Sightseeing Trips in Tibet

Sichuan Tour

This epic journey through Sichuan, across the Tibetan Plateau to Lhasa, has attracted explorers and adventurers, pilgrims, traders, and even missionaries for hundreds of years. The journey is a long one, and requires a certain dedication on the part of the traveler, as well as a certain resilience to bumps! We have considerable experience of this route and know exactly what is required in terms of transportation, accommodation, and red tape, not to mention the fascinating sights along the way.

The first step of this great overland adventure takes us to Pandas in Wolong. Then we drive to the 1000 year old block houses and beautiful Tibetan village in Danba. We head west to Garze which currently boasts the largest monastery in Kham and then continue to the sacred lake of Yilhun Lhatso (Xinlu Hai Lake) and finally the cultural centre of Dege where we can relax for a day. Cross Jinsha Jiang (Golden Sand River, upper reaches of Yangtse) we entry in Tibet. In Chamdo, the biggest city in East-Tibet we'll visit Kalden Jampaling Monastery which dates from the 15th century, and forms the focal point of this important market town at the confluence of two tributaries of the Lancang Jiang (Mekong).

At this point we take the northern route to Lhasa, over the Tanlen Taweng Range to Riwoche and Dengchen, an important center for the old Boen religion. We drive across high passes and verdant pastures, where village monasteries cling to the rock face, and where nomads pasture their flocks. We’ll enjoy the splendid landscape while walking by the Nam Tso Lake on Qiangtang grassland. In Lhasa we visit the Potala Palace, which stands on the Red Hill in the city proper, the holiest place Jokhang as well as Drepung and Sera.

Day01 Arrive in Chengdu 1N in 3*Xinliang Hotel (D)
Arrive in Chengdu, capital of province Sichuan, the home town of Panda. Picked up by the local guide at airport and transferred to hotel.

Day02 Chengdu - Wolong - Danba 1N in 2*Danba Hotel (B/L/D)
In the morning leave for Danba. We'll cross the Wolong Giant Panda Natural Reserve, where about 50 giant pandas are bred in a semi-natural environment. After lunch at Wolong, cross the foggy Balang Mountain (4,523 meters) and pass by the Siguniang Shan Mountain (four-girls mountain, highest peak 6250 m), late in the afternoon we reach Danba (1900 meters). 

Day03 Danba – Bamei 1N in simple guesthouse (B/L/D)
The local people are called Jiarong Tibetans. It is said that they are the descendants of the people of the ancient Xixia Kingdom, who merged with the local people after they fled from Gansu and settled here. Danba has long been acclaimed as the Kingdom of

Thousands of Ancient Blockhouses. Visit the ancient block towers in Suopo. They were made of clay and block and look fine from outside with solid thick walls. Time permitting; visit the Jiaju Tibetan Hamlet. Jiaju, 10 kilometers away from the county city, is one of the rare places in China that has preserved complete Tibetan style residences. More than one hundred buildings keep the same architectural style with a complete and unique character of Jiarong Tibetan residences.

Under the blue sky, the Tibetan residences decorated in red, white and black are strewed at random but also in order from the bottom to the middle slope of the valley. In the afternoon drive to Bamei. Pass by Donggu Scenery Spot (the Natural Bonsai Valley), which is situated at the Donggu Village 21 kilometers to the southwest of Danba County. In the valley, the clear Yak River flows through and numerous varieties of plants are well preserved and the lush and damp forests make it hard to view the sky. Strangely shaped peaks and giant stones form a forest of rocks; ravines stretch out in length and width here and there; and waterfalls flying down from the steep rock with thunder-like sounds.

Many lakes and hot-water pools at the bottom of the valley create a world of steam. Too many wizardly sceneries to see, just like the fairyland on the earth. On the way visit Huiyuan Temple 98 kilometers away from Dawu County in the southeast. It is called Gedajampaling in Tibetan. In 1729 the seventh Dalai Lama, Kelzang Gyatso built the temple to reside in order to avoid the rebellion caused by Dzungar Mongols. Surrounded by three circles of walls, the temple covers an area of 500 mus (1 hectare = 15 mu) with more than one thousand of storied buildings and about four hundred of bungalows. There is a hanging stele with the inscription of Huiyuan Temple at the upper of the gate and a stone tablet standing in the front of the temple gate, which were obliged by the emperor Qingshizhu of Qing Dynasty to Dalai Lama then. We reach Bamei in the late afternoon.

