Western Sichuan Tour
Danba has rich and colorful tourist resources, such as singular magnificent natural landscapes, charming magnificent national amorous feelings, ancient and mysterious national history and culture.
Impression of Danba and Tagong in Western Sichuan
Danba is home to ethnic Tibetan, is one of the best—and most accessible—places to explore Gyarong Tibet culture and the watchtowers. The watchtowers were used by the villages as both defensive structures and for communication purposes. Today, these towers offer the best views of the villages and surrounding mountain valleys. Stay with a local family to get a glimpse into daily life, try the local cuisine, and immerse yourself in a culture that has largely remained unchanged for years.
- Leisure time in Chengdu
- Old town Shangli near Yaan
- Luding Bridge, a witness of Tibetan First Bridge
- Tibetan Buddhism monasteries: Gatar Shambling monastery , Tagong Monastery and Gyergo Nunnery in Tagong
- Famous Gyarong Tibetan stone houses and Khampa Tibetan in Western Sichuan
- Danba - one of the most beautiful villages in Tibet
- Soft hiking in Shuangqiaogou Valley of Mt. Siguniang Shan
- Panda in Wolong Natural Reserve
Included
- 10 Breakfasts
- 9 Lunches
- 10 Dinners
- 10 Nights Accommodations (7 Nights Hotel and 3 Nights Community Stay)
- 9 Days Private Guide Service
- 1 Day Locally Hosted Guide Service Both International Arrival and Departure Transfers are included.
Excluded
- International Flights
Recommended Budgeting
- $40 Meals not Included
- $50 Optional Excursions
- $140 China Visa Fee Must be obtained prior to travel.
Danba Watchtower
Journey through Kham Tibet and get an authentic look at daily life for people living on the Tibet Plateau. Hike along high Tibetan ridges, drive through the vast landscape and visit local monasteries as you tour the eastern region of Tibet. Danba is home to ethnic Tibetan, is one of the best—and most accessible—places to explore Gyarong Tibet culture and the watchtowers. The watchtowers were used by the villages as both defensive structures and for communication purposes. Today, these towers offer the best views of the villages and surrounding mountain valleys. Stay with a local family to get a glimpse into daily life, try the local cuisine, and immerse yourself in a culture that has largely remained unchanged for years.
Zhonglu Village – 中路村
Zhonglu is a typical Gyarong Tibet village, representing the local Tibetan-influenced architecture and uncountable old nature stone towers. Zhonglu is one of the three major sites in Danba area, the other two are Jiaju Tibetan Village, Suopo watchtowers. Zhonglu village is known for its towers and its spectacular Tibetan architecture and stone houses. It is beautiful and stunning village, you will be amazed. The village is spread over a wider mountainside, in the center there is a small plain with farmland. The tracks wind up following the geographic necessities. A lot of 3 story farm house combine with the nature stone towers dating from old centuries.
Day Hiking
Its authentic Tibetan village offers great hike through the stone houses and watchtowers on the mountains side. We can organize one day hiking to Soupo village, famous for its watchtowers. The greatest concentration is in Suopo, there are hundreds of these structures. They are built of cut stone, brick and timber, date back as far as 1,700 years and stand up to 50 meters tall. The day hike takes about 6-7hours walk through the forest and cross the mountain to Soupo village.
On the way there is village families and from the high pass 2400m-3200m), there is panoramic views of the Gyalmu Ngelchu River and valley. Once in Soupo village our driver came to pick us up from the village and drive back to Zhonglu village for the night. It’s a nice place to relax and enjoy local Tibetan lifestyle.
Impression of Danba and Tagong in Western Sichuan
Day 1: Chengdu--Ya an - Bifengxia Panda Base - Shangli Ancient Town
Our Tibetan guide and driver meet you at your hotel in Chengdu, in the early morning leave to Bifengxia PandaCenter. Which is located at Yaán City, the Bifengxia Panda Center base is a maiden forest and marvelous valleys. Visit the Panda center in the morning and then drive to Shangli Ancient Town. Drive to Shangli Ancient Town. You will enter another cross cultural time warp as you step back into China's traditional past while exploring the narrow lanes of Shangli Ancient town. The old architectural styles, and plenty of food to taste. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and stay overnight at Ancient town.
