Ruoergai, Labrang, Qinghai-Tibet

     Tour Introduction

 Our Adventure Travel is to cover the world famous Qinghai & Tibet Plateau with its surroundings. Sichuan, literally means "Four Rivers" and noted as "Land of Abundance",  is the birthplace of well-known Sichuan Food, which ranks at the top of four major cuisines in China. It's said that Sichuan sits just below the throne of Jade Emperor , supreme god of heaven, hence the name "Kingdom in Heanven Government". Qinghai & Tibet Plateau, top of the world and with its spectacular sceneries, attracts lots of people seeking a dreamland. For our expeditions, we start in Chengdu, panda country and paradise of gourmet. Enjoy local food as well as beautiful views. Discover Ruoergai Steppes that was covered by the Red Army in 1930s, with an experience of "Sichuan was said to be more difficult to reach even that to Heaven." Explore the Black-necked Crane Reserve at Huahu(Flower Lake) Nature Reserve noted for its Wet Land. See spectacular Tibetan monasteries and learn about mysterious Buddhist culture. Browse the Tibetan village, Rekong famed for its Tangka Paintings. Also, witness the Potala Palace , the most sacred place of Tibetan people. Our expediton is concluded on this marvellous land, Tibet.

     Day 1: Chengdu

Arrive Chengdu,the bustling queen city of West China and capital city of Sichuan Province. Transfer to the hotel. This evening celebrate your arrival with a Sichuan Food dinner. As an option, see a wonderful performance of "Face changing "and "Flame Spitting -Out"of Sichuan Opera.
Overnight in Chengdu(D)

     Day 2: Chengdu / Jiuzhaigou

This morning, see Wuhouci, the largest garden style memorial of Zhugeliang, prime minster of Shu in era of Three Kingdoms. Afternoon flight to Jiuzhaigou.
Overnight in Jiuzhaigou(BLD)

     Day 3: Jiuzhaigou, UNESCO's world natural herit

Full-day excursion to Jiuzhaigou , UNESCO's world natural heritage, with our picnic lunch. This beautiful national park is famed for its falls, colorful woods in Autumn, snow-capped mountains, Tibetan folk custom and emerald-colored lakes. The green bus will take us to the fork of two valleys. Enjoy hiking on the boardwalks through the virgin forest or on the trails above falls.
Overnight in Jiuzhaigou(BLD)

     Day 4: Jiuzhaigou / Ruoergai

Travel to Ruoergai, famed for its Tangka Horses and the First Bend of Nine-turn Yellow River. We'll have our picnic lunch on the endless grassgland with nice views. En route, see Tibetan villages or small towns on walking tour. Explore the source of Yellow River with an opportunity for photos.
Overnight in Ruoergai(BLD)

     Day 5: Ruoergai / Lugqu

Head for Luqu, a small town with most population of Hui minortiy people. Browse Huahu(flower lake), a nature reserve for protection of black-necked cranes. We'll have a nice hike in Nymph Valley and see Lamo (known as small Switzerland)monastery,built in 1413, where Tibetan people study Tibetan medicine and Buddhism. < (BLD) Luqu in Overnight>

     Day 6: Luqu / Xiahe

Journey to Xiahe. En route, possibly, we'll visit Zang'ao(Tibetan dogs) breeding base in Hezuo.See Labrang Monastery, one of most famous Buddhist palces of Yellow Sect in Tibetan Buddhism. A monk guide will show us around this spectacular temple .
Overnight in Xiahe(BLD)

     Day 7: Xiahe / Tongren

This morning we'll see a traditional village called Neido near our beautiful tent-style hotel following a Tibetan guide. Enjoy a walk through barley and mustard fields. Talk to locals by a famliy visit. Then with a scenic drive , continue our trip to Tongren. See Wutun (known as birthplace of art in Regong) , a Tu minority viallge famed for its paintings called Tang cards and piles of embroidery.
Overnight in Tongren(BLD)

     Day 8: Tongren / Xi'ning

Today,see Longwusi, a famous Tibetan temple and learn about Tibetan Buddhism. Continue to Xining, capital city of Qinghai province. See castles or mushrooms naturally made by wind. Also enjoy walking at the waterfront of Yellow River.
Overnight in Xining(BLD)