Day04 Bamei - Kasa Lake – Garze 1N in 2*Golden Yak Hotel (B/L/D)
Drive to Garze, the real cultural and religious center for the Tibetans living in Sichuan. In Tibetan "Garze" means " white and beauty", named after the famous temple in the county. On the way have a rest by the Kasa Lake. Upon arrival, visit Garze monastery of yellow sect (Gelug). The temple was built in1552 by Juji Angwengpencuo the disciple of the Fifth Dalai Lama.

Day05 Garze - Yilhun Lhatso – Dege 2N in 2*Chola Hotel (B/L/D)
In the morning pass by Manigango to visit Xinlu Hai Lake (Yilhun Lhatso). Located at the foot of Chola Mountain in Dege County, Xinlu Hai Lake Scenic Spot is 98 kilometers from Garze County and 100 kilometers from Dege County. 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, azalee trees and meadows around the lake. It is also a preserve for wild animals like white-lipped deer. We walk on the left side of the lake to its top, the gate of a short valley where the melted snow and ice pour into the beautiful lake Yilhun Lhatso. After that we drive up to the Chola Pass (5,000 meters), get across the steep Chola Mountain, the highest peak of which is 5,650 meters.

Day06 Dege
Today we visit the Dege Printing House which has always been well reputed as the “Cultural Treasury at the Foot of the Snow Mountain.” As the national leading protected entity of cultural relics, it is the biggest printing house in Tibetan area. Another program is Gengqing, meaning big temple in Chinese. In 1445 (the thirteen years of Emperor Zhengtong’s reign in Ming dynasty), Bota.zhaxishenggen, the first tusi of Dege family which had been in a long line of hereditary of Dege rulers, and Tangdongjiebyu the famous monk with great achievement built a Buddhist chapel in Gengqingshigengnon. The chapel was called Tangjia in honor of Tangdongjiebyu’s merits and virtues. As completed, the chapel became more and more popular with the most support of the Dege tusi. In the afternoon visit the Traditional Tibetan Medicine Hospital.

Day07 Dege – Chamdo 1N in 3*Chamdo Hotel (B/L/D)
Drive across the Jinsha River (upper reaches of Yangtse) Bridge connecting Sichuan and Tibet heading for Chamdo. We will cross over no less than four passes: Khargang La (4,352 m), Lashi La (4,450 m), Jape La (4,680 m), and Tama La (4,511 m), with clutters of prayer flags waving in the wind on the peaks and friendly nomads waving at us from the grasslands. Straddling the Mekong river, Chamdo (3200 m) was the former capital of Kham in East-Tibetan area and has a rich history as one of the earliest centers of the Tibetan plateau and home of Kalden Jampaling of Gelugpa sect, the great monastery founded between 1436-44 and developed through the centuries by successive Living Buddhas.

Day08 Chamdo – Riwoche Jeep 105 km 1N in simple Guesthouse (B/L/D)
In the morning visit Galden Jampaling monastery. In its earlier prime time there were more than 1000 monks in the monastery. In the afternoon drive over the Zholpel La pass (4688 m) to Riwoche (3810 m). Riwoche means in Tibetan „mountain”.

Day09 Riwoche - Dengchen Jeep 185 km 1N in simple Guesthouse (B/L/D)
Drive on very bad road to Dengchen. Dengchen means in Tibetan „great terrace”. Dengchen is the center of the Boen-Religion, which is a primitive religion based on ancient witchcraft and the worship to god and ghost, and was spread through the whole Tibet before the Buddhism was introduced into Tibetan area. Here visit two monasteries: Tengchen and Ritro Lhakhang.

