Essence of Tibetan Area Kham in West Sichuan

Home > Discovery Tour in Tibetan Areas Kham and Amdo

14 Days Private Tour Chengdu – Wolong – Siguniang Shan – Danba – Tagong – Luhuo - Garze - Manigango - Yilhun Lhatso – Dege – Maisu - Pelyul - Yarchen Gar – Xinlong - Litang - Xiangcheng - Daocheng Yading - Xinduqiao - Kangding - Luding - Chengdu

Garze (Ganzi) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, the Kham in West Sichuan, gathers all natural and cultural elements of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and it boasts own uniqueness: Dege Sutra Printing House – the head of three great Tibetan culture centers, Legend of King Gesar – the longest heroic epic in the world, brilliant prayer ceremonies in monastery and folk festivals, and it’s a paradise for birds and wild animals...

On this tour, we will go to Tibetan area Kham. We departure from Chengdu to Dege along the G317 National Highway. On the way, we will visit Wolong Panda Reserve, Siguniang Mountain, Zhonglu Tibetan Village in Danba, Tagong Grassland with Tagong Monastery, Hepingfahui, Yala Holy Mountain, “Photo Gallery” of Highland Barley in Garze, Garze Monastery, Dargye Monastery, Yilhun Lhatso (Xinlu Hai Lake), and Dege Sutra Printing House - the head of the three major Tibetan cultural centers. Afterwards, we go to Maisu Village along Jingsha River (the upstream of Yangtze River). Have you ever heard of a place called Maisu? It is the "hometown of traditional Tibetan handicrafts in China" publicized by the official institutions, but rarely known by people. And the famous Dzongsar Monastery and Dzongsar Tibetan Hospital are located here. Continue to Baiyu to visit the magnificent Pelyul Monastery (Baiyu Si) of Nyingma Sect. The most attracting highlight is the Yarchen Gar that is the largest place for female meditation practice and where we can feel the pure religious atmosphere. After that, we drive to the hidden Tsoka Lake and Tsoka Monastery. And then we pass by Litang - the "world highland city" and the culture center of Kham, go to Xiangcheng to explore the mysterious Qingde Village and the beautiful Tibetan white houses. The next highlight is Yading, Daocheng. In Yading we walk among snowy mountains, holy lakes and alpine valleys. On the way back to Chengdu, we will go through Xinduqiao and climb onto the observation platform to overlook the main peak of Gongga Mountain (Minya Konka, 7556 m). Finally, we visit Luding Iron Chain Bridge where the Chinese Red Army combated during the Long March.

Highlights

Essence of Tibetan Area Kham in West Sichuan

Itinerary

Itinerary
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DAY
1

Arrive in Chengdu

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

In the morning arrival in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, home town of giant panda. Picked up by the local guide at airport 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), they are 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 concentrate 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

Photo by Liu Bin

DAY
2

Chengdu - Wolong - Siguniang Shan Town

Shenshuping Panda Base in Wolong National Nature Reserve, Shuangqiao Valley, Sunset of 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, about 70 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 (formerly Rilong) 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." Embark on a sightseeing bus tour and explore Shuangqiao Valley on foot. 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)

Breakfast

Sunset of Siguniang Mountain

Photo by Min Zhao

DAY
3

Siguniang Shan Town – Danba - Tagong

Tibetan village Zhonglu. Lhagang Monastery, Gyergo Nunnery, panoramic view of Yala Mountain

Drive to Danba which has long been acclaimed as the Kingdom of Thousands of Ancient Blockhouses and where the local inhabitants are known as Jiarong (Gyarong) Tibetans. Here, visit the mysterious and beautiful Tibetan traditional village Zhonglu. In autumn, the village is even more beautiful, and the trees are full of heavy pomegranates, pears, and apples, etc.. Upon arrival at Tagong, 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. Then visit the impressive Gyergo Nunnery and the grand mani wall of Hepingfahui. 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.

