Night 1
See Tripadvisor ReviewsXinliang Hotel in Chengdu
Enjoy the modern amenities offered at this upscale hotel: WiFi, restaurant, spa, sauna, and breakfast buffet.
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Immerse in the fascinating scenery and culture of West Sichuan on this 15-day tour
Take the first step towards a private travel experience, customized just for you.
About this tour:
The high altitude area of West Sichuan is home to many sects of Tibetan Buddhism. On this 15-day exploration, you will learn about several tenets of this culture by visiting many monasteries and nunneries and watching their dance festivals to celebrate their cultures.
This tour is especially mystical and spiritual, not just for the cultural performances you’ll see but also for the scenery surrounding you. With majestic peaks abounding in West Sichuan, there’s no doubt your spiritual cup will be filled after two weeks on this tour.
The Tibetan Buddhist population that inhabit this region of China will surprise you with their unique beliefs ranging across different sects. Get insight into the spectrum of tenets practices by the monks and nuns here.
If you’re looking for a relaxing, spiritual, cultural experience of West Sichuan where several monasteries and nunneries are built for daily worship, this tour should be on your list.
Welcome to China! You will be picked up from the airport or railway station, depending on how you arrive in Chengdu. Head to your hotel to settle in, and if you have time, take a stroll around the area to get acquainted with the city.
This morning, the group heads to the UNESCO-protected Wolong Nature Reserve, an enormous area that encompasses ancient forests and bamboo groves. It’s home to many species including the iconic panda. Continue into the mountains by car until reaching Siguniangshan Town, a town surrounded by several 5000-metre peaks. After some light hiking in the beautifully scenic Shuangqiao Valley, settle in for a good night’s rest.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Siguniangshan Town (2,100 m / 6,890’)
Wake up in the morning and look out the window just in time for the sunrise. You’ll see epic shades of pink and orange across the range, and get a panoramic view of Siguniang Mountain. After breakfast, hop in for a transfer through winding mountain roads to Wori Tusi Manor and make a stop in Jiaju Tibetan Village. Note the traditional architectural style of the houses decorated red, white, and black. Continue to Zhonglu and enjoy a picturesque sunset that shrouds the village in the glow of the setting sun.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Zhonglu (2,100 m / 6,889’)
First thing in the morning, you will walk through the historic village of Suopo, which is well known for its countless ancient clay block towers. You will also drive through the Yak Valley to Bamei, enjoying stunning views of Yala Mountain along the way. Later you will visit Huiyuan Temple, before driving on to Daofu.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Daofu (3,245 m / 10,646’)
Today you’ll experience the pulsing centre for Tibetans in the West Sichuan area by visiting two significant monasteries in the area. First up is the Garze Monastery, which was built by the Qosot Mongols in 1662. Here you will see monks who live in the monastery and will have a unique opportunity to witness their practices. Later, you’ll visit the Han-Chinese Monastery, which symbolizes the connection between the Tibetan people and the Chinese established in this area in the 13th century. Stay the night at a hotel in Ganzi.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Ganzi (3,400 m / 11,154’)
Once you finish breakfast, you’ll be heading into higher altitudes to spot some gorgeous scenery and visit another mountain monastery. This monastery, founded in 1642 and built on a hillside, will set the tone for a spiritual day of visiting attractions. After the monastery, drive to a breathtaking vivid blue alpine lake, Yihun Lhatso, at the base of Chola Mountain. The lake sits at 4040 m / 13,255 ft, with wild native species of trees dotting its perimeter—keep your eyes peeled for white-lipped deer sauntering by for a drink. Spend a bit of time strolling around the lake, taking pictures, and soaking in the magical scenery before getting back in the car to continue to Dege. Once there, take some time to visit the Printing House, a cultural icon in the area, and one of the most prominent buildings in the town centre.
Today you will make your way to Maisu village along the Jinshajiang River, where you will visit the Dzongsar Monastery and the surrounding family workshops. Here, you will learn about copper casting, wood carving, black pottery, and color painting. Afterwards, enjoy a delicious dinner made with local ingredients from the surrounding mountains.
