Chengdu Tibet Pilgrimage 6-Day Tour
Travel from Chengdu, home of the panda, to the spiritual sanctuary of Tibet. You will get up close and personal with pandas, visit the Sanxingdui Ruins in Chengdu, the sacred Potala Palace and the breathtaking scenery of the snow-covered Tibetan plateau. This 6-day itinerary will surely bring you the most unique travel experience in China.
Included with every escorted tour
Day 1: Chengdu
The Sanxingdui Ruins–Chengdu People’s Park–Jinli Old Street
4+stars Hotel
In the morning, you will visit the Sanxingdui Ruins, which is is considered to be one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the 20th century. A vast array of ancient bronzes, gold masks, ivory and jade have been found here. The unearthed objects are unique in shape and superior in techniques，which confirmed the extraordinary creativity of the ancient Shu people and their desires to connect with the heaven and understand the universe.
In the afternoon, you will step into Chengdu People’s Park to experience the unique leisure and ease of this city. Here you can order a pot of tea and take a nap or join the local people in a game of mahjong and experience the ear cleaning service.
As night falls, you will step into the old street of Jinli, which has ancient buildings, lots of Chengdu snacks and cuisines, and exquisite handicrafts that are lively and interesting folk performances. You will spend an unforgettable night here.
Day 2: Chengdu-Tibet
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding-Transfer to Lhasa
4+stars Hotel
Breakfast
In the morning, you will go to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. This is not only a scientific research base for pandas around the world, but also a cozy home for more than a hundred of pandas. You will be able to observe pandas of all ages eating, playing, rolling on the ground and climbing trees.
Also, we can learn how to feed them, even we can watch female pandas nursing their cubs . And more importantly, we can further our understanding of how to protect these beautiful but endangered creatures.
In the afternoon, you will go to airport and take a flight to Lhasa. Your Lhasa tour guide will wait for you at the airport and help you to transfer to the hotel.
Tips:
After arrive in Lhasa, you are advised to take it easy and avoid strenuous exercise as this may cause altitude sickness and affect your travel experience and health.
Day 3: Lhasa
The Potala Palace–Jokhang Temple–Barkhor Street
4+stars Hotel
Breakfast
After breakfast, you will begin the day’s adventure in Lhasa. First you will visit the majestic Potala Palace, which has spanned more than 1,300 years.“Potala” is a transliteration from the Sanskrit for Mt Potala，the mythological mountain abode of Avalookitesvara，God of Mercy. It is not only the political center of Tibet, but also a holy place of religion, which was once the temple of the Dalai Lama to rule and preach Buddhism.
In the afternoon, we turn to the most sacred Buddhist temple in Tibet – Jokhang Temple, where is enshrined the sacred and extraordinary 12-year-old statue of Sakyamuni, witnessed more than 13 centuries of faith inheritance of this architectural history of the jewel, skillfully blended with the essence of Tibet’s native, Chinese, Nepalese and Indian architecture, showing a unique blend of cultures of the beauty. As a spiritual beacon for Tibetans, it attracts countless devout pilgrims every day.
Outside the temple is the famous Barkhor Street, where pilgrims dressed in colorful costumes stroll along the street. You can follow in the footsteps of pilgrims.
Day 4: Lhasa
Norbulingka Park–Drepung Monastery
4+stars Hotel
Breakfast
After breakfast, we will embark on a new journey with our first stop at Norbulingka Park – known as the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lama. When summer arrives, the Dalai Lama moves from the Potala Palace to the Lopblingka office.
Continuing westward for about 5 kilometers you will arrive at the Drepung Monastery. As the Dalai Lama’s school, it occupies a pivotal position in the history of Tibetan Buddhism, along the way, you can see the towering temples and churches, like a long scroll of history slowly unfolded in front of us. In its heyday, more than 10,000 monks studied here.
On festive occasions, the monastery organizes grand Buddhist ceremonies, the most spectacular being the annual presentation of the Buddha statue at the Songtung Festival.
Day 5: Lhasa
Lhasa–Yamdrok Lake–No. 1/No. 3 Observation Deck– Xiazhulin Temple
4+stars Hotel
Breakfast
Yamdrok Lake: Yamdrok Lake is one of the most stunning high-altitude lakes in the world. Situated at over 4,400 meters above sea level, the lake is known for its vivid
turquoise waters, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and rolling hills. It’s a sacred site in Tibetan Buddhism, with pilgrims often visiting to offer prayers and make
ritual circumambulations. Shaped roughly like a Chinese character, this beautiful lake is the perfect place to visit for those that admire the stunning beauty of Tibet’s natural
landscape.
No. 1/No. 3 Observation Deck: No. 1 Observation Deck-The most visited classic observation deck, it is the highest point overlooking Yamdrok Lake, where you can see the
winding lakeshore and the snow-capped mountains in the distance. No. 3 Observation Deck-Overlooking the snow-capped mountains from afar, you can get close to
Yamdrok Lake, which is where most of the aquatic birds in Tibet live. This is where these water birds gather and you can interact with them.
Xiazhulin Temple: Xiazhulin Temple is is located on a hill in Gangdui Town, Gongga County, 22 kilometers away from Gongga County. It belongs to the Gelug sect of
Tibetan Buddhism. Compared with other popular ancient temples, it is smaller and quieter. With an altitude of 3200m, Xiazhulin Temple is the best spot to view the
Yarlung Zangbo River (the Brahmaputra River), which is one of the longest rivers in Asia, spanning about 2,900 km. Tibetans consider the Yarlung Zangbo River to be a
holy river. Xiazhulin Temple is also famous for the body of the auspicious goddess that it enshrines. This Buddha statue is a 12-year-old girl who passed away. After her
death, her body naturally shrank to only one cubit high, showing the sitting posture of Tara. As time passed, she still sat quietly on the top of the Xie Zhulin Temple,
guarding this sacred land.
(Note: This section includes hiking, guests who are worried about plateau reaction can choose to rest in the car, while those who want to challenge themselves can continue to go forward)
Good to Know
April to November is the best time to visit Yamdrok Lake. August is the rainy season in Tibet.
Tibetans don’t fish, bathe or swim in the holy lake. Remember to respect the local customs when you visit the lake.
Please note that the temperature difference between the morning and evening in Tibet. The daytime ultraviolet ray is strong meanwhile the scenic area temperature
is low. Please be sure to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, hats and warm clothing.
Day 6: Lhasa-Chengdu
Lhasa–Flight to Chengdu
None
Breakfast
After breakfast, we will start from the snowy plateau of Lhasa and cross the cloudy peaks of the sky to Chengdu. This is the end of our journey here. We hope you have a wonderful memory of this tour and look forward to seeing you again.