232 km
5 hours 20 minutes
Overnight at Mandala Hotel (3730 m)

Breakfast

Jiaju Village in Danba

Photo by Min Ke

DAY
4

Tagong - Luhuo - Kasa Lake - Ganzi

Kasa Lake, Han-Chinese Monastery, Ganzi Monastery

Drive to to Garze (Ganzi), the real cultural and religious center for the Tibetans living in Sichuan. In Tibetan "Garze" means "white and beauty", named after the famous in 1552 built temple of yellow sect (Gelukpa) in the county. In Garze visit the Han-Chinese Monastery. It is the oldest architecture in Garze built by Han-Chinese in 1274, the Han-Chinese and Tibetan buildings symbolize cultural integration and solidarity of Han-Chinese and Tibetan people. After that, visit the Garze Monastery of Gelukpa school, it was originally constructed by the Qosot Mongols in 1662 on a hilltop overlooking their castles of Mazur and Khangsar. The monks will usually debate at around 4 pm, it lasts about 30 - 40 minutes.

272 km
5 hours 3 minutes
Overnight at Mazhaga Hot Spring Resort Hotel (3390 m)

Breakfast

Gyergo Nunnery in Tagong

Photo by Liu Bin

DAY
5

Garze - Manigange - Dege

Dargye Monastery, Yilhun Lhatso, Dege Sutra Printing House, Gengqing Monastery

In Shengkang Village, you may encounter the Kangba elderly person with long white hair and white beard, then direction for Dajin (Dargye) Monastery, which represents the Gelukpa school and was founded in 1642. Pass by Manigango (3866 m) to visit Xinlu Hai Lake (Yilhun Lhatso, 4017 m), located at the foot of Chola Mountain (Que’er Shan). It is 4040 meters above the sea level, with an average depth of 10 meters and a maximum depth of 15 meters. There are plateau spruces, firs, Chinese weeping cypresses, azalea trees and meadows around the lake. It is also a preserve for wild animals like white-lipped deer. Short walking by the lake Yilhun Lhatso. Keep driving to Dege. Visit the Dege Sutra Printing House (Dege Parkhang) which has always been well reputed as the cultural treasury at the foot of the snow mountain. It is the biggest printing house in Tibetan area. Then visit the Gengqing Monastery.

183 km
3 hours
Overnight at Wangqinda Hotel (3240 m)

Breakfast

Kasa Lake

Photo by Liu Bin

DAY
6

Dege - Hepo - Maisu

Tibetan knife workshop, Copper Casting Workshop, Dzongsar Monastery

Head for Maisu Town of Dege, on the way visit Tibetan knife workshop of local Tibetan family at Hepo Town of Baiyu, which is known as the "Armory of King Gesar". Hepo's Tibetan knife production follows the manual workshop mode of family style. Each family has its own characteristics: the types of knife include waist knife, curved knife, dagger, etc, the scabbard is divided into silver shell, copper shell and iron shell, and various patterns such as flying dragon, walking phoenix and precious stone silver flower are carved. In Maisu, visit family workshops like copper casting, wood carving, black pottery, Thangka drawing, color painting, etc. At first, visit the Khyenle Workshop and learn about copper casting skills. Like Hepo of Baiyu County, in Maisu Town of Dege County, a relatively complete cultural form of inheritance of Tibetan traditional handicrafts is preserved. In the afternoon visit Dzongsar Monastery of Sakya Sect. Dege is the birthplace of the national intangible cultural heritage - the Southern School of Tibetan Medicine. You might be surprised, that at Dzongsar Monastery, there are a Tibetan hospital, a Tibetan medicine workshop and a Tibetan medical school! Here you may encounter a famous Tibetan doctor. Today's dinner will be a surprise, you can enjoy organic food prepared with authentic local mountain ingredients with Pizza and delicious coffee.

113 km
2 hours 49 minutes
Overnight at Khyenle Guesthouse (3600 m)

