Chengdu to Xining Overland Tour

On this trip, we will explore the cultural and nomadic regions of undiscovered Eastern Tibet. There is about 1600 kilometers route from Chengdu to Xining through the traditional Tibetan regions of Amdo has become quite popular in recent years. Visiting the most beautiful snow mountains of Four Girls Mountain and the traditional residences and watchtowers architectural complex of Gyarong Tibet. Travel to the shores of a stunning green colour of nomadic grasslands, visit nomads herding yaks and sheep, and picnic in blooming yellow flower fields. Take short hikes to catch breathtaking views of the natural scenery and watch herds of wild Kasa deer and Tibetan foxes across the plains. Visit remote monasteries nestled in the sides of mountains and travel to the holiest and most beautiful snow mountain in Sichuan, Gansu and Qinghai provinces

Day 1: Chengdu - Wolong Panda Base - Four Girls Mountains 210km/5hour

Today we will drive to Relong town or Four Girls Mountain via Balang Mountains. Our local gudie and driver meet you at your hotel in Chengdu in the morning. Visit Panda Base in Wolong, about 50 Pandas live here, it is the largest breeding center for giant Pandas, integrating scientific research, feeding, breeding, reproduction,wildness training, etc. Then drive to Four Girls Mountains through the Balang Tunnel, if the weather is good, enjoy the beautiful landscape of sunset of Four Girls Mountain.

Overnight at Relong Town.

Day 2: Four Girls Mountain - Danba Zhonglu Village 120km 2 hours 30 Minutes

If the weather is good, you will get early to enjoy the great panoramic view of Four Girls Mountain(also Gula in Tibetan) has four peaks over 5000 meters. Soft hking in the Shuangqiao Valley of the Four Girls Mountains, the scenery is concentrated and charming. Afterwards drive to Danba and visit Wori Manor, the former official residence of the local Tibetan King. After that drive to visit Tibetan village Zhonglu. The most beautiful Tibetan villages in Gyarong Tibet area. Walking and visit in the Zhonglu Tibetan villages. There are more than hundreds buildings of stone houses with the same architectural style, a completed and unique character of Tibetan residences. Around the Merduo Mountain range, the Tibetan residences decorated in red, white and black are strewed at random from the bottom to the middle slope of the Gyarong Valley.

Overnight at Zhonglu Tibetan village

Day 3: Danba Zhonglu - Barkham (Markang)  200km/ 4-5hours

Danba has long been acclaimed as the Kingdom of Thousands of Tibetan Ancient watchtowers. In the morning visit the ancient watchtowers in Suopo Tibetan village. They were made of clay and block and look fine from outside with solid thick walls. Afterwards, drive to Barkham, the capital city of Aba Tibet Autonomous Prefecture.

Overnight at Markang.

Day 4: Barkham - Chongchu grassland - Zoige grasslands 260km/ 4hours

Today drive to Zoige grassland. Zoige is a nomadic county located in northern Aba Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in far northern Sichuan province. Some of the best grasslands on the Tibetan Plateau are found within this county. If you have an interest in Tibetan nomad culture, thousands of families live in traditional style yak wool tents on the grasslands. There is a chance to visit The First Bend of Yellow River.

Overnight at Tangke Town.

Day 5: Tangke Town - Takstang Lhamo (Langmusi) 110km/ 2hours

Today drive to Takstang Lhamo. Known in Chinese as Langmusi, is one of the most picturesque towns in the Amdo region. Langmusi is in a beautiful valley surrounded by alpine forests and amazing mountains. Kirti monastery is home to around 750 monks,

Hiking behind the monastery is one of the highlights of the area. Langmusi is one of the best places through Amdo to hike and horse trek.

Overnight at Langmusi.

Day 6: Takstang Lhamo - Labrang monastery (Xiahe) 185km/ 3hours

Drive to Labrang monastery via Luchu grassland. The nomadic grasslands of Luchu and Sangke which are filled with yaks and sheep.  Labrang monastery founded in 1709, is the largest and most important monastery in the traditional Tibet regions of Amdo. Is is home to nearly 1500 monks, Labrang sits in a stuning valley surrounded by alpine forests and mountains.

Overnight at Labrang.

Day 7: Labrang - Gangya grassland - Rebkong(Tongren) 150km/ 2hours

Today drive to Rebkong, visit Gangya Drakar and it is a nice place to short hike and to see wildlife. Drive to Rebkong is home to three large Tibetan Bddhist monasteries and if famous cross Tibet Plateau for its artists. Along the way, catch beautiful views of the nomadic grasslands filled with seep. If there is time, you will explore Wutun monastery and where you can see artists painting tradtional Tibetan Thankas.

Overnight at Rebkong.

Day 8: Rebkong - Xining  265km / 4-5hours

In the morning, you will visit the Ronwo monastery. One of the largest monastery in Rebkong area. Home to nearly 500 monks. Afterwards, drive to Xining, the capital city of Qinghai province.  30 kiometers outside of Xining is Kumbum monastery. One of the 6 main monasteries of the Gelukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Xining is a diverse city with a prominent Muslim population. The Dong Guan Grand Mosque is one of the largest mosques in China.

Overnight at Xining.

Day 9: Leave Xining

In the morning drive to Kumbum monastery of Gelukpa sect, which as built in 1560. Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelukpa sect. In Tibetan, Kumbum means one hundred thousands Buddhas. It is the famed birth place of Je tsongkapa,the reformer of the Gelupa school of Tibetan Buddhism.  Kumbum is one of the 6 great monasteries in Tibet and home to over 600 monks.

Then visit Dong Guan Grand Mosque, located directly on Dongguan Street in the old district of Xining. There are thousands believers gather and transform the huge courtyard and Dongguan Street to the prayer area. In the afternoon transfer to railway station or airport, your pleasant journey ends.

Map coming soon...