Chengdu Lijiang Lugu Lake Tour
Overview
With ETC, you enjoy a private escorted tour from Chengdu to Lijiang and discover Lugu Lake at its authentic best. Chengdu’s charm begin with its hisotry, laid-back ambience and giant panda's natural habitat. And on this trip you also visit the majestic Leshan Giant Buddha. Travel further afield to Lugu Lake to experience the mystical Matriarchal culture of Mosuo people and enjoy a getaway to Lijiang Old Town. Take your time to relax and explore natural spectacles and minority culture.
Duration: 7 days & 6 nights
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Upon your arrival at Chengdu airport or rail station, you will be greeted by your private tour guide holding a sign with your name at the exit. With the window view, you will be transferred to the hotel booked in prior. Your tour guide will help you with the check-in procedure.
Chengdu is the hometown of giant panda, and features longstanding history and civilization. The foods are excellent. The popular two-flavor hot pot can’t be missed here. For the rest of the day, you may explore the city on your own pace.
In the morning, you will be picked up at your hotel, then drive about 2 hours from Chengdu to visit Leshan Giant Buddha, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is the largest and tallest stone-carved statue of Buddha in the world. The site attracts millions of people every year, including Buddhist pilgrims, making it something of a sacred destination and an ancient wonder in China. To get a close-up view of him, there is a pedestrian pathway that allows visitors to appreciate the changing view of Buddha’s body through multiple perspectives. It is important to note that the plank pathways there are steep and narrow.
After the tour, drive back Chengdu, to visit Kuanzhai Alley and Jinli Old Street. As one of the three conservation districts of historic sites of Chengdu City, Kuanzhai Alley consists of three parallel Chinese old-style alleys. Jinli Old Street is favored by both locals and travelers with laid back atmosphere. Enjoy the tasty Chengdu delicacies and have fun in the teahouses, bars, pubs, boutique shops…
Meal: B, L
After breakfast at hotel, meet your guide and then set off for Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, which is home to nearly 50 pandas, and has just inspired the Kung Fu Panda 3 movie creators to portray a secret panda village. Morning hours will be perfect time to see the pandas. They are enjoying bamboos breakfast and having fun together at the outdoor grassy land. Learn more about pandas, their evolutionary process & life habit, by visiting the panda delivery room.
Later visit the Renmin Park (People’s Park), a good place to experience local people’s life and entertainment. They enjoy their life every day by drinking tea, playing mahjong, dancing, singing in the square. If you are interested, our guide will tell you some basic rule of Mahjong.
After a Sichuan style lunch, transfer to airport for your flight to Luguhu Lake. Upon arrival, be met by your tour guide and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Meal: B, L
2690 meters above sea level, Lugu Lake is a gem located at the mountainous area on the border of Sichuan and Yunnan Province. The lake is sparklingly clear, dotted with 5 islands. Lugu Lake is called the "mother lake" by the Mosuo people. The lake is also well known in Chinese travel pamphlets as the region of “Amazons,” “The Kingdom of Women” and “Home of the Matriarchal Tribe”, this last name highlighting the dominant role of the Mosuo women in their society.
Today, you will be guided to travel around the lake by local transportation, to visit the villages, to take a boat ride on the lake, and to take photos at the viewing platform, etc.
Optional Evening Bonfire Party is available. It can be enjoyable to dance with local boys and girls with the ethnic music as background. It’s not as authentic as it once was, but it’s still a good chance to have a glance at the local culture.
Meal: B, L
In the morning, with company of your private guide, take public bus to Lijiang. The road journey takes around 5hrs. Lijiang is a small peaceful town set in a valley and distinguished by an intricate system of narrow waters and canals. Nestled beneath snow-capped peaks, the old town is a living museum as it is home to the Naxi people who have steadfastly preserved their centuries-old heritage. Upon arrival, enjoy a private transfer to hotel. Be guided to walk around Lijiang Ancient Town (Dayan) to discover many historical streets, structures, sites, schools and secret corners.
Meal: B, L
Explore deep of Lijiang’s beautiful land far away from the big cities, as you explore Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, worshiped by Naxi people as an important scared mountain. Take cable way to Spruce Meadow is at 3,249m to take in breathtaking view of the snowy peaks and meadows.
Later today, explore the pristine Yuhu Village, where most the house are made of brick, stone and mud. It was where Naxi king’s reindeer herder lived, yet now you can still see people riding horses. Visit The Former Residence of Dr Joseph Rock, an adventurer and geographer from USA who traveled through Yunnan and lived in Lijiang for 27 years.
Visit Baisha Old Town, the ancient Naxi Kingdom. Mu Chieftain began their reign from Baisha. Apart from the ancient architectures, you can also see many traditional handicraft wokshops here, e.g. Naxi embroidery workshop.
Meal: B, L
It’s time to say goodbye to this wonderful trip mixed with scenery and culture. At an appropriate time, be met by your guide and transfer to airport for your flight to next destination.
Meal: B, L
