Searching for Shangri-La in West Sichuan and North Yunnan

Home > Discovery Tour in Tibetan Areas Kham and Amdo

11 Days Private Tour Chengdu – Panda in Wolong – Siguniang Mountain – Danba – Tagong – Litang – Daocheng – Shangri-La Town – Yading – Shangri-La Town - Qingde Village of Xiangcheng – Shangri-La – White Water Terraces - Tiger Leaping Gorge – Lijiang

On the tour, we will visit the Tibetan Area Kham in west Sichuan and north Yunnan. Besides, we will meet Naxi and Bai people in Yunnan. After having an experience of the leisure life in Chengdu, we will go to Siguniang Mountain, on the way there, we will visit pandas in Wolong, the first panda reserve in China. The next destination is the Jiaju Tibetan Village in Danba, honored as the most beautiful village in China. Then we reach Tagong, the “Buddha’s favorite place”. Afterwards we pass by Litang - the culture center of Kham, go to Yading, Daocheng. In Yading we walk among snowy mountains, holy lakes and alpine valleys. Continuing to Yunnan along the Jinsha (Golden Sand) Rive. We explore the myths of Shangri-La, feel the stories of Lijiang, follow the footsteps of Josef Rock, discover the ancient tea-horse-road.

Highlights

Searching for Shangri-La in West Sichuan and North Yunnan

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, 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 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)

Tea House in People’s Park

Photo by Liu Bin

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

Pandas in Wolong

Photo by Liu Bin

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

Sunrise of Mt. Siguniang

Photo by Min Zhao

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

Nunnery of Hepingfahui in Tagong

Photo by Liu Bin

DAY
5

Litang - Daocheng - Shangri-La Town

Visit Yading - Chonggu Monastery, Chonggu Meadow, Pearl Lake, Xiannairi Mountain

In the morning drive 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.

230 km, 4 hours 06 minutes
Overnight at Holiday Inn Express Daocheng Yading (2900 m)

Breakfast

Litang Monastery

Photo by Liu Bin

DAY
6

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

Mt. Xialuoduoji

Photo by Wang Lei

DAY
7

Shangri-La Town – Qingde - Shangri-La City

Traditional white houses at Qingde Village, XIangcheng. Drive through the Dongwang Gorge

In the morning drive to Qingde Town of Xiangcheng County, where you’ll enjoy the amazing Tibetan rustic landscapes and take photos of the traditional Tibetan white houses. Continue driving to Shangri-La City, en route drive through the Dongwang Gorge. Located at the border of Sichuan and Yunnan, it is so deep that it is impossible to see the end, so narrow as a line, so high as to pierce straight into the sky, and so long that one cannot leave this canyon for two hours. A river of blue water winds and twists, so beautiful that it is intoxicating.
Late in the afternoon arrive in Shangri-La City, a Tibetan region in northwest Yunnan, what is the southern gateway to Kham and Tibet.

306 km, 5 hours 40 minutes
Overnight at Khimtsang Hotel (3280 m)

Breakfast

Village in Xiangcheng

DAY
8

Shangri-La City

Bike trip to Sumzanlin Monastery and Napahai Lake

“Lost Horizon”, a novel wrote by British writer James Hilton and published in April 1933, describes a Xanadu paradise in the southwest of China, a peaceful, quiet, eternal and mysterious living place for Tibetan, and there is a beautiful Lamasery, the center of “Shangri-La”. Lamasery leads the entire valley, forming a "Shangri-La" society. The author was inspired by the series of articles and photos published in “National Geographic Magazine” by Josef Rock during his expedition in northwestern Yunnan from 1924 to 1935. The word "Shangri-La" means in Tibetan “the sun and moon in heart”. Located on the old trade route to Tibet and literally called "Tea Horse Road", the region around Shangri-La is set in an enchanting landscape of snow-capped mountains, deep gorges, high mountain lakes, grassy steppes and primeval forests. Here, several nationalities, including Tibetans live in the northeast of Yunnan Province.
In the morning bike to Sumzanlin Monastery that was created in 1679 by the Fifth Dalai lama. Characterized by its Han-Chinese and Tibetan construction style, the monastery is the most important monastery of Gelugpa-sect in Yunnan Province. Its appearance is strongly influenced by the Potala Palace in Lhasa, so it is also called "Little Potala". Today about 800 monks live here. Then cycle to the Napahai Reserve. There is the most extensive highland steppe and the largest pasture in Shangri-La. Here vegetate 20% of all plant species in China, including many orchids. Surrounded by high mountains on three sides, the meadows in the valley transform into a reservoir in summer - Napahai meaning Napa Lake. In winter and spring, Napahai is a moorland - a paradise for migratory birds, including endangered species such as the black-necked crane or the bar-headed goose. You cycle and walk through villages, steppes and hilly landscapes around Napahai Lake, and you dive deep into the typical life of the nomads, as well as you can certainly taste the butter tea.