Early in the morning you will make your way to the Katok Monastery to witness the Dance Festival, where the monks dance with traditional Buddhist masks, chanting to expel evil spirits. They will unveil the Thangka, a painting of a deity upon cotton or silk when the sun is at its peak at noon. After, you will drive to your accommodations in Baiyu. If there is enough time left in the day you will visit a traditional Tibetan knife workshop.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Baiyu (3,006 m / 9,862’)
Today will begin with a visit to the Pelyul Monastery, which historically had a great influence on the surrounding area. Afterwards, you will make the scenic drive along the Ganbai Road, which passes by Lalongcuo National Wetland Park and is often referred to as “the most beautiful self-driving county road”.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Daofu (3,245 m / 10,646’)
In the morning you will drive to Moshi Park near Bamei to visit the interesting stone forest, before continuing on to Tagong. Here you will spend the day experiencing various spiritual activities of praying and dancing at the festival in the Lhagang Monastery. Once you have experienced the festivities, take some time to explore the area surrounding the Muya Golden Pagoda and take in the views of Zhara Lhatse.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Tagong (3,700 m / 12,139’)
Today enjoy various religious praying activities and mask dances at festival. In the afternoon drive to Litang which is known as "world highland city" with an altitude of 4014 m above sea level.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Litang (4,014 m / 13,169’)
Wake up with extra enthusiasm because this morning, you will experience a traditional horse racing festival! In addition to the races, this event also features other cultural activities such as horsemanship, singing, dancing, and a costume show. Don’t forget to take pictures! If there is time left over at the festival, make sure to check out the Litang Monastery and Renkang old House.
Today is another exciting day to experience all that the horse racing festival in Litang has to offer. There is plenty to see and do, as the festival is spread over the course of 7 days. From Litang, you will hop into the vehicle for the drive to Xinduqiao.
The last day of your adventure will see you travel back to Chengdu via Kangding, which is the capital of the Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Along the way you will stop at several scenic viewpoints, including Zheduo Pass, Gongga Mountain, and Luding Chain Bridge. Spend the night back at your hotel in Chengdu.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Chengdu
Head back to the airport for your flight after the breakfast.
Be witness to mystical mask dance festivals among Tibetan Buddhist monasteries.
Stroll ancient village roads that were once a part of the Silk Road.
Explore the largest concentration of monastics in The City of Nuns high in the mountains.
Experience a grand horse racing festival in the highland city of Litang.
14 breakfasts are included.
Accommodation for 14 nights is included in the tour.
Transport for your luggage is included throughout the tour. Airport or railway station transfers are also included.
This guided tour in China is always run as a custom tour for your group only and the price always depends on the number of people in your group.
This tour starts on July 11th as it’s the optimal date to be able to visit all 4 festivals. Prices below are per person sharing a double or a triple room.
This tour is based 3- and 4-star hotels with modern amenities for a comfortable stay. Rooms are double occupancy, and single travelers will pay a supplement.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement of $630USD to have a private room in a hotel while traveling with your group. Contact us and we can try and match single travelers up, where possible.
Enjoy the modern amenities offered at this upscale hotel: WiFi, restaurant, spa, sauna, and breakfast buffet.
Stay in one of the cozy hotels along the route. Some of the hotels are more basic, while others offer more convenient amenities.
Enjoy sleek, modern décor and fantastic service at the Holiday Inn Express in Ya’an. The cleanliness and comfort will impress you during your stay.
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How hard is the Festivals & Cultural Tour in Tibet and Sichuan?
We rate this tour as a 2 / 5. You should be comfortable for long journeys on poor roads and in high altitudes.
Do I need a visa to travel to China?
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Are meals included on the Festivals & Cultural Tour in Tibet and Sichuan?
14 breakfasts are included.
Do I need insurance?
Yes, it is mandatory to have Health and Medical insurance to join this trip. Get your Travel Insurance.
How do I get to Chengdu to start this tour?
You can reach Chengdu by plane from several major airports in China. You can also take a train to Chengdu from many cities in China. You will be picked up at the airport or train station.
Is the Festivals & Cultural Tour in Tibet and Sichuan in English?
Yes, the local guides are English-speaking.
Where does the Festivals & Cultural Tour in Tibet and Sichuan end?
The tour ends in Chengdu with a drop-off at the airport or railway station.
Do I need special vaccines to travel to China?
Check with your family doctor.
Are there any travel restrictions for China?
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
Easy
We rate this tour as a 2 / 5. You should be comfortable for long journeys on poor roads and in high altitudes.
Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.
This tour was made for you!
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