The Last Shangri-La - Adventure Travel to West Sichuan

Home > Discovery Tour in Tibetan Areas Kham and Amdo

8 Days Private Tour Chengdu - Luding - Moxi Town - Hailugou - Kangding - Xinduqiao - Litang - Qingde Town of Xiangcheng - Shangri-La Town - Yading - Shangri-La Town - Daocheng Yading Airport

On this tour, we will discover the Tibetan Area Kham in west Sichuan. After having an experience of the leisure life in Chengdu, we drive westward to Hailuogou, the lowest marine glacier in Asia. Hailuogou Glacier Park, located on the east slope of Gongga Mountain (Minya Konka, 7556 m, "king of peaks in Sichuan"), is the highest mountain on the eastern edge of the Qinghai Tibet Plateau. There are also vegetation zone with integral ecosystem and virgin forest, scattered with hot springs hidden in the forests. A large number of rare wild animals and birds thrive here.

Afterwards go 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 Litang, a Khampa culture center.

Then go to Yading, Daocheng. 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. We have two days to explore the Yading Nature Reserve, trekking to the three magnificent sacred snow mountains (Xiannairi, Yangmaiyong and Xianuodoji), closing to the beautiful Pearl Lake, Milk Lake and Five-color Lake, walking in the colorful streams, flower sea, meadow, grassland and virgin forest.

Highlights

The Last Shangri-La - Adventure Travel to West Sichuan

Itinerary

Itinerary
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DAY
1

Arrive in Chengdu

Home town of panda. Kuanzhai Xiangzi, drink tea in People’s Park

Arrive in Chengdu, capital of province Sichuan, 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), 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 Buddha Zen Hotel

Renmin Park

Photo by Liu Bin

DAY
2

Chengdu - Ya'an - Luding - Moxi town

Luding Bridge, Catholic Church and camp of the Red Army in Moxi Town

After breakfast drive from Chengdu via the famous rain city Ya'an and Luding to Moxi town (1600 meters above sea level). On the way visit Luding Iron Chain Bridge. The bridge on the Dadu River is a treasure of Chinese ancient architecture. It 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. Moxi town is the inhabited area of Han, Yi and Tibetan Nationalities. Take a walk around Moxi Town, visit the Catholic Church built by French since 1918, and enter the camp where the Red Army under the leadership of Mao Zedong and other leaders lived when they passed by during the Long March in 1935.

286 km
4 hours 12 minutes
Overnight at 4*Gongga Cliff Hot Spring Hotel

Breakfast

Luding Bridge

DAY
3

Hailuogou Glacier Park

Explore the lowest marine glacier of Asia

In the morning set out from hotel by shuttle bus, pass through camp 1 (1940 m) and camp 2 (2580 m) to camp 3 (2940 m). Along the way, enjoy the glacier, ice waterfall, canyon and virgin forest of Hailuogou Valley. Camp 3 is an ideal location to enjoy the spectacular panoramic view of Mt. Gongga (Minya Konka) at sunrise. You have to get up very early to do that and the best time is around 06:40 in spring and summer and around 07:20 in autumn and winter. Climbing from camp 3 uphill along the path through the black pine forest to the glacier viewing platform (3200 m), it’s about 3 km and takes around 2 hours. You can also take a cable car from camp 3 to camp 4 (3600 m), where you can enjoy a better view of the glacier. You can enjoy the spectacular Large Icefall (1100 meters high and 1080 meters wide) at a close distance as well, and when the weather is good, you can see the main peak of Gongga Mountain (7556 m)!

Overnight at 4*Gongga Cliff Hot Spring Hotel

Breakfast

Hailuogou Glacier Park

DAY
4

Moxi Town - Kangding - Zheduo Pass - Xinduqiao – Yajiang - Litang

Kangding - gateway to Tibetan area Kham, Litang Monastery, Renkang Old House

In the morning drive to Kangding, the capital of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and the important juncture of Tibetan and Han People in history. Next you’ll drive on the zigzag road up to the mountain chain of Hengduanshan, which extends from the north to the south. If the weather is brilliant, you will be able to enjoy the panorama view of Mt. Gongga (7556 m, Minya Konka, “the King Peak of Sichuan”) from the viewing platform on Zheduo Pass (4298 m). After that, drive to Xinduqiao, the “Paradise of Photographers”, 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. Keep driving westwards via Yajiang to Litang which is known as "world highland city" with an altitude of 4014 m above sea level. Litang is the homeland of 7th Dalai Lama, and some other living Buddhas were also born in Litang. In late July or early August, a grand horse racing festival will be held in Litang and last about 7 days, which attracts many domestic and foreign visitors. Visit Litang Monastery (Changqingchunke'er Monastery) lying in the western suburbs of the city. The monastery was originally under the control of the Bon religion but converted into a Gelug Sect monastery in 1580 in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) by the third Dalai Lama. Today, it is the largest monastery of the Gelugpa in south Kham. You will also visit the Renkang Old House - the residence of the 7th Dalai Lama.

344 km
7 hours
Overnight at 4*Love Song Snow Land Hotel

Breakfast

Litang Monastery

Photo by Liu Bin

DAY
5

Litang - Xiangcheng

Leisure at poetic Tibetan countryside - Zhongde Town, Qingde Village

Drive over Mt. Haizi Shan to Zhongde Town (2780 m), 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.

223 km
4 hours 14 minutes
Overnight at Kamsa Manor Hotel

Breakfast

Qingde Town, Xiangcheng

DAY
6

Xiangcheng - Shangri-La Town - Yading - Shangri-La Town

Chonggu Monastery, Chonggu Meadow, Pearl Lake, Xiannairi Mountain

Drive to Shangri-La Town (2900 m), where the highlight of this journey is - Yading Nature Reserve, home of three sacred Tibetan mountains - Chenresig (Xiannairi, Avalokitesvara, 6032 m), Jambeyang (Yangmaiyong, Manjusri, 5958 m), and Chanadorje (Xianuoduoji, 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. Drive by local shuttle bus to the entrance of Yading Nature Reserve. Start trekking tour to 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.

109 km
2 hours 24 minutes
Overnight at 4*Ramada Encore Hotel

Breakfast

Xiannairi Mountain in Yading

DAY
7

Shangri-La town - Yading - Shangri-La Town

Luorong Cattle Farm, Xianuoduoji Mountain, Yangmaiyong Mountain, Milk Lake and Five-color Lake

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 4*Ramada Encore Hotel

Breakfast

Yangmaiyong Mountain in Yading

DAY
8

Shangri La town - Daocheng Yading Airport

Tranfer to the airport

Early in the morning transfer to the airport, tour ends.

122 km
2 hours

Breakfast

Red Grassland in Daocheng

Tailor-make this tour

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 hiking 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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