Biking about 40 km
Overnight at Khimtsang Hotel

Breakfast

The First Bend of Jinsha River

Photo by Peng Jiansheng

DAY
9

Shangri-La – Baishuitai - Tiger Leaping Gorge - Lijiang

White Water Terraces. Tiger Leaping Gorge

Drive to Baishuitai, visit the White Water Terraces at the foot of Haba Snow Mountain. Here is the birthplace of Dongba culture, you may encounter some activities of Dongba Religion and folk festivals of the Naxi people. Then drive to the Tiger Leaping Gorge (Hu Tiao Xia) on the Jinsha Jiang (Golden Sand River), the upper reaches of the Yangtze River (the longest river of China, 6380 km). The Tiger Leaping Gorge (Hu Tiao Xia), one of the deepest and longest canyons in the world and about 15 km long, was formed by a cliff of about 4000 meters high and was named from a legend that a tiger can jump over a canyon of 30 meters wide with one jump. After sightseeing and soft hiking in the gorge, head for Lijiang (2416 m) at the foot of Jade Dragon Mountain (Yulong Xueshan, 5596 m), the hometown of Naxi Minority.

261 km, 4 hours 50 minutes
Overnight at Wangfu Hotel (2416 m)

Breakfast

Sumzanlin Monastery

Photo by Peng Jiansheng

DAY
10

Lijiang

Old town Lijiang, Black Dragon Pool, Dongba Culture Museum, Baisha Village, Yuhu Village

The Lijiang Old Town is famous for its old wooden houses and the layout of the town’s streets. It has been listed as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1997. In the morning, stroll in the old town of Lijiang. With its narrow streets, canals, bridges and wooden houses, the old town creates a cozy atmosphere. Climbing the Lion Hill, you have a wonderful panoramic view of the old town Lijiang from the Wangu Pavilion. Afterwards visit the beautiful park Hei Long Tan (Black Dragon Pond) at the foot of the Elephant Mountain (Xiang Shan), located north of the old town Lijiang. The peaks of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yulong Xueshan, 5596 m) are clearly reflected in the water of the pond. Then visit the Dongba Culture Museum. The Dongba culture is considered as the basis of the Naxi people. “Dongba” means “wisdom” and is a polite salutation for their religious priesthood. The Dongbas are highly respected, as the culture carriers and culture disseminators in terms of pictograms, music, dance of the Naxi people. With 1000-year history, the Dongba culture originated at the latest in the Tang and Song dynasties. Next, drive to the old Baisha Village to admire these religiously-inspired murals that were painted in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Compared to other religious murals, the mural boasts an important feature that figures of Buddhism, Taoism, Lamaism, as well as the artistic styles of different nationalities, e.g. Naxi, Tibetans, Bai and Han Chinese can be found in a single image. Continue to go to Yuhu village to visit the small museum at the former residence of the famous Austrian-American explorer, geographer and botanist Josef Rock. Finally, drive back to Lijiang Ancient Town.

Overnight at Wangfu Hotel

Breakfast

Tiger Leaping Gorge (Hu Tiao Xia)

Photo by Peng Jiansheng

DAY
11

Lijiang

Travel to next destination

The service ends after breakfast in hotel. Please check out before 12 am.

Breakfast

Old Town Lijiang

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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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