Panoramic Travel in Western Sichuan

Home > Discovery Tour in Tibetan Areas Kham and Amdo

15 Days Private Tour Chengdu – Sanxingdui – Mianyang – Jiangyou - Pingwu – Jiuzhaigou – Huanglong – Songpan – Maoxian - Taoping – Wolong – Siguniang Mountain – Danba – Tagong – Xinduqiao – Litang – Xiangcheng – Shangri-La Town – Yading – Daocheng - Litang - Xinduqiao - Kangding - Luding - Chengdu

On this trip, we will enjoy the leisure life in Chengdu firstly. After that we drive to Jiuzhaigou, on the way we visit the Sanxingdui Museum of the ruins of the old Shu Kingdom and the Bao'en Temple in Pingwu. The Bao'en Temple has the best preserved old buildings of the Ming Dynasty in China. On this trip, two of China's most beautiful national parks are assembled: Jiuzhaigou (UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992) and Huanglong (UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992) amidst the magnificent mountain world of Minshan Mountains in the northwest of Sichuan Province. The crystal clear water, countless alpine lakes, rushing streams and waterfalls, lush vegetation, active wild animals, the rugged peaks, all of these create the unreal beauty of Jiuzhaigou, but its beauty is true. Because of its spectacular and breathtaking karst landscape with countless limestone terraces, the Huanglong National Park is world famous. Continue along the Min River to Taoping Village and visit the traditional residences and fortress towers of the Qiang Minority. Then drive on the Chinese Panda road to Wolong, the first panda reserve of China, and visit the cute Pandas closely. Then we cross the Balang Mountain, hike in the Siguniang Mountain, the so-called "Chinese Alps", and enter the most beautiful villages in China - Jiaju and Zhonglu of the Jiarong Tibetans in Danba. Then we reach Tagong -"Buddha's favorite place", which is also known as "little Lhasa" among believers. Then we follow the Khampa Tibetans, turn the prayer mills around Tagong Monastery (Lhagang) and listen to the reading voices of the nuns in the Gyergo nunnery. Walk onto a hillside at the Balang Shengdu Village and wait for the sunset of Gongga Mountain (Minya Konka, 7508.9 m) and the holy mountain Yala (5820 m). And then we pass by Litang - the culture center of Kham, go to Xiangcheng, to unveil the beautiful white houses at Qingde Village. Finally, we reach Yading, Daocheng. Along the famous Rock Route, we walk through snow capped mountains, sacred lakes and high mountain valleys in Yading. In March 1928, American Explorer Joseph Rock set out from Muli, crossed Yading, Daocheng and other places, and went deep into Gongga (Minya Konka) mountain area. After two trips through Yading Daocheng, he published his travel notes and photos in the magazine “National Geographic”. In April 1933, British writer James Hilton wrote the famous novel "Lost Horizon" based on these travel notes and photos, especially Rock's exploration experience at the three sacred mountains (Xiannairi, Yangmaiyong and Xianuodoji) in Gongga Ling area. People called the "Xanadu" described in the novel as "Shangri-La". And since then, there was an upsurge of searching for Shangri La in the world. On the way back to Chengdu, we will go through Xinduqiao and visit the Luding Iron Chain Bridge where the Chinese Red Army combated during the Long March.

Highlights

Itinerary

Itinerary
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DAY
1

Arrive in Chengdu

Enjoy Chengdu leisurely daily life, Kuanzhai Xiangzi, drink tea in People' s Park

Arrive in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province, the home town of Panda. Pick up and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon stroll in the beautiful old block of Chengdu - Wide Alley and Narrow Alley (Kuan Xiangzi and Zhai Xiangzi), the relics of the Manchurian garrison since 1718 and consist of 3 parallel lanes with the old classical houses, which are unique in southern China just like the northern Chinese architectural style presented by Hutong. After a careful renovation in June 2008, the pubs, teahouses, restaurants and guesthouses are concentrated here, and in no time at all, it becomes the "lobby of leisure capital Chengdu". A walk here gives you a first impression of the "city of loafers". Then visit the People' s Park in the city center, have a seat in an old teahouse, enjoy your covered-bowl tea in a comfortable environment with bamboo chair and bamboo table. The tea culture of Chengdu is well known throughout China.

