Amazing Western Sichuan with Danba, Tagong, and Yading

Home > Discovery Tour in Tibetan Areas Kham and Amdo

9 Days Private Tour Chengdu – Wolong – Siguniang Mountain – Danba – Tagong – Litang – Xiangcheng - Shangri-La Town – Yading – Daocheng - Litang - Xinduqiao - Kangding - Luding - Chengdu

From Chengdu, we departure to Tibetan Area Kham in western Sichuan. At first, we’ll visit pandas in Wolong - the first panda reserve in China. After crossing over the Balang Mountain, we’ll visit the Siguniang Mountain, and enter the most beautiful villages of China – the Tibetan villages Jiaju and Zhonglu in Danba, where Jiarong Tibetans live. Afterwards go to Tagong, which is “the Buddha's favorite place” and is also reputed as “Little Lhasa”. Following Khampa Tibetan, we turn the prayer wheel of Tagong Monastery and listen to their sounds of reading 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

Amazing Western Sichuan with Danba, Tagong, and Yading

Itinerary

Itinerary
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DAY
1

Chengdu - Wolong - Siguniang Shan Town

Wolong National Nature Reserve, Shenshuping Panda Base, Mt. Siguniangshan

In the morning drive to Wolong National Nature Reserve. It is one of the Chinese earliest natural reverses, which is rated the preservation zones network of “mankind and living beings” by UNESCO. Visit Shenshuping Panda Base in Wolong, 74 pandas live here, it is the largest breeding center for giant pandas, integrating scientific research, feeding, breeding, reproduction, wildness training, etc.
Then, proceed to Siguniang Shan Town via the Balang Tunnel. Siguniang Shan Mountain, also known as the Four Sisters Mountain, Four Girls Mountain or Four Maidens Mountain, boasts four peaks exceeding 5000 m in height. According to legend, each peak represents one of the four sisters. The highest peak, Yaomei Feng, symbolizing the youngest sister, stands at 6250 m and is revered as the "queen of Sichuan's peaks."
In the afternoon enjoy a leisurely hike in the Shuangqiao Valley (Double-bridge Valley) of Siguniang Shan Mountain, renowned for its concentrated and enchanting scenery. If the weather permits, marvel at the breathtaking sunset views of Siguniang Shan Mountain (Four Sisters Mountain) from Maobiliang.

221 km, 4 hours 10 minutes
Overnight at Cloud Inn (3200 m)

Pandas in Wolong

DAY
2

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

DAY
3

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

DAY
4

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

DAY
5

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

DAY
6

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

DAY
7

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

DAY
8

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
9

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

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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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