Day 2: Shangli Ancient Town--Dartsedo(Kangding) 260km / 5 HRS
Depart from Shangli Ancient Town and head out of the Sichuan basin towards the mountains that guard the approach to the Tibet-Qinghai plateau. During a short 6 hour journey the landscape, climate, cuisine, language and custom of the people entirely change from Chengdu. Arrive to Kangding at 8500 ft (2600m). Kangding sits on the border of the plateau and is well populated by both Tibetans and Han Chinese. Stay overnight at Kangding.
Day 4: Dartsedo (Kangding)--Lhagang (Tagong ) Grasslands 110km 2 HRS
This morning set out to drive up and over Zheduo Mountain pass at 13,800 ft (4200m) and drive 2 hours on to the nomadic trading village of Tagong which sits at 12,000 ft (3700m). Weather permitting you will see the peak of Gong-gar Mountain along the way, the highest peak in China outside of the Himalayas. This high altitude grassland region is home to many nomadic families who spend their days herding yaks. Stop along the way for photo opportunities as you like. The warmth of Tibetan hospitality awaits you at a local homestay tonight in Tagong. Enjoy time with your hosts as you learn more about their way of life.
Day 5: Tagong Monastery - Bamei-- Danba (Zhonglu)
This morning visit Lhagong, the monastery in Tagong wrought with an interesting history. Learn the ancient lore here about a Chinese princess who played a big role in introducing Tibet to Buddhism 1300 years ago. Learn about the history of Buddhism and this monastery before you set out for the 3 hour drive to Danba. The rugged beauty of this region provides stunning views of the most beautiful mountains in Eastern Tibet such as Yala mountain. Follow the seemingly endless mountain canyon down to the tucked away town of Danba at 6200 ft (1900m). High up on one of the hills lies your destination for the next two nights, the quaint Tibetan village of Zhonglu. Your gracious host invites you into their home and show you many cultural relics from hundreds of years ago and introduces you to the history of the area and their traditional way of life.
Day 6: Zhonglu Village hike to Suopo Watchtowers
Today you set out for a relaxing hike on the surrounding slopes that offering beautiful views of the valley below with its terraced farms that the Tibetans have been cultivating for hundreds of years. Again you may make this a light or challenging hike depending on your preference on this day. This area is also well known for many ancient towers that sit in ruins dating back to hundreds of years during the warring period between Tibetan clans. A section of one 700 year old tower is used as part of the home where you are staying!
Day 7: Danba--Four Maiden's Mountain--Rilong Town 120km 2hours
We will drive to Rilong town and visit Chaping Valley is the most easily accessible valley with vistas of snowy peaks, pastures, grassland and forests. It is the most beautiful valley of Four Maiden's Mountain. It’s beautiful valley offer great trekking or horse-riding, you can see the four peaks of Four Maiden’s Mountain Peaks and virgin forest, we strongly suggest you to prepare some food before enter the Valley. There is restaurant and shop in the valley. Horse-riding cost: Depending on your riding distance, Start point to Erdaoping - RMB50, Xiaganhaizi - RMB100, Lianghekou - RMB150, you can negotiate with the horse owner, the price is calculated for round trip. Stay overnight at Rilong Town.
Day 8: Four Maiden's Mountain - Chengdu 220km 5 hours
In the early morning drive to Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan province, if the time allowed then you can pay a visit the Four Maiden’s Mountain valleys. There are 3 different beautiful valley for tourists to explore, but since you time is limited then you will only have time to explore one of these valley. Afterwards, continue drive to Chengdu. Once arrive your hotel in Chengdu, say a goodbye to our Tibetan guide and driver. Ended your pleasant journey in Tibet.
- Leisure time in Chengdu
- Old town Shangli near Yaan
- Luding Bridge, a witness of Tibetan First Bridge
- Tibetan Buddhism monasteries: Gatar Shambling monastery , Tagong Monastery and Gyergo Nunnery in Tagong
- Famous Gyarong Tibetan stone houses and Khampa Tibetan in Western Sichuan
- Danba - one of the most beautiful villages in Tibet
- Soft hiking in Shuangqiaogou Valley of Mt. Siguniang Shan
- Panda in Wolong Natural Reserve
We must point out that, as everywhere in this region you counter a basic tourism infrastructure. You stay overnight mostly at simple hotel. 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.
Map coming soon...
