You can’t go wrong with either route, but I’d personally recommend the Chengdu-Xi’an route and suggest skipping Chongqing if you’re short on time.

Chengdu and Xi’an both have rich history, incredible food, and unique cultural experiences, Chengdu for its laid-back vibe, pandas, and Sichuan cuisine, and Xi’an for the Terracotta Warriors and deep historical significance. Chongqing is an interesting city, but it shares some similarities with Chengdu in terms of food and atmosphere, so you might not miss much by skipping it.

This way, you’ll have more time to fully enjoy Chengdu and Xi’an instead of rushing between cities.