     Day 9: Xi'ning

Explore Qinghai Lake, China's biggest salty water lake and famed for its Huang Fish. See bird's island and marvel at the beauty of Nanshan Mountain with opportunities to identify wild flowers.
Overnight in Xining(BLD)

     Day 10: Xi'ning / Lhasa

Fly to Lhasa. Lhasa, capital city of Tibet, is center of Tibetan politics, economy, culture and religion. With an elevation of over 12,000 feet, it is located on the northern bank of Lhasa Rvier. In Tibetan, Lhasa means"land of gods"or"holy place".
Overnight in Lhasa (BLD)

     Day 11: Lhasa

See the highest palace--Potala Palace complex, firstly built in 7th century A.D.. The present one was built by 5th Dalai Lama in 17th A.D.. It became the "winter palace" after the 7th Dalai Lama built Norbulingkha as summer palace.
Visit Jolkhang Temple, built in the mid of 7th century by Tibetan King, Songtsengampo. It is the most sacred place in Tibet where pilgrims often pay a visit. Explore local free market on the Barkhor Street where tourists can buy souvenirs with good prices.
Overnight in Lhasa(BLD)

     Day 12: Lhasa / Shigatse

Depart Lhasa for Shigatse via Gyantse .Drive through the Kampala Pass , with an elevation of about 16,000 feet above sea level, to Yumdrok Yamtso Hydropower Station. Stop here for photos of one of the three sacred lakes--Yumdrok Yamtso. Here the scenery is mesmerising. Legend has it that it is the transformation of a goddess. After getting to the Karuola Pass with over 16,000feet above sea level, stop for photos.Continue to Shigatse.
Arrive Shigatse. See Palcho Monastery Palcho Monastery , built in 1418, is a complex consisting of sixteen monasteries of three different sects of Lamaism. Kumbum Pagoda, one of the most magnificent and one of the best-preserved buildings in Tibet, in which many wonderful paintings were made in 15th century by Nepalese craftsmen. Just before arrival of Shigatse, see Shalu Monastery featuring the style of Yuan Dynasty temple ,and it is a rare and unique work of art with a mixturing style of both Tibet and Han.
Overnight in Shigatse(BLD)

     Day 13: Shigatse / Tsedang

See Tashilunpo Monastery&Soul Tower of Panchen Lama.
Tashilunpo was built in 1447 by Ganden Drup. In the monastery is enshrined the biggest copper Buddha Statue ---Maitreya Buddha with 90 feet in height. Also see the Soul Tower of the 10th Panchen Lama. After lunch, explore the local free market and carpet manufacturer .
Journey to the granary and cradle of Tibetans---Shannan. See Tibetan villages on the walking tour. Arrive Tsedang.
(BLD)Overnight in Tsedang

     Day 14: Tsedang / Lhasa

Explore monasteries of Yumbulakhang, Trandruk, Samye
Yumbulakhang,built by first Tibetan King--Nyatri Tsenpo, is the first palace in Tibet . Enjoy a bird's eye view of the Yarlung Valley.
Trandruk Temple , one of the first-built temples in Tibet, was constructed by Songtsengampo in the 7th century. It is exceptionally noted for one Tang Card on which the image of Goddess of Mercy was made up of 29026 pearls.
Depart Tsedang for Lhasa. We'll cross the highest river in the world--Yarlongtsampo by boat to visit the first Buddhist temple --Samye. This monastery was designed in the architectural styles of a mixture of Tibet, Han and India by the Indian Lotus-born master , according to the Buddhist astrology. Overnight in Lhasa (BLD)

     Day 15: Lhasa / Chengdu

Fly to Chengdu. See Chengdu Panda Ecological Park with opportunities for photos and learn about the panda's breeding program. Farewell dinner will be hosted at a special local restaurant.
Overnight in Chengdu(BLD)

     Day 16: Chengdu

Departure.(B)

     What's included :

English-speaking guide ,land transport, entrance fee, all meals,domestic air, accommodations and permit to Tibet