Day10 Dengchen - Bachen – Sok Dzong Jeep 255 km 1N in simple Guesthouse (B/L/D)
After master Tsuri La Pass (4200 m) and Shel La Pass (4750 m) we arrive at Bachen, the “big Yak hair tents”. Continue to drive 30 km we reach Sok Dzong, Sok means in Tibetan “Mongolia”. At the junction of the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), 39 Hoer tribes of Mongolians migrated to the present day areas of Dengchen, Bachen and Sok Dzong; hence the name of "the Land of the 39Tribes". Besides, the three counties are rich in Chinese caterpillar fungus.

Day11 Sok Dzong - Naqu Jeep 230 km 1N in 2*Qiangtang Telecom Hotel (B/L/D)
Drive to the Sok Tsanden Zhol village, and visit the monastery of Nyimpa sect - Sok Tsanden Gompa. After that cross over two passes and reach the city of Shakchuka. Still just 100 km and two other passes have to be mastered before arrive at the today's destination Naqu. The northern route of Sichuan – Tibet Highway (Chengdu - Lhasa) and the Qinghai-Tibet Highway (Golmud – Lhasa) meet in Naqu.

Day12 Naqu – Nam Tso Lake Jeep 240 km 1N in simple Guesthouse (B/L/D)
Drive on the vast Qiangtang Grassland for Nam Tso. Cross the 5,150 m Lhachen La Pass and reach the Namtso or Tengri Nor (“Heaven Lake” in Mongolian) along the newly paved way and set up camp at Tashi Dorie peninsula. Nam Tso, the biggest salty lake of Tibet, is 70 kilometers long from east to west and 30 kilometers wide from north to south, covering an area of 1,920 square kilometers with an altitude of 4,700 meters above sea level. It is said the holy lake and the holy mountain Nyenchentangla are a couple of lovers, who altogether guard the vast pasture and cattle. Take a walk on the peninsula and visit a small nun temple of Nyingma Sect.

Day13 Nam Tso Lake - Lhasa Jeep km 3N in 3*Dhood Gu Hotel (B/L/D)
In the morning walking and sightseeing by the Nam Tso lake. After lunch drive to Lhasa (3650 m), capital of Tibet Autonomous Region. The city is situated on the bank of the Kyichu River and has long been the "Holy Land" of Tibet.

Day14 Lhasa (B/L/D)
In the morning visit Potala, which was originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet, and later expanded and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas as well as the religious-political nexus of traditional Tibet. The crowds of pilgrims, innumerable magnificent murals, Buddhist statues, scriptures and rare treasures altogether creative a dense religious and art atmosphere that impresses every visitor. In the afternoon visit Jokhang monastery, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where thousands of pilgrims come for worship everyday. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Walk on the Barkhor street surrounding Jokhang, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties.

Day15 Lhasa (B/L/D)
In the morning visit Drepung monastery the sacred land of Gelug Sect., which was established in 1416 and the second, third and fourth Dalai Lama once resided in. In the afternoon visit Sera monastery, which was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”. Today still 200 lamas live in there.

Day16 Air Lhasa – Chengdu 1N at 3*Xinliang Hotel (B/L/D)
In the morning transfer to Gongga airport (100 km), fly to Chengdu. In the afternoon visit the Daoism Temple Qingyang Gong.

Day17 Chengdu – Home (B)
Transfer to aiport, fly back home.

Included

• 15N in hotels and guest house (N=overnight)
• meals as stated: B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner
• all transfers, excursions, overland trips (jeep, 4WD Mitsubishi or similar from Dechen to Lhasa)
• sightseeing tickets
• local Tibetan English speaking guide
• entry permit to Tibet
• air ticket Lhasa – Chengdu and airport tax.
   