Overnight at Boyun Jinjiang Hotel

Kuanzhai Xiangzi

DAY
2

Chengdu - Mianyang - Jiangyou

Sanxingdui Museum

Transfer to Sanxingdui Museum in Guanghan, about 40 km north of Chengdu and just setting up at the northeast corner of the famous Sanxingdui Ruins. The nearly square ruin covers an area of 12 square kilometers and is protected by a river on the northern side and a city wall on the other sides. It was the Sanxingdui culture in the period 2800 to 800 BC. Sanxingdui is one of the oldest cultivated settlements of humanity and is one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. Opened in October 1997, the modern and informative Sanxingdui Museum showcases over 1,000 excavated gold, bronze, jade, clay and stone and ivory works of art. But the most beautiful, astonishing and mysterious are the bronzes, above all huge bronze masks and a larger than life bronze sculpture - they are so strange and with their big ears and eyes and the high-bridged nose look completely different from the already known Chinese art works! Apparently, the Sanxingdui culture mastered both the fine art of bronze technique and unprecedented aesthetics. The unique Sanxingdui Museum is a good place to explore the mysterious ancient Shu culture and history. Then keep driving to Jiangyou via Mianyang. In the afternoon reach Jiangyou.

192 km
2 hours 33 minutes
Overnight at Bojing Baden Hotel

Breakfast

Sanxingdui Museum

DAY
3

Jiangyou - Pingwu - Jiuzhaigou

Visit Bao'en Si Temple at Pingwu

Transfer to Jiuzhaigou. On the way visit Bao'en Si Temple at Pingwu that is a well-preserved fifteenth-century Buddhist monastery complex and was built by Wang Xi, a local chieftain, between 1440 and 1446 during Emperor Yingzong's reign (1427 - 64) in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). The wall paintings, sculptures and other ornamental details were finished by 1460. These ornamental additions, such as the Ming period sculpture, painting and murals, the wooden Avalokitesvara and the sutra repository are masterpieces of the period. The complex is very well preserved and a major achievement in Ming religious architecture.

292 km
4 hours 50 minutes
Overnight at Jiuzhaigou Northwest Grand Hotel

Breakfast

Bao'en Si Temple

DAY
4

Jiuzhaigou

Jiuzhaigou - the Nine-villages valley

In western China, in the north of Sichuan Province, between the Sichuan Red Basin and the eastern foothills of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau lies Jiuzhaigou - the Nine-village valley. In the midst of the magnificent mountains of the Minshan Mountains, Jiuzhaigou stretches for 50 kilometers and covers a total area of 720 square kilometers at an altitude between 1900 and 3100 meters. The Nine-village valley includes two mountain rivers, which merge in the middle of the area Y-shaped and thus form a chain of countless lakes, which string like pearls. According to a traditional story, a Tibetan mountain god fell in love with a goddess and one day gave her a precious mirror, brilliantly polished with wind and clouds. But the mirror fell out of her hand, splintering and tumbling down into the valley, where the 108 pieces of shards turned into crystal-clear mountain lakes shining in bright blue or dark blue, turquoise and green. There are lush brooks and waterfalls everywhere, magnificent bamboo groves and mixed deciduous and coniferous forests, snow-capped peaks and picturesque Tibetan villages. The Jiuzhaigou Natural Park was protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1992. With the help of the environmental buses of the National Park, which commute between the Scenic areas, you have a fantastic view of Jiuzhaigou.

Overnight Jiuzhaigou Northwest Grand Hotel

Breakfast

Jiuzhaigou Nature Park

DAY
5

Jiuzhaigou - Huanglong - Songpan - Maoxian

Walking and sightseeing in national park Huanglong (Yellow Dragon). Songpan Ancient Town

Not far from the Jiuzhaigou National Park (128 km away), on the southern mountain range of the Minshan Mountains, is the Huanglong National Park (since 1992 UNESCO World Heritage Site). The main attraction of Huanglong National Park is Huanglong Valley, with 3.5 km long, at an altitude between 3100 and 3600 meters and with countless travertines. The water, which origins from the snow-capped peaks and irresistibly makes its way down into the valley, over time created a spectacular and breathtaking karst landscape with countless terraced pools or ponds, often shining in blue, turquoise and green. Running from south to north, the valley is located below the snow-capped main summit of the Minshan Mountains - Xuebaoding (5588 m). The Yellow Dragon Valley, according to the Huanglong Valley Translation, allegedly owned its great name from the Huanglongsi Monastery, which is located in the upper part of the valley and is originally a Taoist monastery from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). When see from a distance, a yellow, scaly dragon winds in the midst of lush forests to the valley. Welcome to a magnificent natural landscape of China: The wooden walkway with numerous wooden promenades invites you to have a hike. Finally, take the cable car back down, and keep driving via Songpan Ancient Town and along the Min River to Maoxian.