Breakfast

Debate in Ganzi Monastery

Photo by Liu Bin

DAY
7

Maisu - Pelyul - Yarchen Gar

Pelyul Monastery, Yarchen Gar

In the morning drive to Baiyu (3006 m), visit the Pelyul Monastery (Baiyu Si). This famous Nyingma Sect monastery had played a great role in history and held many subsidiary temples. Then enjoy the grandiose panoramic view of Pelyul Monastery from a hillside when the weather is good. In the afternoon continue driving to visit the Yarchen Gar (Yaqing Si) of Nyingma sect, a big nuns’ world! About 20000 nuns live, learn and meditate here. With 4000 meters above sea level, Yarchen Gar is the largest meditation place for women in the world. After reaching parking lot at Yarchen Gar, walk about 10 minutes to the hillside at the north of Juemu (a title for nun in Tibetan) Island. There is a vast Padmasambhava statue, and in the southwest orientation, you can overlook the grand panorama of whole Yarchen Gar and even Juemu Island. Then go downhill to riverside along small wooden houses where nuns practice meditation. One the way, everywhere you can see that these nuns are sitting in meditation, or scripture debating, or reading quiet, or chatting and relaxing. Yarchen Gar is divided by river into areas for Zhaba (monk) and Juemu (nun). River bank area is for Zhaba, island for Juemu. Cross the bridge on the river and get into Juemu Island, the core zone of Yarchen Gar. Here, the nun’s low and small meditation houses are very intensive and covered the whole peninsula. You can have a walk here and immerse yourself in the pure religious atmosphere of nuns' meditation place.

205 km
4 hours 45 minutes
Overnight at Kangwaluori Hotel (4000 m)

Breakfast

Dege Printing House

Photo by Liu Bin

DAY
8

Yarchen Gar - Youyi Village - Tongxiao Village - Picha Village - Xinlong - Litang

Tsoka Monastery and Tsoka Lake, Litang Monastery

In the morning you'll drive through the vast and beautiful Youyi Grassland along the new road S314 to the Tsoka Monastery by Tsoka Lake (3800 m). The provincial road S314 is located between G318 (southern Sichuan - Tibet Highway) and G317 (northern Sichuan - Tibet Highway), and there are few vehicles and tourists on this route. This area is the core area of the Hengduan Mountains which extend from north to south. Located in Mari Township, Xinlong County, the Cuoka Monastery inherits the tradition of the Karma Kagyu and Ningma sects. Tsoka Lake, in Tibetan, means black lake water amidst chaotic rocks. It is a freshwater lake with a surface area of only 3 square kilometers. The lake water is very clear as jasper and reflects the blue sky, white cloud, greenery, green hill, red and white monasteries, which makes it more charming. You will be inspired by its splendid appearance and spiritual power. Then direction to Litang, the “world’s highland city", and visit the Litang Monastery, developed by the 3.th 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.

270 km
6 hours
Overnight at Litang Yalong Hotel (4014 m)

Breakfast

Yarchen Gar (Yaqing Si)

Photo by Liu Bin

DAY
9

Litang - Xiangcheng

Sangpi Ling Monastery, Tibetan white houses at Qingde Village

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 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

Tsoka Monastery and Tsoka Lake

Photo by Liu Bin

DAY
10

Xiangcheng - 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, 6032m), Jambeyang (Yangmaiyong, Manjusri, 5958m), and Chanadorje (Xialuoduoji, Vajrapani, 5958m). 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 Hotel (2900 m)

Breakfast

Litang Monastery

Photo by Liu Bin

DAY
11

Shangri-La town

Soft hiking in Yading

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. 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 Hotel

Breakfast

Xianuoduoji Mountain in Yading

Photo by Liu Bin

DAY
12

Shangri-La Town - Daocheng - Litang - Yajiang - Xinduqiao

Panoramic view of Mt. Gongga

Today drive to Xinduqiao via Litang and Yajiang, 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 (7556 m) from the viewing platform.

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

Breakfast

View of Gongga Mountain (Minya Konka)

Photo by Liu Bin

DAY
13

Xinduqiao - Kangding – Luding - Chengdu

Luding Iron Chain Bridge on the Dadu River

Drive back to Chengdu via Kangding, the capital of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. On the way visit Luding Chain Bridge. Luding Chain Bridge (Iron Chain Bridge) on the Dadu River 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.

352 km
5 hours 53 minutes
Overnight at Boyun Jinjiang Hotel

Breakfast

Luding Iron Chain Bridge

DAY
14

Chengdu

Travel to next destination

Today transfer to airport or railway station, leave Chengdu.

Breakfast

Tea House in Renmin Park in Chengdu

Photo by Liu Bin

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This trip can also be tailor-made, please let us know your travel idea: travel date, duration, number of travelers, child (2 - 12 years old), baby (0 - 2 years old), other travel destinations, meals, accommodation category, boutique hotel, special interest ...

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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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