sanxingdui Museum at Guanghan (40 minutes by bus or minibus) is one of China's great archaeological discoveries. Qingcheng Shan Taoist mountain and Dujiangyan irrigation works (both about an hour northwest by high-speed train) combine well in a single day. For the more adventurous, Jiuzhaigou National Park's extraordinary alpine lakes are a 6-hour drive north or a 50-minute flight.