  Excluded:
  tip for guide and driver; all individual issues; China visa

Yunnan Tour

Tour route: Kunming (2N) – Dali (1N) – Lijiang (2N) – First Bend of the Yangtse - Zhongdian (2N) – Dechen (1N) – Markam (1N) – Zuogong (1N) – Baxoi (1N) – Ranwu Lake - Bome (1N) – Tongmai - Nyingchi (2N) – Basum Tso Lake – Lhasa (3N) – Chengdu (1N)
 
- Hard overland tour by 4WD vehicle from Dechen - Lhasa
- Visit the minorities in Dali and Lijiang
- Folkway of the Tibetan in Kham
- On the "roof of the world" to Lhasa
- Beautiful landscapes Nyingchi
- Three nights in Lhasa with great sightseeing program
 
From Kunming we drive to Dali, which is located between the Erhai Lake and the Canqshan range, the subsequent trip leads you to East Tibet where experience various landscapes. The Jade-Dragon Snow-Mountain and the Tiger Jumping Gorge in Lijiang are probably the most famous scenic spot in Yunnan Province. On markets you get to know peoples of the Bai and Naxi minorities who still partly carry their own colorful national costumes. The visit to some of the temples will repay us long-time stop here.
 
We reach Gyalthang (Zhongdian), which is situated in the east edge of Himalaya Range with an altitude of 3330 m above sea level. Here you visit Sumsanling (the city of monasteries) and trek to the isolated Dabao Temple. The route leads us through the Hengduan Range to Dechen. Followed, must conquer, particularly these zigzag ways up and downs, the complicated landforms of the three river confluence, which is at the boundary of Sichuan, Yunan and Tibet: at first across the Jinsha Jiang (Golden Sand Rive, upper reaches of Yangtse) enter Tibet, then come Lancang Jiang (Mekong) and Nu Jiang (Salween). Going on westwards, pass by Ranwu Lake, cross Lulang forests and visit Basum Tso Lake, at last we reach the holy city Lhasa. In Lhasa we visit the Potala Palace, which stands on the Red Hill in the city proper, the holiest place Jokhang as well as Drepung and Sera.

Day01 Arrive in Kunming 2N in 4*Kunming Hotel D
Today arrive in Kunming and transfer to the hotel. Kunming, capital of Yunnan province, is also called “Spring City” due to its fine climate all year round. Yunnan in Chinese means "to the south of the clouds". This multinational city is famed for its fascinating multicolored street picture and numerous day and night markets.

Day02 Kunming (B/L/D)
After the breakfast visit the Lunan Stone Frost about 125 kilometers to the east of Kunming, which enjoys its distinct landscapes and unveils the best out of the wonders of the Karst topography. The Lunan Autonomous county is a home of the Sani minority. This Karst Stone Frost with an area of 270 sq km, appeared approximately 270 million years ago when the crust of earth lifted and the original endless sea allowed to disappear. The bizarre line stone rocks feature in various formation and some of them tower above to 30 m high.

Day03 Kunming - Dali 380 km 1N in 4*Asia Star Hotel (B/L/D)
In the morning drive to Dali, where stroll in the alleys of the ancient small town and then visit San Ta Si (Three Pagoda Temple) in the northwest outskirts of Dali.

Day04 Dali – Lijiang 200 km 2N in 4*Jade Dragon Garden Hotel (B/L/D)
The well preserved ancient city gates and the historic buildings have shown the city’s long history. In the afternoon visit the Erhai Lake in the east of the city. The lake with an area of 249 square kilometers, is 40 km long and surrounded by high mountains such as Cang Shan (the Azure Mountain) being 4122 m. high in the sky. Undertake a bicycle tour by the beautiful lake. In the afternoon drive northwards approx. 200 km to Lijiang by the Erhai Lake. With an altitude of 2600 m above sea level on Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, Lijiang is located in the Naxi Minority Autonomous County of Yunnan Province. The city had a 800-year-old history and is the only city where the Naxi ethnic minority reside. It is famous for its old wooden houses and the layout of the town’s streets. The cobblestones are seen here and there in the city as one walks.

Day05 Lijiang (B/L/D)
First drive northwards 30 km to the Yulong Xueshan (Jade-Dragon Snow-Mountain), which is 5596 m high and at the south edge of the Tibetan Plateau. This mountain has long been admired as “kingdom of forests” or “treasure of house vegetation” with rare birds and animals moving and flying about in it. In the mountain visit Yu Feng Si (a Buddhist monastery complex). The giant camellia in the monastery is more than 500 years old and has gained the fame of 10,000 Flowers Camellia due to its flourishing flowers every year. Afterwards visit Baisha village of Naxi minority where about 350 Buddhism mural paintings made between 14th and 17th century are preserved. If the time allows, visit Hei Long Tan (Black Dragon Pool), which is located in the northern foot of the Elephant Hill. The summits of the snowy mountain nearby are clearly reflected in this pond. In addition, visit a five-arch marble bridge and different pavilions, for example, the Tower Five Phoenix.