277 km
5 hours 21 minutes
Overnight at Minjiang Yinli Hotel

Breakfast

National Park Huanglong

DAY
6

Maoxian - Taoping - Wolong - Siguniang Shan Town

Taoping Village of Qiang Minority. Panda in Wolong. Sunset of Siguniang Shan

In the magnificent valleys along the upper Min River, picturesque villages of the Qiang nationality with their characteristic stone houses and striking towers attract visitors' eyes: beautiful, idyllic, prominent and mystical. The Qiang nationals are descendants of an ancient ethnic group of China. "Qiang" is a historical ethnic group of China, which was found on 3,000-year-old oracle bones. Over time, records of other nationalities in China such as Han (Han Chinese), Zang (Tibetan), Yi, Naxi, Bei, Hani and Lisu emerged. Their way of life is the evidence of ancient traditions practiced. The villages with the tower-like stone houses testify the advantageous of a high-building life, especially in the epochs of warlike conflicts. On the way visit the Taoping village of Qiang minority. The village is located in the epicenter of Sichuan's major earthquake on May 12, 2008 and has been severely damaged. As part of the reconstruction program, the Qiang national stonemasons and villagers have masterfully restored their village from the rubble heaps. Then transfer to Wolong Natural Reserve, It is one of the China earliest natural reverses, which is rated the preservation zones network of “mankind and living beings” by UNESCO. Visit Shenshuping Panda Base in Wolong, about 70 pandas live here, it is the largest breeding center for giant pandas, integrating scientific research, feeding, breeding, reproduction, wildness training, etc.
Then Transfer to Siguniang Shan Town through the Balang Tunnel, if the weather is good, enjoy the beautiful landscape of Siguniangshan sunset panorama at the Maobiliang.

243 km
4 hours 50 minutes
Overnight at Cloud Inn

Breakfast

Taoping Village of Qiang Minority

DAY
7

Siguniang Shan Town - Danba

Wori Tusi Manor, Tibetan villages Jiaju and Zhonglu

Drive to Danba, on the way visit Wori Tusi Manor, the former official residence of the local Tusi, a kind of imperial kingship leader.
After that, drive to the Tibetan village of Jiaju, renowned as the most beautiful village in China. In Danba, the local inhabitants are known as Jiarong (Gyarong) Tibetans. Take a walk and explore the Jiaju village, where over a hundred buildings with the same architectural style, showcasing the distinctive and cohesive character of Jiarong Tibetan homes. Against the backdrop of the blue sky, these Tibetan residences, adorned in hues of red, white, and black, are scattered seemingly at random yet harmoniously along the valley's slopes from the base to the middle.
Late in the afternoon visit the mysterious and beautiful Tibetan traditional village Zhonglu. There are ancient block towers with long history here. In autumn, the village is even more beautiful, and the trees are full of heavy pomegranates, pears, and apples, etc.. At the sunset, the whole village is shrouded in the afterglow of the setting sun.

110 km, 2 hours 26 minutes
Overnight at Zongkar Homestay (2100 m)

Breakfast

Sunset of Mt. Siguniang

DAY
8

Danba – Tagong

Ancient Blockhouses at Suopo Village. Huiyuan Temple. Muya Monastery, Gyergo Nunnery, panoramic view of Gongga Mountain and Yala Mountain

