Chengdu Tibet Pilgrimage Tour

• Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding-Transfer to Lhasa

• 4+stars Hotel

• Breakfast

  
  

In the morning, you will go to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. This is not only a scientific research base for pandas around the world, but also a cozy home for more than a hundred of pandas. You will be able to observe pandas of all ages eating, playing, rolling on the ground and climbing trees.

Also, we can learn how to feed them, even we can watch female pandas nursing their cubs . And more importantly, we can further our understanding of how to protect these beautiful but endangered creatures.

In the afternoon, you will go to airport and take a flight to Lhasa. Your Lhasa tour guide will wait for you at the airport and help you to transfer to the hotel.

Tips:

After arrive in Lhasa, you are advised to take it easy and avoid strenuous exercise as this may cause altitude sickness and affect your travel experience and health.

• The Potala Palace--Jokhang Temple--Barkhor Street

• 4+stars Hotel

• Breakfast

After breakfast, you will begin the day's adventure in Lhasa. First you will visit the majestic Potala Palace, which has spanned more than 1,300 years.“Potala" is a transliteration from the Sanskrit for Mt Potala，the mythological mountain abode of Avalookitesvara，God of Mercy.  It is not only the political center of Tibet, but also a holy place of religion, which was once the temple of the Dalai Lama to rule and preach Buddhism.

In the afternoon, we turn to the most sacred Buddhist temple in Tibet - Jokhang Temple, where is enshrined the sacred and extraordinary 12-year-old statue of Sakyamuni, witnessed more than 13 centuries of faith inheritance of this architectural history of the jewel, skillfully blended with the essence of Tibet's native, Chinese, Nepalese and Indian architecture, showing a unique blend of cultures of the beauty. As a spiritual beacon for Tibetans, it attracts countless devout pilgrims every day. 

Outside the temple is the famous Barkhor Street, where pilgrims dressed in colorful costumes stroll along the street. You can follow in the footsteps of pilgrims.

• Norbulingka Park--Drepung Monastery--Sera Monastery

• 4+stars Hotel

• Breakfast

  
  

After breakfast, we will embark on a new journey with our first stop at Norbulingka Park - known as the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lama. When summer arrives, the Dalai Lama moves from the Potala Palace to the Lopblingka office.

Continuing westward for about 5 kilometers you will arrive at the Drepung Monastery. As the Dalai Lama's school, it occupies a pivotal position in the history of Tibetan Buddhism, along the way, you can see the towering temples and churches, like a long scroll of history slowly unfolded in front of us. In its heyday, more than 10,000 monks studied here.  

On festive occasions, the monastery organizes grand Buddhist ceremonies, the most spectacular being the annual presentation of the Buddha statue at the Songtung Festival.

Then turn our attention to the 600-year-old Sera Monastery, famous for its grand Buddhist ceremonies and exquisite architecture.

There are two stories about the origin of the name of Sera Monastery. One theory is that the foot of the sera monastery bloomed wild roses, and wild roses in the Tibetan language pronunciation is "sera", so the monastery got the name "sera monastery". Another theory is that sera temple in the construction of a sudden large hail. Hail in the Tibetan language pronunciation is also "sera", so the temple was built after the name "sera monastery".

• Lhasa--Yarlung Tsangpo River--Yarlung Tsangpo Valley--Gambala Pass--Lake Yamdrok--Karola Glacier

• 4+stars Hotel

• Breakfast

After Breakfast, we will drive to the Yarlung Tsangpo River, which is the biggest river in Tibet and also holds the position as being the river found at the highest altitude across the world. The source area is dotted with moraine lakes, lakes and rivers are intertwined, contains infinite water energy, as China's longest plateau river, it is known as the plateau of the "Mother River".

Subsequently, we will pass through the Yarlung Tsangpo Valley, where you can overlook the vast scenery of the Yarlung Tsangpo River and have the opportunity to take a close photo with the Tibetan mastiffs and sheep.

Continuing on, you will have the opportunity to experience the charm of the Lake Yamdrokl. It is the habitat of many aquatic birds in Tibet. You can build Mani piles here, which signifies that every time the wind blows it is a blessing to family and friends far away.

Eventually, we will arrive at the Karo La Glacier to see the majesty of the glacier. It will takes about 40 minutes hiking from the entrance to the Chayangtso lake to see the glacier.  Hiking distance of about 3 kilometers, the altitude of 4500-4800 meters between.

(Note: This section includes hiking, guests who are worried about plateau reaction can choose to rest in the car, while those who want to challenge themselves can continue to go forward)

Good to Know

1. If you want to take pictures with the Tibetan mastiffs, you need to agree on a price with the local herdsmen, usually 10 yuan per person.

2. Please note that the temperature difference between the morning and evening in Tibet. The daytime ultraviolet ray is strong meanwhile the scenic area temperature is low. Please be sure to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, hats and warm clothing.

• Lhasa--Flight to Chengdu
  

• 4+stars Hotel

• Breakfast

After breakfast, we will start from the snowy plateau of Lhasa and cross the cloudy peaks of the sky to Chengdu. This is the end of our journey here. We hope you have a wonderful memory of this tour and look forward to seeing you again.