Day06 Lijiang – Zhongdian 220 km 2N in 4*Sightseeing Hotel (B/L/D)
Continue the journey to Tiger Jumping Gorge on the Jinsha Jiang (Golden Sand River), the upper reaches of the Yangtse River (the longest river of China, 6380 km). In the15 km long gorge, as the turbulent water of the Jinsha Jiang River is forced by Hapa Snow Mountain standing in its way to turn abruptly 100 degrees north eastwards and thus gives birth of the “First Bend of the Yangtse River”. Here the cliffs on the west bank of the river is 4000 meters above from the surface of the water, while a giant rock, just called Tiger Jumping Gorge of 300 cubic meters or so, is laying in the middle of the river to cause the waves up to the sky. In the afternoon arrive in Zhongdian (3330 m), the historic southern gateway to Kham. Most of the residents here are Tibetan.

Day07 Zhongdian (B/L/D)
In the morning visit the Sumsanling Monastery, which was created in 1679 by the Fifth Dalai lama. In 1958 the monastery complex still accommodated about 1300 monks of the Gelugpa Sect. It is a pity that in 1959 this monastery was almost completely devastated during the tragic Culture Revolution. Anyhow it was systematic reconstructed in 1982. Today several hundred monks in the prayer halls do their Buddhist exercises again. Characterized by Its Han-Chinese and Tibetan construction style, the monastery with an area of 34 ha is considered as the most important monastery of Gelukpa-sect in Yunnan province. The mural paintings and wood carvings in the monastery are quite fine. On 29th of November every year in Chinese traditional lunar calendar an important religious party called Gedong-party is held here. People dance with masks to pray for luck of the next year. In the afternoon walk to visit the Dabao Si Monastery, which is situated on a hill with an altitude of 3.300 m above sea level. The flying streamers around the monastery and the approx. 2 km long Mani-stone will impress you deeply.

Day08 Zhongdian - Dechen 190 km 1N in 3*Rainbow Hotel (B/L/D)
Drive through parts of the Hengduan Range along the Jinsha Jiang (upper reaches of Yangtse). Have a break in a beautiful small town named Benzilan. On the way we enjoy far view of Meili Xueshan, the highest peak in Yunnan Province, with an altitude of 6740 m above sea level. This peak is called “Kawagebo” by Tibetan compatriots, which means “the white snowy mountain” in Tibetan language. Regarded as one of the “Eight Buddhist Mountains” and the “Divine Mountain and Holy land”, every year the Buddhist followers from Tibet, Sichuan, Yunnan, and Qinghai trek thousands of miles to pay religious homage to it. In the afternoon arrive in Dechen, situated close to the border between Yunnan and Tibet.

Day09 Dechen – Markam Jeep 220 km 1N in 2*Kangsheng Hotel (B/L/D)
Go on northwards along the Langcang Jiang River valley, the upper reaches of the Mekong River. After a lunch break in the Mekong valley, pass the border between Yunnan and Tibet, and then arrive at Yanjing country. In the afternoon reach Markam, where the Sichuan-Tibet Highway (Chengdu - Lhasa) and Yunnan-Tibet Highway meet (Kunming - Lhasa).

Day10 Markam - Zuogong, 158 km, 5 hours 1N in simple guesthouse (B/L/D)
Heading for Zuogong (3980 m). On the way we cross the Lancang Jiang (Mekong) and overcome three passes: Joba, Lawu (4358 m) and Dongda (5008m).

Day11 Zuogong - Baxoi, 201 km, 6 hours 1N in simple Ya'an guesthouse (B/L/D)
Drive upstream to Bangda, a town junction where Lhasa connects to the Chamdo-Kunming Highway. The Yu-chu valley lies north of the Salween gorges in the highlands of Tsawagang, where the immense geographic spatial dimensions of the land dwarf our presence. While distance covered is less than 100 km and probably half that by the way the crow flies, the terrain is steep, as defined by the 180 switchbacks we will conquer when we cross Gama La Pass at an altitude of 4,618 meters.