Danba has long been acclaimed as “the Kingdom of Thousands of Ancient Blockhouses”. In the morning visit the ancient block towers in Suopo Village. They are made of clay and block, and look well from outside with solid thick walls.
Then drive to Tagong, en route visit the Huiyuan Temple near Bamei. It was built in 1729, the 7th Year of Yong Zheng Emprior of Qing Dynasty. After the temple was completely built, Emperor Yongzheng named this temple “Huiyuan Si”. And he sent officers to invite the 7th Dalai Lama Kalzang Gyatso who spent 7 years here from 1728 to 1735 to live in this monastery. Later, the 11th Dalai Lama mkhas-grub-rgya-mtsho was born here, which contributed profound influence to Huiyuan Temple in Tibetan area.
Tagong means “the favorite place of Buddha” in Tibetan, and is known as “little Lhasa” among believers. Upon arrival at Tagong, visit the impressive Muya Monastery, Gyergo Nunnery, and the grand mani wall of Hepingfahui.
Then drive to the Balang Shengdu Village. From here, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the "golden mountains" at sunset: Gongga Mountain (7.508,9 m, also Minya Konka), Zhara Lhatse (5.884 m, also Jara or Yala), and Qingrao Mountain (5.305 m), when the weather is good.

165 km
4 hours 40 minutes
Overnight at Tagong Prairie Mandala Hotel (3730 m)

Breakfast

Tibetan Village Jiaju

DAY
9

Tagong - Xinduqiao - Litang

Tagong Monastery, Litang Monastery, Letong Old Town with Renkang Old House

In the morning visit the Lhagang Monastery (Tagong Si) of Sayka Sect, which is surrounded by three hills symbolizing three Bodhisattvas. It is said that the blessing of a reserved Jowo Shakyamuni image left by Wencheng Princess in this monastery to the pilgrims resembles the Lhasa Jowo Shakyamuni image in Lhasa. From the hillside next to the Muya Golden Pagoda, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the Zhara Lhatse (5.820 m, also Jara or Yala), when the weather is good, the scenery at sunset is especially spectacular.
Then drive to Litang via Xinduqiao, a small town on the road juncture where the northern route of Sichuan-Tibet Highway (Chengdu - Lhasa) and the southern route of Sichuan-Tibet Highway (Chengdu - Lhasa) meet. If the weather is good, enjoy the panorama view of Mt. Gongga (7508.9 m) from the viewing platform in Xinduqiao.
In Litang - the “world’s highland city", visit the Litang Monastery, developed by the 3th Dalai Lama in the year 1580, today, it becomes the largest monastery of the Gelugpa in south Kham. Litang is the homeland of 7th Dalai Lama, and some other living Buddhas were also born in Litang. You will visit the Renkang Old House - the residence of the 7th Dalai Lama in the Letong Old Town. In late July or early August, a grand horse racing festival will be held in Litang and last 4 days.

225 km, 5 hours
Overnight at Litang Yalong Hotel (4014 m)

Breakfast

Nunnery in Tagong

DAY
10

Litang - Qingde Village of Xiangcheng County

Sangpi Ling Monastery, traditional white houses, Zangna Museum

Drive over Mt. Haizi Shan to Zhongde Town, Qingde Village, Xiangcheng County, and stroll through the Tibetan countryside. The chic traditional white houses are built along the river and mountains, and they are scattered and integrated into the poetic countryside. On the way visit the Sangpi Ling Monastery of the Gelug School. Known as "the first palace of Kham", it is a great art museum: architectural art (the building of Sangpi Monastery has no construction drawing, it was built using traditional Tibetan construction techniques), painting art (Buddham art - mural and thangka paintings and decorative painting) and sculpture (bronze sculpture, clay sculpture, wood carving). In the afternoon stroll in the beautiful Tibetan rural landscape, photographing the traditional white houses. Then drive to Buji Village to visit the centuries-old Zangna (Tibetan-Naxi) Museum, it is an ancient castle with a history of more than 300 years.

215 km
3 hours 52 minutes
Overnight at Kamsa Manor Hotel (2780 m)

Breakfast

Litang Monastery

DAY
11

Xiangcheng - Provincial Road 216 - Shangri-La Town

Visit Yading - Chonggu Monastery, Chonggu Meadow, Pearl Lake, Xiannairi Mountain

In the morning drive along the beautiful S216 road to Shangri-La Town, where the highlight of this journey is - Yading nature reserve, home of three sacred Tibetan mountains - Chenresig (Xiannairi, Avalokitesvara, 6032 m), Jambeyang (Yangmaiyong, Manjusri, 6033 m), and Chanadorje (Xialuoduoji, Vajrapani, 5958 m). The scenery here easily rivals that of national parks of the west such as Yellowstone and Yosemite in terms of spectacular, pristine mountain scenery. Visit Chonggu Monastery (3900 m) and proceed via Chonggu Meadow to Xiannairi Mountain with a mystery Pearl Lake (4100 m, Dumu Hu, Zhenzhu Hai) at its mountain foot.

