Yunnan+Sichuan Escape Tour
Overview
This 14 days fascinating tour to Yunnan and Sichuan takes travelers through the most diverse regions of China and offer opportunity to see the most amazing scenery & experience ethnic culture of Bai, Tibetan, Yi and other minorities in Yunnan & Sichuan province. You will visit the highlights attractions like Stone Forest, Dali and Lijiang Ancient Town, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Songzanlin Monastery, Giant Panda Base, and also venture out to the untouched places for views of Kawagebo Peak of Yunnan, Genie Mountain of Sichuan and enigmatical Daocheng Yading area. Travel and explore the mysterious southwest China with us!
Duration: 14 days & 13 nights
Destinations: Kunming - Lijiang - Zhongdian - Xi'angcheng - Daocheng - Litang - kangding - Chengdu
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After breakfast, drive about 1.5 hours to visit the Stone Forest - a wonder of geology. About 200 million year ago the earth's crust shifted and forced the 200 acres of karst limestone stalagmites rise up from what was once a huge expanse of water. Paths wind through its spectacular valleys and around the weird rock formations and its reflecting pools. There are pavilions perched high on these pillars that offer sweeping views.
Later, drive back to city and visit the Green Lake Park, like a shining emerald, the lake boasts mirror-like views and flourishing plants.
Meal: B, L
After breakfast, transfer to the railway station for high speed train to Lijiang. Upon arrival, be met and transferred to hotel to check in. The rest of leisure time will be on your own arrangement; it will be a good choice to take your time in exploring Lijiang Ancient Town. You may climb up the Lion Hill, visit the Black Dragon Pool etc…
Meal: B
After breakfast, explore the famous Lijiang Ancient Town, originally called Dayan, it is a very well preserved old town built by Naxi people with unique cultural background. It was listed as the World Cultural Heritage Sites in 1997. Afterwards, pay a visit to Zhongyi Wet Market to discover various local specialty foods and goods. Buy yourself or friends some souvenirs and witness the local way of life. Then transfer to Yuhu Village. The earliest residents of Yuhu village were those who raised deer for the palace of Naxi king. Visit The Former Residence of Dr Joseph Rock, an adventurer and geographer who traveled through Yunnan and lived in Lijiang for 27 years.
Meal: B, L
Transfer from Lijiang to Zhongdian by private car. On the way, visit Shigu Village & the First Bend of Yangtze River. Shigu Village is 50 kilometers from Lijiang. It was named after a stone tablet in the shape of a drum. The Jinsha River does a U-turn at Shigu Town and flows northward, which is known as the First Bend of Yangtze River. Then go to Tiger Leaping Gorge, a canyon on the upper reach of the Yangtze River, where offers a pleasant walk through spectacular scenery. If you travel in summer, you should not miss the sea of wild flowers at Xiao Zhongdian, which is just on the way from Lijiang to Shangri-La, you will also visit a Tibetan village here. After that, we arrive Shangri-La, a mysterious and pure Buddhist land in China.
Meal: B, L
After breakfast, go to the Songzanlin Monastery, the biggest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Yunnan. Of great significance in China’s Tibetan Region, it is celebrated as the “Lesser Potala Palace”, and famous for its architecture masterpiece and Tibetan Buddhist cultural treasures. You may chat with the lamas at the dormitory about Buddhist art and their life. Then visit the Pudacuo National Park, notable as the first national park in China to meet International Union for Conservation of Nature standards. It incorporates the Bita Lake Nature Reserve and the Duhu Scenic Area in the Hongshan region.
Meal: B, L
After breakfast, head for Xiangcheng, a Tibetan county in Sichuan province. Stop for the photos of snow capped mountains and beautiful decorated Tibetan house on the way. Lunch at a local restaurant, go to visit Birong Gorge of Sichuan. You will get an idea of the differences between the traditional Tibetan houses built in Xiangcheng and Zhongdian. After arrival at Xiangcheng, check into the hotel and then visit Sangpi Monastery, which is one of the biggest Gelupa sect (yellow hat) monastery in Kham Tibetan region. Overnight at local Hotel.
Meal: B, L, D
Today drive from Xiangcheng to Daocheng. Take a distant look of the two famous sacred mountains: Kawagebo Peak of Yunnan and Genie Mountain of Sichuan. After a short stop in Sangdun village, we will then proceed to visit famous Kagyupa Sect (white hat) Zhujiesi Monastery. The monks in this monastery feed many Tibet pheasants. Arrive at Daocheng in the afternoon. Free time at the rest of the day.
Meal: B, L, D
After visiting Rubuchaka Hot Spring near the town, proceed to drive to Litang. Visit Benpo Monastery built under a mountain cave. Then drive over Mt. Haizi, witnessing the magnificent remains of ancient glaciers and widely dotted highland lakes. Arrive at Litang County in the afternoon, visit Changqingchunker Monastery (meaning Maitreya-Holy Wheel Temple) located in the western suburb of the town. As the most important temple of Gelupa Sect (yellow hat) in the south of Kham Region, it was originally under the control of the Bon religion but converted into a Gelupa Sect monastery in 1580 by the third Dalai Lama.
Meal: B, L, D
Cross over Mt. Honglong (4280m) and Mt. Kazila (4400m). Then drive down to Yajiang, a small county at the foot of the mountain. Continue driving to Tagong after lunch in Yajiang. We will pass by Xinduqiao, a perfect place for photo taking in autumn. After arrival at Tagong, go to visit Tagong Monastery. Tagong is a very small town with tiny population, while Tibetan religion deeply penetrated into the local people's life.
Meal: B, L, D
After breakfast, visit the orphanage, nearly 130 orphans here were from Tibetan, Han, Yi and Qiang nationality. Then drive to visit Juemu Nunnery, have a stop at Muya gilded stupa on the way to nunnery. Handicraftsman making pray stone carving can be seen near the nunnery. Driver across over Mt. Zheduo and Mt. Gaoershi., In the afternoon, arrive at Kangding, the capital of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and the important juncture of Tibetan and Han People in history.
Meal: B, L, D
In the morning, our guide and driver will meet you at your hotel, then set off for Chengdu. Since the motorway is built, this drive will only take 3.5 hours. After check in your hotel, the rest of time will be on your own arrangement; you can explore the city on your own pace.
Chengdu is a cultural modern city, still keeping numerous historical relics and sites, as well as interesting traditions. The people are friendly and the foods are well-known all over China. You can walk around the city by yourself.
Meal: B, L
Drive to see the lovely creatures at Panda Breeding and Research Center. This huge institution replicates the natural habitat of the giant panda and is dedicated to preserving and increasing their population so they will not become extinct. In the afternoon, drink tea in the quaint teahouses in the People’s Park. Tea is an essential part of Chengdu people's daily life. They enjoy chatting, reading book, playing chess or Mahjong, and various traditional entertainments in the tea houses.
Later, have a stroll of Jinli Old Street for an authentic experience of traditional Chengdu. Enjoy the tasty Chengdu delicacies and have fun in the teahouses, bars, pubs, boutique shops…
Meal: B, L
Transfer to the airport and fly to your next destination. End of your 14 days Yunnan and Sichuan adventure tour.
Meal: B
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