Day12 Baxoi - Ranwu – Bome 1N in 2*Zhongxing Hotel (B/L/D)
On the road to Bome, we will stop in Ranwu to cast our lines in the pristine waters of Ngan Tso (Ranwu Lake), a spectacularly crystal blue lake cupped by snow peaks.  After our lunch of freshly caught fish, we will wander along the Poto-chu Valley at Tramog (2,743 m), located deep in the thickly forested gorge of Parlung Tsangpo with glacial waterfalls streaming from the mountainsides.

Day13 Bome – Nyingchi 1N in 3*Nyingchi Hotel (B/L/D)
We will go down several hundred meters in altitude as we reach the lowland jungle settlement of Tongmai where the Tsangpo and Parlung Tsangpo rivers meet. Crossing Serkhyem La Pass (4,515 m) we will have spectacular views of Mount Gyala Pelri (7,150 m) and Mount Namchak Barwa (7,782 m). 

Day14 Nyingchi (B/L/D)
The garrison site Nyingchi is an ideal place for the discovery of two neighbouring high points: From the golden roof of the Gelugpa monastery Buchu to view the unique scenery of the Lamaling temple which is only a few kilometers runway. North of Bayi, Bajie village lies on the edge of a primary dense forest with sacred cypress trees that are more than two thousand and five hundred years old.  Around May, we would be able to see three to five-meter rhododendrons in full bloom.

Day15 Nyingchi - Basum Tso Lake – Lhasa 3N in 3*Dhood Gu hotel (B/L/D)
After breakfast we drive to the Basum Tso Lake. More than 6000 m high snow covered mountains make the lake film like, well, the leading actor is, without doubt, is the island monastery - Tsodzong. We take a boat travel around the island and up to the Tsodzong monastery on it. In the afternoon we driving on along the Niyang river for Lhasa. Afterwards we pass through scenic terrain with lush alpine forests and clear snow-melted streams and over the impressing Mi La pass (4865 m) to Lhasa. Late in the afternoon arrive in Lhasa (3650 m), capital of Tibet Autonomous Region. The city is situated on the bank of the Kyichu River and has long been the "Holy Land" of Tibet.

Day16 Lhasa (B/L/D)
In the morning visit Potala, which was originally constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet, and later expanded and served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas as well as the religious-political nexus of traditional Tibet. The crowds of pilgrims, innumerable magnificent murals, Buddhist statues, scriptures and rare treasures altogether creative a dense religious and art atmosphere that impresses every visitor. In the afternoon visit Jokhang monastery, the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred land of Buddhist followers where thousands of pilgrims come for worship everyday. The temple, built in 647, is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. Walk on the Barkhor street surrounding Jokhang, a big free market with its prolific stalls for selling local specialties.

Day17 Lhasa (B/L/D)
In the morning visit Drepung monastery the sacred land of Gelug Sect., which was established in 1416 and the second, third and fourth Dalai Lama once resided in. In the afternoon visit Sera monastery, which was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”. Today still 200 lamas live in there.

Day18 Air Lhasa – Chengdu 1N in 3*Xinliang Hotel (B/L/D)
In the morning transfer to Gongga airport (100 km), fly to Chengdu, capital of province Sichuan, the home town of Panda. Picked up by the local guide at airport and transferred to hotel. In the afternoon visit the Giant Panda Breeding Search Base, located in the north suburbs of the city proper. In the base about 43 pandas live in the semi-natural environment.

Day19 Chengdu – Home (B)
Transfer to airport, fly back home.

Included

• 19N in hotels and guest house (N=overnight).
  meals as stated: B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner
• all transfers, excursions, boating, overland trips (jeep, 4WD Mitsubishi or similar from Dechen to Lhasa
• sightseeing tickets
• local Tibetan English speaking guide
• entry permit to Tibet
• air ticket Lhasa – Chengdu and airport tax.
  Excluded:
  tip for guide and driver; all individual issues; China visa