115 km
2 hours 16 minutes
Overnight at Holiday Inn Express Daocheng Yading (2900 m)

Breakfast

Mt. Yangmaiyong

DAY
12

Shangri-La town

Visit Yading with 3 holy mountains - Yangmaiyong, Xianuoduoji and Xiannairi

Full day hiking in the fantastic Yading National Nature Reserve. Drive by local shuttle bus to the entrance of Yading Nature Reserve. Then trek to Luorong Cattle Farm (4150 m), which is located among the magnificent holy mountains Yangmaiyong, Xianuoduoji and Xiannairi.
Virgin forests, brooks, shrubs, meadows, flowers... form a fantastic gallery. In June 1928, Dr. Joseph Rock had taken beautiful photos of the Yangmaiyong (6033 m) and Xianuoduoji (5958 m) mountains on the Luorong meadow. And his masterpiece was published by the American "National Geographic". Many nature lovers were inspired by his experiences and the three holy mountains. There you can also watch the back of Mount Xiannairi.
If you have interest, you can challenge the trekking to the amazing Milk Lake (4500 m, Niunai Hai) and Five-color Lake (4600 m, Wuse Hai)!

Overnight at Holiday Inn Express Daocheng Yading

Breakfast

View of Holy Mt. Gongga from Xinduqiao

DAY
13

Shangri-La Town - Daocheng - Litang - Xinduqiao

Return trip, panorama view of Mt. Gongga

Today drive via Daocheng, Litang, and Yajiang back to Xinduqiao, a small town on the road juncture where the northern route of Sichuan-Tibet Highway (Chengdu - Lhasa) and the southern route of Sichuan-Tibet Highway (Chengdu - Lhasa) meet. If the weather is good, enjoy the panorama view of Mt. Gongga (7556m) from the viewing platform.

417 km
7 hours 16 minutes
Overnight at Xinduqiao Yake Hotel (3460 m)

Breakfast

DAY
14

Xinduqiao - Kangding – Luding - Chengdu

Museum of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Luding Iron Chain Bridge on the Dadu River

In the morning drive to Kangding. In good weather, you can admire the panorama of Gongga Mountain from Siding Tso Lake and Zheduo Pass (4298 m).
Kangding is the capital of the Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and the gateway to the Tibetan Kham region. And Kangding has made a great contribution to fostering the contact and connection between the Tibetans and Han Chinese throughout history.
In Kangding, visit the Museum of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, which houses rich cultural relics, including the Tent Made of Fur of Hundred Tigers, one of its prized collections, and it belonged to the Tusi - the chieftains of the Maoya steppes in Litang.
Keep driving to Luding. In Luding visit the Luding Iron Chain Bridge on the Dadu River, which is a treasure of Chinese ancient architecture. The bridge was built in the 44th year of Kangxi in Qing Dynasty (1705) in order to enhance the connection with Tibetan culture. On May 29th, 1935, the Chinese Red Army reached Luding Bridge during the Long March. Facing a hail of bullets, the Chinese Red Army, with 22 warriors as the pioneers of the commando, destroyed the bridge’s guards in one fell swoop, which is an important historical monument of the Communist Party of China.
Then drive via the famous rainy city of Ya'an back to Chengdu.

355 km
6 hours 21 minutes

Breakfast

DAY
15

Leave Chengdu

Travel to next destination

Transfer to airport. Leave Chengdu.

Breakfast

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Private travel, great experiences! Please contact us for your tailor-made travel offer.

With individual China Tibet travel, you can decide when, where and how you go on tour by yourself. What's more, you can choose the length of travel and whom you go with.

Information

Hotel, program and itinerary are subjected to change with prior notice.
We must point out that you counter a basic tourism infrastructure in this region. Long journeys on bad roads and on high altitude and delays require good physical fitness, resilience and flexibility of the participants. Program and route changes due to unforeseen events are expressly reserved. If you desire the unknown and have an understanding of contingency, this is the right trip for you.

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